1. Describe the term paleoanthropsychobiological. Who coined this term?

The term Paleoanthropsychobiological is a unique perspective of art coined by Dissanayake herself, in which she believes that art in itself must be viewed “as an inherent universal trait of the human species” (Dissanayake 15). Her perspective is that everything throughout history should be considered as art, from every form of society and culture in order to show its true meaning, which is that art brings out the emotional and psychological trait in human beings.

2) What does Dissanayake mean by the phrase “making special”? How does it relate to art and to huma­­n survival?

The phrase “making special” refers to the notion that humans look at any normal item or event and make it seem important and of value to them. This has been seen throughout the past and occurs on a daily basis. Art isn’t anything different, as it is seen all around us. That being said, just like how normal items are considered special and valued and remembered more, artists tend to draw items or events that are special to them, and viewers can observe that and obtain a similar emotion as well. Art should always be considered special, because it highlights an emotion or perspective within a certain period of time in history.

Dissanayake identifies many different theories/movement/periods of art throughout western European history. Name three different theories of art that Dissanayake mentions in her essay. Identify the time period when each theory developed and was prominent. Provide a brief description of the philosophies and ideas that define each theory/movement/period of art. Support your answer with quotes from the reading.

The three theories of art that Dissanayake mentions are the Renaissance, Modernism, and Postmodernism. The Renaissance started in the 16^th century, in which the artists “gradually removed God-centered with man-centered concerns, but their words continued to portray a recognizable world” (Dissanayake 16). During this time, science began to create its own influence against religion, which brought upon the ideals of reasoning and social/interpersonal change. The change of knowledge is displayed in the type of art that was created at that time as well. This type of art was a display of both human and divine, with focus placed on the skill and craftsmanship of an artist at hand. This era began the transition of art from a holy minded concept to a more relatable to mankind ideology. The modernism era had begun in the 18^th century. During this period, “thinkers turned their attention to ‘aesthetics’ – a concern with elucidating principles such as taste and beauty” (Dissanayake, 17). The ideals of ‘disinterest’ came about, in which viewers can appreciate any type of art despite its cultural or originality, making art a universal form (Dissanayake 18). However, modernism created a certain stigma of art where it was no longer worshipped as an idolized work, but simply a luxury for those with the education and the time, so it became very limited in terms of awareness. The third era, the postmodernism, developed in the 20th century. It is “the assumption that interpretation is indispensable to appreciating and even identifying artworks… a point of view that calls into question two centuries of assumptions about the elite and special nature of art” (Dissanayake, 19). Everyone is aware of their own emotion and perspectives when viewing a particular piece of art, and now art has built its own individual stance upon society. Becoming an artist has never been easier, and anyone can draw his or her own interpretation of a trait in life.