Art is a way for individuals to express themselves creatively, whether it is with a quill or paintbrush, a Nikon camera, or a laptop. Art is a language that can tell stories and share experiences, as well as inspire creativity, passion, and hope. Art can help us understand ourselves and others, and it can even change our world.
However, defining what art is can be difficult because it can mean something different to every person who looks at it. Some people define it as anything that is made for aesthetic pleasure; other people may define it as a work of beauty or a piece that stirs emotions. While the definition of art is personal and subjective, it can also be helpful to look at how artists have used it throughout history to create change.
Artists have been able to make a difference in society by encouraging creativity, inspiring hope, and sparking new ideas. Art breaks down cultural, social, and economic barriers, creating a level playing field for all to communicate and interact with each other. For example, when street artist Blu created a mural in Berlin that depicted two masked figures trying to unmask each other, the painting caused many different reactions from locals and from people around the world. The reaction ranged from anger and disbelief to hope and courage.
A lot of the time, when we see a piece of art we are judging it on how it makes us feel rather than evaluating its technical skills. We are often surprised when an object we thought was ugly turns out to be beautiful, or when a painting that seemed boring proves to be fascinating and captivating. This is one of the reasons that it is so important to teach students how to look at art critically – so that they can appreciate it for more than just what it looks like.
It is important to teach students about art from all parts of the globe, and from ancient times to the present day. The more students understand that art has been shaped by the societies and cultures in which it was created, the better they will be able to evaluate it and make sense of it. This is where the study of art history comes in.
In addition to studying paintings, sculptures, and other works of visual art, it is also beneficial to study primary sources from the time period in which the art was created. These sources can include photographs, advertisements, newspaper articles, short fiction, and music – all of which can be used to analyze the art.
It is not uncommon to find that these primary sources are discussed in conjunction with a work of art, and it can be fun for students to examine them all at the same time to compare how the artists approached the topics they were discussing. This will help students learn how art can be used to explore complex issues, and how the same themes have been portrayed across time periods, cultures, and countries.