Perceptual Vs Conceptual

Often you can see little children who have just learned to hold a pencil properly are often taught to colour and scribble. Art is something we learn since young even without knowing it. It is rather common that most people without deep knowledge of art perceive it as something simple. However, art has more depth to it that what we actually see. Most types of art are divided into two categories which are conceptual art and perceptual art. In other words, these are two methods of representing the world in art.

Conceptual art provides images which give the notion, idea or concept that is intended, usually by the simplification of figures and action to a few telling traits. “On a strict historical reading, the expression ‘conceptual art’ refers to the artistic movement that reached its pinnacle between 1966 and 1972 (Lippard 1973). Amongst its most famous adherents at its early stage we find artists such as Joseph Kosuth, Robert Morris, Joseph Beuys and Mel Ramsden, to name but a few. What unites all conceptual art of that period is the absorption of the lessons learnt from other twentieth-century art movements such as Dadaism, Surrealism, Suprematism, Abstract Expressionism and the Fluxus group, not to mention the attempt to once and for all ‘free’ art of the Modernist paradigm. Most importantly, perhaps, conceptual art sought to overcome a backdrop against which art's principal aim is to produce something beautiful or aesthetically pleasing” (Schellekens, 2007). Conceptual art is presenting a mental formulation of the object, rather than its appearance alone.

Campbell's painting of the Fort Wilderness Railroad
Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved

The pictures above are examples of conceptual art. There are many others besides this. For further examples, go to http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/07/50-eye-popping-examples-of-concept-art/, a website full of conceptual art paintings. 

Perceptual art, on the other hand, describes the world visually based on our eye’s perception. It is an approach that details the immediate, fleeting aspect of the outward world. In fact, perceptual art is based mainly on visual experience that visual is given priority over the sensual. One of the perceptual art is opt art also known was optical art where optical illusions are made use off. "Optical art is a method of painting concerning the interaction between illusion and picture plane, between understanding and seeing." Op art works are abstract, with many of the better known pieces made in only black and white. When the viewer looks at them, the impression is given of movement, hidden images, flashing and vibration, patterns, or alternatively, of swelling or warping. These type of art stimulates one’s visual sensory. The pictures below are examples of perceptual art and optical art. Even though they are not moving but one would feel as though those line are actually in motion. How amazing is that! A moving picture, just like in Harry Potter (although not a single bit similar to each other).

           Perceptual Flux Digital Art - Perceptual Flux Fine
                             Art Print - Casey Kotas