The Power of Art (chapter 1 in the book)

Venus of Willendorf OBJECT vs. ART

-4&1/8 inches tall, no feet or face, hands resting on her breasts -one of the earliest known artworks of this time Time and the difference it had on a work of art.. Does this mean the same thing it did long ago? -symbol of fertility

Lascaux cave paintings

-Earliest known paintings! -created in today Spain and France around 15,000 B.C.

The Power to Transform the Ordinary

-Zhan Wang, "Urban Landscapes" -Christo and Jeanne Claude's "The Gates" transforms Central Park from ordinary to extraordinary

Art as a Declaration of Power

-art from the earliest times has been used to declare the power of their rulers. Pharoh, Emperors, Kings, and Queens -example: "Henry Vlll" by Hans Holbein "The head of Mussolini" by Renato Bertelli

The Power to Change our Beliefs

-by using real mementos of contemporary culture, Saar creates a visual satire that shows how photographic reproduction tend to reinforce racial stereotypes in society -example: "The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" by Betye Saar

The Power of Shock

-here Duchamp is choosing to make fun of the Mona Lisa -example: The Mona Lisa symbolizes the best in Western Art. He is simply rejecting tradition -How does the Purpose of art Change?

Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris

-its a visual expression of the Christian faith in the medieval era

The Power to Touch our Emotions

-memorials, statues -example: Vietnam Memorial by Maya Lin

Self Expression

-one of the most obvious reasons artists make art is to satisfy the need for self expression ex: "The Little Deer" by Frida Kahlo

The Power to convey Immortality

-portrait that is painted more realistic, however the setting and events are not... -example: "Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh" by Bichitr- the cupids on the hour glass are painting a prayer that Jahangir will live forever...

The Power of Religious Art

-religious art gives visual expression to inner belief

T he Power of Art for the Artist: why artists make art

-self expression -the artist at play -the artist's memory

Prehistoric Art and Magical Powers

-some of the most powerful art of done more than 10,000 years ago

Power of Art for Tribal Peoples Tribal Art:

-the art of any area of the world where people lived or still live in a preindustrial or preagricultural state-generally without permanent buildings, written language, or modern technology -aka primitive art

The Power to Awaken our Senses

-to truly open our eyes -photography has become a medium for just this, to slow us down and make us STOP and LOOK -example: "Clearing Winter Storm" by Ansel Adams

The Artist's Memory

-visual art can also provide a vehicle for memory, recording past experiences. -painting feelings, dreams, and emotions to record a moment in time -"I and the Village" by Marc Chagall-Chagall's magical lands are about love and wonder despite his actual life that he lived...

The Artist at Play

-visual art has been used to record personal and artistic suffering, however art can also be about the recording of the artists' joy ex:"Drawing" by Paul Klee-looks like a doodle, whimsical :Paul Mcarthy sculpture of poop