Chapter 6 (and 7) Introduction
Because of the limits of nature, art objects are limited to the dimensions of space—and time. For this reason, art objects fall into three categories: two-dimensional art, three-dimensional art, and four-dimensional art. Each category has divisions deriving primarily from differences between the materials and approaches used. Throughout history, art objects generally fit clearly into a discrete classification. In the nineteenth century, however, artists began exploring the limits of new materials as well as the boundaries of the categories into which they fell to see if they were real or arbitrary.
Two-dimensional art occurs on flat surfaces, like paper, canvas, or even cave walls. This art can be further divided into three main categories: drawing, painting, and printmaking. All art that occurs on a flat surface is one or a combination of these three activities.
Three-dimensional art goes beyond the flat surface to encompass height, width, and depth. There are four main methods used in producing art in three dimensions. All three-dimensional art uses one or a combination of these four methods: carving, modeling, casting, or assembly. A form of three-dimensional art that emerged in the twentieth century is installation, a work in which the viewer is surrounded within a space or moves through a space that has been modified by the artist.
Four-dimensional art, or time-based art is a relatively new mode of art practice that includes video, projection mapping, performance, and new media art.
Artists find ways to express themselves with almost any resource available. It is a mark of creativity to make extraordinary images and objects from various, but often somewhat ordinary, materials. Using charcoal, paper, thread, paint, ink – and even found objects such as leaves – artists continue to search for ways to construct and deliver their message. In Chapter 6, we look at both 2D and 3D artworks created with what are considered both traditional and modern materials.
In Chapter 7 of our study of contemporary media, we review some of the more contemporary materials and methods that have been introduced over the last century and that are widely used by artists today. Though we know the pinhole camera or camera obscura was invented many, many centuries ago, the actual recording of images we call photography came about just in the last century. After photography came film, and then through electronic processes came computers and video. We will review how artists have embraced this new media and take a look at what is meant by alternative media as it relates to the terms “conceptual art” and “performance art.” The distinction between what is considered craft vs. what is considered fine art is another important topic in this section, and finally, we will be introduced to the rather large and diverse topic of public art.
