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6: Connecting Art to Our Lives

  • Page ID
    10142
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    Learning Objectives
    • Identify the purposes art serves in society
    • Understand the philosophy of aesthetics in the visual arts
    • Understand the function of art as a means of communication
    • Understand how architectural forms contributed and enhanced to religious cultures

    • 6.1: BEFORE YOU MOVE ON
      This page examines the significance of art in reflecting and communicating personal and societal identities throughout history. It emphasizes art's role in expressing diverse ideas and emotions, crucial for grasping cultural values. The impact of aesthetics on interpretation is discussed, alongside examples of artworks with social and political messages.
    • 6.2: INTRODUCTION
      This page explores the significance of art as humanity's enduring achievement, emphasizing its role in self-expression and understanding across history. Art aims to create beauty, express emotions, illustrate meaningful concepts, unify communities, and convey messages. Ultimately, all art forms seek to connect with human experiences and lives.
    • 6.3: AESTHETICS
      This page explores the evolution of aesthetics, examining the interplay of art, beauty, and pleasure through philosophers like Kant, who emphasized universal appreciation, and Romantic thinkers who championed emotion and individuality. It highlights Eugène Delacroix's expressive art, John Dewey's view of aesthetics as a dynamic experience, and contemporary artist Jona Cerwinske's work, which embodies the dual nature of aesthetic appreciation.
    • 6.4: EXPRESSION (PHILOSOPHICAL, POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS, PERSONAL)
      This page explores the vital function of art in conveying human emotions and ideals. It covers the French les Nabis movement and its leader, Maurice Denis, focusing on spiritual symbolism in painting. It also connects art to political ideas, referencing Bierstadt's "Emigrants Crossing the Plains" as a representation of Manifest Destiny.
    • 6.5: UNIFICATION/EXCLUSION
      This page explores the Dome of the Rock's importance as a pivotal religious symbol for Muslims, Jews, and Christians, built in 691 CE by Caliph Abd al-Malik. It serves as a significant pilgrimage site despite its diverse religious history. Additionally, it introduces Winslow Homer, whose artwork during the Civil War conveyed themes of bravery and healing, embodying a longing for unity in a fractured nation.
    • 6.6: COMMUNICATION
      This page explores the role of art as a vital communication tool across cultures, particularly in societies with high illiteracy. It examines significant artifacts like the Minoan Snake Goddess, Chinese jade gui tablets, and Ashanti Kente cloth, each embodying cultural values and beliefs. Additionally, it highlights Mel Chin's conceptual art, which critiques imperialism and portrays how art can tackle social issues, reflecting diverse cultural narratives over time.
    • 6.7: PROTEST AND SHOCK
      This page discusses the role of art in protest through the works of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Ron Mueck. Smith critiques the historical treatment of Native Americans, particularly in response to the 1992 Columbus commemoration, using accessible techniques to highlight issues like commercialization and cultural displacement.
    • 6.8: CELEBRATION AND COMMEMORATION
      This page explores the role of art in commemorating significant life events, highlighting its evolution across eras. It examines Henri Rousseau's wedding painting and its naive style, which attracted avant-garde artists. Additionally, it discusses art's function in expressing grief and honoring the deceased, with examples like ancient Greek funerary markers that represent wealth and societal continuity amid individual loss.
    • 6.9: WORSHIP
      This page discusses the historical role of art in religious contexts, highlighting its function in connecting viewers to faith. It examines examples such as Varaha, a cult statue of Vishnu, and the altarpiece El Transparente in Toledo, showcasing how these works inspire worship, contemplation, and awe through their intricate designs and narratives of devotion.
    • 6.10: INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND INSPIRATION
      This page discusses the historical role of art in communication, emphasizing its educational use in religious contexts and its evolution in secular settings. It traces the development of written media from ancient civilizations through the invention of the printing press, which transformed information dissemination. The impact of photography and modern media further expanded access to information while raising issues of misinformation.


    This page titled 6: Connecting Art to Our Lives is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Pamela Sachant, Peggy Blood, Jeffery LeMieux, & Rita Tekippe (GALILEO Open Learning Materials) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.