1.   For each video and article list/discuss the key concepts you learned.

Key concepts video 1: Art cannot be simply defined, there is more too it, and instead of letting it be confined to certain standards, it needs to be grown and developed. 

Key concepts Video 2: The key concept in these two lectures was the science behind art, and what makes certain artwork more appealing to us. 

Key concept, CNN Article: Our brains use lines and other aspects of a piece of art to create familiarity in it, and in turn it draws us into it, if we feel a connection.  

2.   Which philosopher's theory on aesthetics do you feel is most important? Be sure to mention the philosophers name, era (time in history), and contribution to the aesthetic theory in your response.

-The one that I feel is more important is that of Philosopher R.G. Collingwood in 1938.  He developed the theory of Expression theory of Art, saying that art was a way for someone to express themselves.  I believe this to be true, because it’s what I do a lot of the time when I am creating art.  And as art educators, I think it’s one of the most important things to be teaching our students and one of the ways I think they will most benefit from creating art. Art will be a way for them to express things that they may not be able to say verbally.  

  

3.   What do you think about Changeux and Ramachandran scientific view of aesthetics and art? What was the most interesting fact you discovered from each speakers lecture?

I think they both like knowing that even though art itself has no real definition, the science behind it does, and understanding the science of the brain, can almost help you to understand art a little better. What I like most about Changeux’s lecture was the fact that he backed up how art is constantly evolving. The thing I picked up on most in Ramachandran’s lecture was the that art can be so distorted but our brain is still going to find pieces of similarity to the real world in it, that will ultimately help us distinguish something when looking at a piece of artwork.  

4.   How do the videos and article relate to the readings in the text?

Just as the videos do, the article discusses the ways our brain is helping us to interpret artwork.  The text talks similarly about these things.  Our brain is finding forms in artwork and connecting its context to similar forms that we see in real life.  Our subconscious is constantly making connections without us even realizing. We use icons and other symbols and give them more powerful meaning, and when we see them in artwork they are symbolizing more than themselves.  

5.   What is your opinion of the films and article? How do they add depth to understanding of the topics in your reading in the text?

I agree with some of the aspects in the videos, obviously, the science behind our brain helps us to interpret all kinds of things in our lives including the artwork we look at.  I also think that some pieces of artwork are more stimulating for some people than they are for others.  Not necessarily saying they brain isn’t working the same way but some people already have interest in deepening their understanding of art and some do not. But from our other readings I also think that art is more than just stimulating the brain.  Artists create art for a multitude of reasons, including to create spaces of remembrance, and to help us see the world in new ways.  Any of the reasoning’s behind why artists create art could be the same reasons people are so attracted to looking at it.