Engaging with the Arts Flashcards
How does Crawford define ecology of attention?
Certain skills are gained through submission to authority of structures
A metaphor about how to gain competence
What are material constraints?
Submit to authority structures of the given world
There are limits to the material world
We are each placed into conditions that are NOT of our own choosing
We must grapple with the real constraints of the material world in order to be productive in it
Examples
Sound waves and musical scales
Melting temperature of sand and properties if glass at heated temperature
Physical limits of the human body
What is tradition?
Learn and build on forms that are constructed by those who came before you
Art forms also develop their own “authority structures” which you must enter into
Examples:
When you seek to make pottery, you are entering into a tradition of other people who have sought to make pottery
You learn by looking at what they’ve made, hearing about the techniques they have usd, and experimenting with them yourself
what are Fujimaras assumptions about todays culture?
Contaminated river. Everything is chocked out
The water is also poisoned
What exists is poisoned and hardly exists
Not life giving
Cultured soil starves the soul
What is the culture war?
Disagreements that occur between different social groups and worldviews and are express culturally
Art has be coopted into consumerism
Ex. drag queens in libraries reading to kids
Ex. Just stop oil protests
Ex. Banana duct taped to the wall, sold it for 5 million dollars
What is censorship?
The body/power comes in and tells you what you can and cant present
how can art be self censored?
dont articulate the truth of their convictions because they are scared of the response
What is the difference between art and craft?
Craft is something anybody can do in their spare time. A hobby. Not recognized as an equal
What are the two paradigms of art?
The over commodification of art
The utilitarianism of art
What is the over commodification of art?
Creating what might sell
What is the utilitarianism of art?
Using art as an expedient way to give voice to certain assumed realities
How can contemplation be used to look at the arts, and how can it be misused?
The way to appreciate art was through contemplation
Contemplation
Only possible if people are very intentional or have time for leisure
Only the people that can afford to have time can appreciate art
Implies a certain social status
How is art appreciation used for gatekeeping?
In order to appreciate art you must have “taste”
How does art become an institution?
Galleries, removed from the natural environment
Placed on pedestals
Leads to the idea of an art world
What is the thesis about education mentioned in the text?
To be educated is to be led out of one’s self.
How does Crawford define an ecology of attention?
It involves submission to authority structures and gaining skills through that submission.
What are the conditions of true freedom according to the text?
True freedom is not having to answer to anybody.
What role do material constraints play in education and art?
They limit our choices and require grappling with real-world conditions.
What is meant by ‘learning to build on forms constructed by those who came before you’?
It refers to engaging with tradition in art and education.
What are the key components of an Ecology of Attention?
- Material constraints
- Tradition
- Community
What does true artistic freedom require?
Formation that trains you to pay attention.
What is Fujimura’s metaphor for today’s culture?
A contaminated river where everything is choked out.
What are some purposes of art mentioned in the text?
- The glory of God
- Expanding definitions of beauty
- Storytelling
- Personal enjoyment
- Entertainment
What does art do in society?
- Engages people
- Creates conversation
- Defines culture
- Inspires people
