Summary:
The purpose of this paper is to explore the aesthetic application of symbols in contemporary freehand oil painting. Through the analysis of technology and material innovation, cultural and contemporary reflection, and emotional and conceptual communication, the importance and influence of symbolic aesthetics in contemporary freehand oil painting are discussed. Combined with the existing literature and cases, this paper summarizes the significance of the application of symbol aesthetics to the creation of contemporary freehand oil painting, and provides a deeper understanding of the application of symbol aesthetics in contemporary freehand oil painting, so as to provide new ideas and enlightenment for the development of artistic creation and aesthetic theory.
I. Introduction
In the vigorous development of contemporary art, symbolic aesthetics, as an important form of artistic expression, has been widely used and concerned. Symbolic aesthetics is not only an expression of artistic language, but also an abstract presentation of the artist's concepts, emotions and thoughts of the world. Especially in the field of freehand oil painting, the application of symbolic aesthetics provides artists with a variety of means of expression, enriching the connotation and expressiveness of the works.
II. Theoretical Foundations of Symbolic Aesthetics
A. Definition of Symbolic Aesthetics
As an important concept of art theory, symbolic aesthetics involves the application and meaning of symbols in artistic expression. A symbol can be understood as a visual, linguistic, or other form of representation with symbolic meaning that transcends its literal meaning and represents a deeper concept or idea. Symbolic aesthetics transforms abstract concepts into concrete art forms through the artist's selection, combination, and expression of symbols, so as to express emotions, concepts, or thoughts.
In fine arts, symbolic aesthetics is often embodied in the artist's use of symbols to convey the themes and intentions of his creation through painting, sculpture and other forms. These symbols can be concrete images, symbolic shapes, or abstract compositions, the meaning of which lies in the communication and understanding between the viewer and the artist. Symbolic aesthetics plays an important role in contemporary art, helping artists break the traditional way of visual expression and create a richer and more diverse artistic language.
B. Symbolic Functions in Aesthetic Theory
The function of symbols in aesthetic theory is mainly reflected in the level of symbolism and meaning. A symbol is not only a form, but also a symbolic expression with symbolic meaning. In traditional aesthetics, symbols are seen as a medium of communication, and through the use of symbols, the artist can guide the viewer into the world conveyed by the work, evoking its perception and understanding.
The role of symbols in aesthetics reflects their importance in artistic creation. It is not just a superficial form, but also a carrier of thoughts and emotions. Aesthetic theory explores how art can express and resonate with the inner world of human beings through symbols by studying the function of symbols.
C. The relationship between symbolic aesthetics and contemporary art
In contemporary art theory, the position of symbolic aesthetics is becoming more and more prominent. With the diversification of art forms and the increasing complexity of world views, artists are increasingly inclined to express their unique artistic concepts and aesthetic concepts through symbols. Symbolic aesthetics is constantly integrated with other art theories in contemporary art, and has become one of the important ways for artists to explore new fields and challenge traditions.
The relationship between symbolic aesthetics and contemporary art is reflected in its contribution to the richness and diversity of artistic language. Through the reinterpretation and innovative use of symbols, the artists break the limitations of traditional art forms and create more expressive and unique works of art. The integration of symbolic aesthetics and contemporary art not only expands the boundaries of art, but also brings a richer and more diverse artistic experience to the audience.
III. The artistic characteristics of freehand oil painting
A. Definition and characteristics of freehand oil painting
Freehand oil painting is a form of painting that focuses on the artist's emotional expression and personalized creation. Different from realism, which pursues objective truth, freehand oil painting pays more attention to the artist's personal understanding and emotional experience of the subject, as well as the free interpretation and expression of form. Its characteristics are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Emotional Expression: Freehand oil painting emphasizes the expression of the artist's inner emotions, and pursues to convey emotional and spiritual connotations in his works. Through brushstrokes, colors and compositions, the artist expresses a unique feeling and understanding of the subject.
Freedom of form: Freehand oil painting is not constrained by the actual form, and the artist has a greater degree of freedom to create and express. They can abandon the traditional detailed depiction and adopt simplified, exaggerated or abstract techniques to achieve a more profound artistic effect.
Artistic Conception Expression: Freehand oil painting focuses on the creation and expression of artistic conception, and creates poetic and imaginative artistic images through the artist's unique understanding of the theme. When the viewer appreciates the work, he can often feel an aesthetic realm that transcends reality.
B. The difference between freehand and realism
There are obvious differences in artistic expression between freehand oil painting and realistic oil painting:
Concept and Expression: Freehand oil painting pays more attention to the artist's concept and emotional expression, and pursues subjective imagination and expression, while realistic oil painting pays more attention to the accurate depiction and reproduction of objective things.
Formal treatment: Freehand oil painting is more free and abstract in terms of formal processing, artists often express emotions and artistic conceptions through exaggeration, simplification or distortion, while realistic oil painting strives to accurately reproduce the details and forms of the real world.
Viewer Participation: Freehand oil painting relies more on the viewer's imagination and association, and blank space and ambiguity are often used to guide the viewer to interpret and feel the work freely, while realistic oil painting presents the real world scene more directly, and the viewer participates relatively less.
C. Abstract expressions in freehand oil painting
Abstract elements play an important role in freehand oil painting, which can enhance the artistic effect of the work, increase the expressiveness and imagination of the work. It is embodied in the following aspects:
Color abstraction: Bold and rich colors are often used in freehand oil paintings, expressing emotions and atmosphere through the light, contrast and saturation of colors, so as to enhance the expressiveness and appeal of the work.
Formal abstraction: Artists often use simplification, exaggeration, or distortion to express their subjects in order to achieve a more profound artistic effect. This form of abstraction makes the work more personal and expressive.
Artistic conception expression: Freehand oil painting focuses on the creation and expression of artistic conception, through abstract techniques, artists can better create poetic and imaginative artistic images, so as to arouse the audience's resonance and thinking.
IV. The Application of Symbolic Aesthetics in Freehand Oil Painting
A. Selection and Use of Symbols
In freehand oil painting, the artist often uses various symbols to enrich the meaning and expressiveness of the work. The selection of these symbol types is usually based on the following criteria:
Cultural symbols: Artists choose symbols with specific cultural connotations and symbolic meanings, such as pine trees, plum blossoms, bamboo, etc., which are common in traditional Chinese literati paintings, or crosses and roses in Western paintings. These symbols evoke associations and emotional resonances with the viewer for a particular cultural background and historical tradition.
Natural Symbols: Artists often use symbols in nature, such as flowers, birds, landscapes, etc., to express the beauty and philosophy of nature. The choice of these symbols depends on the artist's perception and aesthetic understanding of nature, as well as his grasp of the intrinsic connection of all things in nature.
Abstract symbols: Some abstract forms and patterns are also often used in freehand oil paintings, such as lines, geometric shapes, etc. These abstract symbols can enhance the expressiveness of the work, making it more modern and abstract.
Personal Symbols: Artists also create and use personal symbols, such as specific patterns, color combinations, etc., to show their unique artistic style and inner world.
The selection and use of symbols should not only consider their symbolic meaning and visual effect, but also consider their coordination and expressiveness with the overall picture, as well as the degree of stimulation of the audience's emotions and associations.
B. The aesthetic function of symbols in oil painting
Symbols have an important aesthetic function in freehand oil painting, as they can:
Enrich the connotation of the picture: The symbol gives the work a richer cultural connotation and symbolic meaning, making the picture more profound and rich.
Enhance emotional expression: Symbols are often the carriers of the artist's emotions, which can directly convey the artist's unique understanding and emotional experience of the subject.
Guide sight and emotion: The use of symbols can guide the audience's gaze and emotion, so as to better arouse the viewer's empathy and thinking.
Create visual impact: The use of symbols can enhance the visual effect of the work, making the picture more engaging and impressive.
C. Interaction between the symbol and the audience
Symbols have an important impact on the perception and interpretation of the viewer in freehand oil painting:
Inspire associations and imagination: Symbols often stimulate the audience's association and imagination, leading the audience to find more meaning and connotation in the work.
Shaping the audience's aesthetic experience: The use of symbols directly affects the audience's aesthetic experience, making it richer and more profound.
Trigger emotional resonance: Symbols can trigger the emotional resonance of the audience, making the audience more engaged and feel the emotions and artistic conceptions expressed in the work.
Through the interaction between symbols and the audience, freehand oil painting is not only an expression of the artist's personal emotions, but also a bridge of spiritual communication with the audience, building a rich and profound artistic experience.
V. The Expression of Symbolic Aesthetics in Contemporary Freehand Oil Painting
A. Innovation in technology and materials
In contemporary freehand oil painting, the innovation of technology and materials makes the symbolic expression more diverse and rich. The use of new materials and technologies provides artists with a broader space and possibilities for expression.
Digital technology: Artists can use digital technology to create symbols, design and edit them through computer software, and then transform them into part of their oil paintings. This method makes the form of symbols more diverse and refined, and at the same time, it also facilitates the artist's experimentation and adjustment in the creative process.
New painting materials: With the advancement of science and technology, the emergence of new painting materials has also brought new possibilities for symbolic expression. For example, certain oil paints with special textures and reflective effects can be used by artists to depict specific symbols to enhance the visual impact and three-dimensionality of the work.
Mixed media: Mixed media is often seen in contemporary freehand oil paintings, where artists are not limited to traditional oil painting materials, but may also combine watercolor, acrylic and other materials to express symbols. The use of this mixed media makes the representation of symbols more diverse, and at the same time enriches the texture and layering of the works.
B. Reflection of culture and times
Symbols reflect the characteristics of contemporary society and culture in contemporary freehand oil paintings, reflecting the artist's thinking and perception of the changes of the times and the integration of culture.
Cross-Cultural Symbols: Contemporary artists often use cross-cultural symbols to express diversity and inclusiveness in their work. For example, the combination of symbols of the Eastern tradition with modern elements of the West not only demonstrates the beauty of cultural blending, but also reflects the diversity and openness of contemporary society.
Technology and Environmental Symbols: Contemporary symbols often deal with technological and environmental issues, reflecting the relationship between human beings, technology, and the natural environment. Artists may use symbols such as electronic elements, urban landscapes, and environmental protection to express their concerns and reflections on contemporary social issues.
Consumption and popular symbols: Consumer culture and popular elements often appear in symbols, reflecting the pursuit of material life and entertainment culture in contemporary society. Artists may reflect the consumerist and aesthetic trends of contemporary society through commodity symbols, pop culture images, etc.
C. Conveying emotions and ideas
The artist expresses personal emotions and ideas through symbolic aesthetics, making his works more in-depth and connotative.
Emotional symbolization: Symbols are often the expression of the artist's emotions, and through the symbolization technique, the artist can directly convey the inner emotional experience, so that the viewer can feel the emotional power contained in the work more deeply.
Idea symbolism: Symbols can also become symbols of an artist's ideas, expressing the persistence and pursuit of a certain idea or belief through specific symbols. In this way, the work has a richer connotation and meaning, and provokes the viewer to think and explore the deeper meaning behind the work.
Personal Symbols: Some artists also create personalized symbolic systems that not only reflect the artist's personal aesthetic tastes and artistic styles, but also serve as a bridge between the viewer and the artist, triggering resonance and emotional connection.
VI. Conclusion
The innovation of technology and materials provides a broader space and possibilities for symbolic expression. The use of digital technology, new painting materials and mixed media makes the forms of symbols more diverse and refined, enriching the texture and layering of the works.
Symbols reflect the characteristics of culture and the times in contemporary freehand oil paintings, and show the artist's thinking and reflection on contemporary social issues. The use of cross-cultural symbols, technological and environmental symbols, as well as consumer and popular symbols, makes the works more contemporary and culturally connotative.
Symbols are not only expressions of emotion, but also symbols of ideas. The artist conveys personal emotional experience through symbols, and at the same time expresses the pursuit of a certain idea or belief through symbols, so that the works have richer connotations and meanings.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
"The Application of Symbolism in Contemporary Oil Painting" by Zhang Wei, Art Critic, Art Review Journal, 2020.
"Symbolism and Innovation: A Study of Contemporary Chinese Oil Paintings" by Chen Xiaoyun, Journal of Contemporary Art, 2018.
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