Sunday, June 9, 2013

Form and Content



To some artists and art critics, form and content are considered distinct aspects of a work of art.  Form refers to the work's style, techniques and media used, and how elements of design are used.  Content refers to a work's overall essence, or what is being depicted.



In our studio, young artists don't particularly care about these concepts.  They just want to discover new things and feel good about what they are doing.  Their form is depicted more through how their bodies are moving, while the word content shifts in pronunciation and simply means "happy".




As seen above, this artist uses his physical form to explore materials and feel content while he engages in the act of mixing colors.  Here, he transfers that feeling of contentment into a more concrete visual representation of line and shape.




He forms an idea, a purpose, an image, a friendship.  The contents of his painting are purely a result of the sensory experience, though he is also content with the resulting aesthetic value of his work.







Using his body to paint, he creates both form and content.  Without having to stop and think about it, the artist is also engaging his physical, mental and emotional abilities, as he moves, thinks and feels.  This is but one way that form and content can be depicted, as art is hardly ever just about the subject matter.

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