Humans have been drawing, dancing, and making music for over 35,000 years- why?!
TASK: Spend a few minutes trying to come up with your own definition of art. Remember, we are not only concerned with visual art. Be ready to share your definitions with the class.
You will most likely have found this rather difficult- even professional art philosophers disagree. Does this mean that ‘experts’ within each branch of the arts are more necessary than in other AoKs?
KQ: Who determines what art is valued, and on what criteria?
Watch some of this video (John Cage 4’33”)
Does the piece performed count as music/art? Does it match any of your definitions?
How different would you feel about the composition if you were in a grand concert hall listening to it? How about if you'd paid £50 for a ticket?
On a similar theme, consider Marcel Duchamp’s ‘Readymades’ - explained in the video on the right (4 minutes)
Is John Cage’s piece the musical equivalent of a ‘Readymade’?
Is the skill of the artist important to you, or is it only their intentions which matter?
Are sports art?
If you’ve ever looked at a piece of art and thought ‘I could do that’ then watch this video (5.40)