Wk 13 — Essay 2 — Art!
At the beginning of the semester, I thought art can be anything and art is in the eye of the beholder. My idea of art has only been reinforced by this class and includes more. I was familiar with traditional art such as art from the renaissance, post-impressionism eras. Before, I didn’t understand contemporary art and why it was so popular. However, throughout this class, I was exposed to several different styles and types of art and my definition of art expanded.
Art is an extremely ambiguous subject, so many things can be considered art and not be considered art. What this class has shown me is that there are so many different types of art than paintings and portraits. Throughout the semester we were able to study several different artists that I was not familiar with their work beforehand. For example, artists Heather Anacker and Frista Feld’s work Dwelling was something I have never seen before. Also, Micol Hebron and Joseph DeLappe’s work was refreshing. The message behind their work addressed modern-day issues that many millennials could relate to. I learned that art doesn’t always need to be traditional and that art is always changing and transforming based on time. One can put several messages behind their work or there can be no message at all.
My major is computer engineering which involves the hardware and software of computers and electronics. My major may not be related to art but requires several designing and planning skills. For example, when making a computer there is a lot of planning between the internal and external design to make sure everything is cohesive and each component is not interfering with each other. Currently, aesthetics plays a big role in technology and computers. This is why the designing aspect of art is important. Often, computer engineers must design the interface which requires creativity and planning to make the overall experience smooth and enjoyable.
Art 110 was not the first art class I have taken, however, it was different from anything I have taken. I was able to explore my ideas instead of what a teacher would tell me what to do. This allowed me to explore several ideas and themes that I wouldn’t be able to in other art classes. Also, I was able to see an extremely large variety of art from my classmates. What made this class interesting was the fact so many people come from different backgrounds and cultures. Art is a medium which allows people to share their experiences and culture with other people who may be an “outsider”. Art is such an amazing concept that is universal around the world and helps break down barriers. Engaging with artworks allows for people to learn and explore new things because art can be quite approachable.
If art vanished off the planet there would be so little creativity and individuality. Art allows people to express themselves and understand one another. If art didn’t exist everyone would have similar or same personalities. Everything would be plain and boring without art. There are not many creative forms of expression except literature. Literature and words are difficult mediums of creativity whereas art is visually expressed.
Slogan “a great nation deserves great art” I completely agree with that statement. All over the world, there are so many different styles of art that are historic and from modern times. What makes a nation great is the people that reside within that nation and art comes from the people. Art reflects the people and the nation.
I have always loved drawing and painting as a hobby since I was a child. Before this class, I only liked post-impressionism art and abstract art, but this class showed me art styles that are on the same level. This class taught me to appreciate different art styles and all the work that goes into a piece that the audience doesn’t see.
