DUE NEXT WEEK (February 15th): Reflecting on all of the assigned readings thus far (Plato, Bell, Tolstoy, and Winterson) and our class discussions, and write a reflection piece on this blog that describes your philosophy of art, what you believe to be art’s 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).

To receive credit for your response, be sure to include your first name in your post!

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: “According to Plato, blah, blah, blah, but I strongly disagree because blah, blah, blah.”

Consider the following questions while writing your manifest (you may address all or some of these; feel free to come 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? How is that similar to or different from any of the authors you read?
• What do you think is the purpose of art? Must art carry a message? Or must it be aesthetically pleasing? How is your response similar to or different from any of the authors we’ve thus far read?
• Must art do something? Explain why you answered the way/s you did. Also, note if your answers are similar to and/or different from any of our assigned readings (again, a good opportunity to reference readings).
• 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? Does your belief reflect any of the essays we’ve read?
• What kind of dialogue or personal experience do you have with art? How do you approach art? And what might one of the authors respond to your approach?
• What expectations do you have when going to see a play, movie, art gallery exhibit (to be informed? entertained? to engage in a personal experience? etc.). How does your typical experience with or of art coincide (or not) with any of the authors you’ve read?
• 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? What do our readings thus far suggest?

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