Respond to 2 students. I have started on 1 response and will post below. The two initial posts from the students are below:
Mary Woodard posted Oct 28, 2019 1:59 PM
Discussion 4
1. Respond to the following statement in your textbook: Art enhances our world (79).
Art enhances our world in all its myriad forms, realistic or not. Art promotes quality of life and it makes us feel good. It can help us to understand who we are and enhance our lives through self-expression even if we dont understand what the artist is saying about his/her work. Art can reach deep inside our souls and connect with what is inside us, our thoughts, feeling, perceptions, outer realities, and with our own experiences. It increases our critical thinking skills by using logic and reason to attribute meaning to what we see or what we create. Through art we gain a better understanding of how history have shaped us into what we are today.
2. One question which pervades the entire chapter on art is what makes, what has always made, the visual arts so valuable, so essential to human beings. In other words, why do you think human society places such a premium on paintings like DaVincis Mona Lisa or sculpture like Michelangelos David?
I think human society places such a premium on paintings like DaVincis Mona Lisa and Michelangelos sculpture David because of their reputation as great artists and because of the value intrinsic to their art. Leonardo DaVinci and Michelangelo were both artists during the Renaissance era. Renaissance artists were famous for combining classical discipline for something new. It was the time demanded for freedom of individual expression. For example, Michelangelo is famous for bringing realism into artthe human body. The statue, David, is made from marble depicting the Biblical hero David and it depicts every parts of a human body to persuade people that a naked human body is not a sin. On the other side, DaVincis Mona Lisa is famous for the oil painting on a wood panel, the uniqueness of her smile, eyes, mouth, and the way her arms are folded. As of today, millions of people visit the Louvre Museum in Paris to see the painting. Mona Lisa is considered, by many, as the most famous art ever created in the world.
3. Chapter 5 shows the changes in art throughout the agesfor example, from idealism to realism to superrealism, from religious to secular, from classical art to pop art. What common elements do you find in these various modes of expression and movements in the development of art? Be as specific as possible.
Art movements have been in place since the development of art. From idealism to realism to superrealism from religious to secular, from classical art to pop art. Each of these movements share the same artistic ideas, style, technical approach and they represent actual objects or subject from reality. During each movement, there is a call for change whether it involves paint, sculpture, architecture, form, line, shape, or style. For example, idealism movement is where the artist makes a pretty scene and ignore all the problems and annoyances you see in a real life situation. Realism artist attempts to represent a subject matter truthfully as close to reality as possible. Superrealism artists are better known for visual art and creating strange creatures from everyday objects, that allows the unconscious mind to express itself. Religious art is artistic imagery using architecture, religious inspiration and motifs that are intended to uplift the mind spiritually. Secular art is artwork that focuses on architecture and on a more humanistic view and it increases awareness of nature. Classical art, in its painting and sculpture, it creates idealized figures and shapes to render human and animal forms realistically. Pop art is a style of art based on simple, bold images of everyday items, such as comic books, newspapers, and advertisings painted in bright colors.
4. Try to remember your earliest experiences with music– lullabies perhaps. Do you believe that music was in any way helping to shape you even then? Explain, with specifics.
I dont remember much about lullabies as they relate to my music experiences. Although I do believe lullabies can help shapes lives in some type of way. Especially the educational ones that teaches children their ABCs by singing them. On the other hand, I believe music altogether has played a big part in shaping me in many ways. I love to listen to all types of music. I was raised with family members who mainly listened to music such as gospel, jazz, blues, and soul music. As I grew older, I began to listen to r&b, rock n roll, hip hop, country, classic, etc. Depending on what I am listening to, music stimulates me in different ways. It makes feel good, it makes me emotional, it makes me want to dance, it uplifts my spirit, and most of all it relaxes me. I cant imagine what the world will be like without music.
5. Why do jazz musicians admire Bach?
Jazz music is complex. It is not an easy type of music to compose. Its based on a typical jazz piece follows a discipline pattern one instrument after another performs a variation of the theme. It consists of by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Until today, Jazz musicians still admire Bach because he was the first to introduce improvisation. Improvisation is based on a musician being able to create and play a new music without preparing for it in advance. It allows a musician to play things that make sense without having them written down. Many jazz musicians and performers today follow the rules similar to fugues of Bach where varying degrees of improvisation were performed.
6. Explain how the Beatles completely transformed popular music.
The Beatles completely transformed popular music because they created different types of genres of music including rock n roll, rhythm and blues, and most famous for pop and hard rock. They recorded their own music. Their harmonies were complex and sophisticated, but the clarity of their lyrics, seemed as though they were singing with one voice. They were the first entertainment act to stage a large stadium concert. Not only did they transform popular music, but their Dionysian music influenced a whole generation. They set new trends for music and style. People danced to their music and changed the way they dressed. The Beatles transformed popular music during the era when people began to exercise their freedom.
7. After reading the textbook’s chapter on music, explain why you think some of the musical greats like Beethoven and Bach continue to be honored.
Beethoven and Bach continue to be honored today because they are considered as two of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. They were both musicians of the Baroque era styles where musicians worked in a limited range of musical forms. Bach was recognized for his greatness by mastering every known form through his intellect and imagination. Outside of being one of the greatest composers, he was also known as the best organist. Some of his best-known compositions are the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Beethoven also stretched the limits of the form by creating nine symphonies. Out of the nine, the most popular ones are the third (Erocia) and the ninth (Ode to Joy). They are popular because of their grandeur. The Ode to Joy was twice the length of the Erocia.
8. What are two major points Gordon Graham is making in his discussion on art? Explain whether you agree or disagree–and tell why.
There are several arguments Gordon discussed in the The Philosophy of Art The two major points I think Gordon Graham is making of art concerns aesthetic cognitivism and the value of art. He emphasizes that aesthetic cognitivism explains more successfully than other theories of art. He emphasized that understanding art and its values is equal to understanding science, history, and philosophy. In other words, art is most valuable when it serves as a source of understanding. I agree with Gordon because understanding art and its values will also teach me about my history as well as my cultural alone with other ethnicity groups cultural, history, beliefs, and values. It also teaches me how to appreciate art and the creativity of different styles.
9. From “The Philosophy of Music,” respond to what is said about music’s emotional connection.
After reading The Philosophy of Music, and the different viewpoints on musics emotional connection, my final opinion is thatI agree there is little to no emotional connection to music for me not unless I have experienced the same lyrics as the artist. I might understand what the artist is saying and love the sound, the beat, and the tone, but I cant emotionally connect. For instance, some RAP music is so degrading to women, politicians, and to the general public. Some of the lyrics are just awful. Even though RAP stands for rhythm and poetic, there is no way I can emotionally connect to RAP music on that level. I believe to be emotionally connected to music or anything else, there should be some level of experience related to the situation. Because I can listen to some music just to enjoy the beats of the instruments and care less about the lyrics.
Hello Mary,
You have a great understanding of art. I like how you stated, Art promotes quality of life and it makes us feel good. It can help us to understand who we are and enhance our lives through self-expression even if we dont understand what the artist is saying about his/her work. This is a good explanation and a very true statement. The way you explained art enhancing our world, is the way I feel about music.
Eduardo Rengel posted Oct 28, 2019 8:37 AM
Module 4
Respond to the following statement in your textbook: Art enhances our world (79).
Art does enhance our world. It makes our world more creative, knowledgeable, historic, sensual and vivid. Its no wonder that artists have sometimes been the first targeted under tyrannical governments. They speak their truth, without worrying or despite worrying about what others think. They take risks. They sometimes speak for those who cant. Art is a necessary outlet in society (Janaro, 2017).
2. One question which pervades the entire chapter on art is what makes, what has always made, the visual arts so valuable, so essential to human beings. In other words, why do you think human society places such a premium on paintings like DaVincis Mona Lisa or sculpture like Michelangelos David?
I think that visual arts have always been valuable and essential to us as human beings because of the need to imitate and show some different characteristics that will add value to the way in which we will express ourselves. When it comes to expressing yourself, the Mona Lisa is amazing because it is hard to read what expression she has on her face. Is she happy? Is she sad? Is she mad? DiVinci was able to capture that with paint and imitate human emotional expression. Humans could look onto something that reminded them of themselves when they look at the Mona Lisa. David is also astonishingly realistic. Down to the detail on his legs and arms. In many ways he is also perfect. He is perfect in proportion and he is perfectly smooth. Humans again can look upon the human form, but also the perfection and beauty of the human form that Michelangelo was able to create (Janaro, 2017).
3. Chapter 5 shows the changes in art throughout the agesfor example, from idealism to realism to superrealism, from religious to secular, from classical art to pop art. What common elements do you find in these various modes of expression and movements in the development of art? Be as specific as possible.
Throughout the ages art styles have moved through different forms. Idealism reflected a better reality, making what was, even more beautiful; a field brighter and greener a woman more beautiful. Realism, which was the desire to recreate the world realistically was meant to look exactly as it was. We can see portraits and landscapes being painted exactly how you would see them in real life. Religious art, meant to emphasize the presence of God in the world and secular which emphasized nature. Classical which was to highlight the values and lifestyles of a time period and pop art which meant to go against the status quo. In each of the cases society and the mindsets of the time were at the center of the art, whether it was working with it, focusing on one part of it or rejecting it completely (Janaro, 2017).
4. Try to remember your earliest experiences with music– lullabies perhaps. Do you believe that music was in any way helping to shape you even then? Explain, with specifics.
I dont remember my mother singing lullabies to me, but Im sure that she did. I can remember my first experiences with music through the toys that used to have different melodies, some used to have rhythms that made me sleep and others transmitted to me, energy and the wish to play. I believe that music has always shaped me because every song through it lyrics and rhythms touches my emotions (wellness, happiness, plentitude) for example when I listen Kiko Argüello sing psalms I feel that my spirit is being shaped or when I listen to jazz while I’m cooking I feel that through this music I shape my culinary skills. Finally, I consider that music plays an important role in our lives and the content that it has will influence in a positive or negative way our lives (Janaro, 2017).
5. Why do jazz musicians admire Bach?
They admire Bach because he created the base for improvisation; the art of spontaneously mixing a collection of riffs and standards together (Janaro, 2017). Jazz musicians sometimes include Bach variations in their repertories. Jazz musicians also reconstructed a lot of classical riffs and standards, which they developed into what we now know as Jazz. The musical instruments used in Jazz were also originally used and composed for by the classical artists. Jazz has its roots in classical music forms, which were greatly developed by Bach.
6. Explain how the Beatles completely transformed popular music.
The Beatles completely transformed popular music via production techniques, new psychedelic, and progressive music, composing their own songs and having control of their music. Finally, one key factor was the attention that they had for details and the image that they introduced to the market. For example, they made long hair acceptable and desirable for men, they also were pioneers and innovators in their videos, their music and the content of their music (Janaro, 2017).
7. After reading the textbook’s chapter on music, explain why you think some of the musical greats like Beethoven and Bach continue to be honored.
Bach continues to be honored because of his great musical intellect and imagination, mastering any known form. He also developed a lot of classical compositions which in effect created a lot of standards still used today. Second, Beethoven composed for churches, concert halls, private performances and continued creating after he lost his hearing. His compositions also developed a lot of standards and idealized the use of instruments in classical music. They were masters of the art, but in both cases they also developed the base and the structure for the Classical art form (Janaro, 2017).
8. What are two major points Gordon Graham is making in his discussion on art? Explain whether you agree or disagree–and tell why.
Gordon Graham claims that art and beauty have for some time been inseparable. But also that then that makes it subjective since in the end, it relies on the human reaction. What makes something beautiful? He explores that beauty has come to be known as something that is aesthetically pleasing. Aesthetics and structure can become objective tools to measure art, but then again aesthetics can also become subjective based on what the popular opinion is of what is aesthetically pleasing of the time. So where is the base of art and beauty? It is what society has come to agree on is beautiful and what is art (Graham, 1997).
Gordan Graham also makes the argument that there is a definitive connection between art and emotion; both the artists emotion and those who view the arts emotion. That art brings pleasure is another point that he first states in the beginning of the story. Pleasure is sparked in emotion. He even mentions the point that art is just a physical delivery of an artists deep emotions. That art is an emotional transaction since it also sparks emotion in the receiver of the art as well (Graham, 1997).
9. From “The Philosophy of Music,” respond to what is said about music’s emotional connection.
Graham makes the point that although music can invoke emotion, the actual scale of emotion that music can inspire is very small. That only happy and sad are usually expressed in music. We may be reminded of our own emotions, but in fact, music does not express those other feelings on its own. I think that I would not have agreed with that at first, because for me music is very emotional. But now I can see the logical reason that it really doesnt go beyond embodying past happy and sad (Kania, 2017).
References
Graham, G. (1997). Philosophy of the Arts. Routledge.
Janaro, R. P. (2017). THE ART OF BEING HUMAN. PEARSON.
Kania, A. (2017). The Philosophy of Music
