For those that aren’t the art appreciates, including me, we don’t truly understand what exactly to be looking for in the art. I see a painting, photograph, dance, and many other parts of art and don’t truly understand what the “value” may be. “I think these ideas have revolutionary implications for how we as a society think of art” (Carrol 2) I believe that the author words it perfectly here in this quote, as generations continue and evolve, will we ever appreciate art how they once did in the past? After western modernization, we have developed a new version of this “modern” art. This new art is more admirable and visible especially how artist have revolutionized the typically house.
Putting art into a different perspective, our cultures completely revolved around art values. Although I can’t personally “see” the art, I do believe that I am surrounded by it everyday. Art is more than just pencil to paper, it’s about the experience. In the society that we live in today, art can be used in different contexts. Such as either a physical art piece or a process in the happening.
I think Dissanayaki was trying to say that not understanding art and not caring to understand it is just another form of coming to terms with it, and accepting it as it is. While you might not be “moved” when you see a certain painting, photography, dance, and whatnot, it still holds true that in some way you will response to it. This is the basic need of human commination Dissanayaki was talking about as stated that, “it include all human societies” (p.15), which of course it wouldn’t be a common method of sharing thoughts, ideas, and feeling it not every human civilization on the planet took part in it in some way. Modern art really push this idea of a new way to communicate, distancing itself from cultural understand to the point where no one really understood it anymore. These ask for more critical thinking, and reasoning that might not be easy to understand at first glance. But the experience that you share with the piece of work is valuable regardless if you were to come up with a solid answer.
I would love to hear a little more about your first paragraph and not appreciating the arts because I find it really interesting. I am one who doesn’t know how to analyze a piece of artwork but I think one thing that is so cool about art is that there is no right or wrong answer. If someone loves a painting that I do not like then that’s completely fine and what makes art art. You can appreciate it in your own way. There is no right or wrong way to look at art and appreciate it. I also think even for the pieces of art that you do not like, you can appreciate the fact that someone took the time and energy to create it. I also admire things that I cannot do so the fact that someone can create a piece of art that I could never do makes me appreciate it. However when the author says “there is a special frame of mind for appreciating works of art- a ‘disinterested’ attitude that is separate from one’s own personal interest in the objects, its utility, or its social or religious ramifications” (Dissanayake 3) it makes me feel like maybe certain people do not have a very strong “separate frame of mind.” Maybe is it difficult for you to appreciate art on the same level as an art major due to genetics. This is something that is interesting to think about because I would personally fall somewhere in the middle. I can appreciate art but generally I am not enthralled with it.
Hello, Alfredo. I feel your post is really interesting. Actually, I think I am the person who do not understand art well, just like you. For your question – will we ever appreciate art how they once did in the past? I have different opinion with you. I believe that we should respect all of art no matter it be created in the past or recently. The art could reflect the temporary social conditions so artworks have the important historical values. You said you do not truly understand the “value” of art, I think Dissanayake’s argument could represent art’s value. As he said, “First, that the idea of art encompasses all of human nature (i.e. as far back as the Paleolithic or even earlier); second, that it include all human societies (i.e. is anthropological or cross cultural); and third, that it accounts for the fact that art is a psychological or emotional need and has psychological or emotional effects” (Dissanayake, 15).