The Arts: some general statements you may not agree and are free to say so

Resources:

Visuals of artworks as selected by teacher

How does art create knowledge?

Artists create something unique and original.

The creation evokes an understanding, an insight or awareness in the audience.

The artist explores the human experience in some way illuminate our common
human-ness.

Through introspection, beliefs, and the ability to empathize and understand the
emotions of our fellow human beings, the artist acquires knowledge. Using an artistic
medium, technique, style or language, the artists transmits that knowledge to others.
Others then share the experience.

What might be the value of artistic knowledge?

It makes us aware that we share common experiences and emotions with all humans.
It can deepen wonder of being alive and help us to understand other human beings.

What might be the limitations of artistic knowledge?

It can be completely subjective and judgmental. As such, it might not be considered

knowledge by definition, as it is created by our feelings.

Task: Beginning with the general statements above to get you thinking, examine the
resources for your topic and answer the questions below. Prepare a report back to the class
and to be able to defend your views. For the last two questions either draw, diagram or
write a response to be used for a class display board.

1. What is the artist intention?

2. What knowledge is generated or created?

3. How did the artist generate this knowledge? What WOKs does the artist use to
generate the knowledge? How was personal and shared knowledge referenced in the
generation of this knowledge? What WOKs does the viewer use to understand the
work?

4. Is this important knowledge to you? Explain.

5. What techniques, conventions or medium of expression is used? What is the

language of this work?

6. Is this art? Why? Or why not?

7. Outline what you consider should determine if a created work is art or not?

8. When does art become immoral or unethical and unacceptable/inappropriate? What

should be censored?