Resopnse to Why Man Creates

I really enjoyed this short film, especially the introduction animation. I found it a really smart, funny, accurate depiction of human history (my favorite part of the sequence was in the dark ages, when the people where singing in gregorian chant). I also really liked the parable with the ping-pong ball, one of the balls in the crowd yells to another, "I didn't come here to get rolled on!"

Response to Van Gogh's letter

I'm sure that Van Gogh's letters and other assorted writings are very significant. They provide us with invaluable insight into his works. It is true with any artist that there are moments that the audience is left puzzled, wondering "what was he thinking?" or "what led to/inspired this?" With Van Gogh's letters, we don't always have to ask such questions. In the single letter I have read, he wrote in detail about specific paintings, and about art, poetry, and music. "...you can say comforting things in music." immediately made me think of Beehtoven and his visual expression through music, and the program music of the early romantic era, which I'm currently studying in music history.

Simpsons art

The episode "mom and pop art" brought up a lot of good things to talk about. The question we dealt with earlier, "what is art and who decides?" along with the idea that an artist must constantly re-create himself, it also brought up "outsider art" and made us question its validity. If Homer can do it, can it really be considered art?

Spongebob art

Spongebob made a lot of art that could be considered bricolage. He made a paper sculpture from the crumpled up paper Suidward threw at him, and then made a little mosaic with the pieces of ripped up paper.
Although he didn't follow "conventional" form, the art collector praised Spongebob's art as perfect. Perfect detail, censorship, etc. So his end lived up to the pre-conceived standards, but how he got there was deemed unacceptable.
Squidward's reason for making art was to acquire fame, fortune, and a full head of hair. Spongebob made art because he wanted to and because he enjoyed it. The question presents itself...why make art?

teacher v.s student relationship..."MR. Squidward has all the talent" that type of approach is not the kind that I would respond well to as a student. And I think that type of relationship doesn't permit a healthy learning experience.

"worthiness" Sponge didn't think that he was worthy of Squid's teachings.

rules v.s. talent...in this case SpongeBob's talent was restricted by the rules. The rules prevented him from creating his way.