| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| deconstructionist theory | A critical theory that challenges traditional interpretations by breaking down and questioning underlying assumptions in texts, culture, and history. |
| digital divide | The gap between those with access to digital technology and those without access. |
| digital technology | Electronic tools and systems used to create, distribute, and access art and information. |
| disposable material cultures | Contemporary cultural practices emphasizing temporary, consumable, or replaceable materials in art and society. |
| ephemeral digital works | Temporary or short-lived artworks created using digital technology that may not be permanently preserved. |
| feminist theory | A critical approach that examines how gender, particularly the exclusion and marginalization of women, shapes art history and cultural perspectives. |
| graffiti | Visual art created by applying paint or markers to public surfaces, often challenging traditional definitions of art. |
| natural materials | Art materials derived from nature, such as wood, stone, clay, or fiber, traditionally used in artistic practice. |
| online museums and galleries | Digital platforms that present and display artworks and collections on the internet. |
| poststructuralist theory | A critical theory that questions fixed meanings and challenges the idea that there is a single, universal way to interpret culture and history. |
| queer theory | A critical framework that challenges normative assumptions about sexuality, gender, and identity in culture and art history. |
| traditional skills | Established artistic techniques and methods passed down through art historical practice. |
| video-captured performances | Artistic performances that are recorded and documented through video media. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| appropriation | An artistic technique in which artists incorporate existing objects, images, or cultural materials into new works to recontextualize or revalue them. |
| artistic intent | The artist's purpose or goal in creating a work, which may include exploring existential questions, making sociopolitical critiques, or reflecting on other themes. |
| biennials | Major international art exhibitions held every two years that present and evaluate contemporary art. |
| computer-aided design | The use of digital technology and software to create architectural and artistic designs, enabling innovative and visionary forms. |
| contemporary art museums | Institutions dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting art from the present era. |
| existential investigations | Artistic explorations of fundamental questions about human existence, meaning, and the nature of being. |
| gallery | Spaces where artworks are displayed and sold, serving as venues for the presentation and evaluation of art. |
| intended audience | The specific group of people for whom an artwork is created, which influences the artist's choices in form, content, and presentation. |
| mash-ups | Artworks created by combining or blending elements from different sources, styles, or cultural contexts to create new meanings. |
| patron | A person or institution that commissions, funds, or supports the creation of an artwork, thereby influencing its purpose and content. |
| purpose | The intended function or reason for which a work of art was created, such as religious worship, commemoration, or display of power. |
| sociopolitical critiques | Artistic commentary that examines and challenges social and political systems, structures, or issues. |
| triennials | Major international art exhibitions held every three years that present and evaluate contemporary art. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| art-historical argument | A reasoned explanation or interpretation about a work or group of works of art supported by evidence and analysis. |
| intended meanings | The meanings and messages that an artist or artwork creator sought to communicate through their work. |
| interpretations of art | Different understandings and explanations of the meaning, significance, and context of works of art. |
| theories of art | Frameworks and conceptual approaches used to understand, interpret, and analyze works of art and artistic practices. |
| visual analysis | The systematic examination and interpretation of a work of art's formal elements, such as color, composition, form, and technique, to understand its meaning and significance. |