General Studies. What good are the arts

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Slide 1

General Studies at NSG

What good are the arts?

Slide 2

A2 Scientific and Cultural Domain question:

Explain how two of the following creative activities contribute to our understanding, as well as our appreciation, of the more pleasant aspects of life such as happiness, love, beauty and friendship.

You must select two from the following:

a) architecture b) photography c) the screen d) fashion

e) sculpture f) music g) painting h) the stage i) writing

[50 marks]

Slide 3

What is a work of art?

‘Art’ as we understand it did not exist before the C18th

Music, paintings and sculptures were produced by ‘artisans’ i.e. skilled tradesmen

People have always artistically decorated themselves with clothing and

makeup.

Does that mean that

everyone is an artist?

Write down your definition

of a work of art

Slide 4

Is art only to be found in galleries, theatres and concert halls?

Do academics and critics have a greater appreciation of what is and what is not art?

Slide 5

Is ‘high’ art superior?

Is opera superior to hip hop?

Are paintings in galleries superior to advertising images?

Are bronze and marble superior to pottery?

What makes Picasso with his brushes an artist but

not you with your makeup brushes?

Can ‘high art’ only be appreciated by the select few?

Add responses and supporting statements to the following:

Slide 6

Do the arts make us better?

Does art make us more civilised, happy and loving?

Does art not just emphasize obedience, duty, service,

superiority and inferiority?

.

Nazi art

Tomb of the unknown soldier

Slide 7

Greek and Roman art from 550 BCE to 100 AD

What purposes did it serve?

Slide 8

More Roman art

Is it artistic or pornographic?

Slide 9

Can art lead people to behave in rebellious ways?

Can we learn important lessons from art?

Should art be censored?

Slide 10

Is literature superior to the visual arts?

1. Does literature develop more complex images and ideas?