Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

to provoke any meaningful action. Art
vague
and curator Nato Thompson’s view is
activist
many involved in the arts, an
“For
must remain opaque enough to
artwork
a proper amount of speculation
invite
guesswork … An artwork easily
and
Is What It Is: Conversations About Iraq invites
It
to consider what counts as art, the purpose
us
1. Are there some kinds of truths that:
can know, and only know,
we
art?
through
prescribed essay title from May 2011
A
the claim: “Art is a lie that brings us
included
to the truth” (Pablo Picasso). Evaluate
nearer
claim in relation to a specific art form (for
this
the various perspectives that exist
Consider
the arts.
within
What kind of arguments can you make in
1.
to this claim, based on examples
response
How can you explain the diversity of
2.
on this claim within the arts?
perspectives
(a) Based on your exploration of
3.
what kind of conclusion
perspectives,
you draw in relation to this claim?
can
there strong support for the claim,
Is
your conclusion to (a) is that it
If
on the art form, then what
depends
from instrumentalization—
freedom
an agenda—and allows a viewer to
from
speculation and consideration.
experience
activism, though, clarity is celebrated,
In
a cogent message can reach a wide
and
and can serve as a weapon. The
audience
ends of this dynamic … have long
two
irreconcilable.” (Thompson 2015)
proven
between the clarity of activism and
tension
ambiguity of art. Next we explore art’s
the
In producing artworks, how does an artist
2.
“creative license” whilehonouring
maintain
Does the pluralism of interpretations in
3.
our ability to gain knowledge
artaffect
I tell my students,
Poetry,
idiosyncratic. Poetry
is
where we are ourselves
is
Sterling Brown said
(though
‘I’ is a dramatic ‘I’”),
“Every
in the clam flats
digging
the shell that snaps,
for
the proverbial pocketbook.
emptying
is what you find
Poetry
the dirt in the corner,
in
on the bus, God
overhear
the details, the only way
in
get from here to there.
to
(and now my voice is rising)
Poetry
not all love, love, love,
is
I’m sorry the dog died.
and
(here I hear myself loudest)
Poetry
the human voice,
is
from American Sublime
Taken
2005)
(Alexander
I. Scope
I. Scope
as follows.
open to interpretation provides a certain
relationship to truth and accuracy.
and role of art for social change, and the
For reflection
Art and truth
their commitment to thetruth?
(a)
(b)
we cannot know through art?
from it?
Practising skills: Exploring perspectives
“Ars Poetica #100: I Believe”
example, visual arts, literature or theatre).
of different art forms?
or strong rebuttal?
(b)
and are we not of interest to each other?
(more specifically) does it depend on?
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