The following postings are a transcript of students' responses to an assignment made on the first day of class to the question "what is art?" Students were to post prior to the second day of class. Student postings have not been edited in any way.

The assignment:

Message no. 8: posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Sat Aug 19, 2000 23:34 Subject Assignment: What is Art?

Welcome to our first day of class. I am so excited to be able to share these next few weeks with you as we take a journey through the arts of the world's great civilizations.

As part of getting acquainted with your WEBCT online course package, take a few minutes now and share with us your response to the following question: What is art? After you have read this assignment, please post your own reply. This can be done in two ways: either click on the reply button visible at the top of this posting, or click on the forum topic and then click on "compose." Enter a description of your posting in the subject box (you may simply write "What is art?" or "art is...") After you have composed your response, please click on "post" and your message should appear. Then, we shall further explore this question in class together; see if your response changes in the course of our discussion.

Student postings

Message no. 49: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 19 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:52 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

What is art? Hmmm... right now, art is just this class I'm in...but I'm sure that my opinion will change as the class progresses... I think art is simply a way to visually, audibly, etc. express what is going on in your head.... that's about it for now...

Message no. 64: [Branch from no. 49] posted by student 24 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:55 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is a way that people express themselves. Hopefully this course will give me a better and more detailed definition.

Message no. 79: [Branch from no. 49] posted by student 12 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:58 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is anything a person, who calls him/herself an artist, determines to be art reguardless to what everyone else thinks. Feelings, nature, music, all of these and more can be considered art.

Message no. 84: [Branch from no. 49] posted by student 25 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:59 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is a form of expression. I am not very artistic so i may have problems with this class.

Message no. 100: [Branch from no. 49] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Tue Aug 22, 2000 23:41 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Good start. But -- is any way we express our feelings considered art? For example, if I throw paint at a wall in anger is that art?

Message no. 51: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 26 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:52 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is a form of expression done in different mediums. Art can be two-dimensional, 3-dimensional, verbal, or performance.

Message no. 53: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 27 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:53 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is an expression. It is a medium used to show a feeling or a thought or any one of a hundred things. Actually, my first statement may be wrong, because to try and define art with one simple definition would be pompous and self serving. Thank you. bye. sam

Message no. 54: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 4 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:53 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

I believe that art is a way of expressing your thoughts and ideas in any medium. Art can be anything, such as drawing, music, pottery, photography, poetry and more. It depends on what you are talented in, or where your interest lies or what you feel very strongly about.

Message no. 55: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 28 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:54 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

rt is something you create with an intention. I think that art could be everything. It could be a black line on a piece of paper. Art is a way to express your own feelings, emotions, and thoughts. I know this issue could be segmented and dissected further, but that is roughly what I think art is. // Igor =)

Message no. 56: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 10 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:54 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is a part of our culture that enables us to explore many things. Through art we learn about the artist and about his or her beliefs. We enjoy art when we begin to experience it ourselves. Art is a beautiful thing.

Message no. 58: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 23 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:54 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is expression. Expression from your point of view and what you see around you.

Message no. 59: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 21 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:54 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art? Art is any kind of expression in any kind of way.

Message no. 62: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 7 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:55 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is the imagination and diversity composed in one person that allows them to create such things called art. Through paintings, sculpture, and etc. one can express their true meaning and create something beautiful at the same time. Art is awesome!!!!! -Stevie Tabor

Message no. 65: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 29 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:56 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is anything that expresses the feelngs or emotional states of the human mind. It allows us to symbolicly show our ideas, fears, passions, and dreams. As for what is it exactly; that is all subjective. I believe art can be any form of expression. Anything that can illustrate or vocalize and idea or form of some sort.

Message no. 66: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 6 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:56 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is anything a person feels passionate about. Some one can be passionate about music, writing, painting, or photography. It comes from deep within ourselves and can only be art when we feel strongly about what ever we do.

Message no. 67: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 1 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:56 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

art to me is the best form of self-expression, it distinguishes cultures and lets people get to know more about who they are as a person and what they believe in

Message no. 68: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 13 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:56 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

I believe that art is any form of expression. It can be playing the piano, drawing, or sculpting. Art is a way of seeing inside someone else.

Message no. 71: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 22 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:56 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is a way of expressing yourself or a civilization in many unique forms. Art can be in the form of music, sculpting, paintings, religion, and other ways of expression. Art allows people to be identified in an individual manner.

Message no. 77: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 2 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:58 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is the purest form of expression. It allows you to show your feelings completely or hold back anthing you might want to hide. Jessica

Message no. 129: [Branch from no. 77] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Fri Aug 25, 2000 20:39 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Wow. This is interesting; some musicians in the nineteenth century actually did argue that their art, music, was the purest form of expression of emotions. See, you've already gotten to the tail end of the course!

Message no. 87: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 30 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:01 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is anything that people express. I can be physical or emotional. Art is almost like a form of language. It is a symbolic form of expression. -Morgan Stallings

Message no. 102: [Branch from no. 87] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Tue Aug 22, 2000 23:43 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Oh, I like your suggestion that art is a language. I agree. So it must communicate something to someone?

Message no. 89: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 31 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:01 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

Art is the symbolic expression of emotions through color, sound, line, etc.

Message no. 103: [Branch from no. 89] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Tue Aug 22, 2000 23:44 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

It is great that you mention the elements of art and the idea of symbolic expression. What else do we express in symbols?

Message no. 92: [Branch from no. 8] posted by Brian Bishop (bbishop9130) on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:01 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art? Art is expression achieved through the creations of body, mind, heart, and Soul. It fueled by inspiration and ignited by emotion.

Message no. 130: [Branch from no. 92] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Fri Aug 25, 2000 20:41 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art? This is beautiful; you are a poet at heart! In the nineteenth century (and in the Renaissance), people did believe in the power of inspiration and the role of genius in art. You've anticipated some actual historic definitions of art. Have you had an art class before?

Message no. 273: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 32 on Wed Sep 20, 2000 22:18 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

art is what you think art is.

Message no. 274: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 32 on Wed Sep 20, 2000 22:20 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

art is what you want it to be

Message no. 324: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 3 on Sun Nov 26, 2000 23:42 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

This is a reposting: My definition of art has changed and evolved as I have matured over the years. As a boy, art was whatever colors and shapes that appealed to me. Over time my thoughts on art have broadened. I now consider many things art: music, poetry, paintings, sculptures, etc. A landmark in this "definition evolution" has been that I consider different things as art that I may not like or disagree with. Therefore as an all encompassing definition, MY definition of art is anything that evokes emotion or some reaction.

Message no. 419: [Branch from no. 8] posted by student 25 on Thu Dec 14, 2000 22:06 Subject re: Assignment: What is Art?

My definition of art is much more detailed now after this class. At first i thought it was just meaningless paintings and sculptures made purely for the purpose of making money. I know know that art can be an expression of ones own self, an eplaination of the times, of politics of nature, just whatever is own the artists mind. All parts of the art have meanings, the direction of the lines, the types of lines, colors, and shapes all have there own meaning. Art is also more than just paintings and sculptures, it can also be photographs, music and literature. I know have a greater respect for the fine and appl

Message no. 60: posted by student 5 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:54 Subject What is art?

In my eyes, art is a description of one's inner self. Art is an outlet from our inner soul that displays our emotions and thoughts.

Message no. 76: posted by student 9 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 11:57 Subject Paige Segars

Art is many different things. I think that art is a personal expression of each individual. Oh and by the way....Melissa Comer posted the "homie" statement not me!! Have a good day!

Message no. 85: posted by student 15 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:00 Subject Gary Virden '

I feel that art is a explanation of what's truly inside a person..

Message no. 86: posted by student 33 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:00 Subject Art can be anything anyone wants it to be.

Message no. 98: [Branch from no. 86] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Tue Aug 22, 2000 23:39 Subject re:

hmmm...sounds like you had already seen the film I showed after we posted! In a way, this is almost what the film is complaining about, but from another point of view, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Does art have to be beautiful?

Message no. 91: posted by student 18 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:01 Subject art is

I believe that art is the expression of someone's feelings

Message no. 94: posted by student 16 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:02 Subject What is Art?

I believe that art is a way for a person to express themselves in any way that is natural for that person. No matter what form that art takes on, it will always have meaning to that person. Art is whatever you make it.

Message no. 96: posted by student 14 on Tue Aug 22, 2000 12:06 Subject

I believe that art is a way of expressing one's feelings and self. There are many forms of art(not just visual art). Like you, I also enjoy playing the piano when I have time. This is an art form that let's one express feelings through his finger tips.

Message no. 99: [Branch from no. 96] posted by Deborah Vess (IDST_2310) on Tue Aug 22, 2000 23:40 Subject re: I always liked the way the piano FELT... D -

Explorations in Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Home Page