The term, paleoanthropsychobiological, was coined by author Ellen Dissanayake in an attempt to describe what art is. When broken up, the word self describes itself. Paleo-, meaning that art incorporates all of human history with no limit to its focus. Anthro-, which means that art embodies all human societies and cultures. Psycho- refers to what is put into art and what comes out of it; the emotional need for art and its effects on the mind. Bio- suggests that art is a natural part of life, or as the author puts it “a universal trait of the human species” (Dissanayake, 15).
The phrase “making special” refers to the individual intentions behind works of art. For art to be special, it impacts people in a significant and unique manner. In relation to human survival, humans are drawn to what they view as special because they like the feelings it gives them. This refers to both the artists and the viewers, because artists do what makes them feel special for a living, while viewers gaze on the artists work.
Three periods that Dissanayake refered to in this reading included the renaissance, abstract expressionism period, and post modernism period. The renaissance period took place during the 18th century and is looked on today as the focal point of modernity. Artists reflected the world surrounding them in their art. In the abstract expressionism period, or the mid-twentieth century, it seems as though more complex art came about. Dissanayake stated that due to the complex nature of the works of art, the value behind them became less apparent. She explained that as a result, “appreciating art became more than ever an elite activity…” (Dissanayake, 18). The post modernism period was where interpretation was more accepted in understanding and appreciating art. The author stated that “any ‘truth’ or ‘reality’ is only a point of view” (Dissanayake, 19), meaning that there was no right answer when appreciating art. While the artist put their emotions into the work, it was not expect for the same emotions to convey in the viewer.