What are your guidelines in the appreciation in the work of art?

Answer 1

Creating is bringing something to life. In the case of an artist it is the creating of something new, unknown, something that wasn`t there before. It is this quality that differentiates artistic creation from handicrafts. A regular craftsman knows exactly what he is making, while to an artist the process of creation is full of secrets and surprises - till the work is finished. This process can't be planned in advance - it is made up of a series of flights of imagination of the artist as well as his trials to express in the best possible way the vision formed in his brain. This process is very complicated and never runs the same way.

It is essential to remember that the process of creation doesn't just come down to the perfomance of some movements by the artist (eg. moving with a paint brush or hammering a piece of marble), but it is mainly what happens in his mind. He has a certain vision, but it isn't an entirely finished painting - the vision goes through a series of alterations. It often happens that the creation of a work was initiated by a short flash of inspiration, an idea that doesn't require long preparations or a load of work (this refers mainly to modern art, for example works made from already existing objects, but then in an unusual context, i.e. ready-mades). Artistic creativity is such a delicate matter, that we cannot be specific, as every piece comes to life in a different way. One thing is certain - when creating the artist drifts in places that are inaccessible to normal humans. * http://library.thinkquest.org/20868/ang/cp/cp.htm

Answer 2

The quality of an artwork is determined by balancing a number of factors. The most important of these is historical relevance, both as it pertains to the artist as a representative of their time period (IE Jacques-Louis David's mastery of neoclassical style reflected the sentiments of the French Revolution) and also where the work falls in line with the artists personal career (IE Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon is considered one of his greatest masterpieces because it predicts many of the issues he would spend his life dealing with).

Other factors like execution, innovation and overall cultural influence are all taken into account when making an informed judgement about an artwork.

Of course this becomes more complex with contemporary work. Since it is very difficult, if not impossible, to truly know what any generation will be remembered for, attempting to judge a work as indicative of its time period is dicey.

Many people say that "how it makes you feel"* is the only way to judge a contemporary work. While there is something to be said for that - particularly if you are a collector - an informed contemporary art viewer will base their judgement of an artwork on its relationship to art history as it has occurred and is being discussed as well as the factors that surrounded its creation (IE the who/what/when/where etc.) How you feel about it DOES matter; it matters because YOU are inherently indicative of your time period.

*"how it makes you feel" had been the complete answer submitted for this question prior to my entry.

Answer 3

I think the most important is that the works should move me and make me reflect on something. Then I will pay attention to his words. I think a good work will not lack some wise words.

Answer 4

open-minded