Glossary
Abstract Art
Art that does not attempt to represent external reality, instead expressing ideas and emotions through forms, colors, lines, and textures.
Example:
Rather than painting a recognizable scene, an artist might use bold, swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colors to create an abstract art piece that conveys the feeling of chaotic energy.
Brainstorming
A technique for generating a large quantity of ideas without initial judgment or censorship, encouraging free association and diverse thinking.
Example:
Before starting a new project, a sculptor might brainstorm by listing every possible material and form that comes to mind, no matter how unconventional, to ensure a wide range of options.
Collage
An artistic technique where various materials, such as paper, fabric, photographs, or found objects, are assembled and glued onto a surface to create a new composition.
Example:
To explore themes of memory and fragmentation, an artist might create a collage by layering old family photos, newspaper clippings, and torn fabric scraps.
College Board Guidelines (Digital Manipulation)
Specific rules and recommendations provided by the College Board regarding the appropriate use and extent of digital alteration in AP Art & Design portfolios.
Example:
To ensure their digital artwork met the College Board Guidelines (Digital Manipulation), the student avoided excessive filters and focused on demonstrating original artistic intent rather than just software effects.
Creative Process
The systematic approach an artist takes from initial concept to final artwork, involving stages like idea generation, material exploration, experimentation, refinement, and reflection.
Example:
The artist documented their entire creative process in a sketchbook, from the initial mind map to the final critiques, showing the evolution of their ideas.
Digital Manipulation
The use of computer software and technology to alter, enhance, or create images, offering extensive possibilities for artistic expression.
Example:
A photographer might use digital manipulation to combine multiple images of a cityscape, creating a surreal, dreamlike panorama that wouldn't be possible with a single shot.
Idea Generation
The initial phase of the art-making process focused on conceiving and developing concepts, themes, and directions for artworks.
Example:
Before starting their sustained investigation, a student dedicated several weeks to idea generation, exploring various themes through sketching, writing, and research.
Landscapes
Artworks that depict natural scenery, such as mountains, forests, rivers, or seascapes, often exploring themes of nature, environment, or human interaction with the land.
Example:
Inspired by a hiking trip, a photographer might capture dramatic landscapes of a national park, emphasizing the vastness and raw beauty of the wilderness.
Material Exploration
The process of experimenting with different art materials and techniques to understand their properties, expressive potential, and suitability for an artistic vision.
Example:
A ceramic artist engaged in extensive material exploration, testing various glazes and firing temperatures to achieve a specific cracked texture for their sculptures.
Mediums
The materials or artistic methods used by an artist to create a work of art, each offering unique expressive qualities.
Example:
For a project on 'light,' one artist might choose photography as their medium to capture ephemeral moments, while another might use stained glass to explore color and transparency.
Mind Mapping
A visual brainstorming technique that starts with a central concept and branches out to related ideas, helping to organize thoughts and generate new connections.
Example:
When developing a series on 'dreams,' an artist might use Mind Mapping to connect initial thoughts like 'flying' to 'birds,' 'feathers,' 'freedom,' and 'sky,' leading to unexpected visual motifs.
Portraits
Artworks that depict a person or group of people, often focusing on capturing their likeness, personality, or emotional state.
Example:
A painter might create a series of portraits of local community members, aiming to convey their individual stories through facial expressions and symbolic objects.
Research (Artistic)
The act of investigating art history, other artists' works, materials, techniques, or conceptual themes to inform and inspire one's own artistic practice.
Example:
For a project on environmental issues, the student conducted extensive research (artistic) into land art and eco-art movements to understand how other artists addressed similar themes.
Still-Life
Artworks that depict inanimate objects, typically arranged by the artist, allowing for exploration of composition, light, shadow, and texture.
Example:
An artist might arrange a collection of antique books, a wilting flower, and a half-eaten apple to create a still-life that evokes themes of time and decay.
Street Art
Art created in public spaces, often unauthorized, including graffiti, murals, and installations, used to express social commentary, personal messages, or aesthetic beauty.
Example:
A collective of artists might transform a drab city wall into a vibrant mural depicting local history, showcasing the power of Street Art to engage and beautify urban environments.
Unexpected Materials
Non-traditional or unconventional substances used in art-making to create unique textures, forms, or conceptual meanings.
Example:
An artist exploring consumerism might create a sculpture using discarded plastic bottles and old circuit boards as unexpected materials, transforming waste into commentary.