Operational Art 101: A Primer from Picasso to the Persian Gulf. Creating aMasterpiece of Long-Standing Value

摘要

Since Alexander Svechin coined the term 'Operational Art,' there has been a needto understand its application. Christened an art, the mind conjures a finished product which is observable, meaningful, organized, and well-orchestrated. Yet, as with visual art, to intelligently analyze it, or better yet produce it, one must become familiar with techniques which serve as practical tools of understanding. Art is mysterious, intangible, and very personal to the artist. How can military leaders from varying backgrounds learn to apply the art in the same way. Basic concepts of artistic design can assist. They do not serve to redefine Operational Art or its familiar terminology. But the aspects of art, the elements of composition, and the principles of design do serve as basic building blocks to which the military artist can compare. Most importantly, the principles