Arts 1 "Art: Its Meaning and Importance,”

1. Why is art found in human societies? What basic needs does it meet?
- I think art is found in human society because it is a medium through which people express
their emotions, communicate ideas, and pass down information from one generation to
another. The basic needs meet satisfaction, self-expression, and creativity.
2. What are some of the thoughts that man conveys through his arts? Give examples of works
of art that show these.
- People can use art as a medium to communicate their ideologies, causes, concepts, and
thoughts. Additionally, it can produce beauty, symbolize freedom, and strengthen faith in
human nobility. Different lines, shapes, and colors are used by artists to convey their
emotions. Olafur Eliasson's installations, Kara Walker's silhouettes, and paintings by
various artists that use color and form to represent emotions or ideas are a few
examples of artworks that express these ideas. In the end, art can be a potent medium
for self-expression and communication.
3. Must art communicate? What is communicated then by a church? By a ceramic vase? By a
piece of furniture?
- It is debatable whether or not art should convey a message. While some contend that art
should convey a message, others think it can simply exist for its own sake. A church's rituals,
artwork, and architecture all serve to convey religious beliefs and values. Based on its utility,
a ceramic vase or piece of furniture communicates. For instance, a vase might convey
cultural or emotional meaning, whereas furniture might reveal a complex artistic concept.
4. If art is a record of the society which produced it, what is revealed about contemporary
society by modern art?
- Because it reflects our inner selves, our cultural, political, and social conditions, as well as
the development of our society, modern art is significant. It uncovers factual realities about
modern civilization while emphasizing social impact and society as a whole. Contemporary
art may be thought-provoking and innovative. It is an expression of originality that reflects
the minds and thoughts of the artist. With numerous areas of cultural progress, including
painting, graphics, sculpture, architecture, theater, dance, cinema, music, and literature,
modern art has had a tremendous impact on society. Technology and modern art combine to
create works of art that go beyond what the human mind is capable of. Over time, these
kinds have had a profound effect on society.
5. What relationship is there between art and nature?
- Many well-known painters have made nature a major theme in their works, and nature and
art are closely related. From photo realism to abstraction, art can take many different forms
and have many different functions. Artists have always found inspiration in nature, which has
given them countless ideas for their works. Because it reflects our inner selves, our cultural,
political, and social conditions, as well as the development of our society, modern art is
significant. It can be thought-provoking and innovative and is a manifestation of personality,
expressing the minds and thoughts of the artist. With diverse areas of cultural progress,
including painting, graphics, sculpture, architecture, theater, dance, cinema, music, and
literature, modern art has had a profound influence on society across time.
6. How is beauty in art different from beauty in nature?
- Philosophical discussion centers on the difference between the beauty of nature and the
beauty of art. Others contend that the key distinction between art and beauty is that the
former depends on the creator while the latter depends on the viewer. Others contend that
even if they speak to the same value, the aesthetic values of art and nature are different and
require different language to be described. While beauty in human-made art is an expression
of humanity, it can also be considered as a reflection of God's creation in nature. In the end,
each person's interpretation of beauty is unique and subjective.
7. From the concepts you learned about art, form a definition of art.
- I learned that a wide range of creative or creative skills, technical mastery, and the ability to
portray beauty or emotion are all necessary for making art. It is typically considered as any
human activity or creation made for aesthetic or communicative purposes that
communicates an idea, an emotion, or a worldview. Painting, sculpture, printing, drawing,
decorative arts, photography, and installations are only a few examples of the many media
that can be included in art.
8. What would you gain from a study of art?
- I would gain various benefits from studying art, including the opportunity to express creativity
and imagination, develop confidence, increase social empathy and awareness, and acquire
new skills. It can also help my fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, problem solving,
lateral thinking and critical thinking. Lastly, by studying art it can provide knowledge of
different art forms, media and techniques.
9. Is the presence of subject matter an important consideration in judging a work of art? Why?
- Yes, subject matter is a crucial factor to take into account when evaluating a piece of art.
The main concept or focal point that an artwork is based on is referred to as the subject
matter. It is what gives the piece of art its meaning and significance. Without a subject, an
artwork may lack focus and fail to convey any meaningful information to the viewer.
However, it's crucial to remember that a work of art's subject matter should be judged
alongside other components like composition, technique, and style.
10. Would the choice of subject matter affect the artistic value of a painting or sculpture? Why?
- Yes, a painting or sculpture's artistic value can be affected by the subject matter. The subject
matter, or the thing that the artist chooses to paint, draw, or sculpt, greatly affects how the
work is viewed and valued. For instance, a painting by the same artist of a charming young
girl might be worth more than one of a stern-looking old man. However, some contend that
the subject matter has little to do with the artistic value. Last but not least, it depends on a
range of variables, including the cultural setting, historical significance, and personal
preference.
11. Differentiate between subject matter and content?
- Subject matter is the literal, observable image in a work, whereas content is the connotative,
symbolic, and suggestive elements of the image. The term "subject matter" describes what is
portrayed in a work of art, such as a still life, portrait, or landscape, whereas "content"
describes the concepts and meanings that support the subject matter.
12. What are some of the ways in which art contributes to the spiritual and physical well-being of
man?
- There are many ways that art benefits a person's physical and spiritual health. Through the
use of art, one can improve physical and mental health, as well as their emotional and
 cognitive abilities. Through art, people can communicate concepts that are
incomprehensible, opening up largely unconscious mental regions and giving voice to parts
of themselves that would otherwise remain silent and unheard. Additionally, art gives us the
chance to interact with artistic works, which can be a spiritual gift that could strengthen our
relationship with God. As well as providing important clues about our spiritual selves, art can
shed light on how we interact with God, ourselves, and other people. Finally, a love of religion
can be expressed through any form of art, including paintings and sculptures.
13. What other functions of art do you know that are not discussed in this chapter?
- The use of art in advertising can convey messages and influence consumers to purchase
goods or favor.
14. Discuss a movie you have seen lately. What comment did it make on society? How
effectively was the message communicated? What contributed to its effectiveness?
- The most recent movie I saw was Coach Carter, which is a reflection on the debate over
how important it is to balance sports and academics. Coach Ken Carter's excellent
communication abilities, which are displayed throughout the film, help to effectively
convey the message. The importance of education, discipline, and the impact of sports
on young people's lives are all emphasized in the movie. It also makes observations
about societal problems like racism, poverty, and violence. Samuel L. Jackson's stirring
portrayal of Coach Carter, who encourages his team to pursue excellence both on and
off the court, contributes to the message's effectiveness. Some scenes' coarse language
usage adds to the story's authenticity. Coach Carter conveys a strong message to
audiences about education, discipline, and perseverance in general.
15. What examples can you give to illustrate the statement,” Form follows function”?
- According to the "form follows function" principle, an object's design should be based on its
intended use. Two buildings that do this well are the Wainwright Building in St. Louis,
Missouri, and the Prudential Building in Buffalo, New York, both of which have exterior
designs that correspond to their interior uses. Pencils, combs, scissors, and forks are
additional typical examples. This idea also applies to contemporary design, where form is
the part of an object that people interact with and function is the reason it exists.

16. How functional is the design of the house or apartment in which you live?
- Our apartment is very practical because it is adaptable and has necessary elements like
walls, doors, a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom, and a living room. Our house has a
classic style that will endure as its residents age./
17. Why do certain societies concentrate their efforts in building certain kinds of buildings? For
instance, why did the Egyptians build pyramids and tombs? Why did Medieval Europe build
Gothic cathedrals?
- For various reasons, different societies focus their efforts on building specific types of
structures. The ancient Egyptians, for example, constructed pyramids and tombs out of
stone, which was the most durable building material available at the time. Pyramids were
also practical because they focused most of their construction on the lower half of the
structure, requiring fewer stones to be hauled to the top. Gothic cathedrals were built in
medieval Europe as a symbol of religious devotion and to glorify God through grand
 architecture. The building of these cathedrals provided an opportunity for stonemasons to
demonstrate their abilities and craftsmanship.
18. What are some problems connected with city life? How can constructive community
planning minimize them?
- Some difficulties associated with city life include individual control or small parcels of land, a
lack of affordable housing, urban sprawl, and economic vitality. Constructive community
planning can mitigate these issues by establishing a supportive physical framework,
ensuring access to quality and affordable housing, requiring developers to build planned
communities with mixed uses and recreation areas, and controlling the city's space pattern.
19. Why are zoning laws necessary? Familiarize yourself with the zoning regulations of your
community.
- Zoning laws are necessary to control land use in a specific jurisdiction and to build a
community that is well-balanced and meets its needs while taking population density,
environmental issues, and public safety into consideration. Our communities and way of life
are shaped by zoning laws, which regulate how we can use and construct land. Zoning is a
type of urban planning that divides land into different zones, each of which has its own set of
restrictions on what is allowed in terms of building height, setbacks, and permitted land
uses. To ensure compliance with local laws when constructing or renovating property, it is
essential to become familiar with the zoning regulations of one's community.
20. What makes a functional object a work of art besides?
- A functional object that has been planned and made with both functional and aesthetic
considerations can be referred to as a work of art. Many times, functional art objects use
unusual materials, produce light performances, or change how we interact with them. The
broad category of functional art encompasses everything from jewelry to kitchen utensils to
furniture.