Classical decomposition requires the study of the space the art takes place in, the color composition if applicable, the lines and flow of the work, the technique used, and the emotion and intellectual response it evokes. The space in which the art takes place could be the phsyical setting, the division of space in the work itself (common in paintings) and how it interacts with the space (negative vs. positive space.) The color composition is important in how the colors chosen relate to the work (or the lack there of). The lines and flow of the work tend to pertain more to visual works but anyone that has evaluated the artwork in automotive design know full well the importance of lines in the work. The technique is important especially in phsyical artwork such as sculpture and relief painting. This is also crucial in multimedia work and abstract sculpture. The last part, largely subjective, is what the work solicits from the viewer. Art without emotion could be argued ... isn't art. Andy Worhol explored this idea with pop art (cambell soup can anyone?) on what is the nature of art. Art is either everywhere (in your spoon, fork, stapler, etc.) or some rare thing (a painting by Raphel verus the macroni happy face the 4 year old did) and if it is a rare thing then what does the art have to convey? What elevates art from engineering then? This last part is solely the responsibility of the critic rather then the artist. An artist always sees their art as art, but what prompts the view to consider it art and what steps does the work take to make a believer out of the viewer.
