Module Two - Blog: Video and CNN Article Review

Module Two - Blog: Video and CNN Article Review

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

In the video Aesthetics: Philosophy of the Arts, art is not defined as something beautiful, but rather art implies a beautiful idea.  Beauty and art are very different things.  Many philosophers over the course of time, from Plato to Weltz, have given their views on what they believe art to be.  What makes something a work of art was the common question that each philosopher answered.  Each in their own way helped paved the way for what art is thought of today.  Whether art was the idea of beauty, the rules of composition, or was able to present the values that define human life.  Aesthetics concerns itself with beauty or rather the nature in which beauty is perceived. 

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

The philosopher’s theory on aesthetics that I feel is important from the movie is that of German philosopher Walter Benjamin from the 20^th Century.  In 1936 he states that the concept of art has changed dramatically by the technological advances of the world.  This allows for the unlimited reproduction of any art piece.  Art is no longer unique and unrepeatable; photocopies can be made as well as posters.  I think that this is important because with the technology changing all the time, how we view art and also how we create art changes with it.  Art has become more readily available to us through photos and videos.  As time goes on we continue to add more ways of creating and duplicating art.

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?

I am not totally convinced on their way to view the aesthetics of art.  While very interesting, I feel that art is creative skill based on ones imagination.  To view that piece of art and decide whether you enjoy it or not is just that, a choice.  We know what we like and do not like.  While I can respect the point that art is a non-verbal communication of emotional states, knowledge, and experience.  Or whether it is science and follows the eight laws of Art.  I feel at this point in the class that art is art, not a conscious or unconscious neurological theory of the experience.

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

I think that the videos added to what we read in the text.  They all covered where art came from, the philosophy and aesthetics of art, and how we have viewed and interpreted art through time.  They both explain why and how we are drawn to certain pieces of art.  They gives us a better understand as to why we react differently to pieces of art and how and why our brain processes this information differently.

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?

I enjoyed the films and article.  The article seemed to repeat what was in the films, but all three gave me a better understanding of art.  They have forced me to view art more objectively rather than just saying I like or do not like a piece of artwork.  The videos and article added more depth to the reading, gave more examples.  This allowed me to grasp a better understanding of what I was reading.  While I am not sure I agree 100% with the CARTA: Evolutionary Origins of Art and Aesthetics video, it has definitely sparked an interest.  Thinking of whether viewing art is more of a neurological science, definitely an idea I will be considering going forward when creating or viewing art.