AR3122 Art as Cognition and Expression Syllabus:

AR3122 Art as Cognition and Expression Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021

OBJECTIVES

 To give understanding of the role and importance of art as a means of understanding the world.
 To give skills in techniques and media of art.
 To enable expression of ideas, thoughts and experience through various visual modes both in terms of realism and abstraction.

UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO ART

Origin and evolution of art as human cognition, representation, expression. Role of art. Understanding representation in art – naturalistic, realistic, symbolic, stylistic, abstract, non- objective art, etc., through study of important works across history from different cultures of the world. Simple studio exercises in basic modes of representation through observation or thought.

UNIT II ART AS OBSERVATION AND RECORDINGOF HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Properties and uniqueness of different media for art. Studio exercises to observe and record the nature of simple indoor and outdoor subjects through techniques of line, colour, light and shade, texture, etc., using different media- drawing, sketching, painting, sculpture, watercolour, tempera, oil, acrylic, pencils, pastels, crayons, paper, canvas, brush, airbrush, pen and ink, mixed media, clay, Plaster of Paris, wire, papiermache.

UNIT III ART AS HEIGHTENED REPRESENTATION OF REALITY

Understanding role of art in heightening reality through accentuation of line, colour, light and shade, texture, emphasis, contrast, balance, etc., by the study of examples from world of art. Studio exercises to understand and bring out the essential characteristics of landscapes, people, places, built environment, situations and objects by heightened reality through appropriate ideas/ tools/techniques.

UNIT IV ART AS ABSTRACTION OF REALITY

The power and role of abstraction as a way of expressing experience and reality through understanding exemplary artists’ works and art movements. Studio exercises in abstract expression of real environment, thoughts and emotions through any appropriate media and technique.

OUTCOME

 Sensitivity and knowledge of art as basic human endeavour.
 Ability and skill to record experience through art.
 Ability to abstract thought, observation and experience through art.

REQUIRED READING

 E.H. Gombrich, ‘Art and Illusion’, Phaidon, 2002.
 E.H. Gombrich, ‘The Story of Art’, Phaidon, 2002.
 ParthaMitter, ‘Indian Art’, Oxford University Press, 2001.
 Nathan Cabot Hale, ‘Abstraction in Art and Nature’, Dover, 2003.
 Robert L. Solso, ‘Cognition and the Visual Arts’, MIT Press, 1994.
 Webb, Frank, ‘The Artist Guide to Composition’, David and Charles, U.K., 1997.
 Francis Ching, ‘Drawing a Creative Process’, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York,1990.
 Lucy Watson, ‘Complete Painting and Drawing Handbook’, DK Adult, 2009.
 JuhaniPallasma, ‘The Thinking Hand’, John Wiley, 2009.

REFERENCES

1. Bernard S. Myers, ‘Understanding the Arts’, Holt Rinehart and Winston Inc, 1964.
2. Fred, S. Kleiner, ‘Gardener’s Art through Ages’, Wadsworth Publishing, 2012.
3. John Dewey, ‘Art as Experience’, Penguin, 2005.
4. Wassily Kandinsky, Point and Line to Plane, Dover, 2013.
5. Alan Swann, Graphic Design School, Harper Collins, 1997.