Module 11: Critical Thinking in the Arts
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Activity 1 : : Activity 2 : : Activity 3 : : Activity 4
Activity 3: Key Topics, Concepts, and Questions
Culture and the Arts: The arts do not exist in a vacuum. There are outside forces that determine what a specific culture deems of value and stylistic characteristics of artworks that are geographically located in different areas around the world. After reviewing your notes, be able to understand what could influence how an artwork varies from different cultures and regions of the world.
Reading resources for the relationshop of art and society and the cultural and historical relevence of a work of art: The Humanities through the Arts pp. 18-46, 145-151, 443-444 and Perceiving the Arts pp. 12-13.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How do art and society affect each other?
- What role does art play in modern society?
- What is the relationship between architecture and society?
- How do you determine the historical or cultural value of a work of art, music, architecture, or a performance piece?
- How is aesthetic value determined in a work of art?
- How does one’s religion influence what is acceptable in art?
- What is meant by value in the arts? For example, what value did the court painters of the French aristocracy place on the arts as opposed to Native American traditions?
Look for answers to the above questions in the reading materials found above and enter the terms and definitions into your notebook for reference and further study.
Be able to define the following four types of art criticism: (Pages 12-13 in chapter one of the textbook Perceiving the Arts (Available on E-reserves in the WGU Library)
- Formal Criticism
- Contextual Criticism
- Structuralism
- Deconstruction
For our purposes, we are only going to consider the categories listed in the textbook Perceiving the Arts pp 12-13. Note the general idea of what each concept is about and how it can be applied to the fine arts. Also look to the Visual and Performing Arts community discussion threads for more information on these concepts.
Other terms to be familiar with:
Enter the terms and definitions into your notebook for reference and further study.
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by the Contributing Authors.
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sguy. (2007, November 30). Module 11: Critical Thinking in the Arts. Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Western Governors University Web site: http://ocw.wgu.edu/liberal-arts/visual-and-performing-arts-after-11-30-2007/module-11-critical-thinking-in-the-arts.
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