Do you need to know an artists' intent for creating his or her art to enjoy or understand that person's art?

Answer 1

Real art should make you ask: What is this?

Answer 2

I think that it definately helps although most artists intend for their work to be open to interpretation by the viewer. I believe that when a person attempts to express something through a medium of some kind, then that is the definition of art. So, it is still art even if we don't understand it's meaning. It's up to you as an individual if you can appreciate it or enjoy it without knowing the intended meaning.

Answer 3

The best art usually talks to us on many levels.

Sometimes what we see in the art wasn't what the artist intended. This is simply human nature.

And sometimes an artist simply paints, letting his sub-conscience take the painting wherever it wants to go.

When I paint I usually work on three or four canvases at a time. With one I always have a clear-cut idea of what I specifically want to say. With the second I usually have just a concept in mind and I let my instincts guide the painting. With the third, I just start painting without giving it any real thought, letting it surprise me.

Looking at the finished work sometimes you might think three different artists painted them. Look a little closer and you might find that they are inner-connected.

Artists are human like everyone else. They like to play and they like creative adventure and the surprises that creativity brings.

Just enjoy (or hate) what you see. Indifference is the only insult you can give a serious artist.

Answer 4

No, some artists prefer you to take your own personal message from their creation. If they feel that it is important for you to know about the intentions of the piece, usually, they will create an artist's statement. They might even use symbols in, or will even make it obvious in their work.

In regards to older works, they probably wouldn't have an artists statement. They would probably use symbols in their work to express any intention. But, this is also kind of tricky because of all the works that were commissioned for a specific purpose; for the church, royal family, or the like.

Rothko did color field paintings. Kiki Smith explored her curiousity for the human body through many works about bodily fluids. Impressionist and Expressionist artists wanted you to feel the image more than interpret it is something. Reniassance artist's uses symbols to discuss religion, morality, and mortality. Ultimately, it is that you respond to the the work that is most important to the artist. That is more important than what you personally take from it.

Answer 5

Absolutely. If they don't submit a written report stating their purpose in clear and concise fashions with no connotative meaning, I won't even look at a painting. I still refuse to walk into an art gallery for fear of misinterpreting what the art means.

Answer 6

yes. you have to know the background story of an art . then you can fully enjoy the art. every artist goes through an extrodinary experience that enables them to draw such a piece of art.without knowing the inspiration you cant enjoy the art fully.

Answer 7

to understand the artists intention of the art probably yes, to imagine your own meaning no. and to enjoy not at all it either pleases your senses or it doesn't, perhaps understanding could persuade appreciation where none existed originally but not enjoyment.

Answer 8

No. A piece of art is a moment...a breath in the artist's life. Your relationship to the piece will never be the same as the artist's...it's your moment, your perception.

Answer 9

depends on the art, on the other hand If an artist has any skills at communicating, you should be able to "read his writing" then you can feel what he is trying to express. enjoyment can exist with out understanding.

Answer 10

It is interesting to know about the artist, the period the artist is going through.

Answer 11

It helps deepen loyalty to the artist the more a person knows/relates to them. The broader the music, the more people raked-in..: coughs : mainstream.