Content vs. Form

CONTENT is what is represented/shown in a work of art.“What it is supposed to be?”

FORM is the physical properties of a work of art.“What is it really?”

How to look at art…

Content vs. FormCONTENT

• Literal Content: What is literally represented in the image? Make no assumptions.

• Interpreted Content: What is implied/suggested/felt by the literal content?

How to look at art…

Content vs. FormFORMComposition is how the overall space of the artwork is used.• Good composition creates a dynamic space where everything is considered and feels intentional. The viewer is allowed to move throughout the entire compositional space.

• Bad composition consists of awkward unused spaces. It feels poorly planned and unintentionally focuses the viewer’s attention too much in one place.

How to look at art…

Content vs. FormFORMElements of Art are the different “pieces of the puzzle” that can be assembled to create a work of art.

LINE COLOR

SHAPE VALUE

SPACE TEXTURE

How to look at art…

Edvard Munch,The Scream1893

line

Ferdinand Leger, The Disks, 1918

shape

color

Georges Seurat, La Grande Jatte, 1884-86

value

Georgia O’Keefe

Vincent Van Gogh,Wheat Field with Crows, 1890

texture

Rene MagritteTime Transfixed, 1938

space (plastic)

space (decorative)

Umberto Boccioni, Cavalry Charge, 1915

DALI, Salvador, The Persistence of Memory, 1931SURREALISM

Content vs. FormFORMPrinciples of Design are the different ways the elements of art can be arranged within a composition.

CONTRAST VARIETY

BALANCE MOVEMENT

DOMINANCE / EMPHASIS

How to look at art…

balance

balance

variety

variety

Which picture best shows variety?Which one best shows balance?

Edvard Munch,The Scream1893

movement

Early Renaissance:Giotto,“Lamentation”c.1306

dominance

Which picture shows movement?Which one shows dominance?

dominance

Claude MonetImpression, Sunrise1872, Oil on canvas

contrast

I Love you with my Ford,James Rosenquist 1961 contrast

Which picture best shows contrast?

Which one best shows dominance?

Contrast, balance, variety, dominance, or movement?

Content vs. FormFORMThe ultimate goal in assembling a composition for a work of art is to create UNITY.

The ELEMENTS of ART are arranged according to the PRINICPLES of DESIGN within a COMPOSITION in an effort to create UNITY.

GESTALT is the German word which refers to seeing the whole, rather than the parts…

How to look at art…

color

Georges Seurat, La Grande Jatte, 1884-86