Evaluating Art

CONSIDERATION OF A WORK OF ART  Tom B. LinkedIn

1) To appreciate a work of art with any degree of satisfaction, it is necessary for the viewer to have as much direct experience with works of art as possible. If this is not the case, all of the following points are irrelevant. 

2) —- 

3) There are no second or third points to consider. This is to emphasize the importance of point 1) above all other points. 

The following points are in no particular order, but all are important. (Not every work of art must necessarily answer to all). 

4) COMPLETE – the work, with its own internal impetus, runs its course to fulfillment and is complete in itself. 

5) INTENSE – As an attribute that is more felt (by the viewer) than seen. 

6) CONTINUOUS – each part flows freely without unfilled blanks. 

7) WELL EXECUTED – faithful to the medium; crafted; well executed. 

8) DOMINANT IN QUALITY – pervading the entirety in spite of variations. 

9) COMPLEX – interrelated between its parts: multi-ordinal. 

10) PUZZLING – the viewer solves the puzzle with consequent pleasure and fulfillment. 

11) REFERENTIAL – to the past history of art through an understanding of composition, color, texture, line, and space etc. This is sometimes called “formal”. 

12) CREATIVITY – the art object created is something new – not seen before; something perhaps offering a novel viewpoint. The sum of the work is greater than it’s parts.