How Do Anthropologists Approach Art

Art, Music, and Sport ANTH 2301 How Do Anthropologists Approach Art? One may wonder how art influences or mirrors anthropological research. The short explanation is that people make art. The deliberate use of imagination, creativity, and talent has always been a part of art, despite the fact that definitions of the term have historically been limited to fit within a Western sense of the term (Morphy and Perkins 2006). Art is produced with intention. Anthropologists approach the study of art in the same manner that they examine any other element of human existence because art is a reflection of the human experience. When addressing a subject, anthropologists adopt a comprehensive method, placing it within the larger framework of a culture—its “language, environment, economy, religion, family life, governance and so on” (Plattner 2003, 15). It is impossible to comprehend and enjoy the works of a culture without having some understanding of the implicit and intrinsic elements that are all woven into them. This is especially crucial for the arts, as they mostly depend on a common cultural lexicon. According to Stuart Plattner (2003), anthropologists believe that creative creation should be viewed as an activity immersed in an art world, a complex network of social interactions, rather than just as applied aesthetics. It is incorrect to concentrate just on the one-of-a-kind work of art and disregard the intricate web of interpersonal connections that went into its production. (15) The study of anthropology is well suited to investigating the why and how of the arts. Anthropologists use techniques including site inspections, focus groups, interviews, and observation to study art. The anthropological study of art include investigations into physical anthropology and archaeology in addition to ethnographic research (e.g., Upper Palaeolithic cave paintings, Aboriginal rock paintings, etc.). Think about the labor-intensive process involved in applying these anthropological methods to the analysis of a piece of art or athletic event. Such job can involve going to a game or match, interviewing theatrical actors, or discovering and assessing artefacts from past cultures. Like many other anthropological studies, the study of art, music, and sports necessitates an all-encompassing, holistic approach. What is the definition of art? By whom is it defined? What distinguishes an artistic work from a cultural activity, if any? When examining the arts in an effort to comprehend human societies better, these are all worthwhile considerations to take into account. The 18th century saw a change in the definition of art, with the term now denoting the fine arts rather than any particular ability, like gardening (Kristeller 1990). This marked the beginning of the contemporary idea of art. Anthropologists believe that there are historical, aesthetic, and economic aspects to art. Think back to the Roman artists of antiquity, who frequently found financial backing from their patrons. One may argue that these artists were not as well off, but with the help of a patron, they were able to pay for the expression of their skills. Aesthetically speaking, art represents what is deemed attractive in a certain cultural context. The study of arts has been tackled by the discipline of anthropological archaeology from its own unique angles. Archaeologists are not able to ask the kinds of ethnographic inquiries that other cultural anthropologists may employ to get insight into the creation and usage of an art piece, nor are they able to watch how it was made or utilised. Expert knowledge of the sociohistorical and cultural backgrounds of ancient art is possessed by archaeologists. Their study of these works of art gives other anthropologists a place to start when delving into the analysis of ancient art. Additionally, it gives students a more comprehensive grasp of the functions and goals of early art. Several of the objects that individuals use every day at home, at work, or in school might be considered material artefacts. These include objects that reflect different people's perceptions of the world, such a person's favourite coffee shop or the building in which they reside. They could also be artefacts from the past, such tools, weaponry, and cave paintings. These artefacts are found in the studies and publications that anthropologists, archaeologists, and art historians employ to examine the cultural and symbolic significance of art. The study of visual representations, symbols, or pictures that are collectively linked to an individual, movement, or cult is known as iconographic studies. The expressive behaviour known as art incorporates and conveys cultural worldviews, social hierarchy and status, mythology, and cosmology.