Return to Previous Thoughts on Art
When I began this class I believed that art is the dialect between its creator and viewers. Although I still hold this belief, my time in AP art history has impacted the way I understand and describe art. Besides being a dialect between art and its viewer, art is something that is at this point, solely determined by humans. Even in the case of painting by elephants or other animals, it is only becomes art when it is identified by humans. The identification of art leads to a conversation about art of which the essence of art comes from. Art is designed as something that can be preserved through sight or memory, although certainly not all forms of art do this. Art is the expression and recognition of an idea or feeling.
This year I have learned that art is multifaceted and infinitely unique, in both the subject matter and the ideas it can portray. At the same time I have learned that there is a universality to art. Works can be from entirely different cultures in entirely different situations but still serve the same purpose. The Forbidden Palace was created with the same intent that created Versailles and the Nan Madol. Art captures universal themes that impact the individual. The ability of art to contain relatable themes and connect to universal truths as well as it being part of a sole human definition, enables all art to be linked. That is why we study art, create art, and seek to observe art. Art reaches into each person’s core, and lights a spark of understanding. Art history has shown me the importance of art and how art can connect to almost any type of person. I am touched when I see images of people flocking around artworks like David and Starry Night.
Not only does art enable people to connect universally but art also carries the history from the time period it is created. A piece of art can tell you a lot about the cultural values and emotions during the time. When you look at Roman architecture you can see how their culture valued orderliness Alternatively when you follow the journey through the varying periods of Ancient Greek sculpture you can see the differing desires and ideals felt by the Greeks during their varying periods. While I have learned about the technical history of the world from this class, I have gained a greater knowledge of the sentiments felt by the people of the time.
Art can be all of these things and even nothing. By learning about modern art, I now know that art cannot be constrained and that the validity of art is something that does not lie in the determination of it by some members of society. Since art is produced by an act of human creation and maintained by a dialogue, one person does not have the right to say that a specific work or medium is not art. Works that are now considered some of the greatest works of art were reviled and decried at their time of conception because some people did not understand them and held a narrow definition of what constitutes art.
Art varies, it takes many forms and can be interpreted through many contexts. Each piece of art carries with it the historical context of the time it was created, as well as the craftsmanship and feeling of the artist. The underlying connection for all works is the artist's expression and context and the dialogue it creates for each viewer onwards.
When I began this class I believed that art is the dialect between its creator and viewers. Although I still hold this belief, my time in AP art history has impacted the way I understand and describe art. Besides being a dialect between art and its viewer, art is something that is at this point, solely determined by humans. Even in the case of painting by elephants or other animals, it is only becomes art when it is identified by humans. The identification of art leads to a conversation about art of which the essence of art comes from. Art is designed as something that can be preserved through sight or memory, although certainly not all forms of art do this. Art is the expression and recognition of an idea or feeling.
This year I have learned that art is multifaceted and infinitely unique, in both the subject matter and the ideas it can portray. At the same time I have learned that there is a universality to art. Works can be from entirely different cultures in entirely different situations but still serve the same purpose. The Forbidden Palace was created with the same intent that created Versailles and the Nan Madol. Art captures universal themes that impact the individual. The ability of art to contain relatable themes and connect to universal truths as well as it being part of a sole human definition, enables all art to be linked. That is why we study art, create art, and seek to observe art. Art reaches into each person’s core, and lights a spark of understanding. Art history has shown me the importance of art and how art can connect to almost any type of person. I am touched when I see images of people flocking around artworks like David and Starry Night.
Not only does art enable people to connect universally but art also carries the history from the time period it is created. A piece of art can tell you a lot about the cultural values and emotions during the time. When you look at Roman architecture you can see how their culture valued orderliness Alternatively when you follow the journey through the varying periods of Ancient Greek sculpture you can see the differing desires and ideals felt by the Greeks during their varying periods. While I have learned about the technical history of the world from this class, I have gained a greater knowledge of the sentiments felt by the people of the time.
Art can be all of these things and even nothing. By learning about modern art, I now know that art cannot be constrained and that the validity of art is something that does not lie in the determination of it by some members of society. Since art is produced by an act of human creation and maintained by a dialogue, one person does not have the right to say that a specific work or medium is not art. Works that are now considered some of the greatest works of art were reviled and decried at their time of conception because some people did not understand them and held a narrow definition of what constitutes art.
Art varies, it takes many forms and can be interpreted through many contexts. Each piece of art carries with it the historical context of the time it was created, as well as the craftsmanship and feeling of the artist. The underlying connection for all works is the artist's expression and context and the dialogue it creates for each viewer onwards.
