Kaplan University Davenport Arts and Humanities Definition of Art Essay The task of this paper is to develop a working definition of art. The easiest way t

Kaplan University Davenport Arts and Humanities Definition of Art Essay The task of this paper is to develop a working definition of art. The easiest way to do this is to proceed by finding examples of what you believe is art and examples that fall outside the category of art. Basically, you are building off of and refining your Writing Response 1. Except in this case you are picking the examples and are only using one of each, i.e. one that you categorize as art and one that you categorize as not. You will create a broader introduction to your paper that offers some set characteristics that comprise most art according to you. For example, you could argue that art must be created by a person with some level of intention, or art must be captured in some way and revealed to an audience. These are examples of some basic characteristics that could become part of your definition. Once you have established your definition then you need to apply it to your examples. Compare your two “cases” to distinguish art from “non-art,” according to your criteria, justifying your assessment thoroughly. Rely on the readings to help you hone your definition. In other words, it may be helpful to agree or disagree with aspects of Tolstoy’s, Benjamin’s and/or Ngai’s theories. Or you could reference Barnett and his discussions of reception theory, meaning, and interpretation. The definition of art can be based on a particular medium or genre, including the following: Painting, Drawing (including charcoal, ink, etc), Performance art, Photography, Film, Architecture, Installation art, Sculpture, Non-Western art, Comics, Graffiti, Tattoo among others. The Definition Essay
The task of this paper is to develop a working definition of art. The easiest way to do this is to proceed by finding
examples of what you believe is art and examples that fall outside the category of art. Basically, you are building
off of and refining your Writing Response 1. Except in this case you are picking the examples and are only using
one of each, i.e. one that you categorize as art and one that you categorize as not.
You will create a broader introduction to your paper that offers some set characteristics that comprise most art
according to you. For example, you could argue that art must be created by a person with some level of intention, or
art must be captured in some way and revealed to an audience. These are examples of some basic characteristics
that could become part of your definition. Once you have established your definition then you need to apply it to
your examples. Compare your two “cases” to distinguish art from “non-art,” according to your criteria, justifying
your assessment thoroughly. Rely on the readings to help you hone your definition. In other words, it may be
helpful to agree or disagree with aspects of Tolstoy’s, Benjamin’s and/or Ngai’s theories. Or you could reference
Barnett and his discussions of reception theory, meaning, and interpretation.
The definition of art can be based on a particular medium or genre, including the following: Painting, Drawing
(including charcoal, ink, etc), Performance art, Photography, Film, Architecture, Installation art, Sculpture, NonWestern art, Comics, Graffiti, Tattoo among others.
One option: through the analysis of one chosen medium or genre, compare two pieces of the same medium that
show an example of art and what you believe is not art. Another option is to compare two different mediums, such
as a comparison of a painting with performance art. You will be including images in your two case analyses.
Images will be included in an appendix and you will refer to them in your essay (such as Appendix Figure 1).
You do not need to define art in a way that speaks for all mediums and genres, but you do need to develop qualities
that art is contingent upon, at least in terms of the medium(s) you choose. You will be graded largely on clarity,
thorough analysis, adequate explanation, drawing conclusions, and creativity in your approach. Try to pick
sophisticated examples, such as works that have been widely debated as to whether they constitute art, and make
your case. Your definition will be your opinion and you will need to pick and choose ideas from the thinkers we
read in class to craft your own definition and support it.
Essentially your definition will be your thesis. You will support your ideas about art by either incorporating or
refuting the opinions stated by the readings. You may use all of the readings, but you must use at least one. In other
words, in the first section of the paper you will discuss what categorizes art according to you, explaining your
definition and supporting it by incorporating the readings.
For the second part of your paper, you will introduce your two pieces, and you will apply your definition to your
chosen subjects. Try and pick interesting and controversial examples, something that someone or a group has
contended IS art or isn’t art, for example graffiti, or Banksy’s work, or Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain.” Also, you
can’t simply argue that everything is potentially art. You need to make these cases arguable. You will evaluate the
work of these artists or pieces according to your definition. Ultimately, you will prove that the pieces of art you
have chosen are successful art or not. Thus, one piece must fulfill your definition in some way–while the other does
not. Whatever subjects you choose, you must be able to provide specific evidence that will prove how the item
meets or does not meet your established criteria. Also, there is no “wrong” argument to make. In addition to the
basics, you will be graded based on how well you compose your argument and support your claims rather than on
what argument you’ve chosen.

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