3.Scope: Intentions

KQ: Do the arts play a role in the development of our personal value systems?

The purpose of art can indeed vary. However, art is always created with the purpose of creating knowledge. But the type of knowledge produced depends on the intent of the artist and the purpose of the art (such as advertising, propaganda, transmitting cultural values, and so on).

(From your Kognity textbook)

Perhaps rather than trying to define art, it may be easier to think of the purpose of art. Think of a work (music, painting, literature, dance, theatre, film) and write down as many reasons as you can for why it is valuable. Aside from its intrinsic value, should art have other purposes?

KQ: Do the arts have the power to challenge established moral values?

Should art create knowledge or transmit knowledge?

Read about Ai Weiwei’s Sunflower Seeds

This is an example of how art can be used as a metaphor to transmit knowledge. The fact that China mass produces many of the world’s goods is shared knowledge, but does this piece of art help us reflect upon Chinese workers?

The Unilever Series: Ai Weiwei: Sunflower Seeds – Exhibition at Tate Modern | TateAi Weiwei's Unilever Series commission at Tate Modern, Sunflower Seeds, is made up of millions of hand-crafted porcelain seeds.

Consider how art can either challenge or reinforce our existing beliefs while watching this video about Art and War (11 mins)

KQ: Can art change the way we interpret the world?

Read the short article below which links the Arts and Human Sciences. It also raises interesting questions about power, access to knowledge and censorship which we will look at later in the unit.

The Point of Novels.pdf