Discussion 1: 200 Words Respond To The Question: What Is Art

Discussion 1 200 Wordsrespond To The Question What Is Art After R

Discuss the question "What is Art?" by exploring various definitions from Chapter 1 of Prebles' Artforms (Emeritus, Preble, & Frank, 2018), other reputable sources, and personal insight. Create a list of different definitions of art with proper citations in APA or Chicago style. Then, formulate your own meaningful definition of art, considering its purpose and what renders it meaningful. Reflect on the role that visual arts play in society and personal experience. Additionally, select a work of art from WikiArt or another credible source, identify the artist, title, and cite the image source. Justify why this piece qualifies as art according to your criteria, referencing specific aspects that confirm its artistic status. Finally, discuss which school of psychology from Chapter 1 of PSYCH (Rathus, 2019) you find most influential, explaining your choice and briefly mentioning another school you considered but did not select, citing relevant sources. All responses should be comprehensive, well-supported, and adhere to appropriate APA formatting.

Paper For Above instruction

The question “What is art?” has been debated by scholars, artists, and philosophers for centuries, resulting in a multitude of definitions that reflect the diverse nature of art itself. According to Prebles’ Artforms (Emeritus, Preble, & Frank, 2018), art can be defined as “visual expression of ideas and feelings, created with skill and imagination.” Other scholars have expanded on this, describing art as “a form of communication that transcends language and cultural barriers,” emphasizing its role in conveying complex human experiences (Krauss, 1999). From a philosophical perspective, Arthur Danto (1981) posited that art is “any object that has been designated as art by its creator or the cultural context,” highlighting the importance of intention and recognition.

My personal definition of art is that it is a form of human expression that captures emotions, ideas, and cultural identity, serving as a bridge between individual experiences and shared societal values. Art’s primary purpose, in my view, is to provoke thought, evoke emotions, and foster understanding among diverse audiences. The meaning of art, therefore, is rooted in its capacity to communicate complex concepts that words often cannot fully express. It enriches our lives by inspiring reflection, providing aesthetic pleasure, and preserving cultural heritage.

Choosing a specific work of art to illustrate this concept, I selected the painting “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh (1889). This iconic piece exemplifies art through its emotional depth, innovative use of color, and expressive brushwork. Van Gogh’s mastery in portraying a turbulent night sky transforms a simple scene into a profound exploration of human emotion, making it undeniably a work of art. The criteria I used include artistic skill, emotional impact, originality, and cultural significance, all demonstrated in this piece. Its ability to evoke feelings of awe and introspection affirms its status as a quintessential work of art (Van Gogh, 1889).

Regarding psychology, the school of Gestalt psychology from Chapter 1 of Rathus (2019) is particularly influential in understanding perception and visual processes in art. Gestalt principles, such as figure-ground and proximity, explain how viewers organize visual information to interpret artworks meaningfully. For example, artists employ these principles to guide viewers’ attention and evoke specific emotional responses. I considered behaviorism but found it less relevant because it focuses primarily on observable behavior rather than perceptual experience. Similarly, psychoanalysis intrigued me but was less applicable to understanding the broader appreciation of visual art.

In conclusion, defining art involves a blend of technical skill, emotional communication, and cultural context. Art serves as a vital tool for human expression and societal reflection, exemplified by works like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Understanding psychological principles, such as Gestalt, deepens our appreciation of how viewers engage with art, enriching both individual and collective cultural experiences.

References

• Emeritus, D. P., Preble, S., & Frank, P. L. (2018). Prebles' Artforms (12th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Van Gogh, V. (1889). Starry Night. The Museum of Modern Art. https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802
• Danto, A. (1981). The Transfiguration of the Commonplace: A Philosophy of Art. Harvard University Press.
• Krauss, R. (1999). The Originality of the Avant-Garde and Other Modernist Myths. MIT Press.
• Rathus, S. A. (2019). PSYCH (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.