Art Appreciation – A Rich, Rewarding Experience
I DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT ART BUT I KNOW WHAT I LIKE?Perhaps you’ve gone to a gallery or art museum, looked at the artwork displayed and said to yourself, “What the heck is that? I can’t understand it! Why is this here in a gallery?”Or, maybe you’ve gone to a gallery or art museum and your reactions was, “Wow! Great stuff! I like this! I don’t know why, but I do!”Or, maybe you’ve gone to a gallery or art museum, and, after viewing the exhibits, you walk away feeling bored and disinterested. You may have said to yourself, ” Why do I bother with looking at art? I never understand it. It’s beyond me.”Like any other discipline, art requires the viewer to be knowledgeable about the information it presents. Sometimes we think we should just automatically understand art. After all, there it is, just hanging there on the wall and all we have to do, we think, is just look at it. But do we really SEE it? Often, our response may be, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.”
That is just another way of saying, “What I like is really just based on my ignorance.”THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU CAN ENJOY
Liking a certain artwork is a pleasure. You have communicated with visual phenomena and really enjoyed the experience. It can be a very enriching, rewarding experience to know how and why an art form developed or have some knowledge of how and why an artist works in a particular way. More than likely, your perspective is quite limited if you have never studied art or know how it has developed in not only, our Western culture but all over the world.What if you could gain information on the many forms of art that have been produced since humanity began, and how it developed over time to the present day? What would this kind of study mean to you? It would mean that, equipped with that knowledge, you would be able to enjoy a lot more art! Here’s why.The more you know about art and its development, the more you can enjoy looking at art! You will see much more and understand the context, content and style of the art form. And this is the basis of Art Appreciation-a study of how to expand your knowledge of the art world, past, present and future and, with that perspective, be able to communicate with the rich visual/creative world!HOW TO BEGIN
So, how do your start gaining knowledge of this vast art world? Where do you begin?Begin by dipping your toe into Art History. With a basic Art History 101 knowledge you will be able to see how art, as we know it, was not really a term until the science of Art History was developed in our western culture. And, when it was developed, as you can read in many art history books in the library, art has existed as long as humans have been able to pick up a stick, brush or chisel and record their lives and experiences.There are several ways of learning how to appreciate art:ONE — Learn about the basics of art history. How art developed, from the Lascaux cave paintings to modern art today. Older art history books deal primarily with artistic development in Western culture. Newer books add developments in Asia, China, Russia and the mid-East. The study of Art History has, over time, become global. In learning the time lines and factors that produce new perspectives and styles in art, you will not only gain a new historical perspective, but also become acquainted with the various art forms produced over the past centuries.TWO–Choose a certain period or style in art history and learn about it. Perhaps Impressionism interests you. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to know the difference between Op Art and Pop Art. Through studying the cultural impact of a certain style on a specific period in time, you can understand why that particular art form developed and appreciate the artwork in a broader context.THREE–Take a tour of your local art museum. Museums offer a wide variety of art educational programs and tours of their exhibits. Or travel and see the actual art in its setting. There are many websites on the Internet listing global art tours and travel, often by geographical location or specific art and architectural styles. On site art tours offer a unique and interesting way to travel and can give you an intimate, one on one perspective with the historical art and culture of the area. Tour groups are generally small in number and conducted by very knowledgeable guides delighted to respond to all of your questions and comments.FOUR-Visit your local art galleries often. Galleries are supportive of their artists and gallery owners and attendants are usually quite pleased at your interest in their exhibits. They will be glad to give you information on the artists, such as whether they are local, where they have shown their work, what awards they have won, and who has purchased their artwork. Keep informed of present and future exhibits. This hands on approach, connects you closely with affordable art that is available where you live and often created by artists who live in or near your area.DISCOVER A RICH VISUAL WORLD
Art Appreciation is as big or small a study as you want to do. Whether you want to make it an occasional outing or a serious study, whatever you choose, learning how art forms have historically developed and understanding what is on the walls in your local gallery will definitely change your perspective.Wouldn’t it be great to be able to discuss a painting on the wall in a gallery, instead of shrugging and muttering, “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like.”
Think of it. Perhaps your response would be more like, “I like the way this artist uses color in an Expressionistic style. The brushwork is so vigorous! There is a lot of energy in the composition. Also, the use of thick paint produces an interesting texture.”Through Art Appreciation you can discover a rich visual/creative world that will inspire you and beckon you to learn more.
Culinary Schools – What You Should Not Overlook When Choosing One?
Once you make up your mind to pursue culinary training, the first thing you have to do is look for reputable culinary schools. In the last couple of years, the number o people interested in pursuing this career has risen and as a result, the number of schools has also risen. This has led to stiff competition as each tries to convince students they offer the best education. Though this is the case, you have to note that all institutions are not the same. For this reason, you have to weigh your options carefully before choosing one. To guide you through his process, consider the following.Research Extensively
Start by exploring the facilities of the institution. This is for the purpose of confirming they have modern raining facilities. Research about the type of instructors they have and the training programs they offer. You should also visit the preferred institution and ask as many questions as possible before agreeing to enroll. There are a couple of questions you need to ask yourself as well.• Ask yourself important questions such as what you intend to do with the degree you get. Are you considering opening your own restaurant or seeking employment as an instructor, food writer, personal chef or caterer?• Do you need to attend an expensive school or will a short term course meet your needs?
• Have you talked to graduates from the selected culinary schools? What do they have to say about them?Understand the School Curriculum
Make sure you understand the curriculum offered by the institution. Majority of the institutions are known to offer glossy brochures showcasing the available classes. However, before making your decision, be careful to confirm that they have a program that will push you in the right direction. You need to ask questions in order to increase the possibility of achieving your goals. Also, ask whether you will be trained on how to be a cook or a chef since there is a difference between the two.Size of your Class and Facilities
Another aspect you need to look at is the size of the class. The fewer you are, the higher the chances you will get the attention you need to be a better student and achieve your goals. In addition to this, make sure they have a modern kitchen and it can accommodate the number of students in your class. This way, you can rest assured of getting the practical lessons needed to make you a better cook or chef.By choosing the best culinary schools, you can avoid the possibility of enrolling in an institution that does not meet your goals and requirements.
Fine Furniture: Home Office Furniture
When considering fine furniture, particularly with respect to home office furniture, you are not thinking of small spaces with enough room for a table and a chair, and neither are you considering the cheap printed plastic-coated chipwood computer desks and screw-in legs. Fine furniture involves solid wood and carefully matched veneers, polished to a beautiful finish but with room for the modern paraphernalia of the modern office.Think of oak, walnut, cherry and myrtle veneers, carefully applied to a solid wood base with the natural wood patterns carefully matched, mixing form and function with old world design meeting the needs of the new world office. Stylish, yet functional and practical, offering a beautifully matched blend of the old and the new, fine home office furniture offers an office of which you can be proud.In the modern world, the home office is an essential part of the living space, but one where function tends to win over design when in fact there is no need for this competition. It is perfectly feasible to have a well designed home office with good leather furniture that is comfortable to sit on while carrying out your work. Your desk need not be a wobbly creation of plywood and spindly legs, but a work of art, crafted from solid hardwood with fine cherry veneers, set off with some classical decorative hardware.Beautiful leather furniture is always in fashion, never looking out of place amidst any form of fine furniture, and a solid wood veneered desk would not look right without a lovely leather upholstered chair to go with it. You could also have a library system installed along one wall, configured to suit your needs, including space not only for books, but also for a modern sound system or entertainment center.Your solid wood and veneered home office furniture can stand on a carpet of your choosing, or perhaps a wooden floor: not the thin laminates that many seem to use these days, but solid wood parquet blocks, put together just as you want them. If you are designing your home office with beautiful fine furniture then the furnishings and flooring should be of equal quality. In fact, many prefer their flooring to be parquet with a carpet square to reduce some of the noise that a wooden floor can cause, or even a carpet square with felt surround is popular with many people.You also have your curtain fabrics to think of and the wall covering, and these too should suit the design of your home office furniture. You have a massive range of each to choose from, and among your accessories are different designs of clocks, wall art and lighting such as a chandelier, reading light and table decorations. Alternatively, modern spotlights would not look out of place.When considering the design and layout of your home office furniture, it is generally advisable to have an expert come to your home and discuss it with you after seeing the space you have available. Experts can advise you on the best design of furniture to meet your personal needs regarding functionality, and also on the best type of lighting and soft furnishings. They will also be able to help with matching the wooden fine furniture with the wall and floor covering. Most good furniture stores will offer this service.When considering fine furniture, particularly fine home office furniture and leather furniture, you have to consider the quality of the pieces and their price. Naturally you want the best quality you can get at the price your willing to pay, and you will likely be surprised at just how affordable many excellent designs are.Before deciding on your home office furniture needs you should first take a note of the office equipment you have. Computer, printer, scanner and so on, telephone and perhaps filing cabinets. The filing cabinets can be veneered in wood similar to that used for the main furniture: the desk and book case or library units, for example. Printers and so on can be stored out of site and still remain functional, while you have a choice of telephone designs to suit the design of the office.Your paperwork can be stored in a traditional wooden bureau or in desk drawers and cupboards that can also be used as small filing systems. In fact, all of your needs can be integrated into your home office furniture design and layout. Leather furniture, such as sofa and chairs, is available should you need it and you have a wide range of fine furniture suitable for use in a traditional style of home office which is far superior to the chipboard and plastic used in most modern offices.