Artifact #2 – What is Art?
Objective:
- Consider the origins of art
- Explore a brief history of Western Art
- Examine multiple perspectives for evaluating art
In the reading “What is art for?”, the author Dissanayake used a unique word “Paleoanthrosychobiological” to describe her view of art. This term infers that the art has a close relationship with human history, psychology and cultures. She also indicates that art is an universal need for all humans “just as normal and natural as language, sex, sociability, aggression, or any of the other characteristics of human nature”. Besides, art reflects the phenomenon of human society along with human’s emotional needs which might cause certain influence on human behavior.In Dissanayake’s article, “making special” describes one human’s behavior in order to make things “[care] deeply about or activities whose outcome has strong personal significance”. This term also relates to what is called “species-centered”, mentioned by Dissanayake. Based on the view of modernism, art is more about the value of human with personal experience. Oh the other hand, postmodernism believes that art belongs to everyone individually and independently. Both claims refer that art as a kind of natural human behavior, but we need to make this kind of behavior special. For example, human can use language to communicate, make and use tool for the purpose to survive and enhance the quality of life and satisfaction, which is totally different from animals.
Reflection
Personally I do not have very strong sense of art, but I believe that everyone has their own talents and ability to enjoy and create their own art. By the definition of postmodernism, art can be the intrinsic for every individuals and can be seen anywhere in our daily life. It also indicates that artiests are also normal people and without any priority or privilege when viewing objects. Although I don’t know anything about painting, drawing, or how to make movie, but I am often moved by those creations because I believe that everything that are able to affect a person’s emotion and cause resonance should be counted as art. It shows the freedom of a soul and spirit.
Learning Goal in the Future
I am not a big fan of western art but I do learn a lot from this unit. Instead of western art history, I used to attend lots of class teaching eastern art history including the creation of paper and publishing. But I have to say that rather than the explaination of “paleoanthrosychobiological”, I have more interests on those three stages of western art history. I think the dramatical change of human art creation has a strong link with human civilization. I think I might take some courses in the future
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.
>Artifact #4: The Art of Personal Adornment<
>Artifact #5: The Aesthetics of Horror<
>Artifact #6: Creative Spirituality<
>Artifact #7: Art, Technology, Game<
>Artifact #8: Art, Technology, and Games<