Artifact #2: What is Art for?

Objectives:

Consider the origins of art
Explore a brief history of Western Art
Examine multiple perspectives for evaluating art

Artifact #2: What is Art For?

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

Palaeoanthropsychobiological is a term that coined by Dissanayake. In her article, she explained that Palaeoanthropsychobiological consits with three parts which were palaeo, anthropsy, and psychobiological. This term shows that art has a long history and it experienced the development of human society; arts includes everything in human’s society and it can reflect many aspects of the development of society; arts can express human’s emotion and reflect psychological reaction. In addition, this Palaeoanthropsychobiogical also refers to the changes of art from the history and the broad interpretation and function of arts today.

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

In Dissanayake’s article, she stated “I claim, is also the behavior or propensity to make special particularly things that one cares deeply about or activities whose outcome has strong personal significance.” (Dissanayake, 22) The phrase “making special” here is talking about the natural instincts of human and other life species, such as use language and making tools. This phrase was related to Dissanayake’s species-centered theory that during the development of human society, human beings adapted the natural environment and other unavoidable situation in order to survive. In addition, this phrase also refers to animal’s instincts to help animals to survive. In the reading, Dissanayake said that “The special could take on a significance that was more than simply alertness to possible danger.” (Dissanayake, 22) She believed that human beings and animals make themselves special to build natural instincts and reactions to protect themselves and make themselves unusual. The reason why “make special” also related to arts is because art is also considered make things special. Art emphasizes things that people and society concern and creates behaviors or activities to make things unusual and special. Dissanayake talked about the relationship between species-centered view and art that “The species-centered view of art I have developed here claims that there is valid and intrinsic association between what humans have always found to be important, and certain ways —- called the arts— that they have found to manifest, reinforce, and grasp this importance.” (Dissanayake, 24) “Make special” was related to make something important, unusual, and survivable and this is how it connected with art and human survivals because both art and human survivals require adaption, development, and changes during their development processes.

3. 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 first theory was created and become prominent in medieval times which viewed in the service of religion.(Dissanayake, 16) In this period, art was mainly serve for religious purpose to celebrate important dates or events. During this period, art was developing at its early stages which appied equally to fishing, chariotdriving, and other mundane activities.(Dissanayake, 16) This theory viewed art as understand correctly of the principles involved rather than people viewed art based on their own interests.

The second theory was Modernism. This theory was created and became prominent in the 18th century which viewed art as ideology. Dissanayake stated that “… A concern with clucidating principles such as taste and beauty that govern all the arts and indeed make them not simply paintings or statues but examples of fine art.” (Dissanayake, 17) This theory supported a “disinterested” attitude to separate one’s interests to art that people can appreciate any arts without their personal interests.

The third theory was post modernism. This theory was developed and became prominent in 19th and 20th century which viewed art as interpretation. Dissanayake stated that “While the term postmodern is used as indiscriminately as united in repudiating the high art view I have just described.” (Dissanayake,19) This theory challenged modernism theory and it stress that theirs is not just one more “ism” or movement but rather a declaration of the end of all isms and movements. (Dissanayake, 19) This theory supported that people can view art based on their personal prospective and the same art may have different interpretations. This theory expand the boarder of arts to approach normal people’s life and allow more people to view art base on their own experience and interests. Post modernism theory brought art to another social level toward a widely acceptable direction.

Reflection:

The artifact from this week is focus on digging deeper about art to its origin, history, and development. After reading the article “What is art for” written by Ellen Dissanayake, I was able to understand how the development of art in different period as well as the expanding of the functions and meanings of art. Dissanayake produced a word called “paleoanthropsychobiological” to describe art. She stated that “First, that the idea of art encompasses all of human history; second, that it include all human societies; and third, that it accounts for the fact that art is a psychological or emotional need and has psychological or emotional effects.” (Dissanayake, 15) According to Dissanayake’s opinion, art became a comprehensive word that including history, development of human culture and societies, and psychological and emotional expressions. After reading her essay, I was be able to learn that art became a word that can interprete everything.

In the writing, I learned about different development stages of art and different perspectives and theories of evaluating art. Art changed from serving in religious purposes to become a life sake throughout of the history. I learned that people’s view and understanding of art also changed from time to time. I believe one of the main reasons for the expanding of art was that people’s needs and wants were changing all the time. After reading different theories to evaluate art, my understanding of art was enhanced and I leaned that art became more comprehensive and meaningful to human life.

Learning Goals in the Future:

In the future, I will continue to enhance my understanding of art. Also, I will continually development a more comprehensive perspective toward art. In addition, I want to know more about the development of art in the U.S as well as other cultures and countries in the history.

Bibliography:

Dissanayake, E. (1991). What is art for? In K. C. Caroll (Ed.). Keynote adresses 1991 (NAEA Convention), (pp.15-26). Reston, VA: National Art Education Association.

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