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Introduction to Brandlady.com |
The Visual Idea
Dr. Mary C. Saleeby Ph.D, Art Historian, Egyptologist, Professor E verything wonderful begins with a dream and then a concept until finally we gaze upon our imagination that has come true. It begins with a visual idea which leads us to the golden ring of reality.As an Art History Professor, the question that comes up on a daily basis is 'What is art and why is it so important'? Theoretically, there are many answers to this question however the one that I put great credence into would be the fact that art is a momentous Historical Documentation. It gives us a visual idea of the world and its inhabitants dating back thousands of years. It allows individuals the benefit of interpreting and envisioning the world without written testimony. Throughout time art styles emulated, copied and transformed within the same subject matter. Although there might have been artistic variations, it was constructed from an original primary visual and modernized and evolved itself throughout the years. What is exciting is when we view art and try to presume what the piece is telling us. We wonder if the work is the story of someone's life, an account of a daily activity, a religious belief or a sacred ritual. In many cases we are unsure however it allows us to use our imaginations and derive at an intellectual evaluation. My class begins with Prehistory and the mystifying 'Venus of Willendorf'. 24,000-22,000 BC. At first the class reluctantly comments on this curious figure, however when they do, the discussion becomes endless. Venus is beautiful in her own right and also possesses great spiritual power if speculation is correct regarding her presence. Whether she is only a statuette or a sculpture of documentation for prehistoric civilization she warrants cognition. When my lecture comes to an end I ask my students the age old question, 'Could it be possible that Venus of Willendorf was just a doll'? And the enormous excitement and conversation begins all over again. Therefore, when we ask ourselves what is art and why is it so important we must try to comprehend the bigger picture and appreciate the beauty, dissect what we see while intellectually speculating and understand that everything came from an idea, a creative process that was once just a thought in someone's mind. If we can do that we can understand the importance of preserving art and greatly appreciating it because of the Historical value it contributes to wonderful world beginning as the visual image. Copyright 2009 BOOK- Taking The Mystery Out Of Reading Old Master Paintings. Mary's website www.marysaleebyphd.com gives more information. 
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