An Art Symbol Does Not Equal Subject
If you are confused as to what art symbols are, soon it will become clear. First know that an art symbol does not equal the subject of a work.
There are times when this symbol will be the subject depending on its composition. Nevertheless it does not have to be.
In the past I have heard these two concepts being used in synonymous ways. To better understand this let’s delve into what makes something a symbol.
It may be a little different than what you think.
Definition Of Art Symbol
An art symbol is a representation which depicts through imagery an idea, principle, or concept. The symbol relates to a deeper artistic meaning.
For example the power of nature can be represented by a sea monster or Greek god. Likewise love, hate, joy, depression, are all concepts which are represented by symbols.
These can be easily seen with historical wood carvings around the globe. Tools, paddles, canoes, and ornamental pieces would depict the beliefs of a tribe or people.
The period of Baroque Art and Romanticism used art symbols as a key vehicle of their artistic expression. The composition in art becomes extremely critical when using art symbols.
A symbol gives a depiction through imagery that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to represent in art.
Purpose Of An Art Symbol
The purpose of an art symbol is to communicate with the audience the meaning behind the symbol rather than the symbol itself.
What it represents and its influence within the work is the focus of its use. In this way often symbols will be used to contribute to art rather than be the subject of it.
Can An Art Symbol Be The Subject?
Absolutely yes it can be the subject matter. It is here that you enter the world of Non Objective Art.
This classification is one that many do not understand.
When an idea becomes the subject rather than the imagery itself one has achieved this concept.
Here you will often find the art symbol holding influence on the subject of the art in some way.
Within sculptures, wood art, glass art, and others it can be more common to see the symbol as the subject. While the symbol may be the key focus of the art, it still carries with it the communication of what it represents.
An example of this can be found in the Tree Of Life.
In this way the question comes to mind, is the symbol or its representation the real subject? In truth it is both. One could not exist without the other in art and are symbiotic.
Cultural Differences In Meaning For An Art Symbol
When using art symbols, it is important to know that what you wish to project in meaning may be seen differently than intended regionally.
Throughout the ages meaning has been attached to things we commonly know. This can apply to even the most commonly known symbols of our time.
The cross for example if showed to a Christian, their mind would immediately think of Christ and the death, burial, and resurrection.
Since the ancient days of China this cross stood for perfection. Among some Native American tribes the cross represents the four cardinal directions or paths.
It is here where one can begin to understand that using a symbol alone as the main subject within art can get complicated.
Depending upon the symbol one uses it can convey a completely different meaning to another people.
A quick read on flower art is another great example of how this influence is true. It is such a simple idea with so much meaning depending upon regional location.
The little things can matter.
Within many works of art it can often be better for a symbol to be used in supporting the main subject when possible. In doing this the context of the symbol can be better understood for its intended meaning.
Showing its influence on the subject allows for context to be given within the art.
For those who’s focus is within alternative media such as wood art this can become complicated. Wood carving is often done in such a way that its subject stands alone and is singular in nature.
This can require thought and reflection in how a symbol is used.
Art Symbol Use In Conceptual Art
The use of art symbols can be found within almost any piece of artwork to some degree or another. Color use itself can be a symbol.
Yet few art forms are as powerful in the use of symbols as that of Conceptual Art.
Within conceptualism the subject matter is the key to the meaning of the work with its symbology. This meaning itself can have abstract qualities. This idea came into focus within the 1960’s from artists who wanted a viewer to contemplate a works meaning.
Within the art, objects would be used within a setting that gave insight to a meaning. In this way the objects and the setting became symbolic. Most often the meaning would be clear.
Yet some artists desired their work to offer different meanings to different people. This art form is great to study for the use of space in art.
One can control how abstract this meaning is with the use of objects in Conceptual Art. With time this art form became popular in other mediums. Most famous today it can be easily seen within photography.
A photographer who practices conceptualism must place a lot of thought into what they capture. The mood, emotion, and meaning must be captured in this image. Objects, time of day, focus of the shot, become critical to achieve this.
Here we can see that the subjects work together as a whole to define the work. Again this is a symbiotic relationship between subject and art symbolism.
One cannot exist without the other.
Within photography most often the message is very clear. While there are those who like to use conceptualism for more abstract meaning and reflection it is less common today.
How To Use Art Symbols
With some of the insight I have already given it can become easy to see why symbols are important.
When one is attempting to convey ideas such as happiness, loyalty, wisdom, generosity, and even jealousy, they can be difficult to capture in a single image.
If you wish to have some fun use Google and do image searches on some of these ideas and see what is returned. You will notice a wide array of images and in many cases they may not apply to the concept.
It becomes important to select the right objects and portray them in the right way in order to achieve the desired communication.
It can be easier to at times treat the symbol as a theme so that all objects build to its meaning. Yet there are also times when the work is more dynamic.
Two or more symbolic influences may be desired.
In some cases natural objects such as the sun, a river, or a tree can aid you as they have deeper meanings. Mythic beings can also project multiple messages at the same time.
A setting can give context as well as colors used within the art.
How these symbols are implemented can be done in various ways. If the work is true to life a symbol can be used in the form of a tattoo on a person.
Alternatively the clothing can be used to paint these symbols into being.
How an artist uses symbols is limitless in possibilities. Here the only limitation is your imagination.
The only question one must answer is whether or not the symbolism communicates the desired message for which one wishes to present.
Successful Art Uses Symbolism
Why would I say that successful art uses symbolism? The answer is clear when one looks to art history.
The use of art symbols requires that a viewer participates within the work.
While not physically interactive it is emotionally, mentally, and at times spiritually interactive. In this way an artist requires the participation of the one viewing the work.
Certainly there are those who enjoy landscape art. Yet within works such as these symbols can still be used. Photographers capture images like this daily.
It requires some thought and insight to how something is presented.
If one wishes for their art to be a success the use of symbols in some way is almost required. People require communication.
If a work is empty in meaning then it will give no pause to notice, to contemplate, or appreciate the art.
Art Symbol Uses In Digital Art And Media
The digital age has brought with it explosive growth in the use of art symbols. The movie industry itself has given rise to almost cult followings for names like Harry Potter, Star Wars, and the Avengers.
Within these movies are many symbols reaching to deeper meanings. This is the age of New Media Art.
With the push to online content and the use of computers came a new dawn of art symbol use. Video games such as Final Fantasy came to be interactive immersion into a new world of mythical beasts, lands to explore, and a world to save.
Content which is wrapped within symbols gain not only more attention but also greater interaction.
While these examples have far more involved than merely the art, it is clear the artistic influence is key to its success.
Writing the plot to the story line is within itself its own art. The music which is used is another art form.
The graphical impact and design is another art. Within these modern digital products we find art touching ever facet of what makes the work what it is.
Today with the use of technology a composition can be a single image, or a complex interactive experience. Artists are no longer limited to the traditional arts.
Our ability to impact the world around us with art symbols has seen, and is still seeing, explosive growth for those who will explore its potential.
If there are younger artists who are searching out their path of what direction they wish to explore this field is a good one to be in.
There are far more opportunities and job placements for artists in this field. While the genre may not be what one prefers it is a solid start to a better future.
Clarity Of Message Within Art Symbols
As an artist there is one thing to consider and maintain vigilance in the use of art symbols. We must maintain the clarity of our message.
No matter what art form that you use or the art medium you prefer this remains true.
For your art to be successful it must communicate clearly. To draw out the emotion from those who see your work it often must be singular in nature. Its theme needs to be consistent.
The symbols one uses must speak to this purpose. How they are used and composed within your art creates the atmosphere and momentum to that end. Its subject needs to reflect the influence of these components.
If one can master the use of art symbols then you will find your work reaching to places you before did not imagine.
Your work must be more than simple representation. To convey through imagery what words find complicated to say is a powerful experience that will be noticed.
Must All Art Contain Symbols?
Not all art will have symbols. Architectural representations or landscapes are often examples of these.
Personally I find the work of Thomas Kinkade beautiful but often empty. Not all his works are this way, but many are.
There are times when a work will contain no symbols but often it is for a purpose. My example with architectural representations can often be found in shops around historical landmarks.
Another common find these days are maps or sea charts which have been decorated and framed as art.
For items such as maps I tend to view them less as art and more as decor. Nevertheless avoiding that argument one must look at the overall impact of any work.
Art is most often used to convey something beyond the surface.
Fan art is another arena where the only symbols represented are those which are found in conjunction with the characters. There is little outside input or influence from the artist themselves. Despite this fan art has come to be very popular around the world.
Often these types of art are niche and they do serve a role in the art community. This is the beauty of art.
Despite all the education and “rules” it is within something like art that every rule can be broken and still be art.