Art and Function in a T-Shirt Essay Example for Free

Art and Function in a T-Shirt Essay Defining and evaluating artistic and aesthetic value has often been a problematic task. This is because aesthetic judgements are subjective and are influenced by prevailing cultural, economic, political, and social norms. Hence, the definition of art remains a contested domain between those who believe in â€Å"high art† and the advocates of artistic and cultural relativism. (Danto 35) The difficulty in ascribing aesthetic value to objects is evident in the fact that relativism, with its focus on the individual subjective experience, would render anything and everything as artforms since humans ultimately attach meanings to objects they possess. Changes in culture and socio-economic conditions also alter and influence the very standards by which the aesthetic value of art forms and other objects are judged. For instance, in judging a t-shirt with Bob Marley’s face printed on it on the front through the use of the silkscreen method, one easily dismisses it as a non-art when judged according to the traditional notions of fine art. This is because the t-shirt and the print on it do not express artistic creativity, which is a prerequisite for objects to be considered art forms. The t-shirt and the print, which can be replicated many times over by any one with knowledge on silk screen printing, do not possess relevant canonic properties of art such as unity, complexity, and intensity which could evoke intense human experiences and therefore, aesthetic appreciation (Goldman 185). The sight of the t-shirt does not stir up feelings of beauty nor does its fabric hold anything extraordinary for the senses. The print on the t-shirt does not convey a particular style to capture attention or cause pain or pleasure, at least not in the way that beholding Picasso’s paintings evoke wonder, mystery, and other psychological sentiments arising purely from the painter’s use of style, colors, and the imagination. Likewise, the t-shirt with the print on it was created not for the purpose of being admired as an art. As such, the t-shirt is not valuable in itself but gains value for its function to humans, contrary to traditional visual and other forms of art. Art forms are valued for their artistic worth or for their ability to command a definite blending of particular perceptual and sensory elements from the audience (Goldman 188). On the other hand, subjecting the t-shirt to evaluation based on the principles of aesthetic value leads to interesting results. The t-shirt with Bob Marley’s face printed on it clearly fulfills two aesthetic principles. First, the t-shirt becomes a medium for the image of Bob Marley, a cultural icon in reggae music and in the historical struggle of Jamaicans. In this case, the t-shirt with Bob Marley’s image transcends its status as an object worn by humans to cover themselves and becomes an expression of the values of reggae and Jamaican culture in a manner similar to cultural artifacts. Second, the t-shirt itself may be valued by an individual for the sentiments attached to the shirt. It could have been given as a gift for an occasion or has been worn to events associated with feelings of happiness which make the t-shirt valuable to the individual because of the memories of joyous times spent while wearing it. Thus, other people might consider the same t-shirt aesthetically valuable. Fenner observes that objects do not have intrinsic aesthetic value; rather it is the subjective experience of humans that create aesthetic value for objects, particularly the expectation of pleasure from an object (122). Those who appreciate and know Bob Marley may value his image on the t-shirt and subsequently feel pleasure or the elevation of other feelings associated with Bob Marley’s musical contribution and historical roots. As such, the t-shirt may be appreciated by people who share a cultural affinity with Jamaica or of the counterculture that Bob Marley represents. The value of Bob Marley’s silkscreened image extends to the t-shirt which carries it and reinforces the value of the shirt for its owner. The t-shirt, donned by the owner, can therefore be considered the medium for the expression of individuality and creativity of the wearer. Wearing Bob Marley may be a political or cultural statement for a particular culture, particularly as a representation of the struggle against apartheid or against conventional popular music and the culture it represents. Hence, the appreciation of Jamaican culture or reggae music becomes another definitive aspect of the aesthetic experience that may be separate from the experiences attached to the t-shirt as an object. Likewise, neither the fact that the t-shirt was not created for the sake of art nor its low economic worth prevents it from being categorized as an art form. Fenner notes that the presence of traditional aesthetic properties do not necessarily lead to an aesthetic experience or to the creation of an aesthetic value (121). Hence, the audience can view a pricey painting without feeling any connection with it which would make the painting worthless in terms of evoking a subjective experience of appreciation for creativity or imagination. On the other hand, the same audience may behold the image on a shirt and feel an instant connection, a feeling of intense emotions from memories or meanings attached to the object of attention. It is clear that the traditional definitions of art and the accompanying distinction and stratification between â€Å"high art† and â€Å"lowbrow art† has slowly been eroded with the rise of cultural relativism and postmodern theory. Doubtless, the rigid formality of art has come under attack even within various artists’ circles itself that ascribe to the fluidity and less structured styles of postmodern culture. Thus, even an ordinary t-shirt can now be considered an art form when, after critical analysis, it is able to fulfill the principles of aesthetic value. Fenner, David E.W. The Aesthetic Attitude. Atlantic Highlands, N.J.: Humanities Press, 1996. Goldman, Alan. â€Å"Beardsley’s Legacy: The Theory of Aesthetic Value.† The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 63.2 (2005): 185-190. Art and Function in a T-Shirt. (2017, Mar 25).

The Skills In The Identification Of The Hypothesis Essay

The Skills In The Identification Of The Hypothesis - Essay Example There is a suggested cohort study that revolves around the interaction of three variables namely age, cohort and period factor related to the time of study but the regression between the said factors can produce insignificant relationship since the said factors can be considered as demographic values used for baseline data gathering and establishment.   This was perceived to cause a statistical error on the basis of colinearity (Cole et al., 2008).   A suggested method to resolve such issue is the application of partial least squares (PLS) to study the different variables involved which can yield significant data since the method is not totally dependent upon the gathered data and other variables such as repeat purchase and type of brand can also be analyzed (Cole et al., 2008).  Based on the study of the article undertaken it can be considered that the hypothesis then,   is that changes that are associated with the age of a person have effects on the cognition, setting goals , habits, and choices.   Results have confirmed the hypothesis.   The older population can base their choices regarding product and brand choice on a wider perspective compared to the younger population.   The differences can be attributed to different points which include the fact that older consumers possess different fundamental psychological attributes.   Although this is the case there are other factors that can also affect brand choice including the individual experience of the consumer, the environmental effects and the importance of the product (Cole et al., 2008). The hypothesis was confirmed but the further study and exploration of the topic are required to be able to answer the question in the manner the age-related factors affect older consumer’s brand choice.

Choose one of the nine titles on subject 'theories of global politics' Essay

Choose one of the nine titles on subject 'theories of global politics' - Essay Example Is the Realist Approach to International Politics Redundant? Realism, in its simplest sense, simply describes international politics as a state of anarchy, where each and every state has reason to fear other states and, for that reason, is justified in wanting to secure itself against these potential threats. It assumes that power is or ought to be the primary driver of all political action, whether at the domestic level or international (Alexander Moseley, 2005). As eminent realist thinker Thomas Hobbes (1651) put it â€Å"where an invader hath no more to fear than another man's single power, if one plant, sow, build, or possess a convenient seat, others may probably be expected to come prepared with forces united to dispossess and deprive him, not only of the fruit of his labor, but also of his life or liberty. And the invader again is in the like danger of another† (Leviathan, Ch 13). Loosely translated, Hobbes assumed that people are naturally equal, motivated by competiti on, diffidence and glory, and that they interact in the absence of government. Hobbes concluded that man, and in turn the state, was in a constant state of war. A realist is one who subscribes to the thought that it’s a ‘dog eat dog world’, that every man has the capability to harm or destroy another while competing for the same goal which only one of them can achieve and that every other man has the tendency to be evil in such a situation. From the international perspective, there is no higher power than the state, which is motivated by its national self interest, is trying to a accomplish the same thing as other states in the world i.e. ensure its survival and in the absence of an international government, a state can pursue its national interest in terms of power and that the interests of the state transcend the issues of morality and ethics. The purpose of realism is to promote the notion that power is the fundamental feature of international politics and is therefore, essential for survival. It does not necessarily mean that the most powerful state has the greatest chances of survival. However, the state with the least power is at a considerable disadvantage among its peers. Hobbes claimed that, â€Å"even the weakest has strength enough to kill the strongest, either by secret machination, or by confederacy with others† (Leviathan, Ch 13). In other words even the strongest of states is not safe while there are other states with the potential to unite or employ less overt means of warfare against it. The limited resources of the world would lead to competition between nations, the relative equality described by Hobbes would lead to fear of assault from another country, and man’s inherent vanity would ever more serve to heighten the state of tension between nations of the world. Realism does not suggest that the nations of the world would be prepared to launch a full scale war against each other at the drop of a hat. As Jac k Donnelly explains, â€Å"We can figure out the rules of coexistence and cooperation. But without a government to enforce those rules, we remain condemned to war† (Realism and International Relations, P. 15). As long as there is no superior power to constructively tap into man’

Summary of Vietnam War :: Vietnam War Essays

Summary of Vietnam War Ngo Vinh Long   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this reading, Long discusses the history of Vietnamese resistance to colonial and oppressive forces. Long states that American historians and statesman claim that other factors contributed to the disastrous conclusion of the Vietnam war, but that the real truth is that the American’s were not prepared to meet such a formidable foe. The Vietnamese had been resisting the Chinese for over 1,000 years and had held on; when the French arrived the same policy of resistance was practiced. Ultimately, due to the oppressive nature of the French and WWII, the French were ousted and a new communist government under Ho Chi Minh was established. Having just been under an oppressive force, and being very knowledgeable about how to deal with oppression, the American’s were caught by surprise. Ho Chi Minh   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the first set of readings, Ho Chi Minh calls upon Western powers to honor the principles of freedom they so ‘righteously’ proclaim. Speaking specifically to the French, Ho Chi Minh proclaims that the right of the Vietnamese people to be sovereign is inherent in the ideology of French ideology and he calls on them to follow through.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the second selection of reading, Ho Chi Minh recounts his eventual conversion to Marxist/Leninist ideals. He tells of his participation and final acceptance of communist ideals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the final selection of reading Ho Chi Minh calls upon all the people of Vietnam to join in the fight for full independence. In this letter Minh appeals to heroes of the past who have resisted oppression and relates these heroes to the present struggle. Johnson   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this selection of reading President Johnson is defending his Vietnam policy. This address by Johnson lays out many arguments for why the war in Vietnam is necessary; they are as follows: (a) the self-determination of nations; (b) aggressive forces; (c) communism as a menace to the world; (d) idea that everything operates like dominoes; (e) avoiding another Munich; (f) responsibility of the American people; (g) a â€Å"new deal† for third-world countries; (h) a better tomorrow for the world Scheer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this article Scheer explains why the US got involved in Vietnam. Three primary reasons were the imminent collapse of the French government, the success of the Viet Minh, and the instability of the puppet Diem regime. Duncan   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this narrative, Duncan explains through various stories why he believes the war in Vietnam simply propaganda; he concludes his narrative by saying that it took him 10 years in the military to figure out that the government was feeding him lies.

Cold Comfort Farm Essay

Stella Gibbons’ Cold Comfort Farm is a story of a young woman named Flora Poste, and the result of her life after the death of her parents. She begins her new life living with Mary from the rich aristocratic side of London. However, rather than getting a job and working, she decides that she would like to live in the â€Å"real† world for her upcoming novel she plans to write within the next thirty years. In order to do so, Flora Poste decides she wants to live with relatives that are not necessarily wealthy but rather interesting in a literary perspective for experience. Through this decision, she declines marriage, as well as living with wealthy cousins, and leaves for Cold Comfort Farm to live among her first cousin, Judith Starkadder. Cold Comfort Farm is an old cursed farm inhabited by pessimistic hard-working poor individuals. Flora Poste’s arrival is barely welcomed as she learns to understand and adapt to the new miserable culture of Cold Comfort Farm. She learns of how her father had committed a terrible sin that no one speaks of, for which she wants to atone for her father’s wrongdoing. She learns of her Great Aunt Ada Doom, who has secluded herself from society and lives in her room alone due to the sin she had seen Robert Poste commit at youth. However even through all these downfalls, Flora Poste keeps a high head up and attempts to change life on Cold Comfort Farm. Flora Poste’s character is shown through her interaction with the people of Cold Comfort Farm. An example of this is when Flora Poste meets Miriam who is in labor, and explains to her how her situation can be resolved through protection and explains her knowledge of family planning to her. Flora Poste shows her sincerity when she interacts with Rubin. After making tea for him, he angrily tells Flora Poste how she cannot do the jobs that Rubin can. Rubin is worried, however Flora Poste explains how she does not want the farm, and how she would leave the farm to people who know how to handle it, such as Rubin, which makes him think twice. Slowly, Flora Poste is â€Å"tidying up† Cold Comfort Farm. Flora Poste’s interference on Cold Comfort Farm society turns into a positive influence. She grows with her relatives and aids them with their conflicts. Flora Poste aids her preaching cousin through a magazine ad of a Ford vehicle; she aids Adam with his cleaning and helping him with his personal issues. However, the one person she cannot seem to get through to is her Great Aunt Ada Doom, who refuses to listen, and consistently tells Robert Poste’s child that she saw something nasty in the woodshed. At a family meeting, every individual has explained the positive influence and changes in their lives thanks to Flora Poste. The only person that is not happy with this is Great Aunt Ada Doom. Even after a conflict arises, Flora Poste’s positivity brings happiness with everyone. It is learned that every member of the family was miserable and trapped, always aiding Aunt Ada Doom and never being truly happy. Aunt Ada Doom feels that everyone has left her and betrayed her. Flora Poste then aids Seth with becoming a movie star by bringing by Mr. Neck, who is looking for upcoming English movie stars and chooses Seth with no questions asked. Even when Great Aunt Ada forbids Seth from leaving, he leaves anyway. Towards the end of the story, Aunt Ada Doom and Flora Poste have a long conversation together, which results in a new change. At Flora Poste’s cousin’s wedding, Aunt Ada Doom arrives in fancy clothing and explains that although the wedding did not go the way she wanted it to, she has learned to be optimistic and is very happy at the wedding and compliments the bride and groom on how beautiful they look together. Aunt Ada Doom then talks about her great niece, Flora Poste, and how her influence has changed her life. It is essential to say that a smile appears out of Aunt Ada Doom’s lips. The influence that Flora Poste has on Cold Comfort Farm ends up changing the mood of the society. Her relatives end up pursuing their dreams and in return find true happiness. Originally these people, were trapped under the influence of Aunt Ada Doom, who saw something nasty in the woodshed, Whatever it was she had seen ruined the mood of everyone in Cold Comfort Farm, due to her isolation, and lack of respect for anyone, including herself. Flora Poste brings out everyone’s inner respect by giving respect primarily, she never brought herself down and always kept her head up, making her influence that much stronger.

Essay about Motorcycle Gangs - 2048 Words

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Race, Tribalism, and Genocide in the Sudan - 648 Words

Jpz777 03/11/2013 Order # 2087938 1.) How were tribes in the Sudan formed differently from the way races were constructed in the United States? As is the case with the vast majority of nations which were conquered and colonized by the British during their reign of global imperialism, the Sudanese people of Africa experienced a rapid restructuring of its age old cultural identity system. Located in the Cradle of Civilization, a region straddling both the African continent and the Arab-speaking Middle East, Sudan has long been home to a diverse population that is representative of its many cultural influences, with Arab adherents of Islam living in relative stability alongside tribal bands of native peoples. Upon being co-opted as a British colony in the early 20th century to fuel a flailing textile industry, the fertile lands of Sudan were transformed into cotton plantations, thus beginning the insidious process of subjugating the Sudanese people through division and demarcation. The modern colonial scholar Mahmood Mamdani has observed that British colonial governance was about identity formation †¦ (because) the colonial political objective involved more than just redefining the relationship between colonial power and subject; it involved reshaping the very self-consciousness of the colonized, how they thought of themselves, their self-identity (Mamdani, 2009), and this concept of ensuring obedience through the removal and reshaping of identity lies at theShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis of the Challenges Faced by Au in Achieving Continental Unity2727 Words   |  11 Pagesphysically, and economically, going beyond the material and affecting the lives of thousands of women, children, and men. AU therefore, came at a time when it was most desired. The African continent needed a powerful organ that cans unit different regions, races, tribes and people from different religious background and creed. AU has become the best hope that the African continent i s hanging its hopes on. There are a number of challenges that are facing the AU. One of the challenges facing the AU’s, is itsRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesgenerations to be among the processes that distinguish that era, not only from those proceeding it but from the rest of human history altogether. The essay by Gabrielle Hecht and Paul Edwards provides a nuanced interweaving of analyses of the nuclear arms race, debates over nuclear power as a major energy source, and the communications revolution made possible by computer technologies that did so much to shape the cold war standoff between the Soviet and American superpowers and the transition to a new