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Arta: Istoria creatiei artistice
«De ce realizează omul imagini? De ce creăm opere de artă? În decursul
istoriei au fost oferite diverse răspunsuri la aceste întrebări – tot
atâtea răspunsuri câte opere de artă. Și totuși, există un aspect al
reprezentărilor artistice care le unește în timp și spațiu, aidoma unui
fir de aur: operele de artă au fost întotdeauna un mod de a consemna
întâlnirea omului cu natura. Ele comunică felul în care relaționăm cu
lumea, curiozitatea și fricile noastre, curajul și modul în care ne
situăm în relație cu celelalte animale.
Însă întâlnirea aceea este totodată una cu noi înșine, cu natura noastră
umană. Consemnăm ceea ce simțim și vedem în jur, dar și ceea ce ne
amintim și ne imaginăm – duhuri și zei și fantasme ale propriei
fantezii. Prin intermediul imaginilor artistice ne confruntăm totodată
cu acea parte misterioasă și ineluctabilă a firii noastre umane – cea pe
care o întâlnim în adâncul unei peșteri întunecate ori într-o încăpere
lipsită de lumină: moartea și mortalitatea, a noastră și a celor din
jur… Astăzi, operele de artă pot fi „instalații" în care putem pătrunde
– spații reale. Oare lumea toată a devenit o operă de artă? A devenit o
lucrare omenească, astfel că trăim în prezent într-un mediu creat în
întregime de om.»
istoriei au fost oferite diverse răspunsuri la aceste întrebări – tot
atâtea răspunsuri câte opere de artă. Și totuși, există un aspect al
reprezentărilor artistice care le unește în timp și spațiu, aidoma unui
fir de aur: operele de artă au fost întotdeauna un mod de a consemna
întâlnirea omului cu natura. Ele comunică felul în care relaționăm cu
lumea, curiozitatea și fricile noastre, curajul și modul în care ne
situăm în relație cu celelalte animale.
Însă întâlnirea aceea este totodată una cu noi înșine, cu natura noastră
umană. Consemnăm ceea ce simțim și vedem în jur, dar și ceea ce ne
amintim și ne imaginăm – duhuri și zei și fantasme ale propriei
fantezii. Prin intermediul imaginilor artistice ne confruntăm totodată
cu acea parte misterioasă și ineluctabilă a firii noastre umane – cea pe
care o întâlnim în adâncul unei peșteri întunecate ori într-o încăpere
lipsită de lumină: moartea și mortalitatea, a noastră și a celor din
jur… Astăzi, operele de artă pot fi „instalații" în care putem pătrunde
– spații reale. Oare lumea toată a devenit o operă de artă? A devenit o
lucrare omenească, astfel că trăim în prezent într-un mediu creat în
întregime de om.»
- GenresArtNonfiction
456 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
17 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 21, 2024
With the advent of modernity, art's role became increasingly complex. It challenged conventions, questioned established norms, and sought to express the anxieties and aspirations of a rapidly changing world.
"Art is a primal urge, as much a part of us as language or fire." ; indeed, the book's ambitious journey through human artistic expression reveals a profound truth: art is not merely a decorative endeavor, but a reflection of our evolution, a mirror held up to the very essence of our humanity.
From the crude handprints adorning the walls of prehistoric caves to the intricate digital landscapes of contemporary artists, Stonard's narrative showcases the interconnectedness of human creativity with our evolving consciousness. We see how the earliest forms of art served as expressions of survival and spirituality, depicting the hunt, the heavens, and the human form in its raw, unadorned state.
As civilizations arose, art became a vehicle for cultural identity, a testament to our collective ingenuity. The Egyptian pyramids, Greek sculptures, and Renaissance masterpieces stand as monumental testaments to our growing mastery over materials and our insatiable thirst for beauty.
But it is not merely in the grand monuments that we see our evolution reflected. Stonard's exploration of seemingly mundane objects – from ancient pottery to medieval manuscripts – reveals the intimate connection between art and everyday life. These artifacts speak of our ingenuity, our values, and our social structures, providing a window into the hearts and minds of our ancestors.
Today, in a world saturated with images, art continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible. Yet, as Stonard reminds us, the underlying impulse remains the same: to create, to communicate, and to connect with others through the language of visual expression.
The evolution of art is a testament to our innate creativity and our boundless capacity for self-expression. As we continue to evolve, so too will our art, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of human experience.
"Art is a primal urge, as much a part of us as language or fire." ; indeed, the book's ambitious journey through human artistic expression reveals a profound truth: art is not merely a decorative endeavor, but a reflection of our evolution, a mirror held up to the very essence of our humanity.
From the crude handprints adorning the walls of prehistoric caves to the intricate digital landscapes of contemporary artists, Stonard's narrative showcases the interconnectedness of human creativity with our evolving consciousness. We see how the earliest forms of art served as expressions of survival and spirituality, depicting the hunt, the heavens, and the human form in its raw, unadorned state.
As civilizations arose, art became a vehicle for cultural identity, a testament to our collective ingenuity. The Egyptian pyramids, Greek sculptures, and Renaissance masterpieces stand as monumental testaments to our growing mastery over materials and our insatiable thirst for beauty.
But it is not merely in the grand monuments that we see our evolution reflected. Stonard's exploration of seemingly mundane objects – from ancient pottery to medieval manuscripts – reveals the intimate connection between art and everyday life. These artifacts speak of our ingenuity, our values, and our social structures, providing a window into the hearts and minds of our ancestors.
Today, in a world saturated with images, art continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and pushing the boundaries of what is considered possible. Yet, as Stonard reminds us, the underlying impulse remains the same: to create, to communicate, and to connect with others through the language of visual expression.
The evolution of art is a testament to our innate creativity and our boundless capacity for self-expression. As we continue to evolve, so too will our art, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of human experience.
February 22, 2026
John-Paul Stonard’s Creation: A Fully Illustrated, Panoramic World History of Art from Ancient Civilisation to the Present Day sets itself the ambitious task of a sweeping survey of global art across millennia. Organised into 27 thematic sections spanning major epochs and movements, the book is structured in a way that invites slow, reflective reading, allowing the reader to dip in and out without losing their bearings. Stonard writes with deep expertise and assured command of his subject, weaving together discussions of artistic technique, historical context, intellectual currents, and cross-cultural influence. Rather than treating art history as a simple chronological march of styles, he often draws unexpected connections across time and geography, placing disparate works in conversation under broader conceptual themes.
I did have two reservations. Personally, I would have preferred slightly tighter framing within each chapter, focusing more squarely on a single movement or era at a time. Stonard’s more expansive thematic approach is intellectually impressive, and he generally succeeds on his own terms, but for a reader without a strong background in art history it can make the book feel a little disjointed and conceptually dense. Secondly, although the book is described as “fully illustrated,” not every artwork discussed is reproduced, which makes it harder to fully engage with the analysis, particularly when careful visual attention is essential to the argument. I would have preferred either comprehensive visual coverage or a stricter alignment between the narrative and the images provided. Even so, it’s an informative and wide-ranging survey, filled with thoughtful and perceptive commentary. 6/10
I did have two reservations. Personally, I would have preferred slightly tighter framing within each chapter, focusing more squarely on a single movement or era at a time. Stonard’s more expansive thematic approach is intellectually impressive, and he generally succeeds on his own terms, but for a reader without a strong background in art history it can make the book feel a little disjointed and conceptually dense. Secondly, although the book is described as “fully illustrated,” not every artwork discussed is reproduced, which makes it harder to fully engage with the analysis, particularly when careful visual attention is essential to the argument. I would have preferred either comprehensive visual coverage or a stricter alignment between the narrative and the images provided. Even so, it’s an informative and wide-ranging survey, filled with thoughtful and perceptive commentary. 6/10
January 13, 2025
Incredible!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews