The next major art type was Rococo. It developed in Paris, France and was very light and elegant. The ornate style used mostly gold and white colors. It displayed many fanciful curves based on "c" and "s" shapes. Many sculptures in this time used porcelain and silver. The Rococo design was commonly used in entire rooms and included elegant furniture, small sculptures, and framed mirrors. Below is an example of Rococo design in the Basilica at Ottobeuren.
Both of these art forms showed magnificence and power of the owner. They also evoked a lot of emotion from those that viewed them. However, following these art periods were Romanticism, modern art, and eventually contemporary art. The word contemporary means belonging to or occurring during the present. Contemporary art is the most recent art period, and it consists of work on all sorts of unusual mediums. Some mediums that have been used are trash, colored pencils, poker chips, post it notes, chewing gum, cassette tapes, and even bathtubs. The paintings also strayed away from the usual human and nature paintings and became much more abstract. However, despite being much more abstract, contemporary art has been much more socially conscious that any other era preceding it. It has been used to take stands on societal issues such as feminism, gay rights, AIDS, and racism. For example, in class we discussed the DIA painting, Officer of the Hussars, and it clearly discusses the issue of racism. Art has changed so much over the years, and it is going to be very exciting waiting to see what it changes to in the future.
I liked how you talked more about the art types and their characteristics than we did in class. Its interesting how art has transitioned to a much more abstract version in the past couple decades. It seems, to me at least, the abstract and modern art seems to invoke more thought, such as that last picture with the bathtubs.
ReplyDeleteHey David,
ReplyDeleteI like how you expanded on the briefly discussed Rococo and Baroque architecture and their place in art's history. The transition and connection to contemporary was nice. It's a needed reminder that, ultimately,art is about the opinion and message of the creator.
David, thanks for "drifting through" (haha get it?). the evolution of art with us. I especially like the examples of contemporary art that you included, they both have the ability to evoke unique emotions and meanings in each of us. That is what I think makes art so powerful, the way it can affect everyone in a special way.
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