Art is a diverse range of human activity and its resulting product that involves creative or imaginative talent generally expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power or conceptual ideas. It is also a tool to understand ourselves and our relationships with the universe.
Unlike science, which is often focused on the physical realm and can be limiting to the imagination of some, art reaches beyond the tangible into an imaginative exploration of our spiritual and cosmological existence. This enables it to elicit a more visceral experience than merely looking at a picture.
While a work of art can not solve the world’s problems, it does offer a counterbalance to our propensity for violence, destruction and evil. It can remind us of the inherent beauty in our lives and the universe, and provide a respite from the noise and stress of our daily routines.
Art can also help us comprehend our cultural history, as it has a deep and long-held connection with the development of nations. The study of art traces the development of the human psyche through the development of the cultural landscape. This is why it is important to integrate art history into a curriculum that exposes students to a broad range of cultures, artists and time periods.
It’s important to be aware of the biases that can come into play when studying art history. There is often a skewed emphasis on particular art movements, artists and eras. This is often due to the ideological framework that informs the study of art. For example, the art historians who wrote Giorgio Vasari’s biographies of Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Cimabue were bound by his fervent belief in the supremacy of Florentine art culture.
As a result, there is a tendency to view all art that was produced before a certain point as being inferior. However, this is not always the case. It is essential to remember that the arts are continually evolving and changing. In order to truly appreciate and understand an artwork, it is important to be open to the idea that it may not be what we currently consider to be the best in terms of form or content.
Another important aspect of understanding an artwork is to be able to analyze and critique it. This is an essential skill that students must learn in order to grow and develop their own appreciation of the arts. It is also a critical component of the study of any art form.
Critiques help students hone their persuasive writing, information-gathering and justification skills. They can also allow students to gain a more holistic understanding of the artistic process and the many influences that come into play in the creation of a piece of art. However, it is important not to be swayed by the opinions of others or the whims of popular taste in judging art. This can be an easy trap to fall into, especially when attempting to teach a class of student whose interests are very varied.