Sculptures and murals are a great addition to any building. These are beautiful and unique forms of art that can be found in many different styles. They can be modern, classic or ancient. Whether you are decorating your home, a business, or a hotel, these art forms can have a great impact on the decor of your building.
Ancient forms
Throughout history, many cultures have produced artwork that was meant to be publicly displayed, often in public places or for the express purpose of enhancing a given city’s prestige. For example, the Grotta-Pelos culture dates to around 3300-2700 BCE. This is the same time period as the Minoan civilization. The Minoan painting style is characterized by broad shoulders, large muscular thighs, and a relatively low waistline.
Another noteworthy achievement was the production of an abstracted humanoid form. Although most of these figures are seated, the reclining male is not uncommon. In this instance, it is the more obvious to see the reclining male as an elegant homage to the sexy.
The modern art movement had a similar impact, reexamining simplified forms found in prehistoric artwork. This is also reflected in the neo-classicists who, as the name implies, used classical antiquity as a springboard for their works. Similarly, the Cycladic art movement is noted for its abstract geometric designs.
Modern forms
Among the many reasons why a Modern Art period painting holds a place in our hearts, there is a good case to be made that the most important component is the artist. Luckily, a slew of great artists, such as Francis Bacon and Henry Moore, took advantage of this untapped market. This is best illustrated by a recent exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. Among the many highlights are works by William Blake, Pablo Picasso, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alfred Stieglitz, to name but a few. In addition to the many works on display, there are several archives and repositories containing a treasure trove of paintings and other artworks. A quick perusal of the archives can reveal an eclectic array of styles and media.
Political
Creating political art can help you make a statement and raise awareness for issues that matter to you. It can also engage your community and start a dialogue about social justice. Whether you are a candidate or an activist, your artwork can be a powerful tool to bring your cause to the forefront. Here are some ideas for political art to get you started.
“Political art is uncomfortable knowledge,” says Tania Bruguera. She defines it as work that “stakes a claim.” Bruguera has worked on projects that reveal lines of contiguity between art and the subject of critique. Some of her work includes appropriating headlines to illustrate political themes. She has also produced a large neon sign that was used at the Global Climate Action Summit.
Byzantine mosaic decoration
During the Byzantine period, mosaics became one of the most elaborate forms of decoration. The process involved fitting together small, colourful cubes of stone or glass, and placing a gold backing on them. The effect of the mosaic created a shimmering, paint-like surface. This added drama to the images and lent spiritualism to them.
The Byzantines used mosaics for decoration of churches and murals. Mosaics were made of marble, terra cotta, brick, and semi-precious stones. They often included cloissance enamel work. The golden backing gave the mosaics a glowing effect. This suited the symbolism of the Byzantine religious ceremony.
A typical mosaic depicts a biblical event. For example, a mosaic of Christ can be seen in a monumental Deesis. The image of the Transfiguration is found in a sixth-century mosaic in the apse of the Monastery of Saint Catherine.