I like this picture because it's a quote from Oscar Wilde that I think is very true: art is, in and of itself, useless. It gains its value from the way that each person views it. A piece of art has to speak to some part of our experience in order for us to appreciate it. A painting might depict a scene that takes someone back to a happy place in their life, or a song might have some lyrics that deal with an emotional issue that the listener can identify with. Even though these are both negative and positive emotions, they are powerful and make a person relate to the art that is inspiring those feelings. This is how art gains its value; without a person attaching some personal emotion to the art, it has none.
So true...hence the title of our text - The Arts as Meaning Makers. Making meaning is a process we all engage in all the time when we consider which things matter to us. Things matter because of our past experiences and values, just as you described. Great quote, insightful pondering!
ReplyDeleteHuh. Never really thought about it that way Evan!
ReplyDeleteThat image really made me want to read what you had to say, great hook! Also, quite true... this might explain why sometimes it could be hard to get students excited about the kinds of art that excite you as a teacher, if they have no connection to it.
ReplyDeleteWow new favourite quote. Took the thoughts right out of my head. I guess this is not only true for art but true for a lot of things. Pretty much what makes up our schema. I think a lot of times we forget just how much we are shaped by our experiences.
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