Academy Art
By: Neal McLaughlin

The world of art is a wondrous, magical kingdom of designs; sculptures and paintings abound by the artist's emotions, ideas and techniques. Art movements must frequently change in order to keep up with the ideas and passions of each generation. Art is subjective by nature. What may excite one viewer may have little or no affect upon another.

The art world of today is a potpourri of mediums and techniques that are openly accepted and may be found adoring public parks, office buildings and even the structures of official residences and government institutions.

Not so long ago, art movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Impressionism, Cubism and other "untraditional" "innovative" art ideas would have been rejected as true art! During the 19th Century the only art which could be found on display in the European Salons would be those that had adhered to the strict European Academies criteria

These paintings and sculptures, produced under the influence of the European Academies, were recognizable by their highly finished styles, their use of historical or mythological subject matter and their ability to uphold current moralistic tones.

Academic Art, although found in many European Salons, had been particularly associated with the French Academy and greatly influenced the paintings of such artists as William Adolphe Bougereau (1825-1904) and Jean-Leone Gerome (1824-1904).

In later years, however, the term "Academic Art " would subscribe to a negative term used to describe art which was considered conservative, unoriginal, void of any human emotion and reflecting the true nature of our world in an unrealistic style.

The European Academies, many which still exist today as art schools and exhibition halls, with out doubt have and will continue to produce many educated and capable artists. However, these graduates are no longer considered to be the only "true artist." Often times the art community tends to over look the reality that many of today's Abstractionist, Impressionists and Expressionist have also received formal art education.

Today, artists are free to express themselves through a wide variety of styles and techniques. Whether it be the large iron beam sculptures which beautify the grounds surrounding a local bagel shop or the Impressionistic wall mural showing unity in a troubled neighborhood each heart-felt creation is, by today's views, considered to be a work of art.