The ArtsKnowledge of aesthetics

1. The purpose of the arts is to make us happy.2. Knowledge is a type of belief. There is no

belief in the arts, therefore the arts embody no knowledge.

3. The arts are not designed to solve any particular problem.

4. Whether a work of art is good or not is just a matter of opinion.

5. A work of art is just the expression of the emotions of its creator.

6. Anyone can appreciate art-no special knowledge is required.

Agree or disagree?

1. Not everything is art.

2. Artists create works of art, which reflect the skills, knowledge and personalities of their makers.

3. Works of art can be interpreted in different ways.

4. Artworks succeed or fail in realising their aims.

Questions to consider• What role does the arts play in society?

• How might the arts be used to shape beliefs or transform society?

• How can we know what art is?

• What knowledge can be gained from the Arts?

• Are objective criteria possible in evaluating the arts?

Is this art?

• Photograph of Usain Bolt winning a sports event

PINK PINK STINK NICE DRINK by Koko Inspired by a nearby flowering

meadow with a stream running through it. Koko's word for flower is "stink," even though she admits that

she loves their smell.

Acrylic on canvas

Is this art?

Is this art?Piss Christ by Andres

Serrano

This Little Piggy Went to MarketDamien Hirst

Is it art? Really bad art?

My BedTracy Emin

Group Activity• Using the list provided, (What is art?) in

groups, decide if the items listed represent art or not art

• Decide why this is the case

• Once you are done, make a list of criteria for determining what art is (or is not)

Artist’s Views of Art

• Art is what you can get away with. —Andy Warhol

• Campbell’s Soup I (1968)

Art is a lie which makes us realise the truth. —Pablo Picaso

Guernica, 1937

The scale of the piece is a large part of its power

Artist’s Views of ArtArt is not a copy of the real world; one of

the damn things is quite enough. Virginia Woolf-

God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style. He just goes on trying other things. -Pablo Picasso-

What is art?• Rather than say everything is art, let us say we can

look at everything from an aesthetic point of view• Art is:

• Human Made? (maybe)• Intended to be art by the artist• Must be viewed or responded to as art by the

spectators• Must be quality or original or framed by a context?• Others?

Bull’s HeadPablo Picasso

The Fountain

• Marcel Duchamp

Take the Buzzfeed Quiz

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/quiz-can-you-tell-the-difference-between-modern-art-and-art#.gaKkd1q96