Interestingly, a question ” What is art? What is art really for?” made me ponder before I started reading the article by Dissanyake. To me, art is paintings, performances, and anything that includes meanings and messages the artists wanted to express. Dissanyake described art as “not just a piece of work, but it is rather activity of making the piece”. Also “Everyone is an artist”(7). I could not agree with her more that If It involves anything, such as performing and decorating to verify themselves while some others acknowledge the one’s skill and creativity, anybody can be an artist.

Dissanyake noted that art is not only a cultural phenomenon, but also it is ” biologically developed as they evolved, to help them [human] survive”(2). In premodern time, art was used and was necessary to ritual ceremonies. It was actually, “essential for quite literally, for life’s sake” (7). I found it almost shocking that Dissanyake used biological interpretations to describe art. I wonder, If there was no ritual ceremonies, no decorating bodies and no performing for wishing a family member’s health to be better, or rain dancing during drought,  could humans still have survived? Maybe, biologically, as product of evolution, humans needed to ease stress by choosing art as force to maintain their life livable.

Art is not only a means to express one’s self, but it also molds oneself. Arts were crucial for human beings to survive. Moreover, art transforms something ordinary to extraordinary. Therefore it should be “acknowledged and be encouraged to develop” (10).

Reflection:

I remember taking my time trying to answer to the simple question “what is art”.  To be honest, I struggled with the assigned article by Dissanyake, because I never had a chance to think about art at all. So once I understood what the author was trying to say and convey her opinions about theories and perspectives on art, the rest of the reading became pretty interesting. And as I read it again after several weeks later, I feel I have a better, clear understanding on Dissanyake’s work.

Especially the fact that Dissanyake correlated a biological factor to art by using the term ‘Paleoanthropsychobiological’ was very interesting (Dissanyake). Furthermore, trying to understand and analyze where and when art started was very well explained by Dissanyake. I realize how better I understand about art and its values by doing these challenging tasks, such as evaluating the meaning of art, learning about the evolution of art over different time periods, and reading about different theories on how art should be defined.

Future Intention:

I would love to read more of Dissanyake’s work if I get a chance in the future. This artifact almost opened my eyes on accepting art as I learned how to define art from my point of view. Now I do not think that paints in exhibit and galleries are only for those who are educated enough to see its value. I believe the value of the art can be seen by everybody.  The meaning and the way the art is portrayed will be just different in everyone’s heart and mind. Dissanyake described art as “not just a piece of work, but it is rather activity of making the piece” (Dissanyake). I will be imagining the process of art work when I go to exhibits.