Understanding and Evaluating the Arts

Understanding and Evaluating the Arts

There are several definitions of the word “art” both as a creation of one’s imagination such as, paintings, sculptures, and music. Other definitions are pertaining to one’s thoughts or actions through deceptive, cunning, or fabrications believed by others to be true. The word “art is a known and in it’s plural form “arts.” The Latin stem “art” is the skill from which art is derived, is also the source of English artificial, artisan, and inert. For this example it would be helpful to utilize different variations of the term, according to Encarta.com online encyclopedia.

• creation of beautiful things: the creation of beautiful or thought-provoking works, e.g. in painting, music, or writing

• creation by humans: creation by human endeavor rather than by nature

• techniques or craft: the set of techniques used by somebody in a particular field, or the use of those techniques

• ability: the skill or ability to do something well

• cunning: the ability to achieve things by deceitful or cunning methods

1. Painting- “Men of Progress,” a portrait of nineteen inventors that have contributed to our way of life, created from the mind of the artist as these subjects did not pose for this painting. ( A Brush with History - Gallery)

2. Sculpture- “Persistence of Memory” by Salavdor Dali 1980 cast bronze sculpture lost wax process (The Salvador Dali Gallery) Dali’s use of time is evident in many of his works, possibly depicting the passing of time itself and is reflected in his pieces.

3. Architecture- “Stonehenge” is a good example of ancient architecture that has stood the test of time for nearly four thousand years, and it stands alone with its tongue and grove feature, as well as its ability to cling to the secrets of its origin. About.com: http://www.anima.demon.co.uk/stones/stonehen/index.html

4. Photography- “Mountain Larch” by Anthony Eaton Cook depicts the natural beauty of our nation’s landscape, with mountains,...