Modern dancer, ballet dancer, choreographer, dance researcher, model

To The Rescue of Art: Editoral by Rudolf Arnheim

In this editorial, Arnheim discusses the philosophy of how art functions in society and individuals. He argues that art is essential for making sense and coming to terms with our environment, just as science is essential for understanding our environment. He explains the term “Aesthetic Atheist,” which is a person that does not see the value of art and wants us to stop making it. This is an inconceivable notion, because without art to make sense of our environment, humanity would either cease to exist, or become very inhuman, he continues. Life would be “ghostly” and “meaningless.”

I actually came across this article a couple years ago, and it helped me with the development of my own personal philosophy of the necessity for dance and art to continue and thrive in society. 

Arnheim, Rudolf. "To the Rescue of Art: Editorial." Leonardo 1986: 95. JSTOR Journals. Web. 17 Jan. 2016.

The Coming And Going of Images by Rudolf Arnheim

This article discusses the idea that the word “images’ can mean two different things. The first definition is seeing a physical object and internalizing that image on a more personal level. The object in question however is subject to destruction over time due to external elements. A shift in societal context over time also influences how this image is seen. The second definition of an image however is when we speak of an image that is not physical. Arnheim explains that speaking of an image takes on more of a universal sense. This article explains very well how active communication based on images can alter how the audience views the “image” and how they communicate in response.

This idea helped me to better understand the "images" that I wanted to either be visually portrayed in the body, as well as "images" I wanted to describe with the body in the development of the vocabulary for my movement. How did I want the audience to see it? What was the context or the “image” that I chose to display that conveyed the idea best to the audience?

Arnheim, Rudolf. "The Coming And Going Of Images." Leonardo 33.3 (2000): 167-168. Art Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 14 Jan. 2016.

Aesthetics, Value, And The Joy of Imperfections by Karen Macfarlane

Macfarlane describes the differences between the terms failure and imperfection. She does not deny that there is a connection between the two words, but that it is important understand that they are not the same. She explains that flaws are “fundamental to the creation of art,” aesthetics, and perceptions of beauty and how these flaws can be mistaken for failures. She implies that when flaws are perceived as failures, it alters our expectations of reality and beauty. When we are surrounded by pictures on billboards, the internet, and TV that are considered flawless, it creates an impossible perception of beauty that we carry into reality.

This article helped me understand one of the negative effects our society has from frequently dealing with altered images. Art helps us to understand that the imperfections in the real world are beautiful, and are what helps shape us as individuals. When society loses touch with art, we also lose touch with this concept and our ability to deal with reality. This is a very important statement I wanted to make in my project.

Macfarlane, Karen. "Aesthetics, Value, And The Joy Of Imperfections." English Studies In Canada 39.2/3 (2013): 9-12. Literary Reference Center. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.

Religion and the Body: Rematerializing The Human Body in The Social Sciences of Religion By Meredith B. McGuire

Our bodies are the instrument for how we engage with others and the world around us. McGuire explains how our relationship with our bodies is actually absent from our work and daily engagements because of an incorrect philosophy that the mind and body are separate rather than one functioning unit. Our bodies are how we perceive self and how we interact. She refers to this as the “mindful body.”

I found this article interesting, because our society is further perpetuating the disconnection of the mind and body through overuse of smartphones, ipads, the internet, and so forth. Our minds are so preoccupied with the screen in front of us that our bodies end up being left behind in development, and overall embodiment. By reinforcing the value of embodied practices such as dance, yoga, meditation, and athletics, we can move away from this harmful ideology. We can re-establish the value of the body and it’s role in engaging with our surroundings.

McGuire, Meredith B. "Religion and the Body: Rematerializing the Human Body in the Social Sciences of Religion." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 1990: 283. JSTOR Journals. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.

The Lost Art of Doing Nothing by Christian Williams

Williams explains how constantly having technology at his disposal has affected his “ability to sit and do nothing.” Instead of being able to sit and observe the environment around him, daydream, or think, he finds himself in a state of anxiety. His hands are restless and he doesn’t know what to do with them. He says that he figured out where the root of this problem is; the smartphone. Our culture is so dependent upon smartphones that we are literally unable to disconnect and put the phone down. We cannot spend time with ourselves and enjoy the company we keep with our own minds and bodies. While smartphones are an amazing invention, overuse can cause an entire disconnection from mind and body. The mind is preoccupied while the body is left to fend for itself instead of the mind and body acting as one unit to engage with “the world that exists outside of the phone in my pocket.”

This editorial describes exactly the message I want to reach the audience, and also correlates with the Macfarlane’s article. Our society is forgetting to engage with the world around us because of the alternate digital world we have created. We are forgetting to talk face to face with other human beings, and we are losing our sense of wonder of the world. The world is a source of inspiration for creative works.

WILLIAMS, CHRISTIAN. "The Lost Art of Doing Nothing." Utne Reader: The Best of the Alternative Press 2014: 3. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.