How to Interpret Sculptural Artforms – Part Two
In a previous post from the other day, I introduced the idea of ways in which we can interpret sculptures and other, three dimensional artforms. I quoted Artist and Educator, Mark Creegan’s list of questions to contemplate while viewing a sculptural artwork – he had several “descriptive” (what it is) questions.
Creegan goes on to further explore a second set of questions called “connotative” (what it means). Here they are;
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- All the descriptive or formal considerations contribute to a work’s meaning (esp. material, context, form)
- What associations can be made? (what does it remind you of?) If none, then it is self-referential, the form or material is the content. Some associations are unintended by the maker.
- Is an element “foregrounded”? Does it stick out? (ex. a color, a texture, a material)
- Who made it? When? Where? Why?
- What is the title?
- Meaning is fluid and transitory!