As a follow up task to Fridays lecture we were asked to read chapter 8 from Understanding Bourdieu and consider the main points outlined. The chapter looks into culture, taste and what art is. In Friday's lecture the issue of what art is was also highlighted and it has made me question why one piece is considered art but another isn't. When something is placed in an art gallery or an art museum it is regarded as art, but why is this? Who decides it has worthy place in that museum? And why do we all agree that yes, it is indeed a work of art?
The chapter also suggests that art makes 'the invisible visible'. The book gives examples of this, for instance grunge music highlighted how it felt being young in a society which was often hostile towards youths. The famous painting The Scream was said to express the dread and fear felt by people living during this time. Whilst Friends made the public realise that twenty-somethings were a self aware community. I had never considered this point before, but when I think of some of the work being produced today, by the likes of Jonathan Barnbrook or Banksy, they often raise political or ethical issues which can reflect the feelings of the general public.
Finally the chapter raised the issue of whether or not class determines what we like and don't like. It was considered that the 'upper class' had an appreciation for 'high art'. Do you regard this as true? It could be said that someone from a working class background may not have as much interest in art but its not impossible! Do you have less interest in art if you haven't been to an art gallery? Can being more educated than others influence your opinion towards art? Or alter what we think art is? Can our class determine what we perceive art to be?
No comments:
Post a Comment