The document discusses various perspectives on what constitutes art. It explores how art can take many forms and serve different purposes, from communication to spiritual expression to visual delight. While there is no single definition, art generally involves some element of human creation, expression, or selection that stimulates thought or emotions. The lines between art and craft, or between artistic merit and commercial purpose, can be debated depending on one's viewpoint.

1. Chapter 1 What is Art? What's Included in Art? Music, Dance, Theater, Literature and Visual Arts...Can you think of other venues? Our world has become a very visual one - we have art all around us. Understanding art is understanding our world! A good first step is to try to understand what we mean by art. What is Art? There are no single answers and not everyone will agree on a definition. Book art Collage Salvador Dali Persistence of Memory

2. The Aesthetic Experience An "aesthetic experience" is one of charged awareness. It is looking beyond the obvious and experiencing a thing or event on an emotional level. It can be activated by an experience with the natural world, the contemplation of forms (including but not limited to art), or a journey into the world of the imagination. It can be stimulated by something as simple as enjoying a good meal or as complex as a life-changing event.

8. Does art have to be representational? Is it necessary for it to actually look like something, such as a woman, or a vase of flowers? Does art have to be realistic? Is it better if it is realistic? What makes it realistic? Can it be something that suggests something real, even if it doesn't look exactly like our eye sees it in real life? Gauguin Matisse Whistler

16. Symbols of Faith Shiva, Lord of the Dance 950 CE Gothic Christ, 10-11th c. CE Athena, 5th c. BCE Religious art gives tangible form to the gods, goddesses, beliefs, hopes, and spirits of a culture and is one of the most prevalent subjects in art. The fact that religious deities and spirituality are part of an unknown gives a sense of mystery and magic to the visual depictions.

17. Art for Personal Expression Mask Self Portrait by artist Rembrandt

27. Art Activity #1 What is Art? 3 – 4 people in a group 1. Define what art is to your group - 1 – 2 sentences from each group member then compile them into 1 short paragraph Then…

28. Art Activity #1 Continued What is Art? 2. Based on that definition, decide whether these items are art - shell printed coffee mug printed t shirt photograph ragged pair of jeans film poster magazine ad 3. Present your discussion to the class