- Describe the term paleoanthropsychobiological. Who coined this term?
Dissanayake coins the term paleoanthropsychobiological in the way to describe brief history of the idea of Western Art. The objective of the term holds different components. The first is that art encompasses all of human history, second it includes all human societies, and lastly that it includes for the fact that art is an emotional need and has emotional effects. (Dissanayake15) While the three components would be the normal for most people, Dissanayake continues by stating through the use of the term, that art must be viewed as a “universal trait of the human species”, that art is a “conceptual ragbag” (Dissanayake15)
- What does Dissanayake mean by the phrase “making special”? How does it relate to art and to human survival?
Dissanayake claims that one behavior that humans have is to “make special”, especially things that we care deeply for or has a personal significance to someone. In regards to human survival Dissanayake uses the comparison of animals knowing the difference of a twig snapping to a sudden shadow appearing that a predator is close by. As humans and animals we know the difference between ordinary, the everyday, and extra-ordinary events that occur day to day. “Making special” is expressed as a fundamental need, we look for things or occasions to make special to distinguish things from always being ordinary. This idea can also be related to art in the way that artists too transform the ordinary to extraordinary.
- 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.
Mid-twentieth century, more abstract and elaborate were developed. The idea of abstract expression challenged previous works of acceptable art. “ Flatness, purity, and picture plane, became the verbal tokens of the transcendent meanings viewers were told they could find in the blobs and washes of paint.” Due to the new abstract movement in art, it became more difficult for the commoner to appreciate the artwork, so during this time appreciating art became more of a elite activity. It was during this time period that the role of critic became more crucial, when the art was
critics, gallery owners, museum directors, and so on was need as the source of stamping the idea of “work of art” on objects. As Arthur Danto sums up this period of art appreciation, “To see something as art as all demands nothing less than this, an atmosphere of artistic theory, a knowledge of the history of art. “ (Dissanayake 19)
Postmodernism era occurred in the late twentieth century. Postmodernism challenged the idea that art had only a privileged kind of knowledge, it sought out that any “Truth or reality is only a point of view, a representation that comes to us mediated.” (Dissanayake 20)One philosophy is that artists to do not see the world in one specific way. That art can be interpreted according to the person’s individual and cultural experience.
Lastly Dissanayake discusses the paleoanthropsychobiological view of art, which allows for the broadest view on art. “There is no abstract concept of art, everyone can be an artist- decorating their bodies and possessions, dancing, singing, versifying, performing. “(Dissanayake 21) This goes back to the term coined earlier “making special.” The idea that everyone including artists make something special in order to get out of the ordinary day by day routine that many of us live. Just as we make things special such as going out to eat at a nice restaurants or dressing up, artists to produce art that takes them to a place from ordinary to extraordinary.