Why Study Art?
Modern culture is a visual culture, deluged with images from the popular
media -- advertising, photography, television, film and video -- and
professional contexts -- the courtroom, the hospital, the lecture hall.
From fractal theory in the sciences to computer imaging, visual knowledge
is central to critical thinking in the late twentieth century. The historical
study of art, architecture and visual culture provides the understanding
and the language necessary for analyzing space and image and recognizing
their social impact. The making of art develops the ability to think
visually and resolve spatial problems at the same time that it involves
the resonant satisfactions of creativity.
Art History is interdisciplinary. It involves the student in the politics
and economics of the period in which the work was produced as well as
in its literature and religion. As in other fields of the Humanities,
students are given the opportunity to develop their ability to formulate
ideas orally and in writing. But in the study and criticism of structures
and images, students refine their powers of gathering information visually
as well as verbally. As a consequence of the historical and critical
training involved in the study of Art History, majors are well-prepared
for careers in any of the professions.
Although a passion for the visual artifact must lie at the core of successful
work in the history or practice of art, both Art History and Studio
training are current and practical. The study of art provides the excitement
and pleasure of a new awareness of your physical context, a new and
compelling way to think and debate, a new perspective on past and present
realities.
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