What is Art?

This module will attempt to define Art for the purpose of its study. We will look at the following questions:

• What is the difference between Art and Fine Art?

Introduction: Wikipedia:Classificatory disputes about art

Task 1

Destruction of the Vendôme Column during the Paris Commune. The column was taken down at the demand of painter Gustave Courbet. Was this performance art?

• Role playing exercise

Imagine you are one of the people below

1. An twentieth century art dealer
2. An twenty first century accountant
3. Savanorola
4. A Paris Communard

Research and compose a definition for Art reflecting your role.

Resources

• Art is like cancer by Stewart Home

Bibliography

• Larry Shiner (2003), The Invention of Art, University Of Chicago Press, ISBN 9780226753430, OCLC 851823775
• Roger Taylor (1978), Art an enemy of the people, Hassocks: Harvester Press, ISBN 0855279419, OCLC 4673523, 0855279419
• Jean Gimpel (1969), The Cult of Art, Weidenfield & Nicholson, OCLC 46521

Topic:Art studies and history