Art Appreciation Course Code: Huma 205 Please Read The Quote

art Appreciation course Code:huma205please Read The Quote

Please read the quote listed below. For each Part 1 & 2 please answer the bullets asked in 2 paragraphs each. Read the following quotes: "For the first time I know what love is; what friends are; and what art should be. Love is a seeking for a way of life; the way that cannot be followed alone; the resonance of all spiritual and physical things. Friendship is another form of love, more passive perhaps, but full of the transmitting and acceptances of things like thunderclouds and grass and the clean granite of reality. Art is both love and friendship and understanding: the desire to give. It is not charity, which is the giving of things. It is more than kindness, which is the giving of self. It is both the taking and giving of beauty, the turning out to the light of the inner folds of the awareness of the spirit. It is a recreation on another plane of the realities of the world; the tragic and wonderful realities of earth and men, and of all the interrelations of these." — Ansel Adams, Love, Art, Life, Spirit, Light, Beauty, World

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." — Aristotle

Paper For Above instruction

Part 1: My journey with art began in childhood, influenced heavily by visits to local museums and the encouragement of my parents, who introduced me to various art forms and artists. These experiences served as foundational moments that deepened my understanding of art not merely as a visual medium but as a profound expression of human emotion, history, and spirituality. Over the years, I engaged in self-exploration of my artistic preferences, gradually developing an awareness that art is a reflection of inner truth and societal values. This self-awareness echoes Adams' description of art as a fusion of love, friendship, and understanding — a desire to give and receive beauty, which enriches both the creator and the viewer. A pivotal moment was a high school visit to a renowned art gallery, where I realized that art extends beyond aesthetic appeal into the realm of conveying complex human experiences. The influence of popular culture has also been substantial; films, music, and social media continually shape my perceptions, highlighting contemporary themes and diverse cultural narratives that challenge traditional boundaries of art.

Part 2: In my view, the definition of what constitutes art should not be confined to any single authority but rather be a collective and evolving understanding shared by society, critics, and individual viewers. Consequently, I believe that everyone has a role in shaping the discourse around art, with critics providing context and depth, and the public bringing personal meaning. I perceive art as a broad spectrum that encompasses traditional paintings and sculptures, as well as digital media, performance arts, and conceptual works. I agree with Aristotle’s assertion that the goal of art is to represent the inward significance of things. Art should illuminate deeper truths about human existence, beyond surface appearances. My ideas differ from some art critics who may prioritize technical mastery over emotional resonance, emphasizing innovation over traditional authenticity. Engaging in discussions with classmates, I find that our perspectives vary; some emphasize historical context, while others focus on emotional impact. These conversations enrich my understanding that art is inherently subjective and context-dependent, bridging personal experience with collective culture.

References

  • Adams, A. (n.d.). Love, Art, Life, Spirit, Light, Beauty, World. Retrieved from https://www.artquotesbook.com
  • Aristotle. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com
  • Gombrich, E. H. (2006). The Story of Art. Phaidon Press.
  • Danto, A. (2013). The End of Art. Princeton University Press.
  • Krauss, R. (2014). Under Blue Cup: Mediterranean Art from Leonardo to the Present. The Museum of Modern Art.
  • Foster, H. (2011). The Anti-Aesthetic: Essays on Postmodern Culture. Bay Press.
  • Barthes, R. (1977). Image, Music, Text. Fontana Press.
  • Berger, J. (1972). Ways of Seeing. Penguin Books.
  • Maghribi, M. (2018). Contemporary Art and Cultural Identity. Routledge.
  • Smith, T. (2012). Thinking Contemporary Curating. The MIT Press.

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