Art is often described as a universal language, a medium through which human creativity, emotion, and thought are expressed. But as we delve into the complexities of what art is—or what it should be—we find ourselves confronted with challenging questions. Is art merely the product of an artist’s vision, or is it something that must hold deeper meaning, aesthetic value, or societal relevance? This debate has intensified in recent years, particularly with works like Marcel Duchamp’s "Fountain" and Maurizio Cattelan’s "The Comedian," which push the boundaries of art to their limits and, for some, cross into the absurd. The Many Faces of Art Traditionally, art has been seen as an aesthetic experience or a form of communication, where the creator’s...
I have been collecting artworks for several years now and acquired nearly 400 pieces in the last five years alone. A significant portion of my collection was purchased at auctions, and while participating in auctions was exciting, the outcomes were not always favorable, especially in the beginning when I often paid well beyond justified value. Art enthusiasts can understand the excitement of acquiring a new piece for their collection. However, add to that the thrill and dynamic atmosphere of auctions, and you find yourself caught in a whirlwind that pushes you to pay much more than the market value of a work. I have come to the conclusion that art auctions ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE. Of course, there are instances...
In the latest blog article, we reviewed some significant artistic movements and their associated styles. Although it is a good starting point to help characterise an artwork, it's not as easy as one might think. Upon rereading, one can see that certain elements of one style often appear in an other. For example, the vibrant colors of expressionist can also be found in fauvism, and distorted forms are a characteristic of cubism as well as expressionism and fauvism. Additionaly artists often use elements from multiple styles to create their works. If approached too seriously, the subject can seem heavy and discouraging. Personally, I leave the serious aspect of the matter to the experts and prefer to view it from a playful perspective,...
Understanding artistic movements and styles is essential for appreciating art and celebrating the diversity and richness of a country's artistic culture. Art movements are somewhat like periods in the history of art when artists share common ideas and techniques. They work together to create artworks that reflect their vision of the world. Art styles, on the other hand, are aesthetic characteristics often found in artworks of a certain time and place. Art styles are often associated with broader art movements like Impressionism or Cubism. By learning about artistic movements and styles, we can better grasp the evolution of art and the influences that have shaped it. We can also more easily distinguish the ideas and techniques used, as well as...
When discussing the history of painting in Canada (or even art in general), one cannot ignore the places, institutions, movements, and artists from other countries that have had a significant influence on global art. Most good texts on the history of painting reference these elements, so it's worth reviewing them briefly. In this blog, we'll divide this into two parts: the first will cover some places and institutions that left their mark on art in the 19th and 20th centuries, while the second will focus on certain styles and movements that shaped the evolution of painting in Canada. Barbizon Barbi what? you might ask. No, Barbizon is not an old bearded man painting late at night. It's a small village...
