Art is a universal language that transcends culture and communicates across time and space. It unlocks the power of creativity and promotes lateral thinking and risk-taking, which are crucial to progress in many industries. Art can even break down barriers between cultures, by embracing the similarities of human emotions and experiences.
As a result, art has the potential to inspire epiphanies and revelations. It can also encourage us to question our beliefs and assumptions. Art drives the development of civilizations, allowing people to explore new ideas and concepts and challenge perceptions and expectations. It is an essential part of every culture.
The earliest forms of artistic expression were utilitarian. They served a purpose in a temple or the private collection of a wealthy patron. By the 17th century, as the power of the church and aristocracy diminished, artists began to take on a more self-serving role, promoting themselves in the marketplace for their works. As a result, what we now call art was born, as the Romantics promoted a view of artistic production as a form of personal expression.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the concept of art continued to evolve. As a counter to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on science and empirical evidence, romanticism emphasized the importance of beauty and emotion. It elevated a formerly utilitarian object into the realm of art by infecting other humans with its meaning and value. This changed the way that society viewed and valued art, and it gave rise to the idea of art as entertainment.
Although art serves a multitude of functions, its primary purpose is to attract and hold attention. A painting that attracts the most attention may be considered the best art, and this is what gallerists, dealers, auctioneers, collectors and curators all want in a work of art: a piece that will stand out from the crowd and be looked at for longer than a passing glance.
Despite its utilitarian, entertainment, and marketing roles, art has a unique and powerful way of influencing our lives. It can help us understand and appreciate our world, and the people in it. It also breaks down cultural, social and economic barriers. Regardless of one’s wealth or social status, all humans can relate to and learn from art.
Teaching students about art can be challenging. Students often feel that art history is boring, and it is easy for teachers to fall into the trap of presenting the same facts over and over again. But with a fresh approach and an engaging classroom culture, art history can be exciting, inspiring and unforgettable. The goal of this article is to provide some strategies to help teachers engage their students in the study of art. This includes using the critique strategy to teach students to analyze, describe, interpret and evaluate artworks. This is a simple yet effective method to help students develop critical thinking and persuasive communication skills. It also allows students to practice evaluating visual and design elements of art that contribute to the meanings and sensations evoked by the works.