WHAT'S ART?
Serap Etike
Translated by: Özgürcan Yazkurt
Art is a phenomenon which has existed throughout the entire human
history. The evolutions experienced by humanity have influenced
life styles, views of life, types and views of art, and through
each period and community art has emerged in different forms.
Today, affective and cognitive influence
of art is more determinative. According to Thomas Munro, who gives
the best definition for this concept, 'Art is the ability of creating
stimuli in order to create satisfactory and esthetic experiences'.
Art deals with beauty. Beauty is a relative concept. Even if it
is ugly, painful and disgusting, anything which sustains a consistent
integrity within itself is esthetically beautiful.
Objective and subjective approaches
explain art in different ways. In an objective approach art is
created by social influences, whereas it is created by a mere
individualism in a subjective approach.
According to Kant, the aim of art
is nothing but itself. Its only aim is itself. Fine art can only
be created by a genius.
According to Hegel, the beauty in
art is exalted so as to be more than the beauty in nature. Art
is a product of human intelligence. It should find an aim other
than the imitation of nature.
According to Marks, innovative
action is a process of interaction between human and the nature.
This carries a social character. Art is a phenomenon that humanizes
life. Arts may develop in the attempt to reach the investigative,
innovative, multidimensional and universal human being.
B. Croce stresses expression instead
of beauty. Art is a combination of perception and expression.
It is an individual and theoretical activity. 'Nature can find
beauty through the interpretation of the artist. It is the interpretation
of artisan that makes the nature beautiful.'
As a result, art is a field
where the reaction of a genius against the existence takes a concrete
form with a consistent integrity. As the artist is ahead of his
era with his intelligence and perception, only few can understand
real art. Effort is needed to appreciate real art.
REFERENCES:
Doğan, Mehmet. 'Esthetic in 100 Questions', Gerçek Kitabevi, İstanbul,
1975
Sena, Cemil. 'Philosophy of Esthetic Art and Beauty', Remzi Kitabevi,
İstanbul, 1972
Sözen, Metin; Tanyeli, Uğur. 'Dictionary of Arts Terms and Concepts',
Remzi Kitabevi, İstanbul, 1986
Timuçin, Afşar. 'Esthetic', 2nd Edition, BDS Yayınları, 1993
CRITICISM IN ARTS EDUCATION
Criticism is evaluating an existing
situation by objectively examining its positive and negative sides
and expressing this in written or spoken form. Criticism is the
primary credential for development. The right can only be achieved
through criticizing the wrong. Criticizing and admitting criticism
are the behaviors of a civilized human being, nevertheless, it
is essential that criticism be made respectfully and within good-manners
and that it be received with tolerance. In this regard, self-criticism
is also essential. Self-development is possible through self-criticism.
Constructive and critical manners and behaviors are acquired and
developed through education. Criticism, which should be included
in all lectures and activities in education, should also be actively
in art classes.
Criticism in art education is utilized
discovering how much a study, a work, a painting reaches its specified
goals, and in this manner, criticism is a method of evaluating
education.
In arts lectures there is an effort to create an esthetic product.
These products are criticized at different stages throughout the
work in order to stimulate and lead the student, however the actual
criticism comes in the end. For example, in arts class, all pictures
are taped on the board, criteria are specified and according to
these criteria the pictures are examined and evaluated. One by
one, each student talks about both his and other pictures, first
positively and then negatively, but with a respectful and objective
narration. Finally, considering all opinions, the teacher makes
an overall evaluation.
Educational criticism improves
care and the ability to observe, think and explain thoughts, provides
a clearer understanding of the subject, develops experience for
further lectures and helps students in developing a constructive,
critical and tolerant character.
Serap Etike
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