Images created by asking AI to "create a list of cool art." A variety of "coolness" is lined up.
What kind of artwork comes to mind when you hear "cool art"?
Something based on black or gray. Linear compositions. Modern abstract paintings. Graphics with negative space. Drawings with strong lines.
While some may envision such images, others might be drawn to paintings with vibrant colors, light botanical illustrations, or dynamic landscape paintings.
"Cool" isn't solely determined by color saturation or powerful impact.
Sometimes, what catches our eye is a beautiful flow of lines, a harmonious color combination, or an unexpected way of framing a motif.
This time, we will explore "cool art" in everyday life, using the meaning of the word as a clue.
The Outline of the Word "Kakkoii" (Cool)
The "kakko" in "kakkoyoi" (cool) is a phonetic change of "kakko" (form or appearance). Considering it as a word followed by "ii" (good), it originally included an evaluation of appearance, form, and how something looks.
In the Digital Daijisen, it is explained as a word that expresses a feeling of being attracted to something that looks good, or to a refreshing attitude or action.
From here, let's consider how this applies to art.
Cute, stylish, beautiful,渋い (shibui/tasteful), cool.
All of these words describe feelings when looking at something, but each has a slightly different nuance.
Cute is close to approachable and lovely.
Beautiful is close to refined beauty and cleanliness.
Stylish is close to clever presentation and combination.
Shibui is close to understated depth and calmness.
So, what about "cool"?
In this column, we define it as something that isn't too sweet, has a certain tightness, catches the eye without unnecessary explanation, and possesses a unique tension within its form, color, and lines.
Considering that, cool art is not limited to works in black or gray.
Coolness can be found in paintings with vibrant colors, art depicting plants and animals, landscapes, and graphic posters. What's important is not the color or genre, but the sense of tension or tightness one feels in that particular piece.
Points to Consider When Choosing Cool Art
When choosing cool art, it's easier to make a selection by looking from several perspectives, such as color, lines, composition, and motifs.
Looking at Color
Colors such as black, gray, navy, deep green, and brown tend to create a calm atmosphere. When placed in a room, they make the space look neat.
On the other hand, bright and pale colors each have their own charm. If the color combination is beautiful, or the overall tone is well-balanced, a piece can be memorable without being overly assertive.
Art with a limited number of colors makes it easier to create a sense of unity in a room. Works using vibrant colors create focal points in a space.
Rather than one being "correct," it's better to use the room's atmosphere and the balance that feels comfortable to you as a guide.
Looking at Lines and Composition
Works with straight lines, geometric shapes, and balanced left-right compositions make a space look neat.
Works with curves, dynamic lines, and bold arrangements add rhythm to a room.
Furthermore, the appearance changes depending on how negative space is used. While works with ample negative space appear calm, if there is tension within the image, it naturally draws the eye without being overly assertive.
HIKARINOWA by Hiroko Hashimoto
Looking at Motifs
Motifs are where personal preference tends to be most apparent.
For plants, it's the shape of the leaves or the flow of the lines. For works depicting animals, it's their expression or posture. For landscapes, it's how the light enters or how the scene is framed.
By observing what catches your eye, your personal sense of "coolness" will gradually emerge.
Even with cute subjects, the atmosphere changes depending on the drawing style and composition. You might find unexpected strength or beauty in everyday motifs.
Kamoshika by Makiko Watanabe (ado)
You Can Choose Cool Art Based on Your Own Senses
There's no single correct answer for what constitutes cool art.
However, this doesn't mean anything goes; there should be a personal reason behind your choice.
Do you like the lines?
Are you drawn to the color combinations?
Are you interested in how negative space is used?
Does the appearance of the motif intrigue you?
By picking up on these small clues, your own definition of "cool" will gradually become clearer.
REST by R
Source: Digital Daijisen "Kakkoii" Shogakukan, Kotobank
