In
Against Interpretation by Susan Sontag, she spoke of Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle and their views on art as imitation. For Plato, art serves no purpose and is only an imitation of the representation of an idea. You couldn't eat a painting of a bowl of fruit or sleep on a sketch of a bed. It was useless to him. Aristotle believed that it was useful in the sense that it could relax the mind and was pleasing. I believe that art can be imitative and I agree with Aristotle in the sense that it is relaxing and therapeutic to enjoy a piece of art. One brilliant artist comes to mind when I think of art as imitation. Each time I look at a drawing of hers, I think that it's a photograph, and it amazes me. I can't help but stare at her pieces for long periods of time. Her name is
Nicolien Beerens and she is from the Netherlands. She has drawn many of her favorite actors and sent them her works and they've been amazed, which is expected, since she is, in fact, amazing. When she draws, she captures every detail, including wrinkles and each hair in a man's five o'clock shadow.
In Against Interpretation by Susan Sontag, she spoke of Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle and their views on art as imitation. For Plato, art serves no purpose and is only an imitation of the representation of an idea. You couldn't eat a painting of a bowl of fruit or sleep on a sketch of a bed. It was useless to him. Aristotle believed that it was useful in the sense that it could relax the mind and was pleasing. I believe that art can be imitative and I agree with Aristotle in the sense that it is relaxing and therapeutic to enjoy a piece of art. One brilliant artist comes to mind when I think of art as imitation. Each time I look at a drawing of hers, I think that it's a photograph, and it amazes me. I can't help but stare at her pieces for long periods of time. Her name is Nicolien Beerens and she is from the Netherlands. She has drawn many of her favorite actors and sent them her works and they've been amazed, which is expected, since she is, in fact, amazing. When she draws, she captures every detail, including wrinkles and each hair in a man's five o'clock shadow.
Paintings that looks this close to real pictures really do challenge my mind. I enjoy looking at works of art like these. You can really appreciate a person's talent when they can paint this well. I am slowly starting to believe that paintings can be therapeutic, although I use to strongly agree that paintings only served as am imitation.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I was completely impressed that these artworks were drawings and NOT photographs. I definitely agree with you agreeing with Aristotle that art does have a purpose and can be calming. Personally, when I look at artwork of nature I become relaxed. It takes my mind off of the craziness life and puts me in a new world. Also, yes, art is an imitation of the real object but that does not mean that it has no purpose. Granted, it would be nice to have the actual actors. I think Plato was only partly correct. The replica has less of a purpose than the real object but there is still a purpose to that artwork!
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