ART ANALYSIS

CONTEXTUAL AND EVALUATIVE PLANES

Presented by: Group 2
 TOPIC OUTLINE
DEFINITION OF
CONTEXT AND
CONTEXTUAL PLANE

HOW ART IS RELATED

TO SOCIETY’S
HISTORY SYMBOLIC SYSTEM AND
MILIEU
ECONOMIC,POLITICAL EVALUATIVE PLANE: THE
AND CULTURAL VIEWER AS THE CRITIC
 CONTEXT AND
CONTEXTUAL PLANE
CONTEXT

The set of circumstances or facts that

surround a particular event, situation,
etc.
This could include when a work of art
was made, where, how, and for what
purpose. This could include historical
information on the artist or issues or
things the artist references.
 CONTEXTUAL PLANE

refers to examining the involves considering

artwork within its factors such as the artist’s
broader historical, background, and the
cultural, and, social period in which the
context. artwork was created.
HISTORY
ART IS RELATED
INTO SOCIETY
Art acts as a collective memory of
society.
Art expresses how it felt to exist in a
particular time.
Art is also communicative
Art is often a preferred vehicle for social
change
GIFTS OF THE MUSE
“These intrinsic effects enrich individual
lives, but they also have a public
spillover component in that they
cultivate the kinds of citizens desired in
a pluralistic society. These are the
social bonds created among individuals
when they share their arts experiences
through reflection and discourse, and
the expression of common values and
community identity through artworks
commemorating events significant to a
nation’s (or people’s) experience.”
— McCarthy et al (2004) ‘Gifts Of The
Muse’
HOW ART IS RELATED
TO SOCIETY’S
ECONOMY
The arts contribute to our economy by
attracting tourists and businesses,
developing skills and talents and
generating new employment
opportunities.
HOW ART IS RELATED TO
SOCIETY’S POLITICS

Art helps express the people's political

views and to promote social change.
Art was also used by the governments
to promote their own agendas.
HOW ART IS RELATED TO
SOCIETY’S CULTURE

Art reflects and shapes societal values,

identities, and beliefs, serving as a
means of communication and
preservation of cultural heritage.
EXPLORING
THE BASICS
OF
SYMBOLISM
IN ART
Symbolism has long been an integral part of
artistic expression, allowing artists to
convey complex ideas, emotions, and
narratives through visual representations.
Understanding the basics of symbolism in
art can enhance our appreciation and
interpretation of artworks across different
periods and styles.
Artists can convey ideas and elicit feelings
beyond literal representation by using
symbols as a visual language. Through the
application of symbolic meaning to objects,
colors, shapes, and movements, artists
generate levels of interpretation that
encourage spectators to interact with the
artwork more deeply. Symbols can be
universal, cultural, or personal, and they all
have different meanings and connections.

INTERPRETING
SYMBOLISM
The interpretation of symbolism in art is
subjective, allowing viewers to bring their
own perspectives and experiences to the
dialogue. While artists may have intended
specific symbolic meanings, the viewer's
response is equally valid. Engaging with an
artwork's symbolism involves careful
observation, research, and an openness to
multiple interpretations, acknowledging the
rich layers of meaning that symbols can
convey.
Symbolism in art serves as a gateway to
deeper understanding, inviting viewers to
delve beyond the surface of an artwork and
uncover its hidden layers of meaning.
Whether through universal symbols, cultural
references, or color associations, artists
employ symbolism to communicate ideas,
emotions, and narratives that transcend the
boundaries of language. By grasping the
basics of symbolism, we enhance our
appreciation of art's power to evoke and
provoke, forging connections between the
artist's intentions and our own
interpretations.
The term "milieu" originated from the French language,
where it directly translates to "middle" or "environment." It
entered the English language in the late 19th century,
retaining its original meaning of referring to the
surroundings or environment in which something exists or
occurs.

The meaning of "milieu" has since expanded beyond its

literal translation to encompass broader contexts,
especially in fields such as sociology, psychology, and the
arts. In these contexts, "milieu" refers to the social, cultural,
historical, and environmental factors that influence
individuals and communities. It emphasizes the
interconnectedness between individuals and their
surroundings, recognizing that people are shaped by and
shape the environments in which they live.

Artists are inevitably influenced by the milieu in which

they live and work, and their creations often reflect the
values, beliefs, and experiences of their time and place.
MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS
Cultural milieu:
Different cultures have their own artistic traditions, aesthetic
preferences, and symbolic languages. Artistic styles, techniques,
and subject matter can vary widely from one culture to another,
reflecting the unique perspectives and experiences of each society.

Historical milieu:
Artistic movements and trends are often influenced by the historical events
and social milieu of a certain era. In contrast to the Romantic movement,
which developed in response to the political and social unrest of the late
18th and early 19th centuries, the Dada movement was born out of the
tragedy and disillusionment of World War I.
MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS
Cultural milieu:
Different cultures have their own artistic traditions, aesthetic
preferences, and symbolic languages. Artistic styles, techniques,
and subject matter can vary widely from one culture to another,
reflecting the unique perspectives and experiences of each society.

Psychological Milieu:
The psychological milieu pertains to the mental and emotional surroundings
in which people function. It takes into account elements like character traits,
attitudes, feelings, and interpersonal connections. In their artistic creations,
artists may explore personal experiences, ideas, and emotions, drawing on
their own psychological milieu.
 NOTABLE ARTISTS
Universal Symbolism
Some symbols have meaning that cuts across
cultural and historical divides. For instance, a
serpent can represent both intelligence and
seduction, while a dove is frequently connected to
serenity. By drawing on archetypal images and
common human experiences, these universal
symbols enable artists to convey ideas to a wide
range of viewers.
Cultural Symbolism
Symbols can have a deep cultural foundation by
referencing the customs, ideologies, and myths of a
particular group of people or historical period.
Cultural symbols can have complex meanings that
are best understood in context. For example, in
many Eastern cultures, the lotus flower is symbolic
of purity, enlightenment, rebirth, or divine beauty.
Color Symbolism
In visual symbolism, colors are essential because
they elicit particular feelings and communicate
symbolic ideas. Red, for example, is frequently
associated with passion, intensity, or danger,
whereas blue is associated with melancholy or
peacefulness. In order to create deliberate
contrasts or visual harmonies, artists purposefully
use color symbolism to improve the atmosphere,
narrative, or theme elements of their artwork.
Symbolism in Art Movements
Numerous creative movements have made symbolism a
major principle throughout history. Symbolist painters
frequently used surreal or metaphorical imagery in an effort
to portray the occult or mystical parts of reality. Symbols
were also used by surrealism to investigate the
unconscious psyche and question accepted wisdom.
Through examining the symbolism found in various art
movements, we can learn more about the larger cultural
and philosophical frameworks that influenced these
creative manifestations.
 EVALUATION
PLANE: THE
VIEWER AS THE
CRITIC
EVALUATIVE
PLANE
This is the plane of analysis that
examines the value of work having a
dialogic relationship with public. This
considers to what degree the material
basis of the work conveys meaning or
particular intellectual or emotional
contents.
VIEWER’S
SUBJECTIVE
INTERPRETATION:
Personal experiences and interpretations become
intertwined with the artwork itself, adding layers
of meaning and significance to the viewing
experience. This subjectivity extends across
various art forms, emphasizing the diverse ways
in which art can be understood and valued by
different viewers.
GET TO KNOW
THE ART
Since art is full of meaning, and
those who look at and judge
art bring their values and
perspectives. To truly
understand art, we must
consider the context in which it
was created and how it reflects
the changing social and
historical influences of its time.
 THE VIEWER AS THE
CRITIC
Formal Analysis:
Assess the formal elements
of art (composition, color,
line, etc.) to evaluate
technical proficiency and
aesthetic appeal.
Critical Theory:
Apply critical frameworks (feminism,
post-colonialism, etc.) to analyze
artworks and uncover underlying
meanings and power dynamics.
Historical and
Cultural Context:
Contextualize artworks within
their historical and cultural
settings to understand their
significance and relevance.
Engagement with
Intended Message:
Evaluate how effectively
artworks communicate their
intended messages and elicit
emotional responses from the
audience.
 REFERENCES
https://www.chitkara.edu.in/blogs/the-significant-role-of-art-in-shaping-our-society/
https://www.montenagler.com/art-affect-culture-
society/#:~:text=Painting%2C%20sculpture%2C%20music%2C%20literature,place%20at
%20a%20particular%20time.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-herkimer-artappreciation/chapter/reading-context-
is-part-of-when-and-
where/#:~:text=Contextual%20Information,our%20understanding%20of%20an%20artwor
k.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/159293298/Contextual-Plane-Presentationdocx/
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!