Understanding and Evaluating the Arts - Essay Example

Understanding and Evaluating the Arts Understanding and evaluating the arts must, as contrary as it may seem to art itself, begin with a definition. For purposes of this assignment, the definition of art, which tends to be as good as any if art must be defined; stems from the Encarta web site found at http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556523/Art.html. Here, the definition of art is eloquently and artistically defined as, “Art, the product of creative human activity in which materials are shaped or selected to convey an idea, emotion, or visually interesting form.

The word art can refer to the visual arts, including painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, decorative arts, crafts, and other visual works that combine materials or forms. We also use the word art in a more general sense to encompass other forms of creative activity, such as dance, drama, and music, or even to describe skill in almost any activity, such as “the art of bread making” or “the art of travel.” In this article art refers to the visual arts.” Thus, relying on this definition, an investigation of the various art forms and mediums as made available via the internet ensues in an effort to apply the definition accordingly.

To define “painting,” and randomly selecting from the many endless URLs available, it is the personal site of artist Jennifer Hauri, found at URL location http://www.jenniferhauri.com/?src=overture where the definition given above is used in an effort to describe the work of Hauri. First, Hauri’s site is different in that it begins with preparing the viewer’s mood by offering a soothing music and sound effects that only a trained ear might identify as being either the rainforest or the African jungle.

Upon entering, it is a surprise to find that in the selection of Hauri’s work – belying her biographical information – is the category title “Afghani.” Right away statements appearing on the first page let the viewer know that Hauri’s work, mixed media of oil, acrylic, oil pastels and charcoal; are going to be an expression of the artist’s emotions. “Art is contemplation and an enjoyment of the mind that seeks to search nature and recreate it with a vision,” is but one of several thoughts that artist wants the viewer to be aware before entering the galleries.

The first gallery, again, titled “Afghani,” is a compilation of works in various media depicting the artist’s interpretation of Afghanistan, the people, the Muslim. It stems from an emotional depth, expressing the artist’s perceptions in works featuring figures identified as “Taliban,” and Afghani women. Since the artist, born in Oklahoma, educated in Texas and having studied her art in South America, mentions nothing of having ever been in Afghanistan, it is inferred that her impressions of the women, Taliban and the impact of western civilization on Afghanistan, as depicted in the politically charged work titled La Moda Del Dia – Breath of Bioterrorism – 32 x 40 inches in oil, depicting a supposedly Afghan women dressed unlike any of the others depicted in Hauri’s works since this particular women is dressed in a “western” style.

The women, amidst the ever present butterflies that appear in each of Hauri’s “Afghani” works, is sniffing the air that is filled with an array of bioterrorism agents whose biochemical image is listed to the right in an “off screen” suggestion. This, as do other works in the other galleries convey Hauri’s emotionally charged statements about the world around her through her art. However, the artist’s best works are those which are absent political innuendo, reflecting pure “visually interesting form (Encarta).

” Sculptures by artist Elizabeth Iglehart can be found at http://www.iglehartstudio.com/Sculpture2.htm, and a discussion on church architecture can be found at http://www.iglehartstudio.com/Sculpture2.htm. The work of Iglehart reflects the combination of idea and interpretation of nature in conjunction with the natural materials upon which the works are created. While the site on church architecture reflects the architecture that is consistent with early traditions and images of Christianity, serving to be an expression of commonly held ideas expressed through the design of the buildings themselves.

The photography of a blooming artist, an expression of his ideas, though falling short on the expertise of command of the media of choice; can be found at http://www.ryandisney.com/Index_files/Page648.htm. The more contemporary expressions of conceptual and performance art can be found at http://www.museumofconceptualart.com/ and http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/jesus/1685099 respectively. Each of these art forms are expressed in the most contemporary terms, using contemporary materials and conveyance of ideas.

Finally, the incredibly talented and expert craftsmanship of printmaking of artist Dudley is found at - http://www.tracydudley.com/PrintsHome/prints.htm, demonstrating a command of craft, and expression of ideas in a media that is interesting and artful.Reference ListChurch Architecture in Belarus [on-line] found at http://www.archives.gov.by/ekultz/eSpravzod.htmCollege Humor [on-line] found at http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/jesus/1685099/Dudley, Tracey [on-line] found at http://www.tracydudley.

com/PrintsHome/prints.htmHaturi, Jennifer [on-line] found at http://www.jenniferhauri.com/?src=overture Iglehart, Elizabeth [on-line] found at http://www.iglehartstudio.com/Sculpture2.htmMuseum of Conceptual Art [on-line] found at