Constructing Meaning

I think that this chapter is extremely effective, relevant, and helpful. Like the book says (well, we should already know this by now), we're living and working within the postmodern period. The way I see it, is that almost every "kind" of art has been conquered. Techniques, disciplines, and so on. What the art world looks for now is something that is innovative not only in form, but also in context and content. That's not to say that something modern isn't still worthwhile or that classical painting is dead. People still value these concepts and these disciplines. But I think that in an era where everyone feels a disconnect - whether by technology or whatever - its become almost necessary for art to speak, to move people, to make people feel something, anything at all. And Stewart does a good job at covering most of the bases on how to construct meaning. When you go to make something, there's usually a jumble in your brain about how to organize and really settle on a meaning in order to make that meaning apparent, and she very clearly divides it into this array of what to consider, step by step. Considering audience, iconography, metaphor, context, aesthetics, drama, et cetera can get really overwhelming really fast. So it's nice to have somewhat of a guide to keep you on the path that will take you to your most effective works of art.