Description

Applied to
Contemporary
Art
 There are three elements that constitute
description of contemporary art: what the
artwork is all about (Subject matter), what
materials/medium were used in the process
of art-making, and the art form.
 Atthis point, we do not yet make any
judgement.
Subject Matter
 Iswhat you see that is
depicted in artwork. It
may be a human form
where then figures are
engage in an activity
or a combination of
texture and color.
Materials

 Iswhat the
artwork is made
of. It can also be
a combination of
objects used in
the artwork.
The art elements and principles

 Refer to the physical

qualities of the image.
 The artist uses colors, lines,
space and other
elements to create visual
images.
 These are arranged into
an organized manner of
design in a creative way.
  What is the main figure in the
artwork?
Thesubject  How is the main figure placed
Matter within the artistic frame?
 How do other figures in the
artwork relate to the main figure?
  Materials or objects used by the
artist?
 The materials  Do these materials bring out the
intended effect of the artists?
 If the artists chose other materials,
do you think the same effect will
be achieved? Why and How?
  What are the dominant elements in the
artwork?
The art  How are these used in the artwork?
elements and  How are line, shape, volume used within the
artistic frame?
principles  How the texture, movement or space used
within the artists?
 What are the unifying features in the artistic
composition
 How does the art form appeal to the visual
sense?
Lets us apply the three elements on
Michael Cacnio’s sculpture,
Baloons.
The subject matter
 There are two figures in the
sculpture, one higher (female)
What is the main figure in the and other, lower (male).
artwork?
 They attached to each other
How is the main figure placed in an unusual way, the male
within the artistic frame? holding on to the foot of the
How do other figures in the female who is pulled upward
artwork relate to the main figure? by the balloons. Each figure
his/her one hand up in the air.
 The lower figure has his leg
holding on to the staircase
while the other leg is bent in
the air.
 The material

 Cacnio used brass for this sculpture.The fingers,

 Materials or objects used by the although tiny, are done.
artist?  The balloons are painted to add variety to the
 Do these materials bring out the dominant color, gold.
intended effect of the artists?
 If the artists chose other
materials, do you think the same
effect will be achieved? Why
and How?
 The art principle
 What are the dominant elements in the
artwork?
 How are these used in the artwork?  Perfect balance is achieved in the
 How are line, shape, volume used within sculpture.
the artistic frame?  From the head of the higher figure
 How the texture, movement or space down to her feet and on to the
used within the artists? torso of the lower figure is straight
line.
 What are the unifying features in the
artistic composition  Their arms on the air provide
balance to the whole figure.
 Are there any variations among the
repeated elements?
 How does the art form appeal to the
visual sense?