COMMUNICATION AND ARTS

Introduction to Visual Culture

Introduction to Visual Culture

Unit 7

Key Terms

Art, Culture, Mystified

Study Questions

What is art? How do we define it? Can we agree on a definition?

Art as we see it today is the creation of culture. art is something subjective and is very difficult to define. Each one of us has a different definition of art. However, all these definitions revolve around the concept of aesthetics. Since everyone has a different definition of art, it is difficult to agree on one definition. The definition of art has evolved with time. These changes in the definition of art are attributed to changes in the values and cultural norms.

What does it mean to say that art, as our contemporary society understands the term, is only about 200 years old? How might earlier understandings of art have been different (Mirzoeff, 2000)?

The modern form of art is different from the earlier understandings of art. The earlier people regarded any form of drawing such as the ones on their walls and their bodies or in the sand as a form of art. Today, there is a more clear definition of art. The new definition of art comprises of only the two and three dimensional pictures displayed in the art galleries. This new definition of art enhanced the value for art among the art lovers. They visited the art galleries more often and have better aesthetic sense now.

How has the role and definition of artist change over time? Give examples. Why do you think that society's notion of the artist changes so often (Mirzoeff, 2000)?

The role and definition of an artist has changed over time. It has changed by the way people react to the work of art. The art that people like is praised whereas the one they do not understand or is beyond their aesthetic capabilities either remains unnoticed or is criticized. These changes in the role and definition of art have not only occurred over time but also differ from place to place. The collection of art back in those days was considered a status symbol. For instance, in the medieval ages the person who ordered a certain piece of art got all the attention whereas the creator of the masterpiece remained unnoticed. An artist back in those days was thought of as the creator of primitive objects. They were respected for their genius. This must be understood from the fact that Michelangelo and others were thought of as geniuses, in the Renaissance period. These artists made a lot of sacrifices to make their work possible. They had sleepless nights. These artists in the modern era were generally appreciated and given appropriate credit for their work by later generations and not the current ones. In the post modern era, however, the notion of artist changed from creative geniuses to someone who portrayed the culture and societal values of their time. Different societies had different notion about the artists' personality and their role in ...