Monday, September 3, 2012

#3 Response to the Walker and Barrett articles


In “Big Idea and Artmaking”, Walker defines big idea distinct with theme or subject matter. Theme is not necessarily the same as the big idea. The theme may only be one aspect of the big idea. Subject matter is the specific topic, whereas the big idea refers to the general concept. Personal interest is important in developing ideas.
I’m a little confused about those three subjects who comes the first. If one comes up with something, that is supposed to be the theme. Then, comes the big idea. What artists make should be driven by his inspiration. How could big idea be the first one to think about?

In “Interpreting Visual Culture”, Barrett explain two ways to interpret art, denotation and connotation. Denotation is pretty much what you see directly, while connotation refers to what it means behind. It is also said that people of all ages are able to decipher messages in a picture after being taught.
In my perspective, the ability of interpreting visual arts is inherent, but should not gain from education. As born with imagination, we do not want to strangle it, the ability of deciphering need to retain, but it is not what you gain from learning. Educators should focus more on how to develop the skill, not just teaching what it is.

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