Visual Art Terms: B
B Movie
Background
Balance: compositional style that arranges a picture’s shapes in either symmetrical or a symmetrical layouts to achieve an artistic effect.
Banketjea: still life painting with food as the main subject - from Dutch for little banquet.
Baroque: 17th century European artistic style that emphasized dramatic contrast, deep color, movement and a sense of ornate structure.
Batik: A traditional technique of fabric dyeing that originated in Indonesia. The process involves applying wax to fabric in a design, then dyeing the fabric, and finally removing the wax to reveal the dyed design. Batik can be used to create intricate patterns and designs on fabric.
Bauhaus: A modernist art and design school that operated in Germany from 1919 to 1933. Founded by architect Walter Gropius, the school aimed to unite the principles of fine art and craftsmanship, and to create functional and aesthetically pleasing designs for everyday use. The curriculum at Bauhaus emphasized experimentation, collaboration, and the use of new materials and technologies. Students were trained in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, product design, graphic design, and fine arts. The Bauhaus style is characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and a focus on functionality and simplicity. The school had a profound influence on modern design, and many of its principles continue to be used in art and architecture today.
Beat: A literary and cultural movement that emerged in the United States in the 1950s. Beat writers, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, rejected traditional values and sought to create a new form of literature that was more spontaneous and expressive.
Belle Époque: A French term that refers to a period of cultural and artistic prosperity in Europe from the late 19th century to the outbreak of World War I. The term translates to "beautiful era," and it is characterized by a sense of optimism, progress, and prosperity. During this time, there were major advancements in technology, transportation, and communication, which led to an increase in international trade and cultural exchange. The arts flourished during the Belle Époque, with a focus on decorative arts, fashion, and new forms of entertainment, such as cabaret and cinema. The Belle Époque is often associated with the Art Nouveau movement, which was characterized by organic forms and intricate designs. Overall, the Belle Époque is considered a golden age of art and culture in Europe.
Ben-Day dots: A printing technique that uses small, colored dots to create the illusion of shading and color in a printed image. The technique is named after illustrator and printer Benjamin Henry Day Jr.
Biennial: An art exhibition or event that takes place every two years. It is often used to describe large-scale international art exhibitions that showcase the work of contemporary artists from around the world. Biennials can be organized by museums, art institutions, or independent curators, and are often focused on a specific theme or topic. They provide a platform for artists to showcase their work to a global audience and for viewers to explore new and innovative trends in contemporary art. Some of the most well-known biennials include the Venice Biennale, Documenta, and the Whitney Biennial.
Bitumen
Binder
Biomorphic
Biomorphic
Black Atlantic
Black Box
Blue Hour
Body Art
Bracketing
Bristol School
Brocade
Brücke
Brushwork
Built Environment
Burin: Metal engraving tool
Bulb
Burst Rate
Byzantine: Artwork from the Eastern Roman Empire centered around Constantinople from the 4t Century BC.