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Springboards

Why look at art?

Fred Schimmel

Fred Schimmel (1928-2009), Abstract #1087, 2004, oil on board, 61.5 x 83.5 cm

There are so many reasons why we look at art. Among other things, looking at art enables us to open ourselves up to the experiences and perceptions of others. We discover the sheer pleasure and enjoyment of looking at and experiencing artworks. We can also learn, through other artists, to tap into our own creativity and express it. We extend our own frames of reference. We develop empathy and understanding. We come to understand a different language – a visual one. (Sometimes artists even invite us to experience this visual language while using our other senses, such as sound, touch and smell.)

Looking at an artwork is a very personal process. Each of us brings a different perspective and experience to an artwork, and different people can experience very widely varying emotions and thoughts in response to the same artwork. And that’s fine!

One the site you will engage in this process of reflecting on artworks and coming to your own conclusions and answers about them.

Springboards

Why look at art?

Getting Started:

How Images Speak

  • Springboards: Why look at art?
  • Springboards: What is ‘abstract art’?
  • Activities: Looking at pictures, finding the words
  • Springboards: The birth of abstract painting

CAPS Concepts and Keywords:

  • looking
  • reflecting
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