WHAT IS ART?

Vocabulary words:

Week 1-2Contemporary Art Description InterpretationMedium/mediaForm / Formal elements / Elements of compositionContextContentConceptSubjectSubject matter Modern art (modernism) Behavioral theory of artInstrumental theory of artInstitutional definition of art (George Dickie)Aesthetics

Let’s look at ART through 3 different lenses:

1. Behavioral / Anthropological perspective: - What kind of behavior is art making? - Is art necessary?Suggested additional reading: Ellen Dissanayake

2. Socio-cultural / Instrumental perspective:- What is art for?- Does contemporary art have a purpose, role, responsibility?Suggested additional reading: Arthur Danto

3. Philosophical perspective: - What role does beauty play in contemporary art? Does a work of art

need to be beautiful? Aesthetics- Why is something considered as art while other things may not? - What is the basis of value judgment? (E.g. “beautiful art” or “good

art”) Who can make it?

BEHAVIORAL PERSPECTIVE:

What kind of a behavior is art making?

Why do we do it?

INSTRUMENTAL* PERSPECTIVE:

What is art being used for?

Why do we look at it?

*instrumental = a tool for …

What kind of a behavior is art making?

What kind of a behavior is art making?

• Non-utilitarian purpose• Exploration, innovation (curiosity, creativity)• Play? • Problem solving?• Transcending “normal” modes of operation, seeking novelty and

chaos• Special kind of experience, heightened experience of being

(achievement, catharsis, revelation)• Creating an alternative reality• “Flow” experience: Mihaly CsikszentmihalyiWatch at home: FLOW (Csikszentmihalyi’s talk on TED)

Consider relationship between - skill (experience and ability to solve the problem / accomplish the task) and- challenge (novelty, innovation, investment)

Why do we do it?

Why do we do it?

Instinctual Basic human instinct for seeking balance, harmony, rhythmExperience of mysteryExpression of imaginationNeed for communicating with othersRitualistic and symbolic functionsExperience of FLOW

Motivated (conscious, intentional)Communication of an idea, emotionSeeking pleasure, entertainmentPolitical and social functions:- Agent of confrontation: change, transgression, subversion, anarchye.g. JR on Use Art to turn the World inside out (TED talk, 2011)- Agent of confirmation: propaganda, commercialism – consumer

culture (advertisements)

What is art being used for? Why do we look at it?

Pedro Reyes:Palas por Pistolas(Shovels for Guns)

What is it being used for? Why do we look at it? • Visual pleasure, beauty? Expectations toward art? - Being

- a “mirror” - reflection/representation of reality ?- a “window” ?- an “alternative” to our reality?

• Art’s role for:- Individual (Art as an agent of consciousness, morality, empathy,

enlightenment, transformation, pleasure, …)

- Community, society (“art that does something other than sits on its … in a museum” Claes Oldenburg)

- Culture/cultural history (artifact)

Homework Writing Assignment#1:

Come up with your own definition of what ART is.

Consider a definition for ART. Due: Sunday, January 20, 11pm

- Create a set of criteria ART must have that distinguishes it from other things and activities.

- Be sure to consider your set of criteria from both the point of view of the maker/artist, as well as that of the audience/receiver.

- It's not an essay assignment, your definition should be a checklist of clear, concise sentences. Think about it as if you were to write an outline for a larger paper on what art is.

- Important!: Make your set of criteria well-rounded and informed by what you’ve learned this week.

- Include an (artwork) example for each point, from lectures, the textbook, and the SAM visit.

- PDF format only!

Remember, dropbox will close at 11pm!

My favorite things exhibition Make an exhibition in your home of 5 objects that you own. Pay

attention to selecting your objects (what's their significance to you?), to the location (where are you setting them up in your home?), arrangement (distance, spatial relationship between the objects, etc.).

1. Present your exhibition focusing on concept.

2. Ask questions from your partner about context.

3. Together, come up with a 3 sentence Press Release about the exhibition (content).

Write press release on index card.