Why Create Art?

 There is no single answer, except to say that the need to create is one of the special characteristics of being human.  There is archaeological evidence for this need to create dating back at least 25,000 years to the Venus of Willendorf sculpture.  While there is no one answer, we will go over several general purposes that art can serve.

 To communicate emotion, ideas or feelings.

 The Potato Eaters, Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.  Van Gogh wanted to depict life among the lowly as it was.  What do feelings, ideas or emotions do you think that the artist intended to convey about life among the poor?

 Art created to observe a ritual, for celebration or commemoration.

 Tibetan sand mandalas are created from colored sand, usually over a period of several weeks.  They depict representations of Buddhist doctrine.  After completed, they are ritually swept up to symbolize impermanence.

 Functional art consists of everyday objects.  Examples could be pottery, basketry, and even architecture.

 Basket, c. 1920’s. Lucy Telles Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.

 This type of art promotes ideas or products.  Examples could include advertising, marketing, propaganda or ideology.

 We Can Do It, J. Howard Miller.  This poster was originally intended to boost worker morale.  It was later used by the feminist movement.

 Narrative art is used to tell stories, describe experiences, or document historical events.

 Washington Crossing the Delaware, Emanuel Luetze. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Oil on canvas.  This artwork documents the surprise attack Washington made in the Battle of Trenton, December 25-26, 1776.

 Art does not have to fit into one category or another.  Art could serve several functions at the same time.

 Detail of stained glass window, 13 th century. Notre-dame de Chartres Cathedral, Paris.  Depicts the marriage at Cana.  This piece is both functional and narrative.