What is art? What is society?
In this introductory lecture we will think about the concept of art and how it shapes cultural production. We will question notions of aesthetics and how cultural ideologies play an important role in setting up the ways in which we look at, judge, and acknowledge art.
Task 1
Reading
Redfern, Betty (1998) "What is Art?" (opens in a new window). In Routledge Dance Studies Reader, Alexandra Carter (ed.), London: Routledge, pp. 125-134.
In her chapter, Redfern exposes the difficulty of defining the term 'art'. Read this text and complete the following exercises.
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Forum
Ask three of your friends or family members the question "What is art?" record their answers in writing and post them on the class discussion forum before your lesson.
Recommended Reading
These are other online readings (open in a new window) related to this topic.
Blanchard, O. (2012). "And now, something completely different: a word about art" The Brand Builder Blog. Available at: http://thebrandbuilder.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/and-now-something-completely-different-a-word-about-art/
Gompertz, W. (2012). "Which of these artworks is worth £7.9million?" Stylist Magazine, Issue 139. pp.73-74. Available at: http://issue.stylist.co.uk/1B503b66567f69d639.cde/page/1