ART THROUGH THE AGES - Essay Example

Function of Arts of Introduction Arts entail a wide range of human activities, which involves creation of objects or images. Examples of art activities include sculpture, painting, visual media, photography, and printmaking among others. DAlleva (2010) adds that architecture is also a component of arts since it involves practical creation of objects with different meanings. Forms of art, therefore, include painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, digital graphics, and photography among others.

Vital elements of arts, on the other hand, include use of living and non living things, language, places, spaces, events, and themes (Stokstad & Cothren, 2010). An artisan suitably applies these elements to ensure that intended information is passed to an audience. Gaultier (2012) observes that understanding functions of arts calls for analysis of various forms of art. This paper explores various aspects of arts. In particular, the paper explains my exposure to various forms of arts and relationship between arts and society.

Exposure to Various FormsAs a way of learning importance of forms of arts, I have visited various museums, attended different theatrical demonstrations, and acquired different films and photos. I have also interacted with artisans of specific forms of arts. In other words, I consider my exposure to various forms of arts as comprehensive. By visiting museums, I have learnt various techniques involved in sculpture. All carvings and sculptured products preserved in museums have also enabled me to understand how sculpture is an important mechanism of communication to humans.

By sampling objects where filming, painting, and photographic skills are displayed, I have understood how artisans hybridize various elements of arts to effectively pass a message. In addition, listening to different music and attending movies and other theatrical have enabled me to understand functions of visual and performing arts. Visual and performing arts are valuable and interesting than other forms of arts. Gaultier (2012) supports the claim by asserting that visual and performing arts play crucial roles in human life.

Components of visual and performing arts include: movies and cinemas, dance, music, and other theatrical demonstrations. According to Pooke & Newall (2007), the forms of arts are effective means of communication because a large audience is reached easily. Unlike sculptural works, which are mostly preserved in museums, visual and performing arts are easily displayed in several public and/or social facilities. Visual and performing arts enables an audience to easily understand information passed because there is both verbal and visual communication.

An example of a play that has received appraisals about its quality production is the Wuthering Heights (1939) Film (Brontë, 2009). The film reveals various issues surrounding human relationship in a society. The Best Years of Our Lives is another play whose content is still applicable is modern societies (Kinn & Piazza, 2008). The movie, which was produced after World War II, discloses how war veterans have problems is having peaceful and intact families.Arts and SocietyRelationship between arts and a society has caused several debates, which aim at deciding on whether arts should be or should not be considered as part of society (Pooke & Newall, 2007).

Gaultier (2012), for instance, argues that modern scholars do not clearly describe the relationship between arts and society. Two groups opposing have, thus, been formed based on this question. The pro-group group argues that various forms of arts are effective ways of educating members of a society about various societal issues. In addition, beliefs, taboos, and cultural practices are effectively preserved through use of various forms of arts. Gaultier (2012) also asserts that various forms of arts are used to preserve identity of a community and are, therefore, integral parts of societal life.

Moreover, DAlleva (2010) claims that arts is used as a way of appraising good moral behaviors in a society as well as stopping vices in a society. These reasons make arts a vital part of a society. Conversely, the opposing group argues that motives of modern artisans do not aim at addressing social issues. Instead, arts is currently used for commercial purposes. The true meaning and significance of arts in a society has, thus, been superimposed by commercial reasons. Therefore, arts and society exists independently in modern societies.

Use of arts as a means of addressing various social issues has also been replaced by use of modern information technologies. Moreover, through technology, various artistic works can be created leading to loss of original meaning of arts. Using arts as a way of describing belief, culture, and taboos is slowly dying because certain cultural practices have lost meaning in modern societies (Stokstad & Cothren, 2010). These reasons make arts and society two independent entities.ConclusionIn sum, exposure to various forms of arts enables a person to understand fundamental principles behind every form of art and embrace roles played by art in an individual’s life.

Though all forms of arts are important, visual and performing arts are, however, more valued than any other category of arts. Main reason behind this supposition is that visual and performing arts has both verbal and visual communication. Also, a large audience is reached within a short period. The category of arts is, therefore, suitable for addressing various social issues in a society. Despite values attached to arts, there are still, however, debates regarding the relationship between arts and a society.

Two opposing groups have been formed regarding the debate. One group argues that arts and a society are two inseparable entities, while the other group opposes the claim. Nevertheless, based on the reasons used by each group, it is clear that arts and society are inseparable units. ReferencesBrontë, E. (2009). Wuthering Heights (Penguin Classics). Eds. Pauline Nestor, Coralie Bickford-Smith, and Lucasta Miller. Waterstones Edition. Penguin Classics. DAlleva, A. (2010). Look! Art history fundamentals.

3rd Edition. Prentice Hall. Gaultier, P. (2012). The meaning of art, its nature, role, and value. 2nd Edition. Forgotten Books Press.Kinn G., & Piazza, J. (2008). The Best Years Of Our Lives: The greatest movies ever. The ultimate ranked list of the 101 best films of all time! Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers.Pooke, G., & Newall, D. (2007). Art history: The basics. Routledge. Stokstad, M., & Cothren, W. (2010). Art history: Combined volume. 4th Edition. Prentice Hall.