TOK: Areas of Knowledge - The Arts

What is art?

There are 3 theories made to define whether something is a piece of art:

1. Intentions of the artist


2. Quality of the work


3. Response of spectators

Intention Theory:

• Art must be intentional.


• Why is a sunset not art?


• Art is a combination of beauty and aesthetics that requires a response.

Criticisms of the theory:

• Intending something to be art does not mean it is art.


• Something intended as art may not be popular and something not intended as art may be treated as such.

Example - You could refer to Tracy Emin's piece of art, 'My Bed'

Quality of Work Theory:

• Closely linked to skill


• Technically competent


• Should be made by someone with talent or training (think, Renaissance artists)

Criticisms:

• May have technical competence but lack originality [Link: Fighting Forgery in the Art World]


• Forgeries require technical ability


• 
  
  May have originality but lack skill

1.Can something be a great piece of art if it is disturbing or ugly?

2.Why is an exact copy of a painting worth far less than the original? Can this difference be justified, or is it an irrational prejudice?

Response of Spectator Theory:

 

• The general public or experts?


• Changes of response over time

Do you think expert opinion is more problematic in the arts or in sciences?

Other view of what art is:

• Art as an expression of emotion


• Art imitates the world


• Art teaches us what is right


• Art offers us an insight into the human condition

"To what extent do the arts help us see the world with new eyes?"

3 Opinions:

"In my opinion, art may not so much as help us see the world with completely new eyes, but rather, that art draws our attention to specific moments, scenes or details. Japanese prints focuses on simple shapes reflecting nature, while impressionism on the over play of the light, and the impression you are left with.  All art, whether music, writing or visual, draws us to specific points which the artist intended us to see."

"I believe that it does to a large extent. A piece of art usually has a meaning or has some significance to the artist. Since everyone has different perspectives on the world, art is a form of impression regarding these perspectives. For example, Monet’s Water Lilies allows me to see how light can greatly alter the way a scene may look; the soft, undetailed way he paints captures the essence rather than the details. In many ways, this grasps the emotions of an artist better than if all the details were revealed, as the focus of the artwork becomes what captured the artist the most, and left the deepest impression. Contrary to what some people believe, I feel that even minimalistic paintings, though seemingly aimless, may trigger an emotion. For example, I considered the paintings of Theo van Doesburg, founder of the De Stijl movement.  The simple shapes used, such as rectangles, reflect the simplicity and harmony of life. The lack of colour, usually using only the black, white and the primary colours, also show that we should stick to the basics to minimize the number of problems in our lives."

"

I believe that the purpose of art is to help us see the world with new eyes. When you are viewing a piece of art, you are viewing something in the perspective of

somebody else, which is not your perspective, or your eyes, therefore it is through new eyes that you percieve the world. Even realistic pieces would still be an

interpretation from the artist, therefore it is seeing a world through new eyes, the artist's. Of course, this interpretation is not just stuck to art such as

paintings or sculptures, but performing arts, because you see a completely different world, through the eyes of the script writer or screen writer, etc.

I believe that the purpose of art is to help us see the world with new eyes. When you are viewing a piece of art, you are viewing something in the perspective of somebody else, which is not your perspective, or your eyes, therefore it is through new eyes that you percieve the world. Even realistic pieces would still be an interpretation from the artist, therefore it is seeing a world through new eyes, the artist's. Of course, this interpretation is not just stuck to art such as paintings or sculptures, but performing arts, because you see a completely different world, through the eyes of the script writer or screen writer, etc."

"Art is a lie that brings us closer to the truth" - Pablo Picasso

Analysis of Art

A piece of art can usually be effectively analysed in terms of: content, composition, process, personal opinion. The ways of knowing can also aid the analysis process (sense perception, reasonong, emotion and language).

Examples of Art Analysis with a TOK focus:

• Water Lilies - Monet


• Galaxy - Jackson Pollock

Back to main TOK page

Off-site Links:

• Art personality test