M10-Overview & Objectives

Module 10 - Our World

OVERVIEW
If nothing else, visual art provides an avenue for self-expression. As a primary source,
artists express attitudes, feelings and sentiments about the world around us through
personal experiences, social interaction and our relationship with the natural world. In
short, art gives us a perception of or a reaction to our place in the world. This idea is
illustrated in the French artist Paul Gauguin’s painting titled: Where Do We Come From?
What Are We? Where Are We Going? ) The work brings us on a symbolic journey that
includes imagery of infancy, adulthood, nature and spirituality.
In Module 1 we referred to description as one of many roles art affords us, but this
description is often imbued with the artist’s subjective interpretation. In this module we
will examine how art operates as a vehicle for human expression, a kind of collective
visual metaphor that helps define who we are.
In this module we look at how artists express and interpret our world. Here are the topics
and themes we’ll cover:
 Identity
 Self-Portraits
 The Natural World
 Social and Collaborative Art
 Politics, Conflict and War
 Memorials
 Peace

OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
• Describe how what we know is reflected in works of art.
• Understand how artists use the natural world as vessel for human experience.
• Explore how art is a medium for self-identity.
• Be familiar with the limits to representation of the body.
• Consider the idea of primordial couples and ties to human procreation.
• Describe sexuality in art seen through different cultural perspectives.
• Identify issues of propaganda in art.
• Describe examples of art used to communicate political statements.
• Explain art’s use as a form of protest.

M10-Identity
IDENTITY

The art historical record is filled with images of ourselves. Generally, the further back we
go the more anonymous these visages are. For example, the earliest works of art –
crudely chiseled stone sculptures – record the human figure in exaggerated forms.

M10-Self-Portraits
SELF-PORTRAITS

Self-portraits direct an artist’s gaze inward. Robert Mapplethorpe’s photographs from the
1970’s and 80’s include fashion, portraiture, floral arrangements and documentary
subject matter.

M10-The Natural World

THE NATURAL WORLD

The natural world has always given artists subject matter to experience and interpret. In it
we find some of our greatest fears, so we try to organize it. It gives us spectacular joy, so
we mimic it. Its grandeur motivates some of our highest aspirations, so we spin it in
myth and symbolism. Our relationship with nature presents ironies too: it’s referred to as
a maternal force yet advanced societies are the most removed from it. All of these
characteristics of nature become the stuff of artistic expression.

M10-Social and Collaborative Art

SOCIAL & COLLABORATIVE ART

Art contributes to many social functions too. Parades feature colorful banners,
extravagant floats and plastic inflatable characters from pop culture. Many ceremonies
and rituals rely on works of art to act as vessels for the spirit world. Totem poles tell
elaborate stories, using real and mythic animals to illustrate them. The Haida totem poles
pictured below have a hierarchal structure to them so that the most important character in
the story is at the top of the pole.

M10-Politics, Conflict and War

POLITICS, CONFLICT & WAR

The experiences of politics, conflict and war have been represented in works of art for
thousands of years. They become documents, signifiers and symbols for power,
remembrance, culture and national pride.

M10-Memorials
MEMORIALS

The aftermath of war gives rise to memorials as vessels of remembrance for those who
died. They are literally touchstones for families, friends, communities and entire nations
to grieve. As works of art they provide a public space of honor and resolve to never
forget the lives and sacrifices made by those who go to war.

M10-Peace
PEACE

Like so many other things we experience in our world that translate into art, those that
engender ideas of peace and tranquility take many different forms.
 M11-Overview & Objectives
Module 11 - Other Worlds
OVERVIEW
In this module we see how art makes tangible things that inhabit the realm of human
thoughts, beliefs and imagination. These things include:
 Myths
 Dreams
 Spirituality

OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
• Describe ways that art expresses ideas of the spirit.
• Discuss costume and decoration as vehicles of spirituality.
• Explain the ways that art is an avenue for myth.
• Describe the role of art in ritual and ceremony.
• Describe connections between art, magic and the idea of the fantastic.

M11-Myths
MYTHS

Myth is defined as a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to
unfold part of the world-view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural
phenomenon. They offer us explanations about the mysteries beyond the physical plane
of our existence and that resonate within our own reality.

M11-Dreams
DREAMS

The influence of dreams in art is significant.

M11-Spirituality
SPIRITUALITY

The art historical record is filled with works from many cultures that refer directly to
spirituality.