Understanding the Differences between Media

1. Two-Dimensional vs. Three-Dimensional Art

The difference between two-dimensional and three-dimensional art is very straightforward. Each is measured using different dimensions, which can include measurements such as height, width, and depth.

• Two-dimensional, or 2D, art can be measured only by two different dimensions, as it can only be viewed from the front. You might use height and width when describing or measuring 2D art.
• Three-dimensional, or 3D, art is measured in three dimensions, usually height, width, and depth. The subject matter of the artwork exists in 3D space. This means you can move around the object and still see some aspect of the subject matter.

Now, compare that image to the one below, a three-dimensional sculpture. It is measured in three dimensions: depth, width, and height. You could potentially move around the sculpture and still see some aspect of it.

The image above is a sculpture made of terracotta, a type of clay. It is three dimensional; however, in looking at it, you might consider whether it was made to be viewed at all angles, or whether a specific view is better. This can be a clue to the object’s original function. It might also be helpful to know if this object originally consisted of just a head by itself, or if there was at one time a body attached to it. An art historian could determine this by analyzing other sculptures made at the same site, with similar media.

terms to know

Two-Dimensional Art

A work of art made on a flat surface, such as a painting, drawing, print, or photograph.

Three-Dimensional Art

A work of art that exists in space, usually sculpture or variations of sculpture.

2. Traditional vs. Experimental Forms of Media

Works of art can be created with various materials, the artistic medium or media. Materials such as stone, wood, bronze, ink, paint, and paper are considered traditional media. Experimental media includes any material the artist chooses to use.

did you know

Experimental, or nontraditional, media includes almost anything you can think of. Some of the more interesting experimental media works include garbage or ice sculptures, body art, land art, and even animal blood.

The medium, or material from which an artist creates a work of art, plays an important role in its definition as a work of art. The process of defining art does not only involve the question of “Who is the artist?” but also “What is the object made of?” To a certain extent, we already covered this earlier when we considered artists versus artisans and the creation of quilts. Now we will revisit this question in a more general way.

Art historians may define art in terms of its medium. This might include different types of painting, such as oil, tempera, or watercolor, or sculpture, such as wood carving or bronze casting.

Below is a painting by the Mexican artist Diego Rivera. It is done in oil on canvas on wood and is an example of traditional media:

Since the 1970s, artists have increasingly experimented with artistic media, to the point of considering performance and the human body itself as works of art. Consider this work by Guatemalan artist Regina José Galindo:

In this performance, the artist carves the word perra into her thigh, as a protest against the candidacy of José Efraín Ríos Montt for president of Guatemala. Ríos Montt had served as president from 1982 to 1983, during a time when the Guatemalan government was responsible for the murder of many indigenous Maya and political activists. Bodies of women were found with messages carved on them at this time.

• Why do you think Galindo chose this theme for her art, produced more than 20 years later?
• What message was she trying to communicate?
• Would another artistic medium have worked better?
• Why or why not?

• What is the message of each work of art?
• How does the medium relate to the message?

• What is the medium of this work?
• Is it traditional or experimental?
• How does that relate to the definition of art and the artist?
• What is the message of this work and whose message is it?

big idea

Ink drawings, paintings, tapestries, and mosaics are all examples of traditional art. Experimental, or nontraditional art, might include body art, performance art, land art, or new media.

Below is another example of traditional media, a painting:

Another example of traditional media, a tapestry:

One last example of traditional media, a mosaic:

An example of nontraditional, or experimental, media, body art:

And one last example of experimental media, land art. This is a spiral jetty an artist created:

terms to know

Artistic Medium

The material with or in which a work of art is made, such as paint or marble.

Traditional Media

Common materials used to make works of art or architecture, such as stone, wood, bronze, ink, paint, or paper.