Visual Arts Research Articles

Art as a Basic Factor in the Formation of Key Competences in Adolescents

This article reflects the author’s views on the significance of art, in its integral entirety, as a basic factor in the formation of key competences in children and students. The concepts of competences, abilities, education through art, as well as the specific goals of visual art education in the various educational stages indicated in the normative documents – from preschool education to high school education – including the areas of competence for each of them are considered. Keywords: art, key competences, abilities, areas of competence

A framework connecting vision and depiction

ABSTRACT We present a framework that connects ideas from the visual arts and visual perception. It adapts two existing frameworks for the analysis of form and content so that it can be used in an educational context for teaching perception through visual arts. The basis is the formal analysis of texture, colour, light, space, and material. This analysis can be conducted both on the medium and the motif, which adds a second level in addition to the formal level. Thirdly, a conte(n/x)t level is discussed which combines a basic notion of semiotics and iconography. We share our experience of implementing pictorial analysis in design and perception education and discuss how the framework is used both in a quantitative and a qualitative fashion. Next to education, the framework provides a basis for further pictorial research.

Tapping on Collective National Trauma

Tapping on Collective National Trauma

Thinking with traces: A posthumanist reading of human and nonhuman agencies in Zhu Yingchun’s The Language of Bugs

The Language of Bugs by Zhu Yingchun (2018) is an art book wavering between the linguistic and the bodily, visual arts and literature. Consisting of thousands of traces left on paper by real-life insects and their bodily movements, it does not contain any text traditionally readable for humans, but claims to be a book written entirely in the language of insects. The traces indicate nonhuman agency for the insects and present writing and literature as subjects of nonhuman actions and messy interspecies collaboration. At the same time, the book rises questions on insect “language” and the possibility of ethical representation originating from a very human point-of-experience. In this article, I reflectively explore different crossings of human and nonhuman agencies in The Language of Bugs, as well as how the book engages with questions of representation and materiality, writing and literature in the framework of posthumanist reading. I analyse the book as participating in the attempt to notice more-than-human ways of being in literature and culture, which are traditionally only perceived through human agency. The context of my reading is threat posed by ecological crises and especially the decline in insect populations for the future of the planet. I argue that Zhu Yingchun’s book represents a wider shift in thinking about the natural world and humans’ place in it. Ultimately, the book articulates one very basic question: can literature widen to include traces of nonhuman movements?

Humanity in the face of collapse: selective empathy and tentacular empathy in visual arts and theatre

Humanity in the face of collapse: selective empathy and tentacular empathy in visual arts and theatre

“We Found People…”

This photo essay shows human remains. Viewer discretion is advised. Death Valley in Chojnice, Poland, is the site of mass crimes committed by officers of the Third Reich against citizens of the Second Polish Republic during World War II. This photo essay describes the circumstances of the discovery of mass graves dating from late January 1945, when several hundred Poles were taken to the outskirts of the town, murdered, and their bodies burned to cover up the traces of the crime. The text advocates the presentation of human remains as irrefutable material evidence of the crime and of the the cover-up attempt. The reason it is presented as a photo essay is because the visual arts, in the context of documenting mass graves, are able to capture aspects of the site – the materiality of the crimes committed and the aura of the exhumation itself – that are not usually taken into account in archaeological field research. Such elements, however, are inherent to any field research that involves the exhumation of innocent victims.

How Do We Craft Autoethnography? A Modest Review

I am writing this review as an essential reading for readers and writers of the book—Crafting Autoethnography: Processes and Practices of Making Self and Culture, edited by Jackie Goode, Karen Lumsden, and Jan Bradford, which explores the art of crafting autoethnography (Goode et al., 2023). As a novice autoethnographer, I have grappled with challenges and explored borders while shaping my narrative as a self-narrator of autoethnographic writing. So, in this review, I have attempted to engage readers by offering the invitation, encouraging initial reading as entry to the book, subsequent re-entry, and eventual exit as my evaluation of the book. This book resonates with me, emphasizing the significance of writing our lives and stories, developing self-awareness through performative, philosophical, and artistic writing, and shaping our identity—advocacy and transformation. Through diverse perspectives—from sociology to the visual arts—the contributors of the book illuminate their processes, inviting novice and veteran autoethnographers to write to explore the intricate craft of autoethnography.

The Expression of Vietnamese Folk Art in the Painting Series “Technique du Peuple Annamite”

Vietnamese folk painting art, a traditional art form, is the quintessence of the nation's cultural heritage and historical significance, expressing rustic beauty but containing a Vietnamese culturally conscious mind. In order to preserve the typical beauty in the daily life of ancient Vietnamese people, a genre of folk painting rich in visual art and meaning appeared in the early 20th century. That expression is a set of paintings in an ethnographic research work by Henri Oger, a French scholar. The "Technique du peuple Annamite" series of paintings was produced in large quantities by Vietnamese artisans and reflects the daily life of the Vietnamese people in the capital Hanoi and the Red River Delta. This research was conducted to clarify the elements that create the folk character of the painting from the perspective of visual arts. The results of this study show that the paintings, from themes to forms of expression, all reflect the quintessence of Vietnamese folk art.

The Interplay of Religion and the Visual Arts: A Bibliometric Network Analysis (1991–2023)

Since the emergence of digital media in the 1990s, a new realm of interaction between the visual arts and religion has been forged and evolved. The spread of visual media technologies has significantly influenced the study of religious visual art worldwide after the 1990s. Despite this, the field of religious visual art during the digital era is still relatively uncharted, with a notable absence of comprehensive theoretical frameworks. To address this gap, the present paper employs bibliometric methods, conducting a thorough review and analysis of 2544 pieces of international academic literature in the domain of religion and visual arts post-1990s. The analytical framework is structured into three primary sections, each dedicated to answering key questions: (1) what constitutes the inherent relationship in the study of religion and visual art?, (2) what disciplinary context do these interplays occur within?, and (3) in which domains and regions does this interplay predominantly unfold? The outcomes of this rigorous analysis offer valuable insights into interdisciplinary influences and evolving research trends within the realm of religious visual art. These findings stand to benefit art researchers and practitioners, providing a comprehensive overview of potential avenues for the exploration of visual arts with religious themes. Through a systematic investigation, this research endeavors to heighten scholars’ awareness of the significance of visual arts in the field of religion and illuminate the interdisciplinary trends at the intersection of religion and visual arts.

The effects of visual art therapy on adults with depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Depression constitutes a pervasive global mental health concern and stands as a principal determinant of elevated suicide rates worldwide. Recent empirical investigations have showcased the significant potential of visual art therapy (VAT) in ameliorating symptoms among individuals with depression. Nevertheless, specific studies have yielded findings marked by inconclusiveness, underscoring the imperative need for further research to comprehensively establish its efficacy. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of extant research, to ascertain the efficacy and effect size of VAT as an intervention for adults with depressive symptoms. A comprehensive search was conducted across 10 databases. The search encompassed articles published from the inception of these databases up until October 18, 2023. Two researchers screened the literature in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria and performed a thorough quality assessment. The original data and the data obtained from the literature were extracted for further analysis. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using Stata 17.0 software. fifteen studies were included, encompassing a total of 932 participants. The outcomes of meta-analysis unveiled a statistically significant effect of VAT in diminishing depressive symptoms among adults (SMD = -0.73; 95% CI, -1.07 to -0.39; p < 0.001; 15 randomised controlled trials (RCTs); low-quality evidence). The subgroup analysis indicated that VAT exhibited heightened effectiveness among adults below 65 years of age, with interventions lasting ≤12 weeks demonstrating superior efficacy. Additionally, sensitivity analysis underscored the robustness and reliability of the findings. VAT appears to alleviate depressive symptoms among adults. Existing research indicates that the effectiveness of VAT is influenced by factors, such as intervention population characteristics and intervention duration. However, to comprehensively probe the efficacy of VAT, future studies should strive for larger sample sizes, multicentre collaborations, and long-term follow-ups.

The Impact of Arts Integration in Primary Education

The Impact of Arts Integration in Primary Education explores the profound influence of infusing visual arts, music, dance, and theatre into traditional academic subjects. This holistic approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and overall academic success. Despite concerns about potential drawbacks, arts integration is deemed crucial, particularly in schools without arts specialists. The article delves into strategies for success, emphasising curriculum mapping, professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, flexibility in lesson planning, alternative assessments, community engagement, and ongoing support. By addressing challenges and implementing effective strategies, educators unlock the transformative power of art in primary education, preparing students for a future enriched with creativity and critical thinking. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52783/tjjpt.v45.i02.6724

A Tiny Box, Big Dreams: The Lamasco Microgallery as a Nontraditional Venue for Art &amp; Community Engagement

This article explores the Lamasco Microgallery, a grassroots initiative borne from a community grant in Evansville, Indiana. Beyond showcasing art, the microgallery embodies a public philosophy of inclusivity and accessibility, challenging traditional museum models and fostering social connection through the visual arts. This article examines the microgallery’s conception, philosophy, and the impact of its first exhibition and community reception. It argues that such unconventional spaces offer valuable platforms for community engagement, empowering residents to engage with diverse perspectives and cultivate a more inclusive community.

Institutionalized Aesthetics: Video Games and the Contemporary Art Gallery

The art museum or gallery is not a neutral space for housing works. As much as it accepts new types of media, they have to adapt to suit the context of viewing and the conventions of an art-historical discourse. This type of institutionalized aesthetic underpins the evaluation of art objects and even imposes a definition on what art is. Working critically through this discourse, this article examines the limitations of art museums and galleries in presenting, evaluating, or addressing the ludological and temporal aspects of video games. First, it outlines how assumptions pertaining to the visual arts carry over into the selection of games as well as their placement within exhibitions. Second, it examines how this discourse, which is invested in the architecture and structure of the art museum, also privileges a particular regime of spectatorship based on shared viewing, the autonomy of art, and aesthetic contemplation.

Revolutionary Enclosures (Until the Apricots)

Jasbir K. Puar and Dima Srouji build upon their respective work in architecture, visual art and decolonial theory to produce a collaborative examination of colonial pathologies for Sharjah Art Biennial 15, 2023. Srouji’s architecture and art practice encompass a variety of mediums that allow her to explore notions of heritage and public space in Palestine and the region. Puar is a writer and scholar whose current work focuses on settler colonial violence, disability and debility in Palestine. Their collaborative installations integrate understandings of space and planning with the contemporary politics of resistance in the context of Palestine and the surrounding region. At Sharjah Art Biennial 15, Puar and Srouji present ‘Revolutionary Enclosures (Until the Apricots)’ (2023), a series of household items that respond to the material conditions of lockdown, interweaving the artists’ experiences of COVID-19 quarantine in Palestine and their memories of the Second Intifada (2000–2005), a major Palestinian uprising against Israel. The project reframes everyday objects emblematic of the trauma of enclosure for Palestinians as transformative matter and reservoirs of affective practices of resilience, community and caregiving: hoarded cans of tuna form the constituent parts of a radiator signifying warmth; resin apricots evoke the exchange of sustenance among neighbours; shrapnel becomes decorative wallpaper motifs; a stairwell used as shelter from air raids transforms into a communal reading space. Exploring the collective rhythms and materialities of these conditions, Srouji and Puar conjure the everyday making and remaking of the commons through and against the constraints of siege and containment. The conversation published here took place between March and September 2023, and thus predates the latest phase in the catastrophic violence that has historically defined Israel’s relationship to Palestine and the Palestinians. Triggered by an unprecedented and shocking attack by Hamas on 7 October, Israel’s genocidal military campaign in Gaza is not an anomaly, but in line with and part and parcel of the systematic ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians and the Apartheid system that the settler colonial state of Israel has relied on for its sustenance since 1948. The questions asked here by Maasri and Toukan, as well as the artworks discussed by Jasbir and Srouji, probe aspects of this very condition that has brought us to the unabashed genocidal violence we are now all witness to today.

Relentless Melt: visual trends and aesthetics of contemporary visual music films in Hong Kong

In recent years, a growing trend of abstract and experimental animation has emerged in Hong Kong, with an increasing number of works produced over the last two decades, particularly since around 2015. This article examines how Hong Kong artists approach abstract animation, the predominant aesthetic trends, and how these trends relate to or diverge from Western traditions in visual music, following pioneers such as Hans Richter, Viking Eggeling, Oskar Fischinger, Harry Smith and Norman McLaren. Employing content analysis, as used by Emmanouil Kanellos (2018) and textual analysis, this study investigates 95 selected works from the Relentless Melt screening series curated by Max Hattler and organized by the Hong Kong-based society Relentless Melt. By categorizing the data under two separate systems – the ‘What System’ and the ‘Where System’, as suggested by Margaret Livingstone in Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing (2002) – the analysis encompasses aspects related to the perception or recognition of objects, faces, or other properties under the ‘What System’, and the perception of motion, depth, spatial organization and figure/ground segregation under the ‘Where System’. Unlike pioneering visual music artists who largely abandoned mimetic constructions in their aesthetics, some Hong Kong artists employ various types of representational abstraction. In addition, many do not shy away from expressing concepts or narratives in their hybrid visual music works while retaining fundamental elements, such as audio-visual synchronization. This project represents an initial step towards a more systematic understanding of Hong Kong’s visual music practices, aiming to promote plurality over homogeneity by critically examining the multiple facets of artistic practice in Hong Kong. It is hoped that this study will contribute to international scholarly discourse and establish a trajectory for further exploration.

Artist’s perspectives and creative methods for online multi-sensory performances during and after COVID-19: a qualitative interview study

ABSTRACT The realm of multi-sensory performances engages various senses and frequently promotes audience participation, aiming to foster immersive and inclusive arts-based experiences. The evolution of this field saw accelerated advancements during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article aims to explore the creative methods choreographers employ to overcome the challenges of creating multi-sensory experiences for online or remote audiences. In doing so, this study emphasises exploring the intricacies of artistic methods rather than evaluating the effectiveness of specific methods. Engaging six international artists in dance, theatre, visual arts, and music, the research employs reflexive thematic analysis and an interpretivist stance. Artists used pre-recorded audio, live calls, apps, and sensory boxes to engage audiences. Creative methods encompassed the utilisation of imagination, co-presence, and various objects to recreate sensory experiences. The advantages of online work include increased accessibility, but challenges include the lack of shared physical space, which can affect the mental well-being of artists and hinder collaboration during rehearsals. The study explores the complexities of creating online or remote multi-sensory experiences, providing practical guidance for artists navigating the evolving online artistic expression landscape. It contributes to the richness of practice research and enhances the broader discourse on immersive and participatory experiences.

Representing slavery in visual art: a multimodal approach

Abstract This article explores some issues related to the trauma of slavery, colonialism and identity-formation processes through a multimodal analysis, which is particularly useful in studying the manifold meanings and relationships emerging from the forms of cultural and social representation such as visual art. A series of images, chosen within Ellen Gallagher’s art exhibition “AXME”, held at Tate Gallery in London, is investigated to deal with the discursive constructions of gendered and racial identities. Employing Kress and van Leeuwen’s model (2021 [1996]. Reading images: The grammar of visual design. London: Routledge), this article attempts to identify the signs related to categories such as gender and race, as well as the persistence of stereotypical representations in our contemporary societies.

Artificial intelligence as a chance

The article analyses the influence of artificial intelligence technologies on the sphere of design and artistic culture in general, as well as on creative processes in design, architecture and visual arts. The factor of artificial intelligence is considered not so much in the applied and instrumental sense, but as a global driver of cultural and technological revolution, which can change the entire civilisational pattern of mankind in the foreseeable future. Under these conditions, the creative sphere becomes the “polygon of meanings” where strategic scenarios of human interaction with artificial intelligence can be worked out. The author investigates the socio-psychological and cultural aspects of readiness and unreadiness of creative professional culture for this mission.

PRACTICE-BASED PHD IN VISUAL ART: AN INQUIRY REGARDING THE CURRENT SITUATION OF INDIAN ART EDUCATION

This research paper deals with a research methodology for Visual Art related research. Practice-based research is common in the art institutions of Europe, America, Australia, and Asian countries like China and Japan. In India, it is not well-known. This paper has been written on the basis of the experience gathered during the practice-based doctoral research of the first author (In India) and second author (In Hungary). To understand the exact scenario the views of senior art educators and research scholars in India were also taken. It has also included the experience through participation in the workshop on practice-based doctoral research, organized by Banaras Hindu University. These experiences and views lead this research to conclude with the requirements and possibilities of implementation of the Practice-based PhD as a suggestion for Indian Art Academia.

Cognitive enrichment through art: a randomized controlled trial on the effect of music or visual arts group practice on cognitive and brain development of young children

BackgroundThe optimal stimulation for brain development in the early academic years remains unclear. Current research suggests that musical training has a more profound impact on children's executive functions (EF) compared to other art forms. What is crucially lacking is a large-scale, long-term genuine randomized controlled trial (RCT) in cognitive neuroscience, comparing musical instrumental training (MIP) to another art form, and a control group (CG). This study aims to fill this gap by using machine learning to develop a multivariate model that tracks the interconnected brain and EF development during the academic years, with or without music or other art training.MethodsThe study plans to enroll 150 children aged 6-8 years and randomly assign them to three groups: Orchestra in Class (OC), Visual Arts (VA), and a control group (CG). Anticipating a 30% attrition rate, each group aims to retain at least 35 participants. The research consists of three analytical stages: 1) baseline analysis correlating EF, brain data, age, gender, and socioeconomic status, 2) comparison between groups and over time of EF brain and behavioral development and their interactions, including hypothesis testing, and 3) exploratory analysis combining behavioral and brain data. The intervention includes intensive art classes once a week, and incremental home training over two years, with the CG receiving six annual cultural outings.DiscussionThis study examines the potential benefits of intensive group arts education, especially contrasting music with visual arts, on EF development in children. It will investigate how artistic enrichment potentially influences the presumed typical transition from a more unified to a more multifaceted EF structure around age eight, comparing these findings against a minimally enriched active control group. This research could significantly influence the incorporation of intensive art interventions in standard curricula.Trial registrationThe project was accepted after peer-review by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF no. 100014_214977) on March 29, 2023. The study protocol received approval from the Cantonal Commission for Ethics in Human Research of Geneva (CCER, BASEC-ID 2023-01016), which is part of Swiss ethics, on October 25, 2023. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05912270).