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An d y Wa r h o l
( S e l f P o r t r a i t , 1 9 6 8 )
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WILLIAM-ADOLPHE BOUGUEREAU
(1825-1925, France),

The French Academic artist Bouguereau’s painting is more than a literal

presentation of a forgotten moment in ancient history. In Bouguereau’s
painting, Homer symbolizes civilization and culture. Homer wanders blindly
through a savage wilderness with only a youth to shelter him. In this way,
Bouguereau implies that a wilderness can be not only physical but also
cultural, and in that sense, all of us wander through a wilderness that
threatens the human spirit found in culture. His painting asks the question,
“How are cultural values carried forward?”

In Bouguereau’s work, the young man has taken responsibility for

protecting Homer, who symbolizes the refined wisdom of the past and the
foundation of western culture. This image is a call to the youth of
Bouguereau’s generation (and to ours) to bring precious culture forward
safely through an ever-threatening wilderness.
W A N5 D E R E R AB O V E T H E S E A O F F O G
C a s p a r D a v i d F r i e d r i c h ( 1 8 1 8 )
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We each perceive the world Art is the other side of our

from our own position or experience with the world.
perspective and from that Art moves ideas from the
perception we make a mental mind into the world.
image of the world. Science is
the process of turning We need both art and science
perceptions into a coherent to exist in the world. From our
mental picture of the universe earliest age, we both observe
through testing and the world and do things to
observation. Science moves change it. We are all both
concepts from the world into scientists and artists. Every
the mind. Science is vitally human activity has both a
important because it allows us science (observation) and an art
to understand how the world (expression) to it.
works and to use that
understanding to make good
predictions.
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JENNY HOLZER; CONCEPTUAL PROJECTION ARTIST

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JENNY HOLZER from

Truisms, Inflammatory Essays
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When we train in mathematics and the sciences, for example, we become

very powerful. Power can be used well or badly. Where in our schools is
the coursework on how to use power wisely? Today a liberal arts college
education requires students to survey the arts and history of human
cultures in order to examine a wide range of ideas about wisdom and to
humanize the powerful. With that in mind, in every course taken in the
university, it is hoped that you will recognize the need to couple your
increasing intellectual power with a study of what is thought to be
wisdom, and to view each educational experience in the humanities as
part of the search for what is better n ourselves and our communities.
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It is not necessary to create or experience art in order to

ensure physical survival. Art is not needed to maintain life in the
way that food, clothing, and shelter are. Yet, humans have persisted
in creating every form of art since earliest times. The desire to
create, perform, and appreciate works of art is universal among
humans.

Arriving at a more specific definition for the visual arts has

challenged scholars throughout history. Great philosophers,
including the ancient Greeks Plato and Aristotle, have attempted to
define the nature of art and understand its unique contribution to
human life.
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Some of the same qualities of art noted by scholars:

• Art should mirror reality. It must look like something seen
in the real world.
• Art must be pleasing to the eye, even if it is not realistic.
• Art should express the artist’s ideas, beliefs, and feelings
so that others can understand them.

If you take into account all these qualities, you can define

Visual Arts as a unique expression of ideas,

beliefs, experiences, and feelings presented
in well-designed visual forms.

The Scream, 1893 by Edvard Munch

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Artists use their imaginations, creativity, and skills to express themselves in a tangible, visually appealing way.
Whenever you paint a picture, sculpt a figure with clay, or express yourself in a song, a dance, or a poem, you are
creating art. However, art can take different forms. Two primary forms of visual art are fine arts and applied arts.

In the visual arts, fine arts refers to painting, There is no clear dividing line between fine
sculpture, and architecture, arts which have arts and applied arts. The term applied arts is
no practical function and are valued in terms most often used to describe the design or
of the visual pleasure they provide or their decoration of functional objects to make them
success in communicating ideas or feelings. pleasing to the eye. Made either by hand or
The one exception is architecture, which by machine, works of applied art are intended
involves designing structures that strive to primarily to serve a useful function. Artists
be both attractive and functional. A who create applied arts or crafts are usually
building’s primary purpose, however, is to referred to as designers, artisans, or
provide shelter and service other human craftspeople.
needs. Therefore, architecture is also
considered a form of applied arts.
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Art of some kind has been created by cultures throughout the course of history. This prompts the question: Why do
cultures create art? Although it would be impossible to list all the reasons, the following warrant consideration:

Aesthetics. Some cultures create art simply History. Many artworks provide valuable
for its visual appeal and for the pleasure information about important people, places, and
it brings to those who understand events. Paintings and sculpture often reveal how
and appreciate the creative efforts of people looked and dressed, and they even record
artists. their behavior and accomplishments. Pictures also
illustrate places and significant events and reveal
Morals/Ethics. In many cultures art is how artists felt about them.
used to depict people and behaviors that
are considered noble and good. Politics. Art serves as a tool of persuasion or
propaganda when it is used to convince people to
Spirituality. Works of art are often created adopt a certain point of view or to enhance the
for religious purposes, enabling people to power of a ruler or political party. The power of art
connect with the spirit world. Different to inspire patriotism or cultural spirit is undeniable.
cultures rely on art to tell stories and
provide lessons associated with their
religious beliefs.
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You might wonder why you should involve yourself in the creation of art. When you create original works of art, you
experience the creative process, and you develop your own capabilities for self-expression. Presented with a puzzling
visual problem, you learn how to approach the problem and resolve it as an artist might.

• What subject should I paint or sculpt?

Creating art offers you the opportunity to • Which medium and technique should I use?
express your own ideas and emotions. Studying • What colors, shapes, lines, and textures should I
the art created by others enables you to share the emphasize?
ideas and emotions expressed by others— and in • How can I arrange those colors, shapes, lines, and textures
the process to recognize and appreciate the most effectively?
differences that distinguish us all as unique • How will I recognize that the work is finished and the
individuals. creative process has ended?

Creating art also requires problem-solving skills. Artistic

creation involves the exploration of an open-ended problem
Whenever you create art or examine the art that has no “right” answer. With every drawing, every
created by someone else, you engage in two sculpture, and every work you create, you try to solve the
important activities: decision making and problem problems involved in clarifying, interpreting, and
solving. Creating a work of art involves decision- communicating what is important to you.
making tasks for all artists. These are some of the
decisions you face:
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Critically examining a work of art involves similar Businesses today require knowledgeable and sensitive
decision-making and problem-solving activities. workers with a wide range of higher-order thinking skills, the
These are some of the tasks of the serious viewer: kind of thinking skills one gains when creating and viewing
art.
• Identify the subject depicted in the artwork.
• Determine the medium and technique used. An art education helps build a variety of important thinking
• Identify the colors, shapes, lines, and textures, skills that can be applied to real-world situations. It provides
and note how they are organized. important experience in following each step in the problem-
• Decide whether the work is successful, and be solving process:
prepared to defend that judgment with good
reasons. • Clarify the problem.
• Identify possible solutions.
• Test each possible solution.
There is another, more practical reason for creating • Select the solution that seems most appropriate.
and critically viewing art—a reason expressed more • Apply the chosen solution.
and more frequently in the workplace. Leaders in • Determine whether the solution resolves the problem.
business and industry point to a need for creativity
in the modern workplace. They note that the arts
help build ideas and nurture a place in the mind for
original ideas to take hold and grow.
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An art education also nourishes an appreciation of differing points of view, flexible

thinking, and self-discipline. Further, it helps you recognize the importance of
collaboration and teamwork. Art experiences can help you become a decision maker,
a problem solver, and an imaginative and creative thinker. These are precisely the
kinds of skills that businesses value today. These skills explain why an arts education
is now generally regarded as basic and vital.