Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Art that moves us

In my last post I talked about great drawings being so much more than just the capturing of subjects. The same principal I believe is of course true for paintings as well as all other kinds of artwork.

Today I am asking the question; But what exactly is it about certain artworks that move us? Why do we walk past one artwork barely noticing it while another stops us dead in our tracks? Simon Schama, author of The Power of Art described it well: “the greatest paintings grab you in a headlock, rough up your composure, and then proceed in short order to re-arrange your sense of reality. . . “ Most art enthusiasts can relate to this. But what is the difference between an artwork that causes this reaction versus one that does not? And how about certain work moving one person but doing nothing for another?

8 comments:

Damion009 said...

simply beautiful!!!!

Anonymous said...

This drawing stopped me dead in my tracks! What an inspiring work of art!!!! Michael

Ann said...

For me it is all about weather I can ‘feel’ a piece. If it stir something deep inside, if standing in front of a piece is an experience all by itself. If an artwork stays on my mind for days and weeks after I saw it, that is when I know it moved me.

Anonymous said...

So glad to see your doing some more photography!

Antoine de Villiers said...

Thanks everyone!

Ann, I appreciate your input. Do you think it may be like one artist speaking 'our language' while another may not?

José Carrilho (Go Detail) said...

Hi Antoine,

I could talk about the technical issues that may attract me on a work of art, but there's one thing that for me is a winner and that's when a work makes me smile.

Kind regards,

José

Antoine de Villiers said...

Good point, José. And I assume an artwork does not necessarily have to be humorous to make you smile?

Ann said...

Antoine, I certainly do! That is why there is such a variety of work out there. Also why 'good art' is so hard to define.