Weekly Response #3:

DUE NEXT WEEK (September 29th): Reflecting on the assigned reading (Croce, Winterson, and New Criterion) and our class discussion, write a 2-3 page reflection piece that describes your philosophy of art, what you believe to be arts responsibility to society, and the viewer's (and reviewer's) responsibility to art. You may write in an informal or more formal manner (whatever feels most comfortable to you).   

Make sure that you mention at least one idea or thought by each of the above authors and whether you agree/disagree and why. For example: “Croce remarks that blah, blah, blah, but I strongly disagree because blah, blah, blah.”   

Consider the following questions while writing your essay (you may address all, some, or none of these – coming up with your own questions to consider): 

• What, in your opinion, constitutes art? And how would you determine what is “good/bad,” useful or not? 
• What do you think is the purpose of art? Must art carry a message? Or must it be aesthetically pleasing? Must it do something? 
• Why or why not (to all of the above questions)? 
• Should what Croce calls “victim art” be included under the category of art? Why or why not? 
• How do you view the relationship between art and its audience? Does art have a greater responsibility to its audience than the audience to art? 
• What kind of dialogue, if any, do you have with art? How do you approach art? 
• What expectations do you have when going to see a play, movie, art gallery exhibit? Do your expectations change with genre? 
• If a painting, performance, or film could speak to you about its expectations (of you as its audience), what do you think they would be? 
• Do you think a piece of art stands alone (or can stand alone)? Or do you think knowing something about the artist is important and/or necessary? 

** Always, always back up your thoughts with some example, quote, or explanation.