Lesson 2.

2: Content of Art

The content is art differs from the subject but both must go hand in hand. A subject will
always have message behind and a content will always be portrayed with the use of a subject.
Content is basically linked with the use of form and is interpreted on how it is associated by
artists. Content can be unpacked and communicated by referring to the artist’s imagery of how
it looks, the symbolic meaning as to how it must be interpreted and the reason behind it came to
its existence and the explanation of the artwork.
Achieving a better understanding of art goes through specific process. There are three
levels that can help a person to identify the content or the meaning of art. The first one is the
factual meaning which states the literal statement or the exact meaning behind the subject. The
second is the conventional meaning which implies the special meaning of the depicted form as
commonly perceived by a group of people, an organization or even a country. The last one is
called subjective meaning which gives individuals a chance to deliberately give meaning to a
certain work according to his/her angle of vision. An artist may have a different interpretation of
his/her work compared to his/her audience.
It must also be considered that content is based on meanings that answers the questions
as to what the artists meant to portray, what the artists actually portray, the reaction of the
individuals who are witnessing such artwork, the special and conventional meanings as well as
the actual messages of the artwork. In addition, content includes various ways in which work was
influenced. It does not limit from religion to politics or even society in general.
Content in a work of art refers to what is being depicted and deriving the basic meaning.
It can be straightforward or less obvious that requires further deciphering. Content appears in
various form under visual art categorized in a figurative or literal types. The emotional or
intellectual message of an artwork or content may differ in terms statement, expression, and
mood developed by the artist. The viewers or audiences’ interpretation can or cannot be
synchronized with the artist’s intentions because of diverse lenses and experiences. One person
may have different interpretation compared to another person or a group of individual. There are
instances that meanings of nonobjective shapes becomes clear in the artist’s mind only after the
concept evolve in the canvass. However, it is not a requirement that a viewer must look into the
story of the creator himself/herself, but a little background research will do in terms of as to when
the art work was made, the period or culture in order to widen the concept of understanding the
viewpoint of the artists in order to fully understand the content. For example, the work of Vincent
van Gogh's specific and personal use of color may be gained by reading Van Gogh's letters to his
brother Theo. Gogh’s letters expressed an evolving belief that color conveyed specific feelings
and does not only focuses on the literal color itself. The use of color to emphasized viewpoints
can somehow add power to the message. The letters also revealed a developing personal color
iconography, in which red and green symbolized the terrible sinful passions of humanity; black
contour lines provided a sense of anguish; cobalt blue signified the vault of heaven, and yellow
symbolized love. For Van Gogh, color was not strictly a tool for visual imitation but an instrument
to transmit his personal emotions. Color symbolism may not have been used in all his paintings,
but an understanding of his intent helps explain some of his choices and the power in his work.
That is why, symbolism is also very important for creators and viewers to understand the real
meaning of an art.

Keeping Art
Keeping of art involves significant players in order to maintain and preserve with utmost
care while preserving value of a significant object. A country, a society or even a group of people
may signify art in various meanings in the aspect of economic value and as a reflection of culture
and a symbol of pride. Below are some of the reasons why art should be kept.
1. National Pride and Glory
2. Museums and Private Collection
3. Preservation and Restoration
A country or a nation keep arts for many reasons. It can be an avenue for business that
can help the country’s economy by attracting tourists and generate jobs for the people. The
museums are establishments which makes the artworks available for public viewing via
exhibitions. One of the many benefits of a museums is that if opens opportunity for tourists to
explore, researchers to dig, students to learn and many other significant purposes. In the ancient
times, Kings and rulers keep art for aesthetic value, personal pleasure, pride, religious purposes
and even to exhibit power. In the preservation and restoration area, it is evident that it would take
ample of necessary manpower and resources that include financial and security investments,
devotion and consistency in order to maintain the aesthetic value. It is an organized work of
designated individuals that entails enormous time and effort in doing so.
There are also a lot of reasons why museums are important. Museums documents
international, and local culture. It provides people of a glimpse of the past. It shares untold stories
and inform present generations the ordeals of ancient people regardless of cultural backgrounds.
As it documents life, it preserves disappearing stories and bring back previous rituals, religions,
food, art and nay other artefacts. It educates people on cultures not only in his/her own
community but also of the others. Globalization requires individual to be aware of the global
movements. It is a fact that museums are a wonderful place to learn where not only children can
enjoy but also adults. It can also serve as a local tourist spots of which a specific community may
gain profit out from it while proudly exhibiting the richness of their culture. Museum also displays
alternative view of history as it also displays timelines of histories and perspective and/or angle
of the untold while it also connects different backgrounds. It can be a place for learners and
natives to visit while looking back the past events.
Preservation of things from the past helps communities will help communities, society or
even a country maintain its values and authenticity of the present from the future. It is one of the
most crucial value of artwork and the manner of treating its authenticity. The decision making as
well as methods takes time and resources. Authenticity of the modern society can sometime be
hard to trace due to the influences and inheritance form other countries and as the local culture
transitioned with the taste of its own artistry. Preservation and restoration will never be an easy
task. There should be a collaboration of science and other roles to successfully make it more
meaningful and factual as much as possible. Alteration of details and or destruction of the artifact
during the process of restoration may affect the final results. Many might assume that
conservation is very crucial in a society. That is correct! Conservation of material heritage shapes
society where it is located as much as it shapes the dynamics of the specific society. Now, it was
mentioned that science plays a very important role in preservation and restoration. You might
think that preserving an artifact is as easy as putting it inside a cube-shaped glass or a jar. It is
far from that. There are artworks that deteriorates as time flies, temperature changes, natural
disaster, or even human activity. Conservation is where the art and science have to meet and work
hand in hand. The use of scientific methods by using analytical equipment and engineered
materials which are useful in the conserving the work of art and the essential care, display,
exposition and interpretation. Physics, chemistry and biology as well as human discipline can be
a best collaboration in finding the best solution for treatment to preserve artifacts for the benefit
of the future.
The overall meaning of “conservation” is the act of utilizing specified techniques to
maintain or restore the original aesthetic of a work of art. Art conservation refers to techniques
that attempt to return a piece of art to its original state by addressing any damage or deterioration
appearing on the surface of the art.
In conclusion, a great work of art continues to age and may deteriorate as time flies. The
value might increase but the authenticity and originality might decrease. Conservation and
restoration require a lot of resources and man power for the sake of preservation. It demands
time, money and consistency to dully protect the art from damages as to maintain its aesthetics
that will provide pride and glory among people in a community or society as a whole.