Student 25 Final Exam Fall 1999

What is art? Please discuss/explain the five major aesthetic theories that we have studied this semester, and give at least two examples of art, literature, or other art forms we have studied this semester in support of your explication of each theory. You must explain the aesthetic theory itself, and then explain the symbolism, construction, or other relevant facts of each work of art mentioned, and clearly explain how that piece of art reflects that particular theory. In addition, you must use different disciplinary resources in your responses; for example, use paintings, sculpture, architectural works, and literature.

*note: this exam was transcribed exactly as the student wrote it on the final; nothing has been altered. This student has clearly explained each aesthetic school, although the discussion of idealism is weak. This student has also used the perspectives of architecture, painting, sculpture, and religion. This student scored in the low range on the JPI in innovation, organization, analytical, willingness to accept risk, and complexity. It is not one of the most innovative essay in terms of choice and breadth of resources, nor is it a very subtle analysis. Nevertheless, the student has managed to synthesize the materials from the entire semester in response to the exam question.

What is art? When it comes to answering this question, there are several different theories that explore the question of what art is and what makes it meaningful. One such theory is the theory of functionalism. This theory was widely accepted back in ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks believed that art was a discipline that could be taught to anyone; it was a job. Therefore, the art was evaluated by how well it fulfilled its intended purpose. It was to perform a function. This is the basic meaning of functionalism. One example of functionalism is the pyramid. The Great Pyramids at Giza were built during the Old Kingdom, dating from 2686 to 2181 B.C. These pyramids were built for Khufu, Chefren and Myconinus. The culture at the time was very optimistic and focused on the after-life. The people at the time believed that the Pharaoh was the living Horace and the Osivis of the underworld. The Pharaoh was a divine being. The Egyptians believed that the soul, or the ka, could not exist separately from the body. This led to mummification. Now that the body was preserved, it had to be protected. That is one function of the pyramids, to house and protect the pharaoh's body. Also the pyramids were observatories. For example, the pyramid built for Khufu has a very complex inner structure. There are ascending and descending passageways. The ascending passage is referred to as the Great Gallery. The stones lining this hallway are moveable throughout the course of the astronomical year, if one would sit in the different niches, it would be possible to chart the movement of the heavens and the flooding of the Nile. Also if the descending passageway were filled with water, in its reflection one could see the heavens. Therefore the pyramids performed two different functions, protection of the pharaoh's body and observations of the heavens, and they did it rather well.

A second theory of art is realism. In realism, the purpose of art is to reflect reality exactly the way that it is. A big proponent of this theory was Renaissance artist Leonardo DaVinci. He even believed that artists should use mirrors because art should reflect whatever the subject of the art is, without enhancement or alteration. One of DaVinci's most famous works, The Last Supper, is an example of this. In this painting, Jesus sits calmly and serenely in the center of chaos. The painting is set right after His announcement that one of the apostles will betray Him. The apostles are grouped together in threes. The reactions of the apostles are very realistic-some show shock, others anger, one is even pointing blame at another. They appear very animated. If this were not a realistic painting, one might expect to see a halo over Jesus' head. DaVinci, of course, does not. However, he does achieve something similar in a realistic way. In the window, behind Jesus' head, the sun is setting. The light creates a kind of halo.

Another theory, idealism, is somewhat similar to realism. They differ in a very large way. Idealism seeks to reflect the world, not as it really is, but how it should be. It wants to reflect the ideal. Idealism is linked closely with neo-Platonism, a theory that one perfect ideal exist and that everything we see is just a poor representation of that ideal. DaVinci's contemporary and competition, Michelangelo, was heavily influenced by neo-Platonism and idealism. Michelangelo's Pieta is an example of idealism in art. First, the face of Mary appears to be quite young, even though at the time of Jesus' death she would have been much older. Another way that Michelangelo's work is unrealistic is the proportion of Jesus' body in relation to Mary's. In his work, His body is much shorter than it would be in reality. This was done for the artistic purpose of perspective.

Another theory is the idea that art is an expression of the cosmos. Art reflects the universe and how it operates. Taoists, for example, believe that the way to approach life is to work with things they way that they are. In some way, to try to achieve a balance. This theory relates to the hanging scroll painting "Travelers Amoung Mountains and Streams." This work was during the Northern Sung era and was done by Fan Quon. This painting is read like a novel in a way. You begin at the bottom and move upwards. The bottom of the painting consists of rocks and boulders. This represents the material world or the gi. As your eyes move upward to the middle section you see people. The people are tiny in comparison to the boulders around them. Their journey looks difficult and dangerous. This middle section represents the balance of the gi and the li, the spiritual or divine. As reach the top of the painting you see the huge mountain, which is pure li. In a way, the painting attempts to lift you upward, to where your focus should be.

The last theory is the idea of art as self-expression. Art should express adequately the essence of what make someone who he/she is. Hinduism teaches that everyone is a part of something larger, a part of the divine, or Parusha. The goal of life is to reach a reunion with Parusha. This is taught in literature such as the Bahagavad Gita and the Upanishads. These works teach that the soul is not connected to the body. The atman (soul) is eternal, because it is a part of Parusha. In the Bahagavad Gita, a soldier named Arjana approaches a deity named Krishna with a predicament. He is going to war and is concerned about killing. Krishna tells him not to worry because he cannot kill what is eternal, which is atman. The other literature teaches that the way of life is discovering who you are, and who you are is a part of Parusha. Your life now, your caste or social position, was determined by your Karma. The ultimate goal, the moksha, is to end reincarnation and become completely reunited with Parusha.

Explorations in Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Home Page