The Arts: Theory
Scope and application
- The arts perform some sort of social function
- The arts as a mean of shaping beliefs
- Role of society in determining what is art
- Importance of the local cultural dimension in defining value in the arts
- Art forms are based on sense perception
- The arts might be an instrument of social transformation
The scope of the art can be considered almost unlimited. It challenges our knowledge and need for clearly defined concepts, since there is no set definition of what exactly defines art. Unlike Natural Sciences, and other Areas of Knowledge where we have a general understanding, art is personal. The limits and framework are set by individuals, and more dependent on what one individual perceives as being art. It encompasses many different forms (eg visual arts, dance, literature) and cannot be limited to one specific medium. It treats a diverse range of subjects (eg religion, love, nature). The purpose of art it often suggested to be a way of expressing emotions. Another theory is that it appeals to our sensory experience.
- The arts perform some sort of social function
- The arts as a mean of shaping beliefs
- Role of society in determining what is art
- Importance of the local cultural dimension in defining value in the arts
- Art forms are based on sense perception
- The arts might be an instrument of social transformation
The scope of the art can be considered almost unlimited. It challenges our knowledge and need for clearly defined concepts, since there is no set definition of what exactly defines art. Unlike Natural Sciences, and other Areas of Knowledge where we have a general understanding, art is personal. The limits and framework are set by individuals, and more dependent on what one individual perceives as being art. It encompasses many different forms (eg visual arts, dance, literature) and cannot be limited to one specific medium. It treats a diverse range of subjects (eg religion, love, nature). The purpose of art it often suggested to be a way of expressing emotions. Another theory is that it appeals to our sensory experience.
Concepts & language
- Role of language and conventions in the arts
- Language of an art form is often non-verbal
- Limited to propositional knowledge
The knowledge gained from arts cannot be directly expressed with language. The artworks, even the ones that are created using language (such as poems, plays, etc.), cannot be taken literally. The words and sentences carry the deeper meaning that can be explained and analysed using art terminology. Most of the times art may seem like nonsense, but once an individual understands the meaning behind the artwork, they realise that literally false statements may be the best way to achieve certain effects and find the truth.
A good example that helps to understand how the art language works is an extract of Macbeth’s soliloquy written by William Shakespeare. Soliloquy is a device used in poetry when the character speaks to himself/herself and describes their feelings and thoughts in order to share with the audience. Even though it seems that such art looks like it should be taken literally, Shakespeare uses metaphors and therefore the soliloquy does not actually mean what it says.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing
(Act V, scene 5)
In other words “…a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more…” for example does not mean that life is a living being that is good at acting on stage, and if it were to represent people, most of us do not spend time on stage. Instead it means that life is just like a play performed on stage and suggests that sometimes we all feel like we are taking a part of a meaningless act, where we play a role for a short time we have on this earth.
- Role of language and conventions in the arts
- Language of an art form is often non-verbal
- Limited to propositional knowledge
The knowledge gained from arts cannot be directly expressed with language. The artworks, even the ones that are created using language (such as poems, plays, etc.), cannot be taken literally. The words and sentences carry the deeper meaning that can be explained and analysed using art terminology. Most of the times art may seem like nonsense, but once an individual understands the meaning behind the artwork, they realise that literally false statements may be the best way to achieve certain effects and find the truth.
A good example that helps to understand how the art language works is an extract of Macbeth’s soliloquy written by William Shakespeare. Soliloquy is a device used in poetry when the character speaks to himself/herself and describes their feelings and thoughts in order to share with the audience. Even though it seems that such art looks like it should be taken literally, Shakespeare uses metaphors and therefore the soliloquy does not actually mean what it says.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing
(Act V, scene 5)
In other words “…a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more…” for example does not mean that life is a living being that is good at acting on stage, and if it were to represent people, most of us do not spend time on stage. Instead it means that life is just like a play performed on stage and suggests that sometimes we all feel like we are taking a part of a meaningless act, where we play a role for a short time we have on this earth.
Methodology
- Artistic creation is often a result of personal knowledge requiring imagination and creativity
- Creativity requires imagination taking place within a framework, often using reason
- Art often requires a (possibly emotional) interaction with an audience
- Relationship between art and technology; new technologies spawn new art forms, for example, film, computer art, computer music, etc.
The arts primary way of conveying and creating meaning is often through the non-literal. A piece of literature is not a piece of absolute truth, but rather a series of techniques, such as metaphors, that require interpretation from the readers.
This is also true for other forms of arts, painting for example makes use of colors and the like to give meaning.
Guernica by Picasso, is a perfect example of this. While the painting makes little sense at a first glance, it is possible by delving deeper to see what the painting really attempts to communicate.
To discover the conveyed messages, we use many different Ways of Knowing.
Sense perception is undoubtedly the most important way, all art is perceived through senses; sight with literature, sculpting, etc. Hearing is used for music, and taste, smell and touch all have their arts.
Language tell much, especially in literature, but also in other arts. Titles often add meaning to their respective art pieces.
“My feelings on titles, particularly for my own work is that they are crucial- not only for the viewer but also for myself. They are a suggestion, a signifier, an open door, a thread, the light: to a way to approach the image. “
http://lisapressman.blogspot.dk/2009/06/how-do-you-title-your-paintings.html
Memory is used to help us understand, we pull on the experience we have from other pieces that we have seen before.
Emotion and intuition let us understand and connect with what the art is conveying.
Even reasons, as a Way of Knowing, help us justify what we think we understand for example deduction, if red color means love, then it will in this specific piece as well.
Unlike Natural Science, there is no clear answer at the end for arts, instead the arts are dependent on interpretation, explaining the meaning of something. However, because of the arts high dependence on sense perception, emotion and intuition, there is therefore a high degree of Qualia, and the interpretations are therefore often highly individual, and varied.
An often posed Knowledge Question is then, that if that is true, how can we then have art critics and experts, would their opinion not be just as useful as any other? This is because reason is still to an extent used a WOK, there are no formal academic standards in the art method, but the ability to rationally explain why a piece of art is a good as said remains valued.
- Artistic creation is often a result of personal knowledge requiring imagination and creativity
- Creativity requires imagination taking place within a framework, often using reason
- Art often requires a (possibly emotional) interaction with an audience
- Relationship between art and technology; new technologies spawn new art forms, for example, film, computer art, computer music, etc.
The arts primary way of conveying and creating meaning is often through the non-literal. A piece of literature is not a piece of absolute truth, but rather a series of techniques, such as metaphors, that require interpretation from the readers.
This is also true for other forms of arts, painting for example makes use of colors and the like to give meaning.
Guernica by Picasso, is a perfect example of this. While the painting makes little sense at a first glance, it is possible by delving deeper to see what the painting really attempts to communicate.
To discover the conveyed messages, we use many different Ways of Knowing.
Sense perception is undoubtedly the most important way, all art is perceived through senses; sight with literature, sculpting, etc. Hearing is used for music, and taste, smell and touch all have their arts.
Language tell much, especially in literature, but also in other arts. Titles often add meaning to their respective art pieces.
“My feelings on titles, particularly for my own work is that they are crucial- not only for the viewer but also for myself. They are a suggestion, a signifier, an open door, a thread, the light: to a way to approach the image. “
http://lisapressman.blogspot.dk/2009/06/how-do-you-title-your-paintings.html
Memory is used to help us understand, we pull on the experience we have from other pieces that we have seen before.
Emotion and intuition let us understand and connect with what the art is conveying.
Even reasons, as a Way of Knowing, help us justify what we think we understand for example deduction, if red color means love, then it will in this specific piece as well.
Unlike Natural Science, there is no clear answer at the end for arts, instead the arts are dependent on interpretation, explaining the meaning of something. However, because of the arts high dependence on sense perception, emotion and intuition, there is therefore a high degree of Qualia, and the interpretations are therefore often highly individual, and varied.
An often posed Knowledge Question is then, that if that is true, how can we then have art critics and experts, would their opinion not be just as useful as any other? This is because reason is still to an extent used a WOK, there are no formal academic standards in the art method, but the ability to rationally explain why a piece of art is a good as said remains valued.
The Critics
When critics look at art, they begin fully describing everything in the painting.
Following that, critics analyze the individual elements of art.
They then look at the piece as a whole to find the hidden meaning. Using memory to call upon past experiences to see patterns, and a highly trained serious form of intuition, which have been practiced through many viewings.
When critics look at art, they begin fully describing everything in the painting.
Following that, critics analyze the individual elements of art.
They then look at the piece as a whole to find the hidden meaning. Using memory to call upon past experiences to see patterns, and a highly trained serious form of intuition, which have been practiced through many viewings.