What is Art?

“All art consists in bringing something into existence.” -Aristotle

Art is . . .

There is no one perfect definition for what art is!

-Art is perhaps humanity’s most essential and universal language.

- Art is using visual images to communicate.

Cy Thao, The Hmong Migration #14

Why do we make art?

Utility-for use

Religion-express beliefs

Aesthetics-looks good

Politics-information/history

Art for Religion; express beliefs

Religious art expresses humanities deepest convictions about how and why we are here on earth.Religious art includes images that stand for ideas. These images often become cultural icons.What religious icons do you know?

http://www.artsmia.org/world-religions/

Art for Politics, History, or Information Sharing

Throughout human history, art has been used to communicate.

-to announce political beliefs and agendas

-to record historical events from different points of view

-to share stories and teach lessons

http://www.artsmia.org/collection/

Benjamin West   Destruction of the Beast and the False Prophet   1804  

Art for Utility; art meant to be used

Utilitarianism is a (1827) doctrine that useful is good and that the way to choose right conduct should be the usefulness of the consequences.

Utilitarian art is useful and designed to work well, such as bowls, chairs, lamps,and coffee pitchers.

Robert Davidian, Batushka   1991   Wool, cotton; ikat  

Art for Aesthetics;appeals to the senses

From Greek, Aisthetikos, meaning perception or sensing, aesthetics relates to a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty.

Different people have different ‘aesthetic’ tastes. Wassily Kandinski Composition IV

1911 http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/kandinsky/Top Right: Ceramic Duck  1-8 B.C.South America, Peru, Northern Andes

So why do we make art?

Utility-for use

Religion-express beliefs

Aesthetics-looks good

Politics-information/history

The art of finding and preserving

Archaeology is the unearthing and study of evidence from past cultures.

King Tut’s tomb is one example.

Archaeology requires research to know where to look.

Learn from the past

Archaeologists often discover art.

Art Historians try to explain how art may fit in human history.

- What does the art reveal about the times?

-How does the work influence other artists?

For the Ancient Greeks

Art history was a record of human improvement until 250 B.C.

This ‘Classic’ period became a standard for all time.

‘Classic’ Greek art imitated nature ideally. Artist Polykleitos

Doryphoros (The Canon, or Spear Carrier) marble, c450 BC

Art History Evolves

Middle Ages: nobody thought about art*.

Renaissance: a man named Giorgio Vasari compiled a book of art chronologically.

1800s: formalized academies categorized art into periods/styles.

* 0versimplified

http://www.michelangelo.com/buon/bio-index2.html

When people want to hear good music they go to a concert hall.

When people want to see art they can go to a museum.

Museums?

This seems simple enough,but in the past artists created work for patrons and collectors, not for museums

Kings, nobles, and wealthy families 1800s: political changes King’s palaces became people’s

museums like the Palace of the Louvre. For enjoyment and for study

For us . . .

A study of art history can increase your knowledge of the world and human history, as well as your ability to detect visual clues

Ferdinand RichardtView of the Mississippi River

For us . . .

Art history provides skills you can use many ways in life!

-seeing details-not getting ‘swayed’-convincing others-social awareness-connections

Blue and white Moon Flask with dragons Mark and period of Qianlong,