Artistic* Philosophy
Including the still-foreign concept of
"Standards in the Arts"
Leonardo DaVinci
Drapery Study for a Seated Figure, late 1470's
[Brush and grey tempera, highlighted with white, on grey prepared linen]
Photo RMN - © Jean-Gilles Berizzi
1.) Only Humans Make "Art"
There are plenty of folks who will disagree with my philosophy, which in its broadest terms defines The Arts as...any of a myriad of creative activities that separate humans from the animal kingdom.
These dissenters might even insist that this, and this, among other things, should be called [Fine] "Art."
So, yes, I am 'Species-ist,' when it comes to the Arts!
2.) The Arts are of a Dual Nature
While all the Arts serve a vital purpose in human civilization, they are, nonetheless, divided into two distinctive groups:
The Fine Arts [shown above the yellow line in my illustrations, signifying that they are the crowning achievement in Human Creativity]: most elementary & secondary students get some [rarely rigorous] training in these; and
The Applied Arts [or Practical Arts]: most elementary & secondary students get some exposure to a variety of these, as, appropriately enough, they are the focus of most early "arts" experiences in public, private, and 'Sunday' schools. As in the Fine Arts, these experiences are rarely rigorous.Within each of these two divisions, Artists [and students] create in 2-dimensions; 3-dimensions; or in the crossover fields which necessitate incorporating both 2-D & 3-D.
The best [and those students who strive for that] understand that there are Standards by which their efforts can be evaluated.
3.) Yes, Virginia, there are "Standards" in The Arts
* On wholebrainarts.com, when speaking of "Art," "the arts," etc., unless specifically noted, I will always be referring to the Visual Arts, which is where my experience lies - as opposed to the Performing Arts, notably, Dance, Drama, and Music.
© 2007 James Lenaburg/Patrice Stanton, for Whole-Brain Arts
