Art: to see, understand, to appreciate

Art had a historical value for centuries, the natural and precise depiction was of great importance; Art changed with the invention of photography, artisitic integrity and imagination became more important.

We should try to look at art with an open mind and without prejudice. The beauty of art reveals itself when we take the time to explore the artwork; every shade is determined by another and its environment, every colour longs for its compliment and forms a unity with its surroundings.

An artist absorbs lots of inspirational impressions and then chooses the one that will determine his work of art. Hij tries to find the difference between real and surreal.
We can feel and see how the artist feels life. He gathers impressions and picks whats important to him. The artist gradually builds his masterpiece to show us his version of reality.

To understand the artist we must ask ourselves some questions.Lines may divide plains, they give direction or may have some sort of rhythm. Colour can fade in to eachother or have sharp clashing contours..; They might or might not contrast. Where is the light coming from ? From the left or the right?Up, down?What effect does that bring?Is everything well balanced? The more questions we ask ourselves the better we will be able to "read" and understand the work of art.

Our feelings play an important role while admiring art. Maybe we even give it a meaning that it doesn't have. We might interperate a stillife or a landscape as a tribute to fertile soil, or maybe we feel some mystery or joy or anger…

A work of art is made once and is therefore unique.

We can talk about understanding the work of art only when we feel a strong attraction. Every individual is different and depending on our character and temperament we determine whether we like the known, or the unknown, light or dark, joy or anger… Sometimes our feelings at that particular moment, determine our feelings towards the artwork.

If we are repeatedly "drawn towards" an artwork, if we feel a connection, indeed if there is interaction between the artwork and the beholder, then THAT is the moment of intense visual pleasure…

- Marc Sterken -