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All 8 Flashcards — Art and its context
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Question
Art as a social construct?
Answer
What counts as art depends on human society — history, culture, politics, money — not on the object alone.
Question
How do crafts show art's status is social?
Answer
A skilled quilt is ranked below 'art' though it takes huge skill — a social judgement, not a fact about the object.
Question
What does pop art show?
Answer
'Low' everyday imagery (a soup-can print) treated AS art deliberately blurs the high/low art line — status is chosen, not fixed.
Question
The museum context?
Answer
A gallery setting turns objects into 'art' to be contemplated — a fire extinguisher or ritual mask becomes art by being framed.
Question
The non-Western challenge to 'art'?
Answer
Many traditions make masks, chants and cloths for ritual and community, not as 'art' to view in isolation — so the Western 'masterpiece' category is itself a construct.
Question
Why not say art is ENTIRELY a construct?
Answer
Real skill and depth in the object aren't invented; society chooses which to CROWN as art — value is partly real, partly conferred.
Question
How is Aesthetics examined?
Answer
It's an optional theme → Paper 1 Section B: an essay [25] weighing a CLAIM about the theme (no stimulus).
Question
The topic's arc in one line?
Answer
What is art? → what art does (imitation/expression/creation, message or not) → art is largely a social construct.
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Full study notes for Art and its context
Topic 2.1 hub
The nature of art
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