Module 2

1.For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

The video on aesthetics talks about all the different philosophers and their views on aesthetics and how they came up with the ideas that they did. One philosopher says that beauty is harmony and perfection. When looking at a piece of art the viewer must see the perfection of the work to understand the true meaning. Another philosopher developed the aesthetic laws that govern art, these consist of “portion, symmetry, harmony, and order". These four aspects are crucial for the viewer to have any connection with the piece of art or any understanding. Aesthetics was formally developed during the 18th century in England. One art of the video mentions that feelings can be felt by more than one person. The philosophers during this time believed that with beauty and harmony those feelings could be developed amongst viewers. Another interesting point from the video dealt with the question, what will happen when you look at this object? For aesthetics do the nature of art and beauty evolve in this object? Philosophers wanted to prove that seeing the art for what it is meant to mean could be difficult if not done correctly.

The Article discusses what humans recognize in art and how familiar we are with the concept. It talks about how lines and faces play a very important role in placement and interpretation to a piece of art. The article talks about why people like art and how we make our interpretations.

 

2. Which philosopher's theroy on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosphers name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.

Plato taught that the true nature of things in the world was there idea. Ideas are beyond the senses they can only be grasped by reason. Plato said, “There is a beauty by which all things are beautiful.” Plato argued that the manifestation of something beautiful attracts the person who sees it. He also said, “What is beautiful in itself is not this object or that one, but they which convey its own nature.” Plato made these connections during the 4th century B.C.

 

3. What do you think about Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art? What was the most interesting fact you discovered from each speakers lecture?

Ramachandran’s beliefs were that there are certain aspects of art that seem universally appealing, regardless of the environment or culture in which you grew up. The aesthetics of art are the beauty and harmony within the object and how one might feel after looking at a work of art. When looking at the seagull experiment, Ramachandran said, "I think you're seeing the same thing with all kinds of abstract art," It looks distorted to the eye, but pleasing to the emotional center to the brain." This intrigued me that the human eye may find art pleasing based on what they are familiar with. If someone looks at different forms of art that they have never been exposed to in their lives they may be unwilling to make interpretations of what the artist is truly trying to tell. While if you give that same person familiar works of art they know something about the interpretations will come off quit easier.

Cavanagh states, “"Artists do the discoveries, and we figure out why those tricks work." This was interesting to me because it shows how important the views are to an artist and their artwork. I also find it interesting that he talks about how a line drawing can have the same imprint on the eye and a detailed sketch. Humans can see those dark outer lines that show the shape of exactly what is expected whether there is more or less detail.  

 

 

4. How do the videos and article relate to the readings in the text?

The video related to the text in terms of how philosophers defined art and aesthetics and how living with art today have commonalities. The philosophers from the video all defined aesthetics and how art should be portrayed and the text elaborates on more modern art with examples for the reader to understand the material with. The topics in the text, what do artists do?, or looking and responding have connections to what the philosophers mentioned in the video. For example in the text is states, " artists create places for some human purposes" (pg.7) where in the video the question is asked what will happen when you look at this object? Artists have purpose to their artwork and it is important to make it known what the message is that they are trying to deliver.

The article states, “There's now a whole field called neuroesthetics devoted to the neural basis of why and how people appreciate art and music and what is beauty”. This line deals with aesthetics and how humans develop art and what it is supposed to mean.

 

5. What is your opinion of the films and article? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading in the text?

In my opinion the film definitely helped me understand aesthetics more clearly and how it originated. Learning ideas from many philosophers helped me understand how art should be portrayed. Even though these words were given such a long time ago by those philosophers I think they still apply when interpreting art. The article states, “It goes without saying that most paintings and drawings are, from an objective standpoint, two-dimensional. Yet our minds know immediately if there's a clear representation of familiar aspects of everyday life, such as people, animals, plants, food or places”. This helps me understand exactly what the objective is with art and how people develop understanding.