Sustainable Art and Design: Activating Sighting as the Phenomenon of Representational Drawing

Abstract

Over the centuries, the proportion has been a strong principle in art and also in architecture, building, civil, and other engineering  professions. It is an obvious fact, when the proportion is absent in art, architectural or engineering works, the result is not only  dangerous but it makes such works abnormal. Lack of this knowledge or deliberate refusal to use it, maybe the reason for the collapse of  buildings in some cities. This paper, therefore, intends to emphasize the use of what is generally called rule or unit of measure in art as a  panacea to ideal proportionate artworks or even construction works. The research also aims at encouraging artists to master the ideal  proportion first before dashing into abstraction or purposeful exaggeration of forms. This will encourage more attention in the area of  realism and naturalism not only in drawing, painting or sculpture but in art generally. The methodology used for this quantitative  research includes observation of studio practice, literature review, and interview of a few artists and students. The paper concludes that rule of measure contributed immensely to the huge success recorded in the Classical period of art and was also the reason for the  unparalleled glory attained during the Renaissance era. Therefore, the study recommends that for a sustainable environment, schools  especially art schools should create more space in their curriculum for the teaching of the rule of measure in art and also recommends  further research on this topic.