An Awareness of Art
3:26 PMHey guys!
Disclaimer: I'm no art expert and information presented in here might be wrong. It's just my humble opinion.
At this time, painting is an expression of self, unlike the previous era where painters are tukang lukis. I knew of Van Gogh because of his mental illness and suicide (very typical of psychology students, ha). What I didn't know is that he was Dutch - although he later moved to Paris and Arles in France. He wasn't that famous when he was alive but received acclaims after he commited suicide. What I like about Van Gogh is his style, the long dots and vivid colors. It looks almost choppy and blotchy - but somehow it works. I suppose his era was approaching our time so it's more understandable. Notice that there are almost no lines, very different from the previous century. This is a representation of one's perception. I believe this is what we now call art.
Recently I have been obsessed with the Google Arts & Culture website. I came across this TED Talk featuring Amit Sood talking about this project. It's an online catalogue of thousands of art works from various museum around the world - and some 'street view' of the museums themselves. You can see loads of work up close, through your computer screen, of course.
Since moving to Europe, I've found a love for the arts. Before coming here, I know nothing of art and art history. I'm no expert obviously but I try to grasp why people can stand in front of a painting for a long time and seem to be in awe of it.
In Amsterdam, stood a very well known museum and perhaps the country's most treasured one: Rijskmuseum. It houses countless priceless artworks in this massive gothic/renaissance style which you can't explore in one visit - impossible with its many many exhibition rooms. Tourists (like myself) must first go to the second floor to see The Night Watch.
The Night Watch - Rembrandt van Rijn - 1642 (en.wikipedia.com)
The painting is huge, almost to the ceiling and it's very grand as it depicts military officers preparing for battle. I came to learn that this painting was commisioned by the people in it. Having yourself painted on canvas is a sign of wealth. But why is it so fascinating? Well, we have to acknowledge that it was once a giant blank canvas. How the hell did Rembrandt sketch and paint this enormous painting with such details (look at the faces and shadows!)? Look at the lights and its fluidness (or the attempt to make this painting in motion). I'm taking it a bit far but you can almost hear them chatting with their boots clacking and rifles loading.
After a few readings, I found out that his style of painting is called baroque or at least people in that era often produced work typical of this style - realistic, often depicting people with harsh lines. I also enjoy paintings by Van Eyck and Jheronimus Bosch (he was a genius!). But, after visiting other museums, I've fallen in love with the Impressionists and Post-impressionists, namely Van Gogh and Monet.
Starry Night Over the Rhone - Vincent Van Gogh - 1888 (en.wikipedia.com)
At this time, painting is an expression of self, unlike the previous era where painters are tukang lukis. I knew of Van Gogh because of his mental illness and suicide (very typical of psychology students, ha). What I didn't know is that he was Dutch - although he later moved to Paris and Arles in France. He wasn't that famous when he was alive but received acclaims after he commited suicide. What I like about Van Gogh is his style, the long dots and vivid colors. It looks almost choppy and blotchy - but somehow it works. I suppose his era was approaching our time so it's more understandable. Notice that there are almost no lines, very different from the previous century. This is a representation of one's perception. I believe this is what we now call art.
Poppies - Claude Monet - 1873 (en.wikipedia.com)
Claude Monet's work is also something I came across while browsing through the Google Art and Culture. Look at the picture above: isn't that dreamy? Again, no harsh lines, very blurry, in fact but it makes it fluid and I bet there's some wind blowing in that field. Other works by Monet is similar to this, a very dreamy like state with bright colors.
Naturally, art is about perspective. It's the artist' eyes perceiving the world. Some artist, possibly abstract artist, let admirers build their own perspective so art can be 'owned' by anyone. For me, artists tell a story and I'm one for a good story.
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