Art is a Time Machine
Art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds and souls of the people, cultures and civilizations that came before us. Whether it be Prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek or the Renaissance – art enables the educated viewer an opportunity to step back and experience and appreciate another moment in time.
Great art is like a time machine. It transports us back in time. If you know how to unlock the symbolism, psychology and iconography embedded in art you can literally experience a shared moment with artists like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock.
These artists all worked at different times and regions, yet they all have something to say to us about themselves and the cultures in which they lived and worked.
Van Gogh Self Portrait
Some artist like Van Gogh and Caravaggio are more emotionally expressive – some more intellectually curious like Da Vinci, others deeply spiritual like Giotto and Cimabue and some are intensely manic like Jackson Pollock. Some comment on the society they lived in like Hogarth and Goya and others bare the deepest core of their soul using lines, shapes, colors, and geometric and/or natural forms to communicate to their viewers.
One thing artists all have in common and that is they use their artistic creative expression and sensibility to tap into some dimension of what it is to be human and they have been visually illustrated all aspects of the human condition since prehistoric times.
Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope and deeper insights into the human condition. The more one learns about art the more its mysteries are revealed. There is so much more to art than what we as viewers see “face value”.
Take a good hard look at Starry Night for example. Ask yourself…what was Van Gogh 
thinking, feeling, saying in his explosive paintings? Do the same with the work of Michelangelo, Delacroix, Caravaggio, Picasso and/or Pollock. They all used art to filter external (and internal) reality through their personal creative sensibility and share their visions with us.
They used art to communicate something about themselves and the world they lived in. They made art to glorify God, rulers or reach deep down inside themselves in search of deeper meaning about life. Most artists are driven to create art – they have no real choice in the matter.
So where is art going now that we live in the digital age?
The possibilities and tools for creating art are almost infinite due to the creative power of digital technology and computers. I often wonder what Leonardo Da Vinci would have done if he had a computer and Photoshop.
Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.
There is one thing for certain and that is ART through the ages certainly gives us a glimpse into the hearts and minds of those people (cultures) that came before us.
Art enriches our lives and gives us a glimpse and deeper insight into the hopes, dreams, fears, customs, agendas and belief systems of the past. Yes…Art is a Time Machine!
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Patrick Keough
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KeO BLoG 
Art really is a time machine. It enables us to see ancient people’s worlds through their eyes. Art allows us to see what God meant to people, or what people did for work. All of these things allow us to see how these people viewed their lives. I think art of the future is going to be more digitally made. With computers being so important nowadays, I think that artists are going to utilize them more than they would a paintbrush.
Art, in my opinion, always leaves behind a piece of the time era it was from behind. Art always speaks to someone, no matter the artist.
Mr. K:
The Time Machine is an awesome analogy. There isn’t anything I can really say to make better what you have said about Art.
Art is, history, creation by its creators, purposeful, a life-line, community,/society, communication, feeling, thought, ideas, imaginations of past, present, & futuristic. Art is a life form because it breathes its own breathe, in its own time. The greatest strength of art is it never dies. It does what us humans can’t do, it lives forever.
This is so true! When I visit old history or art museums I find myself drifting off into the time period where this art was created. I think about their life, surroundings, and purpose for creating the artpiece. It’s wonderful to get a glimpse into the minds of those who created it hundreds of years ago and feel like you were right there when it happend. It really gets you thinking!
i believe art is a time machine in that art is an expression of a person in specific time and life. its a sample of that persons life and an external extension of their imagination. when you view personal art it tells you more than just what a person was feeling it tells you what time and thoughts were occurring as well.
It is true! Art is a time machine it could take you to the present or the past. You never know what or who you may meet in this machine we call life. People come people go and times never stop. We meet we greet we hate we love we wonder what is low or above. We wait we run out of patience life has many different stations. May different smells and tastes you never know what at may take you there. But you can truly know that something or someone has placed you there.
art is always changing and developing into something better than how it was in a earlier time. I think it’s amazing how many techniques and styles are used in art and the things you can allow the mind to create. Art is anything and I do believe that it is a time machine as well. Art will always be around no matter how ancient or new it is, you will always find art in the world.
Art really lets us look at ourselves and discover who we are and what we are feeling. It makes us feel things and pursue these feelings we are having. Art is beautiful and can tell the face of true beauty while contrasting it with something less appealing. But it is all in how the artists does these things that makes the viewer feel the emotions. All the detail, creativity, pain, beauty, and so many other things go into to art and us as a audience realize that art is everywhere we look and go.
I found it so true when you said “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.” This is so true. When Van Gogh and all theses famous works of art were painted they didn’t have photoshop or anything to help them, they did it from their heart, mind, and soul. And I think that is the most important thing in art is to feel what you are creating because if you don’t feel it how is the viewer suppose to feel it. Great post Mr. K I am so glad I read it!
That is so true! I’ve never thought of it, but these artists really did have to do everything with the little resources they had. Art seems to be the one part of this world that will never cease to exist.
So long as we live, art would continue to move with us like a car we drive. Art move with us like a time machine because art is something that we cannot live without. Art is a time machine because art flow with us in every aspect of our lives and every new generation of a society share their own flow of art. We would always need art to be part of our lives to help us save the necessary records of politics, culture, religion, and also things we do in our daily lives so that life would be better or improve for us. Art is a time machine because it through it we see histories of the past of the older generations of ancient civilization of how people use to do things.
Mr. K. you are right art is a time machine and I enjoy passing through that time machine. Especially in the Renaissance era. The amazing truth is revealed through the eyes of the artist. What they see or feel on the inside that needs to be expressed will no doubt be conveyed through this art work. Everyone has this gift inside of them, however, the way one decides to expose it is in their own preference. I think any way you choose to express your gift should be accepted because you don’t really know what will become of the artwork until it is unlocked. Who knew the masterpieces of Picasso, Van gough or Divincci would be so famous. It just takes that courage to begin.
I find it very interesting that you said just because we have better tools for making art doesn’t mean we have better artists. Being a good artist doesn’t have anything to do with the tools you use or even the style in which you use those tools, but your ability to express how you feel about something, make the viewer understand how you feel, and then make them feel something of their own. The concept of art being a time machine really speaks to me, because i love learning history so much and would give anything to go back in time to see what things were like. but because i have art to study, all i have to do is head to the nearest art museum and there I have my “time machine.” thank you so much for sharing this post with us, i really appreciated it.
Art is a great example of a time machine. It transport’s us to Prehistoric times where basic survival was depicted, it sends us to a time when Emperors and Pharaoh’s made thousands labor to create the Pyramids, and it brings brightness and light to Gothic Cathedrals in the form of stained glass windows. Art is always telling a story, weather its about whats occurring in society at the time or whats going on in the artists life, time is the one thing that no one can get back, but art can transport us to times that came before us.
Art definitely is a time machine, Art helped shape society to how we know it today. Art is a mirror of society and without it would we be able to know what happened in the past?
You are right art is a time machine. I have learned that if you want to see a specific culture look at the art work of the culture and you will see right into it. We know that we will never be going to back to some of these time periods like prehistoric, we will never know what it would feel like to live back then and looking at that type of art work we will and the same goes for roman art, greek art, etc.
This essay is wonderful Mr.k! Like I said in one of my reply post in the discussion board this week, sometimes when I look at a piece of art and I really wonder why this artists painted such a piece. What does this art mean, what did he want me to know from this art?? I just want to go right up to him/her and ask what was on their mind when they created this piece. I know when I first started to take this class I did not have one bit of interest in Art. Now, I really understand it and studied it and watch it succeed over hundreds of centuries. Now I know why you teach Art, because it is wonderful, exciting, and educational for the human spiritual mind. You are right that art gives us HOPE and inner creativity to express to the whole world! I love your essay! I really enjoyed it and I have really enjoyed your class this semester.
Gabrielle Carver
If there is one vital thing that I have learned by studying art history over the past year, it’s that art is most definitely a “time machine” into the past. By looking at a work of art, whether its painting, sculpture, or architecture, from any previous period in history, we are essentially transported back to that particular era as art tends to aptly reflect the cultural, political, and religious issues of the civilization from whence the art came. Personally, I feel that in some ways future generations will look back on us and realize that modern art, post-modern art, digital art, etc. was no doubt an appropriate reflection of our insanely chaotic and technologically driven lifestyles.
Before taking this class, I honestly did not think too much about Art and its purpose. I would look at paintings or sculptures and simply say it was nice, but now Art has taken on a new meaning. Art is very much a time machine. Art allows different parts of history to be seen again. Prehistoric art gave us a glimpse into the lives of the cave people and allowed us to see just what life meant to them by observing the cave paintings. They were hunters; that is what to me drove them to even paint. The cave paitings served as a teaching tool for the younger generation as well. Art captures emotions that can been seen through the elements of design. Looking at a painting, sculpture, drawing or architecture can bring about so many different feelings for the viewer.
Yes, you’re right about art is a time machine. With painting you can see a part history. For example, the cultrue, politics, and even the artists personal thought at the time. I enjoy look at works of art works hundreds of years ago, and seeing what life was like in that time period.
Yes, Mr. K you are so right. Art is a time machine. If you look back from the Prehistoric time to now you can see how the art has evolved. It has went from cave paintings in earth tones because they used wha tthey had to abstract vivid art. And like you said we now have digital art. You can take an image and add or take away any protion you wish to make it personal. So art has came a long way. Also, now since I have taken this class I can truly see the difference in art and have learned to appreciate all art more. Before, it was just a drawing and had to meaning to me. But now when I look at art I get in the “time machine” and can only wonder the meaning behind the art. Think about why I think the artist drew certain things. Very good essay.
Wow, when you commented “The more one learns about art the more its mysteries are revealed.” This is so true, I never dreamed I would learn so much about art. I find myself reading and interpreting art where ever I go now. Looking at lines, color, shapes, planes and medium. Art really does “open up a door in time.” We are so lucky we get to look in and walk around.
I agree, art does make us think, to understand the meaning and appreciate art to the fullest we must get into the artist’s head and find the meaning of the art. What is the artist want us to know? It’s fascinating that you mentioned the art of the future. Just reading about modern art has me thinking with all the technology that we have available to us art within the next 20 years art will drastically change, probably more than ever.
Art is the one thing that is solid throughout history. Regardless of where society was going and what was happening in that time period, art has remained an entity in itself. It has survived wars and disputes, revolutions, and numerous different forms of religions; only to give us further information into each. Regardless of who makes it and why, it still is an outlet for the artists. Because art can be so varied in its form: from canvas, sculptures, buildings, etc, it allows vast numbers of people ways in which to explore and express their thoughts and feelings. Art is a time machine, in the sense that regardless of where we are in time, it still is a form of expression. If Da Vinci had a computer and photoshop, would he even be interested in it? Or would he take interests in other things such as “Bodies, The Exhibition.” I wonder what the numerous artists would create with the amount of inspiration available to society today.
Mr. K,
Greatly said! Art is a time machine. I think as times change that we will be surprised what kind of art is yet to be appreciated. Artists seem to have the ability to “regurgitate” their inner-self onto canvas, for example. I would love to of had a conversation with Dali to see how his personality and inner being was similar or different to the artwork he created!!!
Great post Mr K.
First of all, I want to say you’ve done an excellent job in engaging a bunch of novice in exploring art. I truly believe that art is a time machine. We took an exciting journey from the cave man to modern art that open our minds up so much, that we’re all wanting to explore more. I state this fact because I can tell by some of the DB posts, we all are getting it. I think the journey through art was an excellent history lesson about the world. We learn that our lifestyles are possible because of art. People are able to look at how colors evolved, look at the clothing, the buildings, the religion, the politics, the cultures as a whole. A lot of information has been captured and stored in art for us and future generations to examine and learn from. One last point I would like to bring out about this journey that I learn. This was more than just some paint on a canvas, or a statue, or some paint on the wall, these were examples displayed in some art form that helped societies to advance. Look at where we’re at today with technology. Imagine where we’re continue to go with the digital age. Finally, I agree that we don’t necessarily have better artists, but we have the technology to create just as good or better art than that of the past. Thanks for everything!
Mr.K,
You are right, Art is the ultimate time machine, and you don’t even need Micheal J Fox to travel back into time. When you visit such places as the art museum, you find all time periods and cultures brought together to one common place for all to enjoy. Through art we get a view into what was paramount during different time periods. We are able to see the world from the artist’s eyes and visualize how technology and methods have transcended over the years. Art gives us a firsthand look at the generations of cultures and helps us appreciate how different people lived. Art is a important part of understanding the past.
This is a great article. It really does make you think of art as a time machine. I have often wondered what an artist was thinking while creating his or her work of art. Thank you for opening my eyes to art in a new way!
Mr. K,
Great blog! I always enjoy reading your insight into art.
Prior to taking this class I never ever thought about what the artist was trying to communicate to me, the viewer, or if they were trying to communicate a story or express an emotion.
This class has certainly made me take another look at the art in my house and art in general as something much greater than just decorations.
Looking at Art as a “time machine,” is a great way of looking at it, especially when we look back over the last 100 years at just how much art has evolved. I can’t even imagine what the changes will become over the next 100 years but I am sure it will be exciting!
Mitzi O Rauers
Mr.K you are right that art is a time machine that transport us back to the past. It’s amazing that how some artist let there emotions decide what images they present. I don’t think any artist in the future can put together such good paintings as the past artist.
Mr. K, first let me say that I love your blog. You are a very interesting person and I’ve really enjoyed having you as a teacher. I thought I knew alot about art, that is until I started taking this class. What I thought I knew was barely the tip of the iceburg as I have found out over the last few weeks. You are very correct when you say that art is like a time machine. It’s amazing how a peice of art that I once just looked at for its beauty, now tells a story. I’d also like to comment on your topic of digitial art; in my opinion, art that is done directly by the hands of an artist holds a higher vaule than that of digital technology. Now its true that the lines , shading , and other effects maybe more accurate in digital art but it lacks a sense of personality in my opinion. Thank you for this insightful blog!
I often wonder what the next big thing in art is. We’ve all seen the classical masterpieces of the Renaissance and the technical skills are fantastic, but their goals were different for art. We’re into personal expression in much of our lives now, and modern art vividly reflects this. I see new art as less stunning than the masterpieces but a lot more thought-provoking than many, simply because the idea is to make you think.
Thanks for helping us learn about art through the years and for opening our eyes to some concepts we might have missed along the way. It’s been a great semester!
Wow!!! What great and thoughtful responses to my post on “Art being a Time Machine”. If you understand the visual language and have some background in the historical context of art and the artists themselves, it certainly gives us a glimpse into the hearts, minds and souls of the people and cultures that came before us. Art can be a window into other times, other places and societies all the way back to Prehistoric people. Art enriches our lives, makes us think in new ways and challenges we the viewers to see and think in from different perspectives. Thank you all for posting your thoughts on this essay.
You are the top of the list when it comes to interesting professors! I have truly enjoyed your class because I came out learning so much more about art and have many interesting insights on how it was created. I can actually be apart of the ” talking crowd” when I visit an art museum! 🙂 All in all I really liked your blog about how you think art is a ” time machine” because it really is. Every since I started your class I was able to see art transform and be molded into what it is today.Although I do wish that art would go back to its basics with a good old paint and brush because I enjoy art mostly when its that way. Most art is done on the computer nowadays because of technology but I guess art has no limit. It always moves forward, ad I’m excited to see what its going to be in the future.
I am amazed how art has assisted the new generations on understanding world history. Your statement “Great art is like time machine” It is an statement that will stay with me and will share it with others. Everytime I am going to look to a work of art, I am going to feel that I am reading a history book. If the schools could teach more about art, our communities would be in better situations.
Hi Mr. K. What a great Blog!!! I have learned so much by taking the course. I will have to admit that I was not excited to begin with but you make learning about art and the history of art interesting and that has me excited now. Only a great Instructor can do that! At the beginning of this semester I posted that my favorite artist was Thomas Kinkade, not that he is not a good artist, but when I look at painting from artist like Leonardo Da Vinci, Monet and Van Gogh I realize what I have been missing in art and that is the history that each of these artist express through their woks. I have been surprised at the emotions that I have felt in some of these painting. Art is a time machine that tells us so much about life, dreams, hopes and struggles of others throughout times. I will be viewing your blog more so please keep your art work coming. I love the one you did on “Peace and Chaos”. I can relate to it in my life right now! 🙂
Art is like a time machine. One equiped with a mirror. As the course has gone on that statement has rung true again and again. From the first hand prints on a cave wall to modern computer graphics, Color, line, shape, symbollism all have meaning.It is a representation of the feelings, thoughts, concepts, and ideals of artists and the times they lived in. I am coming away from this course with a much greater appreciation of art and the times it was created in. Thank you Mr. K!
Mr Keough,
It is so amazing how us as students 8 weeks ago could walk by a statue or painting and not understand it, but now I feel like Suddenly someone has given me eyes to wear as before I had been Blind. I think we can all agree that Art is A time machine. Viewing a piece of art allows us to almost transport into that day in age and art allows us to understand what was going on in that time of society. Whether its taking us back to The Dark Caves in France where the Hunt Flickered on the Walls , Or we are sitting under the beautiful willow trees reading a novel. As Im writing this I wanted to Say “art is …..” but I just cant put art into Words with the infinite amount of possibilities and meanings ! When you state ” Art is a time machine” then with that I can say you were an Awesome Tour guide in this Art Adventure and Im very Thankful !
Mr. Keough
Your interpretation of art is highly enlightening. Art is like a time machine that does wrap up its audience and send them on a trip through the artist’s mind, spirit, and emotions. Art served as a purpose of setting up scenarios to answer the “waht if” questions. Art can be just like a dream, where you are in the aritst’s head, enviosing thoughts that pass through their head, feeling emotions that course throughout their body, and know what is considered reality and what is considered fiction through their eyes. Yoy are doing more than just visiting a certain time or era, you are in turn visiting a part of yourself by viewing certain pieces. The reason the artist may have created a piee may very well answer dep questions about the character of an audince member.
I too feel that art is a time machine. I helps us to understand the past events and the way people may or may not have evolved in time. It impacts technology in ways that are vital to our exsistance. I guess you can say that it can be used as a map or guide to the future, if used and understood properly. Art is very informative it gives life to a blank canvas and a sense of time to a new or just born society.
You know this relates to another class I’m taking as well. Sociology has a lot of interesting stuff about how industrialization and what not make differences to societies and other things. I’m flashing back to a painting in our textbook and I can’t think of it right now which drives me insane, but it was the woman who looked like she was suited to farm life in the “big” city of New York with all the fashionable women around her. She looked distressed and out of place. The painting got a great snapshot of not only the feelings but the major changes at the time. I can’t even imagine how she would feel today if she were in New York. Probably the same way I’d feel since I’ve never been there, but a lot more amplified!
In my sociology class it said that younger children today are dealing with topics teenagers were dealing with in the 1950s. Can you imagine that! Now I think a lot of art in the US is commercial art. Stuff more for advertising and book covers, comic books, or for apparel. I think if someone from the future were to look at our art now they’d probably think we were a thriving country with few problems from just a basic overview of all the art produced by commercial artists.
I agree with art being a time machine! This is a great way to look at it. This is why I really enjoy looking at older art because I really enjoy history and learning about others views and their lives. I feel that I can really do this through viewing different kinds of art. You can definitely tell that art is your passion and I have really enjoyed being able to learn about art and your perspectives this semester.
Mr. K, I enjoyed your essay! Before taking your class I did not understand the importance art had and just how it really is a time machine. By understanding what visual elements (color, line pattern, and symbolism, etc.) to look for in a work of art you can better understand the message the artist is trying convey. Through studying art from each period we can gain a better understanding of how life was in that time period. Art is the best historical documentation we have. This semester I have been able to seen the worlds history in a new light by looking at some of the most magnificent pieces of all time.
Mr. K,
Well said. I love this blog post! Your last thoughts on technology and the current tools we have to use for art got me thinking. The thing I love about tools like Photoshop (my favorite) is that someone like me who has NO natural artistic bone in their body, can create art. I cannot sit down and paint or draw (other than beautiful stick figures), but I have taken 2 photoshop classes and was a “natural”. So these types of art tools are creating more and more artists than normally wouldn’t have ventured into being as creative as they can be. I also did this cake decorating. I watched enough fondant rolling on TV and just got all crazy in the kitchen one day and what do you know I wasn’t half bad. Maybe my adult playdough (as I like to call fondant) isn’t as sophisticated as being about to poor my soul onto canvas in a beautiful way, it is from my heart and visions that form in my brain are put into the physical form. And that is way cool!
Art is like a time machine I do agree, I do feel the future is full of the unknown and the past is often ignored. I love art and artist and I have a lot of respect for those brave enough to record history as they see it. I enjoyed my first online class with you and best wishes. Thanks for everything Mark Holland.
Great points made! And art to me is like a time portal too, we have art that is so old even before language and sometimes even acted like a language that helps us understand what it was like back then and it helps us learn about our past. I have always said we cannot forget the past or the past will keep repeating itself! There are works of art that we look at and should think to ourselves wow I remember that era and this and this happened, it is like art can help people learn about what happened back then. You can also look at art through your eyes and imagine it in the artist eyes and try to depict what it meant when the artist created it too! Today in present times we might decipher a painting or sculpture differently then what people in the past did because what we have learn since then and what life is like for us is different from that artist hundreds of years ago. Art is just amazing and gives you a wonderful overwhelming thoughts!
This was a great class and I enjoyed every minute of it. I feel like I really absorbed so much information about art in comparison to the little I knew! I really have begun to look at art in such a different perspective. Enjoying art is one thing but understanding art can really enhance your visual satisfaction. I do feel like our class took a ride in a time machine across history and I just want to say thanks again Mr. K!
Art truly is a time machine. Art has given us a gift, to be able to mentally and emotionally transport ourselves to the past an experience the feelings and circumstances of that time, as well as visually dream of the future. Art knows no limitations, it dissolved barriers such as language, and becomes a universal tool to expression.
I agree. Art is a time machine. If you look at a piece of work, it can tell a story. The story can jump off of the medium and engulf you within it. The story can come to life and transport the viewer back to that time and it seems as though the viewer was living the event depicted. Art is very strong and can have amazing powers to take people on a journey into the minds of the artist.
Art is a history lesson, with style and color. Each artist expressing their views and emotions though creativity. The pieces of artist though the centuries reflect the current emotional, political and cultural state of that time. Religious influences to the world at war, dominance of Kings and dictators to the emotional state of the world, from poverty to riches. If you understand the influence, you appreciate the artist and the work of art on a different level. Instead of asking “What were they thinking?” you can appreciate how well they expressed or captured it. Art can take you to that period of time. Transporting you and giving you the opportunity to understand that period.
Art really is a Time Machine allowing us to visually journey into the era in which the pieces were created giving us a glimpse into the society and giving voice to the language and culture. Art allows us to experience, if not but for a moment, the heart and soul of the artist and see the world around them as they saw it. Art has the potential to open the windows to the heart and mind of the observer through their eyes challenging them to explore new ideas and to be willing to accept different perspectives. I believe that as technology pushes us forward, art will cause us to reach back to the hand prints and stick figures on the cave walls, the pyramids, tapestries and cathedrals and remember the lessons learned and techniques developed by the masters.
Thank you for broadening my perspective of art by providing me with the tools to visually analyze a piece of art. I now understand that very line, color or symbol has meaning and I have a better appreciation for art and its developments through the ages. I have enjoyed this semester with your weekly virtual field trips. You are an awesome instructor and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to learn from the master!
I think that you are right about understanding themes and iconography before you can unlock the meaning of a piece. When you have the key for all the codes, you can decipher limitless information and in that respect, look back through periods in art as if in a time machine.
“Art is a Time Machine” is a great blog to end this class!
Art really is really a time machine. Through it we can learn so much about history just as much we can learn from books. And just like Mr. K said in his blog if we just take the time to understand what was going to in the artwork being study we can understand what was the situation that the artist was going through and not just the artist but the society as well. If we conserve art, humans 100 years from now are going to be able to know the life, the struggles and the innovations happening in our time; just like Timothy O’Sullivan and other photographers that recorded images of the death and devastation left by the American Civil War. Art will always be window to the past that will remind us of the struggles and successes that human beings have gone through.
I love history and had never thought of art as a time machine before taking this course. Studying the life of artists from cavemen to cubism the journey of man is documented in the art of the period. Art driven by the culture of the day but culture is driven by art more than it realizes. As Van Gogh chronicled his life by sharing his lifestyle in La chambre de Van Gogh à Arles then showing us his soul in Starry Night. We can revisit the difficult lives of the cave man, the battles of the Romans, the part that religion plays in the life of the days of the Renaissance. We can see the progression of society down through the years; I have found this course to be so interesting. Thank you Mr. K for all the work you have done to make art come alive and to make it so interesting.
This is what is so great about art! Through pieces of art we can tap into the minds of artists from many different time periods. Many of their influences were things that were happening around them so in a sense we can experience different time periods simply through a piece of artwork. No more wishing for a time machine, we already have one…art!
That’s the really cool thing about art – it gives us living in 2011 a true glimpse into the hearts, minds and even the souls (like Rembrandt & Van Gogh) of artists and art makers all the way back to the caves of France. You can’t unlock the mysteries and information embedded in art without an understanding of the visual language, i.e. visual elements of design and the historical perspectives behind art. Art is a mirror of culture and reflects back to us today the important issues, concerns, hopes, fears, joys, beliefs and agendas of the past. It is illustrated history with some mystery.
I have been taking 2 Art History courses this semester and so I have been thrown head first into a world that has been somewhat foreign to me. I started with cave paintings in one course and am ending with post-modernism in the other : ) …. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning so many new things, and I truly believe that art is very much like a time machine. You can learn so many facts and details about the timeperiods that the works were created and often I felt like I was taken back in time. Thanks!!!!!
GREAT POST MR.K! YES ART IS A TIME MACHINE INDEED!! WHY? BECAUSE IT ALMOST AS IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS AS YOU DO ART. ART HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS AND TIME FRAMES, JUST LIKE A MACHINE! THAT WAS A GREAT ANALOGY. GOOD JOB.
Art is a time machine, and it’s also a mirror on the culture and society, reflecting thoughts, attitudes, values, morals, policies, economics, religion, life, death, symbolism, and contains definitions of beauty for that time/place.
I’ve had a great time on my AH journey, and not only have I learned about all kinds of interesting things about the history of the world and the artists who left that window open for us, but I’ve also learned a few things about myself along the way.
Thanks for making a potentially deadly class a joy and pleasure!
I really enjoyed your blog, I thought it is very insightful, how art shows us emotions and windows in time. I also believethat all art can teach the viewer something. It been a pleasure to have you as an instructor.
Art is a time machine. It is truly amazing how art can show the emotions of the artist and era they were in. Before I took this class I didn’t understand that. Thanks for making it an exciting one.
Art is a time machine. It is truly amazing how art can show the emotions of the artist and era they were in. Before I took this class I didn’t understand that. Thanks for making this class an exciting one.
I really enjoyed your essay. Art is a time machine is a great expression to explain the timeline of the styles. The way a painting can instantly take you to a certain point in time.
Your blog brings a new light to art and how to look at it through the artist eyes and how to precieve it. Art tells stories of history and life of the srtist and the times that thry lived. If only could look at life in the way we look at art!. Your post was a joy to read and I will be keeping up with it. Thanks for bringing a decision about how art impacts everyday life.
I was up all night last night working on a sculpture and it felt great.
Mr K. this post is so true!! I do believe Art is a time machine how it takes us back from the 1200s until now. It is so neat how much the pictures look so different and then some look alike. I really enjoyed this class learning the different arts and can’t forget the artists. Thank you Mr. K for all you have done to teach me about Art.
Art is a time machine! You could’nt have said it more clear. Luckily there are still many art enthusiasts who can identify such great art works by Di Vinci, Picasso, and Pollock, but for the average Joe, naming the era of a particular work of art might be difficult. But common sense can help you identify art era’s such as Renaissance paintings (kings,queens, etc), and Greek/Roman architecture such as the Roman Collesseum, and the Panthenon. Even Medieval Art is quite recognizible as many replica’s aren’t made today. Art is an important (and fun) subject that everyone should appreciate, because art reflects ones society. Great blog, such an inspiring teacher! Thanks for your insight.
Art the inner visual that comes to life on paper. It shows beauty, elegant, horror, sadness, and death in a expressed way that will stay on your minds forever. As time have passed, artists told a story of how life changed and evolved around the world by using the stroke of a brush, bright and dark colors, and space and light. Art is a gift to the ones’ that possess it. Art brings out the deep dark feelings you have about life and beauty so you can enjoy the artist talent.
Mr. K,
You are clear and on point when you speak of how art is exactly a “Time machine.” That is what you started this semester out by and that is what the follow through has been. Each piece of art you had us refer to or research was just a painting before your class to me. Now I am able to pick out things in the art and try to place it in the proper time period, understand the meaning and use of subjects and recognize different styles. Thank you for that! In answer to your question on where our digital age will take us, one only knows. I would imagine that it could only get better for the art world, but do fear that computerized art may never ring the same bell as a hands-on piece.
What I love most about art is that each painting, sculpture, drawing, etc. represent a different time, different culture, different person, different expression. Art has done a lot of changing over the years but has always remained constant, and always will.
Art is like a time machine; it allows us to venture back in time and experience life of that time period. It is truly amazing how art can capture a person and allow for them to become engulfed and active in that event in which the art work is depiciting. Art is one of the tangible things that we can look at and analyze. Although, history books and archives are great …. these forms of history do not allow the same breath taking experience that art offers the viewer. In your post you stated, “Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope. The more one learns about art the more its mysteries are revealed. There is so much more to art than just what we as viewers see “face value” (Mr. K Posting). I wholeheartedly agree with this statement ….. Art makes us think beyond the present; it makes us think about the past and future. It makes us “discover” new and old things. In retrospect, art allows the view to think outside of the box and question all that is around us.
Mr. K,
I really enjoyed the information Art is like a Timecapsulse. It was very interesting and true. Art has progressesd over the years and technology has gotten better and better but that doesn’t mean that modern day art is better than middle age or any other time period. It is just the techniques that were used. I think all art and the time period is unique and have something special about it and interesting meaning. I really enjoyed that information.
Art is amazing. Its like an artifact of each time, or a fossil. It tells us stories of the artist times. It helps us see how each era was effected through, survival and the hunt, wars and love, intelect and piracy, with techniques what how they adapted and sought out new ways to reflect thier images, or take away the glamour to get their point accrouss. Religious timelines and views,like and poltics. With out art i don’t believe we could really understand most of our past stories become faded or forgotten but a picture goes on forever so that the times can be relived with each generation.
Art is like a time machine is very true in many ways. Art is one thing that can give each and every one of us a history lesson about the past. Art is one thing that can show us what the past styles were and art has also taught us many story’s. without art we would not have been able to understand what the ancient times were like, such as art is one thing that has told us many story’s from times before history was recorded such as cave paintings telling story’s about successful hunts and struggles that they encountered in their lives. another topic that we have learned alot about was egyptians. the storys of the lives of their leaders were told in their tombs by paintings on the walls of the pyrimids. by looking at art and understanding it all we can all have a feeling of going back in time and understanding the past of the world such as getting in a time machine and going back in time.
Mr K,
I agree with you! Art is like a time machine. It’s amazing how you can view different peices of art and relate to the different time periods they were created in. Its a wonderful form of expression.
I agree with you mister Keough art is truly like a time machine it tell the stories of life struggles, major incidents, war and other major events that happened in the earlier days. It has help us to discover things about people and earlier civilizations that we may not have known if there art work wasn’t still present for example like the first cave paintings and so on that have help us discover fact about the earliest cave men. And by being able to recognize the symbols and different characteristics of artwork it helps the person that is trying to identify if meaning, the time period in which it came from, and even sometimes who created it.
Hi Mr K, when i first started your class I classified everything as art…..even peoples yardwork! haha. Now I realize what art is. I think it’s amazing how we can tell so much from ancient art clear up to art in the present. Art does tell a story. People did use art to tell a story and communicate how they lived, that’s part of why we know so much about the past and the way people lived is through their art. It’s so true how you say “Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope.” That’s a great statement. Thanks for teaching us so much about art! 🙂
Art really is a time machine in a way i feel as if art is a history book. I can always get a sense of the history from each time period. Mr. k Your enthusiasm for art is amazing something i look forward to having one day.
Mr. K, I enjoyed your Time Machine essay. Being interested in world history, I’ve enjoyed incorporating the “history” of art into my knowledge of world history. It opens a new window of discovery and connects the events throughout history into the realm of the art world. The foundation of art was so instrumental in our history and not only allows us to see the minds of the artists, but leaves a tangible path into the past…and that path leads to the future of which we benefit from and enjoy today.
A time machine is a very good comparison to art. We can use art to look back and see how people lived and what their beliefs were thousands of years ago.
I understand what your saying and I agree. Art is like a time machine in such a way as it gives you a glimpse back in time. Paintings give you clues on what homes, clothing and people looked like. I love that part, I love to see the dresses of long ago.
If I’ve learned anything from art its that there is always a story behind it and learning the story behind the work is what makes the piece more enjoyable!
Mr. K ! Such a wonderful blog. Art turly is a time machine, it is one of our windows into the past. My love for art is ever growing, your class is one of a kind! Thank you Mr. K 🙂 !
Just from thinking about the title art is a time machine the first thing that came to mind is how when we view a piece of art we are looking into that time period i really feel like art was used back then as photo’s are used now art could capture what was going on in that artist’s mind, what was happening in that time period how differant people were viewed even their rank in society. i think that now days we use photography very similar and even though we can edit it thats just our way of better expressing ourselves i think that in the future families are going to be able to look at the face of everyone that is in their family tree due to how easy it is to take a picture now days and for each picture we take we add to the history that will be passed down to our children and there children and so on and so on
I believe art really is a time machine. There is no other way to go back and see what people were thinking and feeling other then really studying a piece of artwork. These people aren’t around anymore to say what they felt when they created a piece of artwork. It’s a portal into the past. If we really sit down and take a deep look into something, we could better understand what they believed. Like you said with Van Gogh, looking at his brushstrokes shows he felt powerful emotions when he painted. You can really see a personality from long ago and realize these people were a lot like us, They dreamed, felt, and believed. They, like us show it through art. Future generations can see the same without art, which will become a time machine to now, in the future.
Art is definitely a time machine. I look at art like a history book. Art captures moments in history and a mirror image of the period the art was created in. Since this class, I feel like I can look at a piece of artwork and tell you what period it came from. Once you learn the history, you will learn the art.
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I love this blog!!! It truly lets people who are not familiar with art into the art world and lets them examine all the techniques and possibilities you can get out of a piece of art. Not just the face value, but so much more. A lot of people just off the street cannot see what true meaning is behind a piece of art or maybe even what mood the artist was in or trying to set, but with a little bit of education and inspiration anyone can look at a piece of art and fall into that time period and experience that mood and feeling for themselves. It is really something!!! In my opinion i completely agree with you on Art is a time machine, because without art, no one could experience the different time periods that art expresses. Great Job!!!!
I agree with you 100% Mr. K. If you sit back and actually look and take your time with one artist and one piece of art from that artist I believe you can learn a lot. All the way from the artist’s emotions at the time to what was taking place in the artistes time period. Art is truly a form of time travel.
I could not think of a more appropriate analogy to describe art. Each painting or sculpture created throughout history tells something about the time period, no matter how big or small. Each piece of art has something to offer. So, throughout the semester, as we have explored different time periods from Prehistoric to the Renaissance. In doing this, we have been getting into a “time machine” traveling through time, and appreciating the beauty of Art.
I completely agree. I believe that art is such a beautiful way to express oneself. It can exemplify any emotion. I thorough enjoyed reading this blog. =)
I have learned such a great deal in your class this semester! I now feel like I can view artwork and identify the time period that it comes from. I now understand how a work of art can be a reflection of the time period it was created in. I am fascinated with viewing art and trying to visualize it in its native location and time period. I often ask myself what a piece of art would mean to a person that lived in the time it was created. Art has special meaning for us in current times, but even more so for the people of the art work’s era. I want to sincerely thank you for opening my eyes to art in a way that has never been one before! 🙂
I agree that art is like a time machine because we are able to see the evolution that art has taken through out time. Just think about the cave drawings, isn’t amazing to look at that art and just wonder what life for them must have been like. Art is a way for you to express yourself and even the cavemen needed an outlet to express there feelings about survival. Throughout history we are able to track what life was like during that time through the art of the time. Mr.K your an awesome teacher and I’m really glad I took your class this semester I learned how to understand and appreciate all sorts of art.
Mr. K
Thanks for your time and effort in guiding us through this course. Yes, it was a veritable “Time Machine”. Thinking about the history and the stories behind each of the paintings that we picked for our DB another metaphor comes to my mind. These painting are in essence a “Time Capsule” of the time and place of their execution…
I have always like art, but I could naver really understand it until I took this class. Now I see that art have so much meaning. I can’t look at a piece of art work now without trying to find that meaning. I think viewing a piece of art is like reading a good book. It can take you places and teach you things you naver thought you could learn. Thank you for opening up that book.
Mr. K
I truly believe that is a perfect way of seeing art as a time machine, art allows its artist to capture a moment in the past wether its a moment in history or a moment of present. As we look into a painting we are able to go back in time and capture that same detailed moment.
Mr. K
Their has been so much learned in art and a amazing story behind the word art. Art has many stories behind them maybe out the artist life or some type of moment that they had throughout their life. Before I actually took this class I really never knew the true understanding of art. I have learned so much in this class it is unreal. Thanks for your time and effort that you put in to help me through this course I really appreciate everything.
Thanks 🙂
Mr. K,
I have truly been inspired by your class and every detail you have included to help us navaigate our way through art history. I see art in a diffrent light and truly have a passion to learn more. Since we do live in a digital world, some over look the great artist and art work that has shaped the world around us. Now with eyes wide open I can can get a full understanding of art.
Thanks.
Natalie Patterson
I agree totally Mr.K to what you said about some art makes you think, dream, and question. Some people art you look at and have to think hard on what they are trying to express. Some artist work you look at and start to dream because it is so unique and beautiful it may take you there sometimes. Other artist you look at their work to question what is it. No matter what the situation art is beautiful. I am attracted to certain art because of the beautiful colors, and others just take me there and I look at them and dream or remember things I haven’t thought about in a while. Everyone views art in a different way.
Art most definitaly is a time machine. It really lets us know not only how those artist felt when they created the art but it also gives us insight into how those people lived before us. It shows it what was important to them at the time, and what they believed in. You are right, you really have to understand art to be able to tell what the artist was trying to say to the viewer..rather than just seeing it for “face value”. Although, I do believe that many different people may get a different meaning from one peice of art regardless of what the artist was trying to say.
I wonder if it was a coincidence that I took Western History and Art History at the same time. I randomly chose them as they were the last online courses I could choose. I have seen so much correlation with both and it amazes me mainly because I did not expect it to. You are right that there is so much more to an artwork. What the artist intended and implied in the small details. I think about art today especially with us in the digital world and photography. It is always more of how can I photoshop this image to make it better. I like photoshop, don’t get me wrong, but I like creating the image in my camera and then merely adding saturated colors in photoshop. But I wonder in the future, if people look back to our digital style of art, mainly photography, would they see a superficial period? What else would they see?
I really like how you described art as a time machine, because when you look at certain pieces it brings you back to that era, and shows you what the artists were thinking at the time, and the time of the culture and everything else that was going on at the time.
Art is a reflection of the time it was created. But unfortunately, it was also very tainted at times because of the patronage involved. As for aesthetic beauty and technical quality, that always found a way to shine through. However, I cant help but think where art would have gone earlier in time if it had not been so heavily influenced by the church and the people who bought the painting insisting that their face be in the work itself. Having said that, it gave artists a persistence in creating a quality piece of art instead of just glorifying the person who paid for it.
I agree that with the right eyes and knowledge art can be a time machine. It is interesting to me to see the evolution of art through the ages. I am amazed at how much art has changed. What I am most surprised about is what people consider art today.
I thank you for the opportunity to show me the life that lives in art! I was so uninterested in different forms of art but after taking this class, I have really learned alot. And even with this website you’ve helped me broaden my horizons even more!!!!!
Art is a form of communication whether it be in the Gothic era or Impressionist, if analyzed we can understand it by giving it the oppertunity with our mind and eyes open. It will be interesting to see where art goes in the digital age in say ten years, artist are coming out with some pretty amazing things currently. The marvelous thing about art is that it will continue to evolve always leaving a hint of the pasted for the future to see.
Mr. K I totally agree with you Art is definitely a time machine!!! I have learned so much this semester that makes that statement so true….. art represents what is going on in that particular time period. It is amazing that you can get a glimpse of what was going on around the artist when they created their work of art….. and if you let it it can take you back to that particular time to let you relate to the artist and what they were feeling!
It is amazing to look at art from cave paintings to Egyptian art, then from the Neoclassical period and now to modern art-art is continuously changing. Cavemen would have never imagined art being what it is today; whether its objects stacked together or what appears to just be paint splattered onto a canvas. In one of your earlier you lectures you wrote, “it (art) reflects and reinforces the cultural, economic, political, religious issues of the period filtered through the artists living in that time.” To me, that sums up that art is a time line, it is analyzed by the viewer based on what is going on at that particular time. Thanks for all you have taught me this semester; I have definelty changed how I view and dissect art!
I agree art is indeed a time machine. While reading this blog I actually looked deeply at the artist and art that you mentioned in the blog, and looked at the picture a totally new way. I was amazed at how much I missed in the paintings just looking at the painting without deeply looking and noticing its actual meaning. I also agree that since we have better technology tools that we are better artist. In hindsight I think that the older artist like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci are better than the majority of artist past their time. I really enjoyed reading this blog also because I never thought of art as channeling your thoughts and emotions into painting as deeply as it actual was.
Malcom Stevens
I have personally learned so much looking at art period by time period. I have enjoyed having a glimpse into their religious beliefs, human ideals, feelings about love, etc. It is remarkable to have evidence of the human mind growing, with the additions of geometric shapes, scientific and anatomical discoveries. To know how a society was thinking, and what they felt was of importance. It is history of expression, and how priceless this teacher has been to us.
Mr. K I completely agree with your blog about art. Art is a time machine and that it allows us a glimpse into the hearts, minds, and souls of the people, cultures and civilizations that came before us.Art brings us into a state of understanding with glimpse of our pass. It helps us understand who we are as a people and where we can go. It is a time machine that shows us how things were and how things have improved. Art is a beautiful thing and it can be seen in many different ways.
This blog is so informative! I really find your blog interesting. It made me think of all the meanings a piece of art can have, and me not knowing it. I agree, with you that art is a time machine. Everything changes through time, and only some keep going through generation. I also agree that art let’s us enter into the mind of an artist. It helps us understand their feelings, emotions, thoughts, their own soul. The pieces of art created gives us a view of their own world in which they live in. All artists try to communicate with the viewers in the way that they help us understand what they were going through in that certain period. I believe that even though technology is increasing and changing, art will always come from the heart. Great blog! You are a wonderful instructor.
A little knowledge is dangerous and a lot of knowledge is powerful. Wisdom is how to use Knowledge. Love is how we should use knowledge.If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. The knowledge of men is foolishness.
Art is definitely a time machine. It allows us to see things and learn of things that we would never know of. Meaning, prehistoric art, if the cave drawings and messages weren’t left along their way, how in the world would we have ever possibly learned of the things the cave people experienced back then. Almost like a message in a bottle, but in these cases, it was messages in caves. Some of the art over the periods of time that we now can look back on, were messages of teachings. There weren’t always books and writings that someone could read later on to learn. They had paintings to teach the younger generations about the life’s lessons they were trying to convey.
I didn’t know before this class, that art was so in depth. Meaning starting with the lecture we first watched on the drawing of the apples. Man I could not see the different shapes and lines that the artist used in making the drawing. Buildings and architecture wow the complexity. That one period’s art transformed into the next period. There was a whole lot to learn about art for me. I have learned much more than I had hoped to from this class.
Art. It is definitely a time machine. Just like mr.K said if you have that keen eye to discover the symbolism and iconography you can definitely immerse yourself in that portrait or in that moment where the artist was creating the said masterpiece it helps you think the way they think and see through their eyes. It helps you see how much we have evolved from back when the cave drawings were upon us. How many people have attempted to perfect the view of the human body and perfect architecture and pottery. Discovering different mediums and so on and so forth. It just shows us how far we’ve come. It was always something we can look at and always learn from and reflect on.
but as travina said but before this class i never understood how art was so deep and thought-stimulating. as she also stated from our first lecture with the apples. it was amazing and definitely changed my view on simple drawings and shapes such as an apple. artists can change it dramatically.
I’ve also learned a tremendous amount. I thought i knew art. but man, I was wrong.
Mr. K this brings me back to the very first question that jump started the class. What is art? Art is life, history, and the inner view of the individuals outlook of the world, people and experience of the times.
Mr.k I really enjoyed your essay.I must truly say that i really did’nt no anything about art,in any fashion like this.but this class has open my eyes on what art is ,and i give that thanks to you .i really enjoyed your class and i have learned alot and open to learn more.Yes i do fell art is a time machine because once you put them colors together you dont no whats comming out are what its going to be. so on that note thanks for everthing i really enjoyed your class take care.Tpayne
Mr. K, This has really been a great learning experience for me. Because of this class, I for the first time ever, visited an art museum. I was impressed with the styles and paintings that I saw. I do understand art with a new meaning now. Just as you said in your essay, “The more one learns about art the more its mysteries are revealed.” I most certainly agree that art is a time machine. Though I feel I have limited ability to distinguish what some painters tried to express through their art, I can say that now I understand better. You stated that art can allow you to wonder, think, and dream. This is so true because if I had to paint something today pertaining to what the world is going through now, I would paint denominations of money. I dont think I would have ever felt this way before this class. Thanks Dante Rowe
art is a mirror to society,people who cannot read can understand picture are painting, we have many ohter that cannot speak but can enjoy the beauty of a painting art helps with the communicate in every culture and in any civilization. you can experience so many thing in just one pieces of art.
The statement art is a times machine runs very true. Looking at a piece of art from our past gives us a peak at the culture of the time. It gives us a chance to see how a past culture lived as well as how they saw the world. Your comment on looking at the painting starry night and wonder what the artist was feeling. I think that work of art is very intriguing but I have tried, and still don’t have a clue to its true meaning. It does tell me the artist had his own way of viewing things which in fact rules true with all of us. We all see things in different ways, including the things we see and feel looking at a piece of art. I don’t believe there is a right answer when looking at a painting such as starry night as to its true meaning. I think a great piece of art talks to us all, and gives each of us our own meaning while viewing the masterpiece.
Art is truly like a time machine. I love the image you put in your blog with the different faces of art starting from early faces of art to more recent faces. this is a great timeline of art that speaks for itself. it’s almost like the ape evolving to human picture except with art! This blog is great 🙂
In a way Art work really is a time machine..Over time works of art has changed. It seems like every generation has their own out look on a certain work of art. But with art we can see how all things over time has evolved.
Very good point made Mr. K. I never really thought about art before taking this class. I took my last art class in middle school and couldn’t get out of the class fast enough when it was over. I thought taking this class would be the same way but I have learned so much. I learned that art is not just about going to class and drawing some picture, its much more than that! Just like anything else, art has a history behind it, some more meaningful than others but none the less it still has history.
You are so right when you say that art is a time machine. We can go way back and see how far it has come, or we can just wait to see how far it will go!
I think art doesn’t stop with paint on paper or steel put together. Art can be self expressive by the way a person dresses or different forms of taboo. Piercings and tattoos are forms of art as well. People are more open to the unknown when they are able to express themselves. I agree when you say artists are driven to create work sometimes they simply do not have a choice. Those people are the ones that can change lives without even realizing it.
Art certainly is a time machine, and not just art as we have discussed it in class. Other forms of art such as music and dance also show us things about society at its time. Sculpture, paintings, photography, body art, architecture, industrial design, automotive design and music are all sort of a record of history, showing what, why, who, where and when. They are a true and honest map of social and political change.
Mr K
You have enlightened me once again! Art is amazing I only hope by using computers art will be enhanced more. I have learned to appreciate art in the meaning and value behind each piece. Now when I look at art I see something that is kept inside of me forever. An image imprinted in my brain!
Thanks Mr. K
Art is incredible thanks too you!
Many people will wish that they could have a time machine to go back into time, but like you have mentioned in your post, art is that time machine. Just as photographs and memories take us back to those times that were either hated or loved, they are like our time machine. How many of us have once said, “I wish I caught that on camera”? This applies to art as discussed in this class. Art from the past gives us that glimpse of what was. Without it, we would only have readings. Art of the past is like our history book, but also art back then is the catalyst for modern art today.
I have to say that had I not taken this class I wouldn’t understand art as well as I do now since taking it. The use of line, colors, texture, and technique would have all been lost on me.
Despite how greatly technology is used to create art at the present time, I personally think that the conventional way of producing works, (painting, drawing, weaving, etc.), is more apt to show the emotions, personality, and mindset of the artist than if the artist used any computer program. Computers cannot produce an original DaVinci, nor can they come close to copying the small idiosyncrasies that artists subconsciously employ while creating their pieces.
Not that I am against technology. Publishing an illustrated manuscript or mass producing a product label is rendered less tedious and less expensive than if they were completed by hand. And there are many people, myself included, who are pursuing the career of a “graphic designer” (which mainly concerns computers). And I have met a great many people who work better, and create better art, with computer programs than working with their hands. And while you can still understand the artist’s mood, emotions, and opinion of the society around them through their computer art, when it comes to understanding the artist’s personality by observing the brushstrokes in the piece it is better to have it physically directly in front of you whether in a museum, art gallery, or on site than to have to stare at a bright, glaring screen until your eyes are sore from fighting the lighting.
You couldn’t of have put it into better words!! Art is like a time machine. Anytime I look at a piece that is from Italy I automatically transport there, so maybe its like teleportation device too. It’s funny to me that I would have never thought about art in this manner until I got into your class. Thank you for insight.
Mr. K
Art really does “Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope”. Art is also a window into the past. Because of all the great artist from the past we can have a glimpse into how life was in history. The best part about it is it doesn’t stop in the past there are artist creating masterpieces today and adding to the collection of beauty and wonder that we all can appreciate and enjoy.
Like others have mentioned Art is a time machine. What other media do we have that we can look to and tell what times were like in our history on the planet. We can look at cave paintings of the prehistoric times and see how they revered and relied on animals. Then jump to MesoAmerica time and view the beauty through a work of art. No matter what time or place you would like to travel, just look at a work of art of that period, and away you will go to that time through the peice.This alone is one of the main reasons art is such a valuable tool in our histroy of the world.
My experience with art was to look at it – decide if I like it and move on to the next piece. I discovered art and artists that I liked better than others. In learning more about art, I have a much better understanding of the history of art and why it was created when it was. I have learned to appreciate abstract art and to see it as art for arts sake. In today’s world of technology, I cannot think that digital art will ever replace the actual putting brush to canvas, constructing, illustrating, or any creation composed by your own hand. One could argue that digital art is also a hands on application and it probably is; however, I can create all kinds of things on my computer but for me it is an application and I do not consider myself an artist.
Art is a time machine…just as some of the other “readers” have commented, art enables us to go back in time and gain insight on cultures of the past- from architecture, bookmaking, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, to worship items. These pieces of “art” give us a better understanding of those who inhabited the earth before our time. For example, while studying cave drawings, we learned of the prehistoric humans’ survival techniques without these drawings to give us some insight, we would have little knowledge of these people. And like you mentioned Mr. K, more technology does not equal better artists- even digital art is based on the fundamentals/skills of artists’ past.
“Art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds and souls of the people” This is such a true statement, I would even go as far to say testament. I do not believe anyone could create, perform, accomplish any form of art without putting a piece of themselves into it. Art is a Time Machine is so true. We as people are ever evolving and take influence from what we have seen and draw inspiration to create our own art. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is amazing, it expresses so much emotion you cannot help but to feel when you view it. Art is a great mannor of expression and gives purpose and serves as an outlet to an unspoken voice .
Awesome essay, Your love of art shows through your words!
Art truly does give us the ability to look into the time of when it was created. Art, through history, has been one of the major ways for us to see what was going on during a particular period in time. Art enables us to empathize with the people of that time to see how they felt about the social aspects of the time in which it was created. I have learned a great deal during this class. And it is an education I will carry forward with me as I further my own educational goals.
Mr. K I love this alternate website I didn’t know you had it. I love the title of this article its self fitting. Art is indeed a time machine, in many ways it does take you back in time. During this semester in class we’ve learned about many different eras in art. Every time that we did a new chapter I
felt as though I got a “back in time experience”. Studying the different cultures and how they lived life back then was so exciting and new to me. It allowed me to open my mind up and be an A student in the class.
Mr. K,
Excellent comparison. I was particularly delighted to see you used “Starry Night” by Van Gogh as an example he alongside Monet are my favorite painters. I agree that art is a time machine, if only you could speak to the artist when you view the work, instead of simply interpreting.
Art is another form of history. Only these moments can felt without a word ever having been said. When thinking about art as a time machine, I remember reading about Michealangelo and seeing his statue of Moses in High school. I was stunned and I imagined someone about to stand up and speak. It amused me wholeheartedly when I read that when he finished he hammered the statue of Moses’ Knee and said ” I command you to move!”. It was like I felt the essence of that moment, as corny as it may seem to some, but it is true. Only art has the power to truly take you back in history.
Your blog is so true…imagine being in each artists shoes. What were they thinking when they were creating their art…that is what we need to imagine in our minds while viewing. From Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists to Picasso, Braque and other abstract artists. I can see the difference from their thoughts of romanticism in the Renaissance period to the manic thinking with the Cubism movement. Thank you Mr. K for all the time you put in this blog. It is a great summary of what we have learned in our class.
Art and the artists that create are both a product of their time. Each are a result of the political influence and control, religious influence and control, available technology, and philosophies that dictated their culture. I discovered in the art appreciation class I just completed that art does reveal the depths of the society in which it was created.
“There is one thing for certain and that is ART through the ages certainly gives us a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the people that came before us.” This is such as true statement. Just as great writings teach us of days gone by I believe art does the same. We learn from the great artists of past and present.
I have never thought about art being a time machine. That is a great comparison! When we view art, we get a glimpse at the past and how ordinary people saw it. This article really made me think about how important and amazing art is. Without art, we would have no idea what the past looked like.
Hopefully you can all see the issues and concerns of any given culture / society in history are reflected and communicated in the art created at that given time. We see this demonstrated in art throughout history from the prehistoric paintings on the walls of caves to the Egyptians and their fascination with death and the afterlife to the Greeks and the concept of “Man is the measure of all things” and Christians using art to Spread the Word of God to Pollock dripping paint…..etc. Without a basic understanding of the historical context in art through the ages we as viewers can’t truly extract (glean) all the information embedded in that work of art. Viewing art can be such an enjoyable and enriching experience if you have a basic understanding of the visual language and historical perspectives of art. So yes…art is most certainly a time machine. Mr.K
Before taking you classes I enjoyed visiting art museums and galleries, although now I have a true appreciation of the work that I see. Such as the art that was created during the time of the plague.
You transported me to that time period and so many others where I could witness, through the art of that time, just what was on the minds and hearts of those people.
Art and Art history are indeed time machines that can help someone see and understand time before ours.
Mr Keough,
I really like the idea of art being a time machine rather than a mirror, especially because much like a time machine we can choose the pieces through art history and time periods in general that we wish to study or like most. I have never really sat back and thought about what Van Gogh must have beein thinking or imagining while creating Starry Night but, it has always been one of my favorites and I could imagine that it may have been what he visualized as a dream. Great blog! Jessica Gillis
I think art can be a time machine of sorts but there are social, cultural, political, and economic hurtles that are probably insurmountable. Could we possibly have the same perspective that the intended audience had hundreds or thousands of years ago? Doubtful. Can we learn something about the artist and intended audience? Certainly. Are we capable of truly becoming THAT audience through historical awareness? No, but we can make a valiant effort to leave our twenty-first century baggage behind and attempt to *see* from a different perspective.
Kind of a synopsis of everything I learned in your class. Love hoe you compare curious vs. expressive, i believe that is one of the biggest differences between artists that if fun to try and determine. Also trying to unlock the symbolism of a certain piece i found to be challenging and rewarding. Great class! Enjoyed it!
Art has always reflected the culture of the people. Since early ancient times to modern times and it will continue to do so in the future. Art is meant to be expressive of ones self and/or the world around them and how they perceive it. After all this time, it is hard not to replicate something that has been done before, thus art should push you to become more innovative and creative!
Art IS a time machine, and experiencing art, as a viewer or a participant, is truly an opportunity to experience an altered conciousness; to share experiences with the minds creating, the hands fashioning, the souls feeling. We participate in the commentary, satire, and criticism of the ages. We feel the pain, joy, triumph, through repetition, over time, as history repeats itself and life imitates art and art imitates life.
And not only is art a time machine, but it’s also a record of things in the past. Books and documents also fit this criteria, but they don’t give you the visual aspect of things like in the past.
Nevertheless, that time machine analogy fits so perfectly. Just looking at the different arts from different periods (like the renaissance to the baroque period) just shows us how art is evolved over time. It showed us the different ways of living, the different believes, and the different attitudes of the time periods as well.
And we all have to thanks the artist like Van Gogh or Michelangelo. It was their ideas and their emotional attitudes that made their artwork interesting. Without their emotions put into the work, the art wouldn’t convey as much emotion.
Anyway, thanks for the nice article post; it made me realized how deep art really is.
And not only is art a time machine, but it’s also a record of things in the past. Books and documents also fit this criteria, but they don’t give you the visual aspect of things like in the past.
Nevertheless, that time machine analogy fits so perfectly. Just looking at the different arts from different periods (like the renaissance to the baroque period) just shows us how art is evolved over time. It showed us the different ways of living, the different believes, and the different attitudes of the time periods as well.
And we all have to thanks the artist like Van Gogh or Michelangelo. It was their ideas and their emotional attitudes that made their artwork interesting. Without their emotions put into the work, the art wouldn’t convey as much emotion.
Anyway, thanks for the nice article post; it made me realized how deep art really is.
T. S.- Student
Art is constanly changing, and it seems that even though it’s depicted in different forms the artist are all telling a story. Art is definitely a time machine, you can look at art in different time periods and see or understand what the artist was thinking or going through during that time. I’ve learned so much about art this semester.
Art is a time machine. it takes us back to the past and shows us what these people experienced when they were alive. You can look into a painting and see the vast subject matter, but you can also see how these people lived. Art is the time machine that has already been invented. We can’t really go back and experience first-hand what happened, but we can see how an artist of that time felt about life. Any type of art is expressive and looking at it shows us what happened at any given time. Without art, many things would be unknown about the past. We wouldn’t have a written language, because art started a simple a recordings and pictographs on cave walls. Thank Mr. K for an excellent post!
Wow! I really love your blog. One thing that I really like about art is that one can go into the mind of the artist and see the message an artist is trying to say in their work. I really like your time machine analogy of art, because that is exactly what art is. Art cannot be put into one category, because art has many different styles and it comes from many diffident time periods. The amazing thing about art is that we can look at a piece of art from a certain time period and see what the cultural or historical background was of that time period.
I agree art is indeed a time machine. While reading this blog I actually looked deeply at the artist and art that you mentioned in the blog, and looked at the pictures in a new way. It made me think of all the meanings that a piece of art can have on one. In addition, it allows us to venture back in time and experience life of that time period. It is truly amazing how art can capture a person and allow for them to become engaged and active in that event in which the art work is represented. I also agree that art let’s us enter into the mind of an artist; it allow us to understand their feelings, emotions, thoughts, and etc. In society today many think that art is the new and advanced technology, but I think that art is what comes from one heart. Overall great post Mr. K
Art is definitely a time machine and the trail it leaves is very interesting and beautiful. I agree that art makes us think, dream, wonder, question, and gives us hope. Artist have used their talent and creativity to give us a look into their world as they see it. I can definitely see how technology is being used to produce art in the present day, but believe that the most interesting pieces still date way back before our time. I really enjoyed your essay Mr. K, you remind me how important art is in our society today. Great essay!
Art is definitely timeless and very expressive. Art can be used to express your feelings, political views, religious beliefs or something you make just to have fun. As you stated art is a time machine where you can view a piece of artwork from the past and you can tell what time period that one piece of artwork was made in. I think it is amazing how unique and diverse artwork can be from abstract work, to dark emotional art. To the use of different art forms from the normal painting to new age technology. Art can be made by anybody and appreciated by anybody.
I agree that art is a time machine. It’s amazing how some people express their views on just about anything through art in ways that we never thought of before. Artists have the ability to make critics think “why didn’t I think of that”, or “I never looked at it from this perspective”. We might have photoshop programs today, but in a way I believe that true art is created with both the mind and hands, and not just by a keyboard and computer. When some people observe art, like me for example, they think of what is going on in the artists head, what they’re thinking when they were creating their works of art.
Art is a time machine. Growing up in Washington DC I remember going to the Smithsonians and feeling as though I could feel or at least imagine how their lives were then. Each painting carries with it, the artist’s feelings and emotions along with hard work. Every artwork makes someone feel something different and what I may feel for one painting another person can come along and feel something totally different. That’s the beauty of art. It’s indifferent and uncensored in many ways and expressive in all its beauty. Not only can you just appreciate a work of art for the hardwork or the beauty of the painting itself but also the history of it and the thought that even though these people have been gone for years/centuries their culture still breathes like new life in their paintings that have stayed intact.
I completely agree when you compare art to a time machine. It truely is, it lets you see, and even feel what the artists back then felt . It puts you in there shoes when you look at it.. Some pieces are complicated and hard to determine what they were trying to get across, when others are very striaght forward, but I feel like that is the fun part when it comes to art, everyone can feel differently about it.
This blog would be perfect for the introduction discussion and foresight into what we as students will learn in your course. Art through the ages also teaches us a little more about history and how we as humans developed and invented new ways to do things and use new types of media to create great art. Saying art is a time mechine is the best answer to th question “what is art?” because no matter what period you study or what media the artested uesd, the art its self takes you (as a viewer) back to their time and some art work makes you feel like you are in their time. This is a great post and it makes you think about the artists along with their art.
This blog would be perfect for the introduction discussion and foresight into what we as students will learn in your course. Art through the ages also teaches us a little more about history and how we as humans developed and invented new ways to do things and use new types of media to create great art. Saying art is a time mechine is the best answer to th question “what is art?” because no matter what period you study or what media the artested uesd, the art its self takes you (as a viewer) back to their time and some art work makes you feel like you are in their time. This is a great post and it makes you think about the artists along with their art.
I wrote the wrong thing as the name, sorry!!! = (
Mr. K,
You are so right! Art is just like a time machine. I love the analogy you have used for it. Art has changed so much over the years. We don’t know what happened back then and we don’t know what it was like to live back then, but looking at art can give a good idea of what it was like. It is so amazing to me how people express theirself through art. I wish, I was just a little bit as artistic as they were.
Mr. K,
What an amazing post. I am so infatuated with your blog. I also have a blog as well…
I agree art is like a time machine. I like how you compared art to a time machine. I would of never looked at art in that aspect. Yes art does enables us to understand a certain time period or a specific phase an artist may go through. For example, the prehistoric time. I would of never understood the people’s daily lives if I did not take this course. I enjoyed this specific period the most, because the cave paintings allowed for myself to have a better understanding of the period, the people, and their culture as well. Art allows one to take a stroll through many different lives and to take a look at an aspect of each type of art. Art has changed over the years and each year it tends to get better. But, I personally believe the best art of all time is art of the Renaissance period. Furthermore, I’ve learned so much about art in this course. Believe it or not this class has allowed for me to view various situations differently. I don’t only see things from my point of view, but from others as well. I now try to put myself in another person’s shoes. I’ve come to enjoy art now and I do appreciate it even more.
I enjoyed your “Art is a Time Machine”. Art takes us to the past and then to the present. Everyone learns something from art, some understand more than other. Yes, looking and learning about art in the past, has aought me a great deal. Thank you for having such a great class.
Art is most definitely a time machine. It always has a much deeper meaning than what you actually see when you just look at it. You have to take the time to fully understand it and actually search for that deeper meaning. Sadly, a lot of people do not take the time to do that. I was one of those people at the beginning of this course. However, I now take the time to actually try to find that deeper meaning. We’ll never really know what these artists were thinking when they painted their pictures, but the least we can do is try.
Mr. K. I must say that before your class I never gave art much attention. I was simply a “surface viewer”. It was not unlike passing a lovely house each day and admiring the exterior. Then one day the owner beckens you in to roam through the rooms and see the treasures inside! Your post clearly gives the clue/key to this world of art. I am amazed how my mind has changed. What is the story behind each piece? Why did the artist use that technique? What was the artist feeling or what was going on at the time? You have done what no one else has been able to do. You have made me appreciate art. What a gift!
“Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope.”
This is the line that stands out the most in your essay Art is a Time Machine. I never really put too much thought into art before I started your class. Art was just visual to me, I didn’t really think about what the artist was going through during the time period that influenced the artwork. Now I see that Art is a representation of the time frame it was created in..thus Art is a Time Machine. Great essay and great class Mr. K.!!
Thanks Matt and PJ. Unless we learn the visual language of the artist and understand the historical context of the art being created at any given time we really can’t appreciate art other than face value. I’m glad my class gave you deeper insight into art through the ages. Mr.K
Hi Mr. K….I like what you said about art being a time machine….very interesting. I also enjoyed looking at your art gallery. I enjoy taking pictures of things that people would never think of taking. I have learned so much about art from taking your class. Your lectures really helped out. Thanks for a good semester!
Cody Thompson
“great art is like a time machine” this line is so true. most people as well as myself don’t realize how much we can learn from art. From studying art and the elements in it, I have started to wonder what the artist was going through or thinking about while painting. Each piece of art tells us a little about what the artist was thinking or feeling while painting.
Mr. K that was a great article you wrote. This article really shows what you have done in your class teaching us to looker deeper into art. I have learned so much, and really enjoy art now stopping and looking into a piece of art and really thinking about what the artist was doing and thinking while creating this. I agree with your statement on how we have better technology now a days but that doe not mean we have better artist. That sure would be interesting to see Da vinci with a computer and Photoshop, wow that just makes me wonder what a great artist like him could do with updated technology. Thanks Mr. K for the opportunity to expand my horizons in art. It has been a great Class!!!
Thanks Mr. k for such a great class and I love this blog. I like vary much that I can look at art from the past and tell what historical context it goes in. It is a documantry of history but far more interasting way to study it. I now have the tools to look at art and tell what was going on at the time it was created and why it was created. You make this class fun and interasting and in that lots of learning goes on.
Mr. K I certainly changed my whole outlook on art after your class this past semester; after reading your blog I can easily understand and agree with your points on being able to share a moment from the artists time period. It is crazy how throughout the years you see the art change and see how some new and some old ideas are used. My favorite type of art from this semester is between realism and abstract; they are the opposite however i like both tastes!
Mr. K. I love your Blog and I loved your class thank you so much for a wonderful semester! You are right art is like a time machine, it takes you back and lets you understand the meaning behind the art of the people in the past, how they lived and how they survived. Its amazing how art can tell a story just by looking at it. Before I started this class I did not have a clue about art I just thought it was pretty, now I at least I try to look more at the lines, shapes, and the composition of the art to try and figure out what it means and what the artist is trying to say. Again thank you for a great semester.
The experience i have had from your class has helped me understand art history so much more deeply. I have truly enjoyed learning about artwork through the ages. Art is like you said such a time machine. It is a reflection of the past centuries which allows people today, to see the past first hand from the amazing artist during those time periods. Before taking this class I was not able to look at art the same way as I do now. I now try to understand what the artist was thinking and what they were trying to communicate. Thank you so much for a wonderful semester i have learned so much and am looking forward to using my knowledge in the future.
I couldn’t have said it better! Art takes us back in time to a place we might never go otherwise. This is the best thing about studying art. We are able to connect with people from the past like Da Vinci, and get a glimpse of what their world was like. The history behind art through the ages is my favorite part. Through their art, we can find clues to who they were, what their lives were like, and basically what the world was like during their time. How fascinating!
“Great art is like a time machine” this statement is so true. When you look at art you can get a glimpse of what history looked like during the artist’s time and story that they tell a story through there artwork.
I just wanted to take a moment to express how thoroughly I have enjoyed this class on art through the ages. It feels like we have been on an exciting journey together that has completely changed my thoughts upon art. I agree that art is like a “time machine” or like a “window” that allows us to see into the deepest parts of man and his expressions. I will no longer just passively glance upon art, but do my best to study it and ask myself the deeper, more important questions as I view it. Art truly is a mirror of society. Thanks for the expedition you have led us upon throughout this course. It has been well worth it! I thought this was a greatly written blog. Take care Mr. K!
Mr. K,
I agree that art is a timeline that mirrors what is occurring with a particular artist or society. Gardner’s Art Through the Ages is a great example of showing what has happened in the past. We can picture and often feel some of what the artist was trying to convey. Art gives answers to the questions that we may have about the past, acting as a kind of time machine. Your art class has been one of the best I have taken.
Mr. K I could not have put it any better it is like you took my thoughts and put them in to words. I really enjoyed this class so much and have learned to see art in a hole new light. When I began this class I looked at art as just something to make my walls in my home pretty to me. Now I know art tells a story of times passed and time still to come. I have learned some of this storys by being in this class. So I want to thank you for helping me open my eyes a little bigger to see arts ture mining.Thank You Mr. K. Lee Gooding.
Mr. K – I really liked your statement, “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.”. I think a lot of people look at older art as being more primitive and less important than more recent art, but just like you stated, the piece that the artist produces reflects the way of life and ideas of the time. It’s almost like looking through a window and being able to see what was going on in the world.
Thank you so much for showing everyone how to really look at art –
Mr. K. I couldn’t agree with you more. Art is an emotion that has to be expressed from within. It tells a story, not only about the creator but what we interpret it to be. We can see and feel what the artist must have felt during the time that he/she spent with each stroke on the canvas or rock, what they were trying to tell us. They wanted us to feel what they felt and see what they saw. Like you said, they had no choice in the matter, they were driven to express their creativity. Art has helped beautify our world not only in paintings, but through architecture, pottery and music. It is amazing that we can look back through art and see history, romance, passion, emotions and the list goes on from there. It moves us and it speaks to us individually internally and externally. Thank you for sharing your blog with us!
Art is a time machine and when I look at pictures of cave paintings it helps me see how the people of that time related to art. Modern art fits our society now but the art from prior times allows us to take a glimpse inside the lives of those people of that time. I love art that deals with war because it allows me to go back in time and imagine how it was for people who endured through those times. Also, I think certain pieces of art take my own life back in time because I can relate them to memories. For instance, when I was 3 my great-grandmother gave me a precious moments picture bible and I was immediately drawn to the beautiful pictures in it and she would tell me biblical stories using the picture. That bible and those pictures are one of the few memories I have of my great grandmother who passed away not long after that, but I’m still able to make that connection with her based on those pictures so I know that every piece of art can in some way be used to go back in time with.
I agree that art is a time machine. It allows us to understand not only what was going on in society but what was going on inside of the artists. I enjoy reading things you posts about art, you make things clear that weren’t before. Technology creates endless opportunities for tools for artists to use, and now that you brought that up I wonder what the next big art form will be. I feel like nothing will replace art from artists like Michelangelo, Donatello, or Leonardo da Vinci because of the lack of technology I feel like their art was more pure. I love how art can be so personal and you can love or hate a piece without being wrong. Thanks for a great semester of learning about art!
Art is definitely a time machine. The thing you said about this generation having more advanced supplies to work with, but not necessarily having better artists is very true. I think that no matter how advanced our art is, it will never touch the great artists before us, especailly those having very little to work with. Those that make something out of nothing, are the ones with the true talent. Thanks for the inspiring blog!
Great article mr.k i would agree with this that art is a time machine
because it teaches and influences us as people to want to know more about what went on throughout time and what reasons artists had on placing the their thoughts on to art i really learned lot my self from art and your article.
I always had thought that art was a time machine. When looking at art you see things different. You also can learn from things.
Thanks Mr. K
I learned a lot in your class. I am an artist and I had some knowledge of art history, but I’ve never studied it so in depth before. It was so interesting to go all the way back to the beginning and try to figure out what art meant to them. Like you said it was like a time machine. Now I will look at art with a new perspective. I will also appreciate and try to understand all types of art.
It is so true that art is a way to see what was before us. It is so interesting how art has changed and developed over time. It has surely changed so much since the prehistoric time. There have been so many aspects of art that I have learned in this class that I have not even thought about regarding art.
Great essay, i never thought of art as a time machine. I agree that some of the artist’s were more emotionally expressive than others, but each one had the same goal. They all let their feelings and their life show through their work. I really like the pictures you incorporated in your essay. very nice job. And i really enjoyed your class.
That is so true. Art is like a stamp from different ages in history that shows what “Humanity” was really like. It is a shame that so many works of art were destroyed over the years.
Yes I do agree. We have the technological know how to make a magnificent piece of artwork. Does that make you a computer genius or an artist?
I really enjoyed your Blog Mr. K. I absolutely love art in any way shape or form that I see it. Your essay was actually inspiring, hearing you talk about how art reaches inside the artists to bring out deeper meanings, but also how it reflects everyday life. It is definitely a form of expression. I have always been curious to get into my own art work, always loved to draw since I was little. Thanks for sharing, always enjoyed your class.
Wow this is a very interesting and intriguing post Mr. Keough. I definitely agree with your statement that “art is a time machine”. This class helped me understand that art itself ultimately reflects and captures the ideas of that time period, like you pointed out “they used art to communicate”! Reading this blog was a wonderful way to end this class. I want to say thank you for broadening my knowledge on art and its evolution, it has been a wonderful class with a GREAT teacher!
Art is very much like a time machine. Art goes centuries thoughout time, showing a “recording” of how life was. Depending on the period you can observe how life was simple as to strict focus on a topic. As a culture grew it developed, inventing the technology of all different sorts to promote the practice of art and a more out reached approach to get the audiences attention. Creative minds sharing ideas and experimenting with techique to create the its mirror in their culture. Another expression that came to mind when I was reading your article is the art is our historians picture book. I enjoyed reading that wonder and thought is a huge portion of truely understanding and appreciating the “time portal” in art.
Mr. Keough,
This is a very interesting piece on art. Art will definitely tell the of history the human society after we are long gone. The good thing about art being a time machine is that enables people to learn about previous life regardless of how it is interpreted.
Thank you Mr. K for making art come alive for me. I never thought about what Picasso or any other past artists would have created had they had the tools we have now. I’m sure they would have blown our minds. I look forward to appreciating all forms of art for the rest of my life. Beneth
I totally agree with you that just because we have better technology now does not mean we have better art. I like looking at the old art because it really does give you a glimpse into lives lived long, long ago.
I also believe that art is bred into a person. If you are a natural artist you will create art. Don’t try to supress the urge to express yourself…embrace it and the world may meet the next Van Gogh.
It’s pretty unbelievable to me that we get to enjoy art that was created thousands of years ago. We get to try to analyze what the artist wanted to portray and get to feel what they were feeling while creating it! I love that if you take the time to learn about art from the beginning of time, you get a history lesson on the evolution of man. I wonder what people will think of our generation when analyzing our art many years from now? The digital age sure has changed everything, but I don’t think it compares to anything someone has created with their own two hands.
I agree when you say that art enriches our lives and can even give us hope. Before taking this class I never really thought that artists communicated with their viewers through their work. I just though that they were just showing us how they lived in that time or how they interperted stories. It amazes me how art has evolved from the drawing/paintings on the walls of cave by the cave men to the digital era that we currently live it. It makes me wonder what it will be like in 500 years from now.
I have never really thought about it but art is like a time machine! I’ve never really thought about it that way. Also, I have often asked myself what Van Gogh was thinking when he painted Starry Night. It is one of my favorite paintings, and to this day I haven’t found a piece of art to replace it. I also have to agree with Tina. I wonder what art will be like 500 years from now.
I like how you said that every artist has something in common, which is tapping into or trying to express something about being human. This is so true. All art is an expression of our humanity, which is why it can be hard to understand, because being human is also hard to understand. Art is a time machine, but we don’t have to go back in time to appreciate it. We can appreciate art because it is human and we are human, so we can relate. Great post! -Deanna
When we see art from the past, it is almost like a time capsule in which we can see how life was lived at some point. Though a painting may or may not depict a time period accurately, it still shows us the mindset of the people who lived in that day. It makes me wonder what our modern art says about us as a culture. I guess digital photography and media will play a big role in what future generations think about us.
To be honest before I took the Art Appreciation class I saw no need to actually “look” at art. I liked somethings and disliked others but there really wasn’t a definition as to why I liked/disliked art. Now with more understanding, I can definitely see the relationship that art created to the viewers. No matter the earthly time frame the art was created I can look at a piece and it is like taking a step back into their world, their reality, their life. Our technology is making artists out of computer programmers which is interesting to say the least. While the technology could never outweigh the great masters work I do believe that we too have evolved in what art is and what it means to us now in our own reality.
Art had always been a way for me to express my emotions and perspective. I did have a tendency to look at the surface of art, either I liked it or I didn’t. This class has provided me with the tools to dig deeper into the art that intrigues me and understand it better. It is also giving me the opportunity to understand art that I didn’t like at first and gain a new respect for it.
People are driven by a need to create…something. Art just happens to be one of the more enjoyable creations. It stands as a representation of who we are as individuals and as a society.
Learning about art has been interesting. Through every period we have learned about what was happening in their lives at the moment they created their art. The art tells a story and it is different from generation to generation. The artists of the past have made a lasting impression on the future of art. The new artists of today are creating art that would be frowned on or even not considered art by many art critics. It is a new generation of artists, though.
I love the concept of being able to share in a moment with the artist while viewing their art. And to be able to participate with the artist. The art brings people together. It is a perpetual process throughout the lifespan of the art. It is the dream of an artist to be able to touch the lives of generations beyond generations. Art is our story.
Art truly is a wonder in and out of itself. It gives you the ability to express yourself, you can actually show people your dreams, whereas there is no other way to. It gives you the ability to tell a story, or to capture a moment in time, that would otherwise be left forgotten. It is limitless in the possibilities, art can be really complex or it can be really simple. It can be made for personal or public enjoyment, it can be an outlet to spill your emotions out onto a canvas. Art is in a way a time capsule, you paint something about the present, so that in the future people can learn from it, just as we do from the cave paintings, Egyptian and Greek art.
I agree, just because we have more powerful technology does not mean that present art is better. Artist definitely did use communication through their artwork, which made their pieces what they have become today. It gives us, in present time, a better grasp of the past.
I just have to say that without your class and articles such as this, I would have never understood the basic concepts of what art actually is. The lines, shapes and colors… Things that most people tend to overlook. You made sure that we understood this concept as well as the meaning behind most artwork. We may not remember every last little name or detail but we will take with us a better understanding of where artists are coming from and how/why it is created. Thanks again!
Your blog was very interesting Mr. Keough! I actually see art as a doorway to more thoughts and messages that the artists is trying to tell us. Art will never be forgotten, as a matter of fact art will develop throughout the years and it will be even more popular than technology and other things that society appreciates. Art is used in our everyday lives and without it, it wouldn’t be the same. After taking your class I have learned the concepts of art and learned to appreciate art more. Now whenever I see artwork I will know it is more than just a simple drawing but a mirage of feelings,emotions, and meaning. Thank You Mr. Keough for teaching me how to appreciate art!
Loved your post Mr. Keough! I also think that art is a pathway into a person’s heart, mind, and soul and allows us a way into history. Art definitely is like a time machine, it allows us to go back in time and experience the versions of art that represent religions and symbolisms from that particular time period. World renown artists from hundreds of years ago will always be remembered and cherished for their artwork! I love that no matter how old or different artwork is, it is all so important to us and our history!
what a great post and analogy! As you always say, Art is a mirror. It truly is a mirror and also like a time machine to re-experience different things which have already occurred! I also think it is fascinating that you can see just how other cultures and religions were through art from their time which served as both a mirror and time machine!
This was a very insightful post and a great read to wrap up the class! I’ve definitely learned many things about art and one of them is that art is actually a glimpse into a person, a time period, their thoughts, a story, and so much more. After hearing that, I’ve applied it to literature and realized each story created reflects a piece of the author. I think art is a gateway to a person’s mind. Like you said, it’s a time machine so we’re able to experience these people’s hopes, dreams, norms, and so much more. In the future, I hope to be able to analyze art better so I can really get the full picture as I enjoy hearing the stories of other people. Now I wonder what sort of stories art will be centered around in the future. Thanks Mr. K! Without your class, I would have only seen art at face value. I truly have a greater appreciation for art.
An excellent post Mr. Keough! I must say I went into this class very hesitantly, as art is not my strong suit, but I came out of it with a whole new understanding and appreciation for art. I have learned that art is not just something to visualize, but most art have deeper hidden meanings. It is so true that just because of today’s technologies, artists are not necessarily better than their predecessors. Art is created to provoke emotion, to emphasize a point, to be beautiful, to have hidden meaning, to be created from sources I didn’t even imagine existed, to inspire, to make a political or religious statement, to anger or strike fear and so forth. I truthfully believe this class has given me a better perspective when it comes to appreciating art and in the future will come to enjoy it more than just taking it for granted like I had in the past. Art is timeless and I agree that being able to experience all the art from past to present is like utilizing a time machine and experiencing all these cultures and generations. Thank you for the experience.
I have to say this is a great post! I have truly enjoyed having you as a teacher and learning so many things about art. I had no idea that art could be related to so many things that I see everyday! Referring back to your blog post, I learned that when artists create sculptures or paintings that do not make much sense, there is always a story behind it or a reason why the artist chose to create something unique. Through this short semester I thoroughly enjoyed learning about different and weird art. I think art that is unique and different from all the rest is so important because no one can picture in your head what you are thinking. If a person does not speak their heart, how will anyone know how they feel? Art is very similar to speaking your heart because if you do not tell how you feel or why you feel the way you do the world may never know. Also, by sharing what you feel and think it may make a difference in others lives, as well as yourself.
Thank you for the wonderful learning opportunity Mr. K. I really appreciate it!
This is a great way to end this class! I have truly enjoyed this class, art is definitely like a time machine; it transports you back in time with different art pieces and their meanings. I have to say that before I took this class I simply saw pictures as nice art work. After this class I can appreciate every piece of art work I see, I learned how to examine a picture and see the different meanings it may reflect. Every little detail is unique and it is part of the story behing the art work. Art is pretty much a way of expressing yourself. A mirror of the past a way to keep history alive. I am glad I took this class, I can now share what I have learned with my kids. Thank you for the valuable information you shared with us! Mr.K you are awesome!
This is a greta way to end this class especially if we visited a museum during the class. I feel that we do have to look into the thoughts and emotions that created the piece of work.
I think saying that “Art is a time machine” is the best way to describe the feeling you get when looking at art from any time period. You get to go back and literally see what that artist was seeing at that particular point in time. Even when looking at pieces from modern art, like you said, if you know how to depict the lines and shapes within the piece, you can see and feel what the artist was experiencing. This has been such an enjoyable class, thank you so much for everything you have taught us and thank you for always responding when asked a question! A+ from me!! 🙂
“Art is a time machine” is a great way to express art. Especially when we spend time to study and learn about the symbolism involved in paintings during different periods of history, our eyes are opened up to a whole new way of looking at the world. Art can convey amazing emotions in a viewer, and it gives us a piece of what the world was and what could be ahead. There is so much that can be learned from art, it is incredible. I never thought about it before you mentioned it, but it would definitely be interesting to know how Leonardo Da Vinci might have created art while using our modern tools!!
Great Blog, Mr. K. I have enjoyed this class tremendously. So many gifted artists over time it gives the feeling that doc brown and marty mcfly are picking me up in the delorean to go on a museum tour through time!! The future is going to bring alot more greats and the ability to study life through art will only expand. Thanks for a great semester!
Art is an incredible look into the cultures before us. To look at and study art and think about the events that took place during the time certain pieces of art were created really brings a variety of emotion. The way art keeps changing confirms the fact that the world will never run out of art and will continue to introduce brand new and unimaginable styles of artwork. It’s amazing to think about the possibilities such talented artists like Leonardo Da Vinci could accomplish with the technology available to us today, but the tangibleness in the appearance of old art has a special quality to it that cannot be replaced. I’ve really enjoyed learning about how important it is to learn how to appreciate and understand the meanings behind different forms of art This class has greatly expanded my knowledge on artists of past generations and makes me look forward to what future generations will create! Thank you Mr. K!
I think Da Vinci would have created art the same now as he did back then. I know technology has brought about different ways to create art but to me there is nothing like raw paintings and sculptors that are built from some ones creative mind. I now have a new appreciation for art and I, too, can see the history, emotion, and spirituality in in a lot of the art that we have studied. History has been preserved not only in writing but also in the wonderful art works of many talented artists. I have found art to be another way of telling a story to someone and it is truly inspiring.
I like how you said that just because we now have more mediums for art doesn’t mean we have better artists. What we do have, however, is more potential for artists- good, bad and otherwise- because the tools to create art are more varied and accessible. There are more avenues for people to express themselves and more acceptance for nontraditional art forms in the world today.
The art and artists of the past are indeed time machines, and the artists that we remember and glorify today are amazing because though they are trapped in their time so to speak, their work is so amazing that in some sense, it transcends time so that we people of all ages can relate to the art.
Mr. K
I absolutely loved your blog. I totally agree that “Art is a Time Machine”. I am a science major and never really looked at art the way i did during this course. i have learned how to appreciate art and artist. As we explored the eras in class I got a new perspective on art. I really took time to contemplate the questions through out your blog and it makes so much sense. Every piece of art is some form of a person expressing their thoughts, feelings, questions, dreams and or pasts. Whether its good or bad it is an expression of real life and raw emotions. Life and reality is not always beautiful, perfect, what we expect or appreciate, buts its the artist reality good or bad. Art has changed so many ways over time and so has the way one has expressed their self. It has been a great semester. Thank you for my new perspective on art.
I thought this blog gave a lot of insight to the history or art and it clearly defined the meaning of art. I love Van Gogh’s work, he has a blended imaginary scene in most of his paintings; his artwork makes me feel like I can tell my own story. This class has changed my mindset in the way I think of Art, it is much more than I have perspected over the years.
Mr. K,
Thanks for the adventure. Reading your blog and taking your course really opened my eyes to how art is like a window to our past. It really is like a time machine. It’s been interesting reading and looking at how art has changed over the years, and how artists grew upon those that came before them. Like how the Romans took from Hellenistic art and making it their own, or how we could look at early christian art and watch as it slowly changed into the beautiful masterpieces we can see now in the Sistine chapel’s ceiling…
Thanks for the read.
-Eric
I have enjoyed your blog, what great views and insight you have, your passion is unmistakable. Because of your insight into the world of art I now grasp concepts that were over looked before. Thank you, Mr.K for sharing your wisdom with us.
Larry McNeill
Mr. K
I’ve never really thought of art as a time machine, but looking at it now it makes perfect sense. It is the vehicle that allows us to be transported back in time and see the world through another person’s eyes. Not just the deeds and actions of rulers or people of power, but of the everyday person.
More importantly you can witness the emotional experiences and gain perspective on your own life by seeing what others have experienced. Life is such a beautiful thing and is often difficult to describe. I feel art enables people to express themselves clearly and without the limitations that words often times impose.
Mr. K, I have thoroughly enjoyed your class and I’m glad I decided to take a chance and take this course online. Your teaching style was very refreshing and I feel not only more knowledgeable but also more connected with art because of it.
Thank You
Jesse VanWagner
Art really is essentially a time machine. It allows us to see those who came before us and the world through their eyes. How they had to live and survive in various cultures and it really opened up my eyes to a lot. There will never be art made like the art was made before us. Now that we live in the digital age, I believe that it will become more computerized but true artist would stick to the easel and paintbrush, or whatever they prefer.
Mr. K. this was a very insightful blog and yet again you made me think differently about different artists and there works of art. I thank you for the opportunity to learn about your passion for art and to open up my mind about art. Having you as a teacher has been wonderful and I’ve learned so much this semester.
Thanks!
Mr. K. I really enjoyed this blog entry. I often think of the comment you made about what if Da Vinci did come back and see all the progress the art world has made. But sometimes having all that progress can be constricting in itself sometimes it is good to go back to the basics and see what you can create with oil paints and canvas. Your post has really made me think about the art tools i take for granted now since we are living in a world full of technology, oh how life would be so simple if we could just go backwards sometimes. I really enjoyed this post!
-Jessica Huffman
Your absoulutly correct, Art has given all of us a rare oppertunity to get a glimpse into the inner man of ages long since past. Yet sadly few choose to capatalize on the moment. Art can be insperational, informative, and depressing all at the same time. Art is and was used to communicate what could not nesscarily be put in to words, it is a way to tell everyone exactly what is on your heart, like what you said “bear ones soul”, allowing the world to see through your eyes. Art is timeless, I would love to see what artist like Monet, and Picasso would do with the technology we have now, I bet they would still do things a bit of the old fashioned way. I believe that even though we have made so many advances, that there is a lot lost in trnslation of art these days. There is something majical about picking up a paint brush and painting your heart onto a canvas. Thank you for making Art so exciting and inspiring Mr. K.
~Rebecca Minor~
Art really is a beautiful thing. In the beginning of this course I was reluctant to step beyond the familiar boundaries of our world, but thanks to you making it fun and posting comments and videos that we can relate to, it has made it much more interesting. Art through the ages really does tell a great story. Just as Jessie stated, we are accustom to learning and reading about history by the results of the rulers and their deeds and action from that time. Through art history we have the opportunity to see how their decisions affected the people that they ruled…. It is THEIR side of the story, a way of seeing history through their eyes. And the comment that you made about wondering how DaVinci would react if he had a computer and photo shop is a great question seeing as he was so far ahead of his time already. The digital world is great, we seem to catch just about every moment of life in video and pictures these days. The people of the future will surely be overwhelmed trying to understand and view all of our “art” in this day and time. One good thing about our technology is that we are constantly leaving a digital imprint everywhere we go and because of this, it will be much harder to destroy. Unfortunately, Iconoclasm destroyed many pieces of meaningful art with the Reformation that would have been wonderful for us to have been able to observe and study today, but with the digital age upon us that task would not be so easy. (Even though some of our expressions and “art” are so immature and uneducated that I wish no one in the future would look back and see the ignorance in today’s society…lol). I also agree with Jessica’s statement about how sometimes it’s good to go back to the basics. I would literally love to be able to take your time machine back and spend a day with Monet. I would love for him to open my eyes to the way that he saw light and color. He has truly been one of my biggest inspirations and after reading about him and his extraordinary perception of the would around him I now find myself taking that time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us each and everyday that most are too busy to notice. This has been a wonderful experience and I would like to thank you for sharing all your insightful and knowledge with us!!!
Wonderful post and blog, Mr. Keough! You made valid points. I couldn’t have worded it better myself. I especially liked when you said, “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.” That is so true. If anything, I have more admiration for those artists who had fewer tools and advancements because they had to work that much harder to create art pieces. However, it’s amazing the freedom and choices artists have today that can leave them with endless possibilities of ways to express themselves.
You are correct, that art is a time machine. I think it is amazing that you can look at a piece of art and truly be taken back to the time and place that these artist were working and living in. It amazes me when I look at a piece and it invokes emotion in my and thought as well. Am i feeling the way these artists did when creating these works of art? Gives me chills just thinking about it.
Art is what we make of it, and yes it is a time machine. Art gives us a look back in history at what the past artist were creating. We see their world at that time through their eyes. This is a wonder thing to do as we read history we can have a different reflection on time through the pictures people took as well as the artist that created the image on canvas, you have a wonderful passion and knowledge of art in all time periods and it shows through your teaching.
I agree with art as a great time machine because art is history and our future. Art is also like the earth: humble beginnings, remembered from the past, admired in the present, and carried to the future. Art is the epitome of evolving inspiration and creation, put into a physical medium.
Great teachers instill a confidence in the student to do great things and go beyond their comfort zone to produce wonderful things!
Thanks for the confidence and the inspiration to learn and create more!
I love how you said art enriches our lives. I believe this to be so true. Everyday we see art of some kind whether it is an actual painting or whether it is the sun setting in the distance art plays a huge part of our lives. Art moves us in some way. Sometimes it make s us smile, cry, laugh, etc. Without art I believe that our lives would be so empty and negative. Art adds happiness to our daily routines.
In 2005 I took a trip to Europe with some friends. I remember spending almost four hours wandering around the Saatchi looking at pieces of contemporary art by artists I’d never heard of. I wish I had taken your class before that trip! I enjoyed the gallery but I am positive that now I would feel and experience so much more. Knowing about the time period and what was happening during the time a piece was created allows for so much more insight and perspective. Thank you for all that you have taught me!
I BELIEVE ART IS A TIME MACHINE. YOU CAN GO BACK INTO TIME OF THE ANCIENT PERIOD TO MODERN ART. TO SEE HOW THEY DID ART AND HOW IT CHANGED FROM TIME PERIOD TO TIME PERIOD. THANK YOU
I believe art is nothing, the more you fuel it, the more it dies out in the struggle to survive.
Minimalism is sexy.
Low profile.
All of you are saying the same exact thing.
wow, art is a time machine.
Art is manipulative and confusing.
it is slippery in its non-conventionalism.
It hides when we try to tame it.
Art is nothing.
You are everything.
We are living, walking, pieces of light.
Reincarnations, fractals of the divine.
This is the only thing art proves to us.
Art as a time machine is a pretty accurate description. However, that makes me wonder what people in the future will think about our times. I would say that people would be very aware of our political debates, as there is a lot of artistic expression in that area. I believe they would also understand our respect for the past and how much we continue to learn from older styles. Everyday we see new people replicating and adding to what has been previously accomplished in every area possible. Now that we have computers, we are creating programs every single day that show an intricate progression of knowledge and ability. We no longer need to catch the light at just the right angle, nor do we even have to smile for a picture if we don’t want to. We really don’t even need to be anywhere near parts of the picture for somebody to crop our image and insert it into a group of people, say, visiting the Grand Canyon. Because we live in such a diverse area and time where we have access to so many different mediums, there are a limitless number of ways that we can express ourselves and help tell other people what we think, see, and feel!
Art is a time machine, before i took this art class i didn’t appreciate, understand, or care about earlier art. now that i know some of the history, I am very impressed and have a deeper understanding.
even looking at there art, when trying to understand it, I seen and felt like i was back in time. Thinking about their recourses and knowing art came from their mind, the things the artists created was amazing. I think better that these earlier artists didn’t have computers because now we can sit and wonder what was on their mind what was they thinking and what was the motivation. Now that i think about what we have to work with compared to what they had Ithink they were way ahead of their time and just may be more creative than todays artists.
I like how you said just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists. I never really thought about earlier art and recent art in this way. But it is true, if earlier artists had all the tools of today what would the outcome be? When you look at older artist and their tools, it really is more impressive to see what they were able to achieve with what they had compared to today. I think art is a time machine, you can look back at older works of art and understand how the people thought and acted in that particular period of time that the art was created. Essentially traveling though time just by looking at different pieces of art from different time periods.
I really enjoyed reading this post, and brings up ideas and thoughts that I didn’t really take into account when looking at artwork. I enjoy artwork a lot more now because I feel like I can understand the art better.
I definitely agree when you said art was a time machine. I remember taking a field trip back in middle school to an art museum in Raleigh, and I loved all the different varieties of strokes and colors and types of paint and materials used to make the piece of art. Every piece of art has a deep meaning and says a lot about the time frame it was created. It’s definitely evolved over time, and now that computers are involved I feel like art would be taken to the next level. And to think how art in the far future will advance.
I’ve said before in a discussion board of ours (the prehistoric lecture i believe) that it’s a subconscious instinct of humans to want to leave their mark on this world. Artists, of any and every form, do that everyday by sharing a piece(s) of themselves to the rest of the world. They ultimately leave their mark on this world with all of their emotion, struggles, triumphs, defeats, cultures, and beliefs through their artwork. Art really is like a time machine, as you said, it gives us a glimpse into the past, something we have no way of understanding if we weren’t living during that time. It gives us insight, insight into the culture and trends of that time. Art is amazing in more ways then one, that’s for sure! You’re post was very intelligent and insightful, you’re an awesome teacher and it’s very evident that your passionate about art!
I agree with this proposition. I believe that art has acted like a time machine in more than one occasion. Art is, and has always been, a way for artists to express themselves. Whether it is by creating something representational, abstract, or non-objective, you will rarely find historical art that does not have meaning behind it. Some people do not understand the meaning behind some pieces of art, but it can still be art as long as the artist intended it to mean something (in my opinion). Understanding the meaning behind some works of art is how art can be considered a timeline. We can experience the feelings and thoughts of someone that was alive long before us through their art. Yes, journals and pictures allow us to see this, but art has been around much longer than any other form of expression. Without art, we wouldn’t know many of the things we do about the cavemen and everyone after that. Art is so important for that reason, and for many more. Sometimes, art is like a friend to artists. They are able to talk to it and show their emotions through it. I think that we would not know a lot about some famous people if art was never created. How else could they express their emotions and feelings so openly? If they could not write, how could they tell a story? Art has expanded tremendously since the cave paintings, and I agree when you say that this doesn’t mean there are better artists now. I think that the artists that had limited resources are better because they put a lot of thought into their pieces and weren’t able to create something so easily on a computer. They had to figure out how to show other’s what they were feeling using only a few tools and I think that art is much better when it has a lot of thought and emotion put into it. That doesn’t mean that there are not amazing artists today, but the limited technology actually helped the artists create more emotions and feelings and present them to people for years to come. It is crazy to think of where the world would be without art, and how much history would be left unknown! When you think about it, art is not only crucial to art history, but the history of the world. With art, we were able to uncover more facts about ancient history that were not told through writing. We could also determine more mysteries about certain people and groups. Ultimately, art acts as a time machine that allows us to look back at various cultures and be able to feel what it was like to be alive during that time. I believe that art is not just a time machine, but could also be described as a simulator. And people wonder why art is so important!
This is truly the best definition of art i have read, I couldn’t have said it better myself. I could feel the passion you have toward art in the words you used and the descriptions. This post has definitely got me thinking about the feelings the painting bring to me. I have always believed that the best types of art are the ones that provoke feelings and thought. I like the fact that you added the reflection of the society and the artist that created it. Many artist have a signature look to their pieces of art, as well as the society they were created in. The tool that were available, experiences, societies statues, etc can all reflect on a painting in a certain era and by a certain artist. I prefer art that represents a cause or paintings that are realistic but some abstract art can provoke feelings as well. I enjoyed reading this thank you for the suggestion.
Art is a Time Machine, I never thought to view art in that manner until I read your Blog. I agree with the fact that looking at a piece of Art can take you back in time though. In fact I think this happens to me. I find myself wondering what the artist was doing. I imagine them painting, or sculpting. It’s not just as you described but similar. In fact this makes me think of Van Gogh, and you said he was emotionally expressive. I agree with you there, but it made me wonder why he was that way, and what message did he want conveyed? A lot of people say he was crazy, but I don’t think he was. I think he was just living his dream, and was not worried about what other people thought of him. It amazes me how he could tell such a story with a paint brush. Do you think his art made up for what he could not portray to people verbally? I do. I think he used his art to say what he was afraid to say, or maybe ashamed to admit. His bold color, and deep shades may have been due to his depression, but maybe it can be contributed to his eye. He had an eye, and he knew what he was doing in the artistic world. You just bringing up that art is a time machine reminded me….that I would have liked to have had a conversation with him. I want to know what made him tick, and I want to know where his passion came from. Thanks for reminding me Mr. K, and thanks for making me think about art, not just look at it!
I certainly agree that art can be the portal for us to view the past. What I find very interesting is that it shares with us not only the content, which mirrors the values and concerns of a given society, but also the media and techniques used as well. As some of the first human artists, the cavemen did not have a printing press to mass produce their artwork, they had to go to the cave to view it. As time moves forward we can see the shifting of the content and media. Thoughts of survival are redirected into thoughts of the afterlife and so on as the media and techniques keep improving as well.
I have never thought of art using this analogy but it’s a perfect fit! Since I’ve gotten older and taken more art classes I have really opened my eyes to “old” art. I often find myself lost in a picture trying to figure out what the artist was saying/thinking. I really hope as technology advances that art does not completely change into all digital, in my opinion a drawing or painting even a sculpture, has a deeper feeling behind it simply from it coming directly from the artists hands. It’s more personal. Art always tells a story of some kind, whether it literally being a story, or a thought, and I find it beautiful to try to figure out what it is.
I also have wondered what great artists would have been able to create if they had the ability to use software like photo-shop. Art is amazing, we are able to express ourselves and communicate with people our thoughts and ideals with only a painting. I wish that I had the ability to be able to completely understand deeply symbolically embedded works of art. Then I would be able to experience the feeling of connection with an artist that was way before my time. I have noticed that because we have so many abilities technologically to create art that we have in a way desensitized ourselves to much of the modern art that is created today. For example many commercials that we see on TV today contain extreme amounts of art that is supposed to help communicate to you the advertisement, but we do not think of it as art when we see it. Many people think that art has to be in a frame. This is not true art can be anything that someone wants to create while using expression.
Mr. K,
I think you are exactly right when you said art was a look into the hearts of those before us. I honestly think that with art we can see what others in times before us saw. It gives us insight to what we have missed and kind of tells us why things are the way they are now. It amazes me how far along art has come since cave men times. The technologies and advancements we have had are so incredible. You have taught me so much about art in your online class for southwestern community college and they way you speak art is amazing to me. I have honestly learned so much about art, more than I ever had, and even by reading your blog I have learned. Your desire to share and teach art is a gift and you are a great teacher. Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog with us, you did a great job!
Mr.K, I really enjoyed reading your blog and you are definitely a great teacher and love what you do. I agree with everything in your blog, especially about the fact that art can be and is very mysterious. During this course, I found myself staring at images and trying to place myself in the time it was created, like during the Baroque Period, the painting by Caravaggio called.” the Entombment of Christ”, (Christ being lowered into an open grave) very emotional! I always knew there was history in art, but I never knew just how deep and serious it was. Thanks Mr.K, you’re the best!!
Mr. K,
You definitely have a great love and perspective for art, and I enjoyed receiving some of that through your instruction.
You are absolutely right in stating that “Art is a Time Machine.” Not only does it gives us a window to the past, but it also provides us–if we so desire–with many invaluable lessons on the successes and failures of the civilizations before our own. If we expect to survive the test of time, we must look into the past and examine what helped develop and eventually terminate those before us. What mistakes did they make that lead to their degradation and eventual disappearance from the “map of relevancy.”
I thoroughly enjoyed your course, and wish you success and health in all your future endeavors.
Carlos Cordero
Mr. K,
I could not agree more with the statement ‘Art is a Time Machine’. We need art just as much as the historical documents to help us understand history. It gives us a window into the past. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”-George Santayana. It is not just to learn about how to do a piece of artwork, but to learn about our history that one would study historical artworks. I don’t think anyone would understand why certain monuments were built if there were no record, but likewise could you imagine what it was they were writing about if there was no image.
I really love your blog. It was very informative and eye catching. Your class really helped me to look at history and art in a different light. I am loving the research and discover of each period we learn. Looking forward to more classes with you.
Heidi Tousignant
Mr. K.
I really enjoyed reading this! I totally agree that art is a glimpse of what and who came before us. Art does enrich our lives. I wouldn’t know what I would do with a world without art. “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.” I love, love, love this statement! I couldn’t agree with you more! Just because artists have the power to use technology and are able to enhance their artwork, doesn’t mean that their artwork is better than someone’s who doesn’t use it. I love the artwork where the artist puts their whole being into the piece.
Loved your blog!
~Kelly
As I was reading this blog post all I could think to myself was “I agree.” Previous art showcases the past because artist often reflect their surroundings, time, or era in their works of art. Along with their feelings or beliefs. This post has reinforced what I learned in your art appreciation class. By looking further beyond face value, you start to see these stories. You may see the way they struggled and that they just wanted to express them self, or see the story of a war, or beautiful scenery; the list goes on and on. I think art is like a flaky biscuit (ha ha) so to say. It has layers, and layers and not only is each layer better than before, but as a whole it is amazing. Just like art-work it has layers. The face-value, textures, lines, shadows, shapes, placements, etc. that all depict the meaning and power of the artwork. The more you continue to study a piece of art, the more all of its layers come be-known to you.
Mr. K i really enjoyed your class this semester. At first, I was a little frightened with the amount of discussions, however I see now the power they have. I have learned more than I expected, and I plan to use those skills in my future ART experiences. Please keep up the amazing work as a teacher, you’ve been awesome!!
Art is a great way not only to show emotion or express yourself, but to grasp a time period as well. Art has allowed us to see what it was like in times where we could not be there. It has also shown us how people were before us. Pursuing a psychology major I was wondering why I was required to take an art class, thinking that it was irrelevant to my goals. However I am now more aware that people showed who they truly were through some of their art work. Art work such as the famous Starry Night shows so much emotion and so much character as to who the artist really was. I may not be pursuing a career in art but it has certainly opened my eyes and has been a fascinating experience.
Mr. K
I really enjoyed that, and I agree art is a time machine and its a machine that you can use anytime you want, by going to a museum or an art show, and I am glad Da Vinci did not have use of Modern Technology I think it would have taken something away from his artistic nature. I also would like to say I truly enjoyed your class and it open my eyes a lot to the art world and I love it and I have been enriched by it .
I never really those two together…Art/Time machine. I like the comparisons and feel that it’s appropriate for all the different ages and styles of art. We always tend to migrate back into time to add some of the techniques used during Da Vinci’s time and Michelangelo along with many others. This helps strengthen our work and makes viewers appreciate the old and the new as a modern twist to a artistic combination. I like your thoughts and views!
Honestly, the concept that art is a time machine is the most attractive thing about art to me. For me it’s selfish though. I want to be able to express something to someone that words are not enough for. I want people to actually be able to see me even when I’m gone. Art from the past are merely examples and lessons for me to learn from. Like you said some artists express emotional things while others desire to express intellectual things. I don’t care if it is superficial, but what I want to express is purely emotional. Art is an outlet for me. It gives me a voice that I cannot seem to shove out of my own mouth.
I also beiieve that art is like a time machine. It can take you back to a place in time that may have reflected on yourself. Artist have shown us since the begining of time that no matter what is going on in the world there is always a need for Art. The cavement drawings showed other generations how to hunt and harvest food. The Egyptians showed us what kind of power they had and what innovations they achieved during the building of the pyramids. The Greeks and Romans showed us power and how the human body was sculpted to perfection. Greek architecture was so influentiale that it is still used today. Art is definitely all around us and artist have shown us that art can be anything that you put your mind to. Artist such as the one’s stated in the post, to me are ttue artist, someone that has a computer and digital effects is still art but not the same as the true artist of those times.
I have enjoyed reading your blog, and this is a good summary of the impact of art. It really is like a time machine. One of the best things about becoming more art-educated is that I have been able to better understand history and historical periods related to other classes I am taking. Art creates a way to see history, not just read about it and try to memorize facts.
Mr K I really enjoyed reading your blog. (my first experience of blogging). You expressed so beautifully so many of the thoughts I had when I wrote my final paper. Art of course is a reflection of us because we make it, and view it, and love it. Really enjoyed the pictures here and the class. The time machine of art is the shared human experience that we experience whenever we look at art or create it.
Wow Mr. K! I am impressed. Art definitely qualifies as a time machine- we do travel back in time when viewing art of the past. Why even the Renaissance did an amazing job of reviving classical Greek sculpture. I imagine life would be mundane without art in our lives. Thank-you for the effort to educate us. I learned a tremendous amount.
I completely agree with you! When I look at any artwork it really is like visiting that time period for a moment. I think art from the past gives us a chance to glimpse what life and culture during that time was like, and that is an important aspect of art because it is only by knowing where we came from that we are able to move forward.
Hey Mr.K! I must say your blog on art is a time machine is very inspiring and very true. Art from prehistoric time all the way up today does give us a glimpse of the artist everyday lives. Rather if it was from a picture showing how they kept track of farming techniques with clay to how a person sees and feels about God. I do appreciate the different ways that man and woman have come up with different ways to express themselves using visual elements. Either it was straight lines, geometric shapes or even bright colors they have given me ideas of how to take my art to the next level. It is amazing how looking at art and examining it makes you the audience to either make your own work of art or inspire you to express yourself in some sort of fashion. In your class Mr. K I have truly learned about and saw art in a totally different light and it has helped me in my classes since I am an art major. I give you thumbs up on this blog!!! 🙂 Oh yeah you are right about the photoshop thing even though we have this technology does not mean that makes anyone a artist.
Mr. K,
Art is truly your calling. You have such a deep and personal connection when you are writing about art. I can see your passion for art shining through your words as I read your blog and in posts from class. Art is a time machine, giving us the ability to share a moment with an artist as we view their pieces. To try and interpret feelings, emotions, and meanings for them and their culture. This is an amazing blog post and you are a remarkable individual.
What I’ve learned…Art is not individual or autonomous in action. It requires the skill of an artist and, when performed with ingenuity, leaves him to reshape the world in his way…
Mr. K,
I have enjoyed the knowledge you have shared with all of us this semester. You truly know what you are talking about and are great at teaching us about it! Art is a time machine; you couldn’t have said it better. Many artist choose to portray many different things in their work and are inspired by many different sources as well. You’ve stated it here in your blog and have taught us the same, if not more over the course this semester. Just in this short blog you have given the reader so much information about so many different artist and what they were about. You have showed me there is so much more to art than what meets the eye and I am so grateful for that. As you referred to art as a time machine, being able to look deeper into the art than the superficial aspect allows us to hop on that time machine.I hope that one day I have the ability to fulfill my dream of visiting Italy and other countries in Europe and I remember the things you have taught me here today. Thank you!
I think that one of the best things about art is that it does reflect history so well. Just like you said in your article, we can see the perspective of someone in a completely different time period & culture just by looking at their art. We can visually see all of the changes and evolutions that have occurred in human history’s culture and people to see how we are the way that we are today. I also think that art will be able to do the opposite and our art NOW will be helpful to those in the future. Thank you so much, Mr. K, for teaching me this semester to appreciate art more. I will truly never look at it as a piece of paper with some colors on it again, I now know that it is such an important aspect to our culture and it connects with us as people, and you taught me that. I truly enjoyed this class.
Thanks Mr. K for having such wonderful insight into art! When we first start your course you asked us “What is Art?” I said that “Art is anything you want it to be!” and after finishing this course, I still believe this but now I KNOW how to tell you what art is, where it originated from, what style it is, and so much more! Great course, Great Instructor!!
What I love about art is that it is so expressive. Even if the artist isn’t expressing an internal feeling or emotion, he/she is still expressing something that he/she finds important. Even though I prefer abstract and emotionally expressive art, it does not mean that any other form of art is any less creative or important.
Firstly, I’d like to say “Art is a Time Machine” is a wonderful title simply because just reading the title makes it sound VERY interesting. Art really is a time machine, especially looking at older arts; it gives you an incite on what was going on in the artist’s life and/or mind. Also, the first sentence, ” Art is a glimpse into the hearts…” really caught my attention.This blog is wonderful and kept my on my toes trying to understand your perspective on art and it’s history. Excellent work, I’d say. 🙂
I truly agree with what you said especially “Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope.” Even though I’m an Art major student, I was not so sure about understanding the concept and the hidden meanings among artworks. However, by taking your class, I am able to feel and communicate with artists when I see some artworks and relate Art directly into my life. I get to think deeper, imagine wider, and draw better only by truly understanding Art. I believe “Art is a Time Machine” is true. Art shows the differences of art style as time goes by which mentions people that the flow of the history are also seen. I enjoyed reading your essay, and you are the best professor!!
Ar
Art definitely is like a time machine. It gives you a view into the era in which it was created. Some art gives us a view of the world or society of the time while other art I feel is more personal and takes us into the mind and the heart of the artist. While Jaques-Louis David’s works for example definitely are a reflection of the world he lived in Van Gogh’s works are more a reflection of the man himself.
Mr. K –
I have to say that since taking this class I have a much better appreciation for art. Before taking art with you, Your love for art really shines through and it has infected me. I could always appreciate most art and artist, especially the greats like: Monet, Picasso, Degas and Renoir. As I mentioned in one of my post in class, I went to see the Rembrandt Van Rijn collection when it was in Raleigh a few years ago and to gaze upon such history/greatness rendered me dumbstruck! Art is all around and it comes through in ways that amazes me. I am so appreciative that I now notice art in architecture, the sky, clothing, and nature, people and many more things.
Now that I have really learned to appreciate art, I look at the world in a entirely different way. I am so excited to go to my next exhibit and look at the collection with a new eye! You can be sure, I’ll be thinking of you and you can be sure that, I am going to be asking myself some of the thought provoking questions that you have been asking us over the last weeks lol. Art is something that will always impact our senses. It can make us feel sad, happy, fearful, and a whole host of other emotions, But hopefully it will offer us a little respite in the face of our stark day to day realities.
Mr. K,
Wow!!! I want to thank you for really showing me what art was all about. This has been truly an amazing experience! You have such a passion for art which is evident in all your posts and thankfully, it has rubbed off on me. 🙂 It is wonderful to understand that art is not just for aesthetics, but has been used to tell stories of society and cultures throughout history. As you said it is indeed a time machine, that when started with Cave Paintings, reveals how humanity has evolved over time. It reflects our hardships, joys, revelations, and technological developments. It is as if a new world has been opened to me. I see things now in stores, on TV, sculptures in gardens, and art in friends houses that I now find myself really evaluating and truly appreciating where it all came from. My eyes have been forever opened and I intend to continue this exploration. Thank You!!
Mr K.
I have learned through your course that art is the expression of the human soul. Be it beautiful or ugly, kind or cruel, youthful or old, whatever lies within the artist’s heart and soul becomes the art.
– B. A. Stiles (Alex)
Mr. K
I have learned throughout this course that art is more than a hobby or course, its a way of life; a lifestyle. Art lies all around us, whether we experience it & take it in or not. I feel as if art is a main key to happiness in life. You can express the true you through your artwork and place it for everyone to see. Art can open up a whole new side of the world that we’ve never seen.
-Stephanie Todd
Humankind has always presented the patterns of their lives in art. They use the materials around them to express and detail the experiences of their lives. You can see the abilities to create art in musical instruments, sculptures, buildings, and structures, items we use and appreciate. Artists use their talents to record events within a society, a snap shot of time, that influences and changes the direction of the future. Due to the skill required to create art we place value and prestige on paintings, as the artist presents the image with imagination using their genius.
Mr. K
I have learned so much in your class this year. I have learned how to appreciate art all around me. I agree with you, art is like a time machine. It teaches us the past, present and future. Throughout this semester you have opened up my eyes so I can see how beautiful and meaningful art really is, I can also see the passion you have towards art, whether is its a picture, sculpture or building, you always have something deep and meaningful to say about a aster piece!
I have really enjoyed taking your class! You are a wonderful teacher!!
-Carla Flores
Mr. K
You have been a magnificent instructor to have! You are always so witty, smart and helpful. I always love how well thought out all of your posts and replies are. It’s nice to have an instructor who doesn’t just say “Well done.” You actually take the time to give constructive criticism, and I really enjoy that. I never really knew much about art, but this class really opened up my eyes and allowed me to see art differently, and to truly appreciate it. Art truly enriches everyone’s lives whether they realize it or not. Thanks again for being so amazing!
As an artist, I find the process of creating art a conversation. When I was a child my parents (both artists) played The Scribble Game with me and my sister. We took turns. One of us would make a random line on a blank sheet of paper, and another would look at the mark from all four directions until it suggested a larger image. The necessary lines would then be added. I use a similar process when I paint today. I lay paint down, usually long before I ever start the piece, so the substrate has a message for me when I return to it.
With my personal experience in mind and Mr. K’s idea of art as a time machine, I thought about that age-old question: “If you could invite any four or five people (living or dead, as they were in their hayday — no zombies) to a dinner party, who would you want in attendance?” I get pretty antsy around a dinner table, but I would love to invite my favorite artists to an open art studio with snacks. Can you imagine The Scribble Game being played by Michaelangelo and Pollock? What fun!
What a great essay! I completely agree that art is a time machine, especially after taking your class this semester. I have really enjoyed it and learned so much. I have always loved looking at art and wondering what time period it was from and what the artist was thinking. I now have the tools to figure those things out. I love knowing that all art has a purpose and that the artist was trying to share a piece of themselves, their culture and the society they were a part of. I used to look at some art and think, “Eh, I don’t like that piece.” And I would think no more about it. Now, even though a piece may not particularly appeal to me, I can appreciate it and see its beauty. I know that the artist was trying to portray something that was important to him/her. I can look at it and see if the scene seems to be in motion, or if it is serene, if the colors are dramatic or peaceful, and so much more. I have always loved art that shows a scene set back in time. Now, I can pin point an era that some of those pieces came from. I am very appreciative for all that you have taught me. And I loved this essay. Thank you.
I really enjoyed reading this. I totally agree that art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds, and souls. This has always been my belief of art. I believe that when looking at a piece of art from 100 years ago you are able to see what the person felt and saw as they were painting or sculpting what was in front of them. I have learned to really appreciate art. Now when i visit a museum i no longer will wonder about what i am looking at. I have the knowledge to really take in what is in front of me. Art was and still is a way for people to express themselves but it is also a way to tell a story. Art was a way for people in older times to describe what was happening around them. So many beautiful pieces of art work have been created. I believe that if you are not taught how to appreciate what is in front of you, you won’t really know art.
I absolutely agree. Art is a time machine. A picture, painting or portrait speaks so many emotions. Whether it is positive or negative, the artist gave us a piece of them, a piece of their soul that lives on forever. Thanks for such a awesome semester! May the Art be with you!
I love how art is a way of communication. So many people use art as a way to share their feelings with others. Some people do it in song, or drawings, or photography or anything that they can create.
I believe that some people find it really hard to get interested in learning about art, but once you understand that key concepts of it, the way you view art is completely different.
I love how art is a way of expression. I absolutely agree with everything you said. I enjoyed learning of every thing that was going on during each artist’s time. We had a lot of great artists. I think that “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.” We have good artists now, but because of all the technology we have, sometimes i think that people’s brain do not go beyond of what they assume they can do. Leonardo Da Vinci is one of my favorite artist, and like you i wonder what he could of done with all the technology we have today. I do agree that art is a time machine, because we are transported back into each piece of art; knowing the artist and artwork we can relate to what was going on back then and relate.
Nice post.
I love the idea of feeling the same thing great artists like Michealangelo and Monet did. How amazing to think of art that way. You are literally sharing a intimate moment with some of these artists. Imagine the pain and anxiety Van Gogh must have felt. I believe digital art will be a new era as far as art forms are concerned. As you said, imagining the new possibilities is breathtaking. I feel with every new way to create art, more and more new artists are born. What if there were people in Da Vinci’s time who had no outward talent with painting or sculpture, but would have been famous for their digital art? It’s all very interesting to think about, thanks for writing this post!
Mr K,
Art is a time machine, and as civilization moves through time and space art consistently is being shaped and then re-shaped. To be able to understand a piece of art from an specific time period, the viewer should research about the historical time and social/political context the artist was living at. To be able to actually understand a work of art it takes some exploration into the artist’s time, so we really need to use our time machine. Art is very complex, and every work of art has a particular value that craves to be discovered and recognized.
HI Mr. K! I would like to let you know that after taking your course, it has made me view somethings in life differently! Art is how we as humans express ourselves, creativity is only at our finger tips. I have noticed that when I am happy or mad I tend to doodle a lot more. This helps me channel the positive or negative feelings into something that expresses how I feel. There are times when I do view some types of art that I can imagine myself being in that scene. Sometimes I do wish I could travel back in time to actually see what life was in some of the paintings I see. I feel like culture/society plays a significant part to some artist. We only know what is around us so that what we adapt to, but that does not mean we cant let our minds wonder. Just like art, everyone is unique in their own way. So you could have two of the same exact painting, by two different artist, but you could tell by their style which one painted which painting. I have enjoyed reading your blog, but most of all I have enjoyed your class! Have a great summer!
Mr K, your work is very good! I love your appreciation for art. I have found a love for art as well after taking your class. I have been filled with much knowledge due to you. Thank you for the opportunity to take you class, God bless!
I really enjoyed the blog post, Mr. K! To me I think too many people do take art for only its face value, when if they saw art as a “time machine” then I think more pieces would be more fully appreciated. An example is Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People.” If someone looked at it without knowing the historical context, they may just appreciate the picture itself (or they may think of Coldplay). But if they knew that Delacroix, along with many Frenchmen, dreamed of a free country and to start a revolution and a democracy, you really understand and appreciate the true meaning behind the painting. Thank you so much for a great semester!
Mr. K,
It’s true. Art is a time machine. From the beginning of earth, until we all grow old and die, art will live on. Even in our history books. Art is a piece of all of us. We each have our own way with expressions, styles, color, texture, paints and the use of another persons junk. It’s what we do with what we have and how we use it, that makes it art. Like history, style, art or whatever, comes and goes. Just like us(your students). We’ve came, we read, talked, commented and more. We’ve left our mark and now we must go. I wish I could have taken your class in person and not on this machine. I’m sure it was a great class. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of art with us. I appreciate it and you have a great summer.
God bless,
Susan Stancil
Mr.K, I definitely agree with your statement that art is a time machine. It’s easy to pick up a book and read about a certain time in history and learn information about the society and culture of those in that era; but when you look at a painting, you gain so much more than just knowledge. When looking at paintings you capture and emotion, a sort of experience as if you truly understand what the age and lifestyle was like during that time period. Art is a gateway into the culture and everyday life of those who created it, and in a way allows those who live hundreds and thousands of years ahead of it to understand the essence of that time in history.
Mr. K I wholeheartedly agree with your statement “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists”. The artists of the past had a passion for what they did and it showed in their work. I definitely see art in a different way now. I never realized that there were pieces of art that i liked and found interesting. Thank you
Dear Mr. K,
I enjoyed your insightful and well-written article on ‘Art is a Time Machine,’ and I completely agree with your explanations as to why this is true. The part of your article that really grabbed my attention was your latter statement, “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.” Unfortunately, more advanced, technologically-savvy people do not necessarily have the motivation, dedication, and/or talent to produce excellent quality artwork. Sad to admit, it is rare to see the kind of deep commitment in artwork in this day of ‘instant everything’ that was part of Art History from time gone by. I appreciate your comment, “Most artists are driven to create art – they have no real choice in the matter.” This is absolutely true. If a truly dedicated artist is found, most often one discovers top quality artwork. But in this day of ‘any old thing will do’, it is rare to find quality in artwork or in anything else. So many products are cheaply made and have been for some time now – that people expect inferior quality everything: from the shoes they wear to the cars they drive – unless they have a rich uncle who can afford to buy the best for them (which most people do not have). Regretfully, I believe this expectation of inferior quality affects expectation in artwork. Another factor in the argument of higher technological advances should equal higher quality artwork is that a person with modern technological skills may be extremely gifted in running a computer program or manipulating computer-related elements that produce a machine-generated piece of ‘art’. Rarely have I seen such products come anywhere close to the quality a truly talented, dedicated artist working with actual traditional art media produces. Art is a time machine in that it reflects each period’s life issues and circumstances of the individual periods. Regardless of the period and materials available, excellent quality artwork is the result from excellent quality workmanship and dedication that ONLY comes from committed, passionate artists who simply MUST express themselves creatively because they are driven to produce outside reflections of what is going on in the inside.
Thanks for the very thoughtful and insightful reply to this post Sarah. I agree with what you are saying. Yes we have better, more powerful and sophisticated tools and technologies for making art and products, however I am not sure the effort is always put forth into harnessing the incredible power of digital technology to art making and other pursuits. I’m not sure craftsmanship and taking pride on ones work is taught anymore – at least not like in previous generations. Mr.K
Mr. K,
I really like the analogy of the time machine. I agree completely that art acts as a pseudo-fossile record for past eras of human history. I think that the one truly amazing difference in art is its ability to cause us to look into ourself. Art from the past and present allows us not only to attempt to feel what the artist was expressing, but it also allowed us the ability to peer into ourselves. If you are the cynic or the hopeless optimist art has the ability to bring that out of you.
As for the tools… We have become a disposable society in large part. Gone are the tinkers, and for a large part gone is the ability to reverse engineer and rebuild. If something is broken we toss it. I think this correlates directly to art. Da Vinci and Michelangelo sought not only to create great works of art, but understand the world. As we migrate to a faster paced, more connected, more disposable world we are losing some of the creativity that helped to progress human society to this point.
Mr K,
Great thoughts of art, it is a time machine for sure, during the art appreciation class, I have seen it evolved and each time is so different from the other. The stories behind the art changed too, prehistoric and modern art are like night and day. Art is always going to change that’s a guarantee, and I do hope future artists won’t lose the essence of it. I am happy that next time I see a piece of art, I will stop and appreciate the skills of the person who took time to make it. Thank you, you have a great passion on art.
Very interesting! I have learned so much more about art that I definitely didn’t know before. I love the analogy of art being like a time machine. In reality it really is. When we study art we are able to go back to a particular historic period. We are also able to get to know the artists, what they believed and how they lived. We are able to have a greater appreciation for the artist and their love for art. Each artists give us a glimpse of the past. There is something that stood out in this blog. “Where is art going now that we live in the digital age?” That is something we should all be thinking about. Artists that lived before the “digital age” were able to create master pieces without all of the technology that we have today. It was real and it was their passion. It had so much meaning. Art has evolved in so many ways but I hope it doesn’t lose it’s purpose.
I believe that art is like a time capsule. Art gives us great insight about the culture, atmosphere, social climate, financial stability, customs, religions, ideals, values, of a society, government or person during the time that the art was created. Art serves many functions as well across time, being the first form of teaching, shared language and literature; to decoration, enjoyment and hobby. Art is a reminder of how much the world and society as a whole has evolved and keeps evolving.
I agree art is like a time machine. Your interpretation and knowledge of art has greatly been an educational experience throughout the class. I now have a greater appreciation of art and a better understanding of the different types of art. Art is definitely a time machine giving us background and history of the societies and cultures it was created in. During the weeks of this class I have learnt the true meaning behind the saying “every picture tells a story”. Thank you for teaching and sharing your knowledge of art.
Your statements are very true Mr. K. Art is like a time machine. We can look back at the Prehistoric time all the way to the present time and see how art has changed, just like our society has changed. I keep coming back to the statement you made Mr. K “Art is a mirror of society”. This is so true! As we look at the the Prehistoric until the present time. The time machine has taken us through many different eras. Even if we want to go back in time we can, and see the arts our ancestors left us to tell their story. It seems the more you study someones art the more you know about their life and you feel like you know them. Their art tells about their emotions and story about what is happening in their society at that moment in time. Thank you M. K for opening my eye to what art really is.
Art is like a time machine and it is like a time capsule. In order to fully appreciate and understand a piece of work, one must be familiar with the time period, the political atmosphere, the religious beliefs, and the society in which the artist lived. What will people in the future think when they view the modern art of today? What will be our message to the future?
I agree that art is not just a picture but an expression meant not only to be seen, but read – almost like an unspoken language, completely created by the artist from his or her most inner self, a true in brace from their surroundings and feelings during the creation. Your example of a time machine is just about as perfect as you can get. It’s like a window forever frozen in time, which thankfully for us we can learn from this. I could only image if Da Vinci had Photoshop or another modern technology, the world may be a different place.
Art is like a time machine. what a great analogy. You can feel the different artists in the different time periods and look at how they expressed themselves internally and externally. What a great blog. You really put things easily in perspective and you make learn easy and fun. Thanks for all you do.
“Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.”
There are a lot of people in the world that believe technology has advanced us into an age that has never been reached before. For many cases this is true, but not for art even though some may try. The mind is one creative and powerful tool but only if it is used in the correct manor. Our tools are definitely helpful but they are only used in a sliver of time. We look at our present but others will look at this as their past. Art truly is a walk through the past.
Mr. K,
I have learned so much! The blog merely sums up the vast amount of topics we have discussed. I am amazed about how much thought and detail goes into works of art. It has been an awesome learning session! I am fortunate to live in such a beautiful world with such extravagant views and expressions. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about it all, and this is just a start.
I now know, art is what you make it. It really is in the eye of the beholder, I don’t believe there is a simple definition.
That is exactly, what I was going for in my final exam essay, “Art is like a mirror”! It’s not a mirror at all. The limitation bothered me. Art is most certainly a time machine. It’s good to know that I wasn’t off mark. I promise I didn’t read your blog before writing my essay. I wish I had now.
This has been an awesome semester. I have learned a great deal about art history. You rock. Thank Mr. K.
Mr. K
Your post is exactly my thoughts on what I have learned in Art Appreciation this semester. Through gaining the knowledge of what lines, shapes, hues, etc. mean I am better able to understand what I am viewing. I has totally changed my view of art. I can say that I actually went to a museum for the first time and appreciated the works that I was looking at. As I walked through the museum I actually felt like I was in the era of the piece I was looking at. It was a time machine. I kept telling my husband how awesome it was that something created so long ago was still so pristine. I will forever take this class with me! Thanks
All the aspects of art are evolutionary. As a relic of the past or as a window to the future. As a form of expressionism, per each period of art clearly shows this point being made. For as long as Art has been inspirational and controversial it has been a historic mark on the world throughout every period in human history. Visionaries of art had thoughts, hopes, and even “dreams” of what the future would be and how and or when it would come about in time.
Art allows me to see what they did. The art of the Egyptians is what triggers my mind the most. When I recently visited the Art Museum in Raleigh, my whole outlook changed when I came upon the Egyptian exhibit. I could see the funeral procession en route to the pyramids! I can say with utmost confidence that art has truly opened my eyes and helped me to visit a civilization that I had only studied in history.
Hey Mr. K! This post you put brings back everything that you have taught us this semester. In this post it made me recall what drove artists to paint, sculpt or even design whether it was important that moment or something that brought a new light to their culture or even the world. These things made people see in new lights what was going on in their society and even how the artist felt about what was happening. I think my favorite period was the Early Christian period. I liked how they had a strong sense of God and they wanted to share it with everyone so there art was not refined but it did the purpose of teaching. Also how the church was not ornate on the outside but on the inside it was decorated to give reverence to God and put the parishioners in awe and bring them close to God. This blog Mr. K is a very accurate about art being a time machine. No matter what year or where we may be there is some form of art that takes from the past and breaths new life into that style and make it beneficial for that time and culture! 🙂
Mr. K,
I absolutely agree that art can act as a time machine, allowing modern viewers to step back and examine preceding cultures! Although written history is able to tell us some aspects of history, art can tell us so much more, as it was present long before written history began and provides an emotional viewpoint. While a historian might be able to describe the events and daily life of a society, art is truly a mirror of the society, allowing us as viewers to explore what was important to these citizens, how they viewed the world around them, and the issues they faced. However, one limitation on the idea of art as a time machine is that art oftentimes does not simply state it purpose, so viewers must be well-versed in the language of the visual elements of design to extract meaning from a piece, explaining why our Art Appreciation course is so essential! Only if we are capable of examining the historical context, visual elements of design, and organizing principles can we decipher can we utilize art as the magnificent tool that it is.
I love your analogy on how art is like a time machine! That is so true! Each piece gives us a taste on how the era was like. It is a clip in time that we get to witness through art. With that, each piece also brings emotions and feelings from the artist or of the people in that time. Like Van Gogh’s Starry Night (which is one of my all time favorite pieces) There are so many things going on in that painting and it still portrays his era. Great blog!
My perception of art has changed over the past few months. I used to see it as something people just did for fun because they simply liked doing it, but now I realize that art is along the lines of historic artifacts. Art is a universal language. It is not confined to language barriers that we face with the spoken language because art can be interpreted any way. It can be used to express the human condition in a psychoanalytical sense, and also show human achievement and document scientific advances. My stance on digital art is that even though the person may not have the skill to carve a perfect relief structure or paint a beautiful portrait by hand, it allows more people to have a medium in which they can release their creativity. Not to sound cliche’ but art really is worth a thousand words.
An excellent post Mr. K! I must say I went into this class very hesitantly, as art is not my strong suit, but I came out of it with a whole new understanding and appreciation for art. I have learned that art is not just something to visualize, but most art have deeper hidden meanings. It is so true that just because of today’s technologies, artists are not necessarily better than their predecessors. Art is created to provoke emotion, to emphasize a point, to be beautiful, to have hidden meaning, to be created from sources I did not imagine existed, to inspire, to make a political or religious statement, to anger or strike fear and so forth. I truthfully believe this class has given me a better perspective when it comes to appreciating art and in the future will come to enjoy it more than just taking it for granted like I had in the past. Art is timeless and I agree that being able to experience all the art from past to present is like utilizing a time machine and experiencing all these cultures and generations. Thank you for the lessons this class has taught and the skills I will walk away from this class with.
“One thing artists all have in common and that is they use artistic creative expression to tap into some dimension of what it is to be human”
This statement sums up “the feeling” of being an artist. Aside from the technical aspects and the constant critiques, art is merely using one’s personal means of expression to showcase “what it is to be human.” As an emerging artist, I think this fully embodies my desire behind creating art. Thank you for putting my emotions in to words. With your permission, I would like to use this phrase as the inspiration for my own artist statement. If you wouldn’t mind maybe you could mentor me in this process?
Mr. K,
I really enjoyed reading your blog! I completely agree, art is a time machine. It can take you as far back as you want to go or as far into the future as you wish. Art is like a preview of a persons’ life, imagination and thoughts. The beauty of art is its always changing! Just like time. No two pieces of art are the same and no two pieces of art are better than the other. Having free will and a free spirit to create art is such a blessing and I hope that everyone takes advantage of that at one point or another in their lives.
Mr. K,
I agree with you that art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds, and souls of the people, cultures and civilizations that came before us. Art period is like a time machine. For a second, your post had me deeply think about “what was Van Gogh thinking, feeling, saying, in his explosive paintings?” What was he thinking when he had created “Scream”? Was he scared of something? Was he scared of a huge secret of his coming out in society? His paintings take you away, and I feel like I’m feeling what he had felt when he created “Scream”, or what I had believed I was feeling. I also agree that just because different artists come from different times, it doesn’t make one artist a better artist than another, just because of the resources that one may have in the future that wasn’t available in the past. This post has really spoke to me, I enjoyed reading it a lot!
Mr. K,
I agree with what you are stating. It amazes me how artists such as Edvard Munch “The Scream” makes me feel the emotions that are projected from the painting. It is almost hard to truly describe what art is because it can take on so many forms, and be perceived in so many ways. Art can come from a spiritual, physical, religious, political, and so many other stand points. I mean after reading your post, I can’t really say anything but WOW. Art is truly something, a gift from God. Something that we not only can experience visually, but in some cases let our minds escape into a deeper thought other than our normal train of thinking. An element that reminds us that there is something more beyond the physical. Take a fantasy or dream for example, you can just loose yourself mentally, and be at peace in your own little happy place. Well, I believe that is what art does for both artists and viewers. Artists are able to created something based on their thoughts, emotions, or what the see in society, and sometimes we as people are able to relate to it. This leads to a deeper connection and understanding of ourselves, and our surroundings.
Mr K.,
everything you said in this post is true the time machine analogy was really clever. but it definitely makes more sense when you look at art this way
I never realized it until taking Art Appreciation, how powerful art truly is. You are absolutely correct that art is a time machine, and having the knowledge to understand and dissect an artwork can change one’s life forever. Art can transport us to any period in time, allowing us to connect with not only the era, but also the feelings and thoughts of that particular time.
Art itself is something beautiful. The way that is truly everlasting is something special. Art directly reflects the society that created it and it gives us a chance to step back and take a glance at previous societies. As divided as the human race may be, we can all find something in common with the use of art. Art is an expression of how we feel. Art is something that can sometimes be hard to appreciate unless you truly understand the context and analyze what you’re looking at. Once you understand the art itself, you’ll be able to find it’s true beauty.Art is something truly wonderful to the human race and will continue to transform and evolve along with newer societies until the end of time.
While reading your essay i felt your emotion towards art i also enjoy art but i wish i could express my self the way you have in this post its something lovely and mesmerizing the way you talk about the artist and just your point of view. Because i also enjoy art because of all the mysterious symbols and meaning there is just to one image but i could never express it how u do. I think reading this post could make anyone like art or a least get curious and search about art.
I can tell that you have a true passion for art and the study of it. Art really is like a gateway into the mind of the artist. Sometimes with the right background information you can understand the emotions behind what the artist was trying to portray with a piece of work. For instance, Van Gogh’s Starry Night was created while he was in an asylum. This could lead one to believe that it was a view from his window he was painting or a childhood memory. It could also be a way for him to reach a place in himself where he was comfortable and happy. Either way all art is up for interpretation and thats what makes it so amazing.
It’s really cool to take a glimpse into the past and see how far art has come. Art is constantly evolving and changing around us, whether for better or worse is subjective. You are right, the tools of Photoshop and having a laptop to make art does not necessarily make a better artist. It is amazing though to see how much art is evolving now. It would be really informative to be able to go in a time machine and see how Monet or van Gogh created their art. Even more so, I would be interested in what the artists of the past would think of the current art being made these days.
You have been a great instructor the entire semester. Thank you for teaching and explaining to us patiently about art. Yes, art is like a time machine. Art tell us a story about the past and show what we can do for the future as well. Engineers and architects draw outlines before they build anything. I can never be more proud than knowing the history of art and the artists. Thank you so much!
By the way, the music you put in the lectures are great as well.
I have greatly enjoyed my journey of art history with you and my classmates. Art is so necessary in so many ways!! To be given a chance to experience our history through those who lived it is awesome!!! I have learned so much from you and I am appreciative. Thank you. If we don’t know our past, its hard to understand our future.
Art really is a time machine. Art in the day is the modern picture. Art really depicts the era and what is going on the time it was created through the eyes of the artist. Knowledgeable and informative topic.
Hello Mr. K,
One thing that I have learned from your course is that art is definitely a mirror of society. Each artist took some skill and refined it in order to turn it into a magnificent piece of artwork while leaving a mark on the society back then, and allowing it to be loved by many others. It did surprising have different meanings to others than some. The prehistoric artists used it as a mean of survival, whereas artists like Michelangelo used it to express the deepest form of naturalism that there was. I really enjoyed your course, and i’m sad to see it come to an end. Thank you for all the knowledge that I have learned from it though.
Mr. K I have learned alot from you this semester, and to hear you say art is a time machine is an exact description of everything I have learned this semester. I always knew of some of the earlier pieces of work but never put into the perspective that I did until your videos, and descriptions that we were about to view. Thank you so much for everything, I have a different outlook now on pieces of work I see and will go to an art show at some point so I can see different dynamics, designs, and possibly tools to create a certain piece. Thanks again.
Mr K.,
I have truly enjoyed your class this semester! At the beginning of the class you asked a simple question: “What is art?” It was a little difficult for me to answer or put into words what I was trying to express. So I ended up turning to my 10 and 5 year old kids for their input.
My 5 year old daughter said “Art is when my teacher comes into the classroom and draws something on the board. Then we have to draw it too. But we add color. But Mommy, I like to add sparkles because for it to be pretty it has to have a little bit of sparkle!”
Art is what WE see and what we feel. In taking your class I was able to gain a better understanding to art. It is not just a simple smiley face or a house on a hill, there is a lot more that goes on in while creating these different master pieces. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Mr. K,
Art truly gives such a deep insight into an artist’s world. Throughout this class, I greatly enjoyed taking a historical standpoint toward art; behind every painting, sculpture, or building, there was so much more going on, and every part of it is represented somehow within the artwork. For example, when Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Christianity played a major role in Rome. Actually, Christianity, and religions in general, play a major role during many periods, which explains why so many paintings and such are focused around religion. Take the Egyptians, their entire world revolved around death and the afterlife, and ultimately, so did their art. Of course, some artists like Van Gogh, took more of an emotional approach to art. No matter the purpose, however, art serves to communicate; it’s up to us to figure out the message.
Thank you for your lovely insight these past 8 weeks!
Mr. K,
I agree with you that art enriches our lives. Art allows us to express ourselves and to become creative . I have enjoyed your class so much. You are so passionate about teaching. I think all of your students can tell that teaching art is something you enjoy. I have learned so much in this short 8 weeks. thank you for expanding my knowledge.It was an awesome 8 weeks!!
Hey mr. K. I would have to agree on what you said art is like a time machines. When I look at from back in the day I do get that feel as if I went in to a time machine kind. I enjoyed this article.
I really enjoyed your blog. I agree that art is a form of a time machine. You made really strong points that I have never even thought to view art. Its like we can learn from each time period by the different peices of art we view today. Thanks for being an awsome teacher this 8 weeks!!
Your blog is awesome. It truly shows artwork as a form of a time machine. Viewing art as a time machine truly allows you to understand the problems, advances, and lifestyles of those from different ages. From Prehistoric to modern,you can tell what was important and what made the art so popular during times. It also gives you a sense of understanding the artist. It allows us to feel more connected to those times and the artist themselves.
I have to say that I am so much more aware of the art and architecture surrounding me now that I have taken your art class. As you mentioned, art it is so much more than just a pretty picture. Looking at art takes more than just your eyes. You should be aware of what was going on in the world and in the life of the artist in order to truly appreciate what you are seeing. Thank you so much for all that you have shared with us, it has truly been an enjoyable, eye opening time! Thank you
Very well spoken. Art is very much like a time machine or time capsule. Every period of time that has passed has left something art related for us to find, study, and enjoy. From the beginning of time this has been done whether knowingly or not. Even civilizations which we know little about has still left something for us to find. Be it pottery, stone, statue, drawings of some kind or any other form of art, it is there. I have never given art very much thought until I started taking this class, because I never knew how important it was to life in general until now. Now I really can respect it for what it is, not just something aesthetically pleasing, but solid pieces of history that will stick with us until the end of time.
WOW, your blog really made me stop and analyze our digital age. I see art that is created through the digital world and have been amazed by what I would see. Your blog made me stop and think about the artist of today’s world probably do not put their emotions into their work. Artist from the past poured their heart and soul into their work whereas today we are allowing machines to do the work for us. Don’t think I am belittling today’s art, it is just the past really poured feelings and thoughts into the work. So, I now have a better appreciation for the past artist because their work had more heart.
I have always loved art whether it be created it myself, or observing the works of others. I also find it so interesting to see how art changes throughout history whether it be through techniques or through the emotions of the artists themselves. In my opinion, art tells stories and those stories are best shone through physical art like paintings and sculptures. However, now that everything including art is part of the digital age, all we see are the 2D effects of “art”, and like you said, “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists”. We maybe able to create art easier and faster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we are creating it as if it is our life, like the artists of history. Because of this I think the meaning of creating art and why art should be created has drastically changed since when it was first “created”. It has evolved from a way of sharing your story to just a hobby you do half-heartedly.
Your post, Art is a Time Machine, made me stop and think of how many times I have asked myself to think of an artist’s time period when I am looking at their artwork. I constantly ask myself questions about the artist without even knowing it. Why is this painting outside? What can I identify in the subject matter? Who are these people? Why are the colors cool or warm? These questions and thousands more always pop into my head when I look at a piece of art. Art has become a way of dealing with emotions and stress and it can take in our time period as well as our feelings and perceptions like a sponge does water. I believe that is why art can vary from person to person and there is no right or wrong artwork. Art IS a time machine and it can soak up not only our historical views, but our emotions as well. I enjoyed your thought provoking post, it definitely changed my view on art.
Before I took your class, I would not have known what you meant when you said art is a time machine, but that statement really does make sense. I know that art is a mirror of the society that it is born from. When there is chaos in society or it is shifting rapidly, like it was/is during the modern era, then the art is chaotic and styles shift rapidly. You can look at a piece of art work and almost be able to tell when it was created by looking at what is going on in the painting. You are right, art really is more than what the painting on the surface is. I was thinking to myself during this lesson about what the next period in art would be referred to since the modern era is now, but then you mentioned technology. Technology is going to create some very interesting art! More than just photography. I enjoyed reading this blog post.
I agree with you MrK., art is a time machine. I am so glad I had the opportunity to take your class and learn about art! I got to experience a lot of the art that you have got to see first hand through your excitement. The artist of the time period expresses himself and leaves part of that era for the next generation to view and learn from. Through looking at different artists works we as viewers are taken back to that time and we get to experience that for ourselves. I look forward to see the advances in all aspects of art the future has to offer!
I think a time machine is about the best analogy that could be given. All I can think about when I see the painting of the last supper is what must have been going through Da Vinci’s mind as he painted it. It takes me back to his time in thought. It makes you imagine the time after time he started over in an effort to perfect Jesus’ face. A time machine no doubt.
Mr. K, I really enjoyed reading your blog, it helped me understand why you have taught us all that stuff about the history of art. I enjoyed reading about how you see art as a way to connect with the different eras of the world. I guess art really is like a time machine since you can better understand what people like Da Vinci, and Jackson Pollock were thinking during their time in history just by examining their artwork.
Art is a time machine in so many of these ways. To me, art is a time machine because when you look at a certain piece of art from that specific time period, you can see what was happening in society and what the world was like then. For example, when you look back at a piece of art from the Renaissance period you can tell that during that time, people were starting to believe more about science and scholarly things and drifting away from religion because philosophers and scientist would be painted in pictures instead of Jesus and saints and Mary. I really enjoyed your blog Mr. K and your class! Your love for art really reflects in your teaching and I have learned so much! now when I see art, I can understand and appreciate it!
An excellent analogy. Art truly is a window in time, through which we can view the collective emotion of an era. It is visceral in a way that writing often isn’t, though the best writers evoke the emotion of art. It is also a very personal glimpse into the mind and heart of the artist. I have thoroughly enjoyed your class, and it has inspired me to start making art again.
–Claudia K.
Art truly is a wonderful thing and the way you compared it to a time machine, served it justice. with time comes advancement and progress and with that art is constantly evolving. i think no one can truly understand how art effects a person until they experience it for themselves. i have learned so much in this class and i appreciate the knowledge.
Mr K. — Before your class I interpreted a lot of modern and past art as well….the equivalent of a professional speaker just babbling away with no real message to convey. It took a lot of reading and also listening to fellow classmates’ interpretations to understand the reasoning (and often times unlocking even more questions) behind art. I’m grateful to have leveled up as a person in your class 🙂
Hello Mr. K,
Your title explains it all. Art is like a time machine. Artists from the past, present, and the near future will continue to paint to leave some history not only for their current lifetime but for the future. It is amazing on how we learn a lot by visualizing art. Thank you for teaching me more about Art. I enjoy reading your blog and I had learned a lot about Art.
Markeisha G.
Mr. K I thought your time machine analogy was spot on! I believe art has the ability to tear down the walls between the past and the present and transport us into a new dimension. I think the beauty of art is not just canvas deep. Your class made me more aware of how the periods of history were defined by artistic styles.
-Alexandra Cole
The analogy used, “Art is a Time Machine” makes complete sense. I feel that art truly reflects key aspects of society, culture, and even religious views during the time period in which they were created. Although we only see the finished piece, we have critically sought out the possibilities of what could have occurred when the art was being created. It’s only a same piece of the entire picture of society, but it is enough to feel like we might have an understanding.
Nothing captures the thoughts and emotions of a time or region like the art that has been created. Throughout history, artists have been commissioned by the individuals with the most influence in a society. Art has the ability to transport the viewer back to the time it was created, in the same manner as a Time Machine. It also has the ability to bring the past to the present, like a Time Capsule. There’s nothing else that can preserve every aspect of a time period quite like art.
This essay on art as a time machine truly captures what I think I have taken away from this course. Being someone who used to not take much into account when looking at a piece of art now has a whole new perspective. I think it is really neat to study a painting and visualize the time period of that artist and what was going on during that time. What was the artist intending on proving in the work? Or what message was he trying to send to his viewer? These are some of the questions I will ask myself as I interpret art in my future. After studying great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Vermeer, I truly understand the talent and boldness it took for each of these artists to step out of the comfort zone of the art period before them and create something amazing.
Mr. K,
I really enjoyed reading this and after visiting the museum the other day, I feel like this post really hit home for me and gave me a lot to think about. Wow, to think of how much I had been missing out on by not exploring art and visiting these exhibits just to see and understand how the artist saw things during their time and what they were able to create with what they had. I definitely have a new understanding and appreciation of art and really have a much greater interest in learning and experiencing more in the art field thanks to taking your class. I am not sure if I would have felt the same if it had been a different professor as I feel you really get us to understand and explore the art that is out there and you make us look at it and figure out what is being said, even if we are wrong, you allow us to work though it and give us your insight on the information and the artist. I feel I have a much better grasp of art than I did before starting and want to go and visit the museum more and see different art exhibits as they visit so I can understand the different times and see where we came from and where we are going though the artist’s eyes and I thank you for that. Great class and a wonderful semester. It was an amazing journey that I hope will continue and it makes me want to visit other countries even more to see where are came from and to see it in a different arena.
Art is truly a time machine and, I love that analogy. We can tell a lot about a culture simply by looking at the art from that time. It is amazing that art becomes almost like a window to the past. We can see from the earliest cave paintings what was important to people at that time. As we move throughout history we can see the struggles that society endured expressed through the eyes of the artists of that particular time.
Art truly is a time machine, and I really enjoyed how you were able to make that comparison. I completely agree with how you mentioned that just because there have been advances in the tools and supplies used to create artwork, does not necessarily mean that there are far greater artists now than there were way back when. A great artist comes from within, and not from the advances surrounding him/her. My mom always told me that you can give anyone a bicycle, but that doesn’t mean that they will know what to do with it.
What a beautiful way to put it, “…experience another moment in time.” That truly excites me so much!, to have access to the past in a way so much more expressive than words on a page. We are always yearning to connect, and it is so wonderful to me that we can do that not simply through words, spoken or written, but through displaying our minds and hearts onto a canvas or a sculpture for others to view and really FEEL from something another person has created. Your class has brought me great joy. Wonderful blog post.
Mr. K
You have a well written blog, I feel you hit right on the head of the nail with your explanation of art. The snapshot in time. You are a true Renaissance man. I can tell you have a love for visual arts, aw hell for forms of art. Sir you are a positive force in my learning. My thanks.
V/r your student Steve
I,too, was ignorant, although still in admiration, of art and artistic expressionism. I now see so much more when I look at art…even if I am only trying! I understand that there is more to the story. So much of the understanding of any piece of art is interpretive and therefore individually based. At least thinking beyond what is in front of you allows one to expand their intellectual horizons. I have a new found appreciation of how I “see” art, and all that is actually art.
Mr. K,
I love what you said about art and the human condition. The fact that humans make art is something that separates us from animals, but also the fact that we are aware of our own mortality. We know death is unavoidable, which can be a very sad thought, yet we take these emotions and we create such amazing artworks. Now, I know they aren’t all necessarily “pretty”, (the paintings of men ripping of other men’s heads are flooding my memory right now), but that is simply another aspect of the human condition. We feel such a range of emotions before we kick the bucket. and we put all of these emotions into the art we create.
I Know more about Art than I did about 4 months ago, however I still know very little when looking at the big picture of the Art world. Many art pieces I still do not know the meaning of. The food for thought in this article for me was: I wonder what the great masters of Art pf the past really would have used the technology we have today for, and how would it have changed Art History. Even more though this makes me question, who are the Art masters that are living today? What break thru will they be credited and remembered for? The realms and possibilities in Art are going to be ever changing and expanding.
Mr. K,
Thank you so much for the experience! Your art lectures inspired all who took the time to listen and read them. We will all appreciate art in a totally different way than ever before. Art is all about the heart and soul. Taking a look at all of the art periods, one can feel as if they have gone back in time to the year that the piece was born and almost see the artist painting, or sculpting. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to sit in that “time machine” and go back and experience it all up close and personal. Your course was exhilarating, and I wish that it could last a little longer. It was so nice to get to know all of the students and you as well. Take care and I hope to meet you again to learn even more definitions of art.
Mr. K,
Thank you so much for the experience! Your art lectures inspired all who took the time to listen and read them. We will all appreciate art in a totally different way than ever before. Art is all about the heart and soul. Taking a look at all of the art periods, one can feel as if they have gone back in time to the year that the piece was born and almost see the artist painting, or sculpting. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to sit in that “time machine” and go back and experience it all up close and personal. Your course was exhilarating, and I wish that it could last a little longer. It was so nice to get to know all of the students and you as well. Take care and I hope to meet you again to learn even more definitions of art.
Wonderfully written blog post, your thoughts of art and knowledge of art has enabled you to analyze art truly. As you stated if the viewer actually looks and interprets the art the viewer can definitely go through time to the painting. However, with the viewer having the knowledge of analysing and an open mind will allow you to do that. By unlocking the symbolism and representation of the painting will allow the viewer to create a sense of time travel to the paintings time and the viewer can see the scene through a whole new set of eyes.
Wonderfully written Mr. K! You sure do know your art! You have been a wonderful teacher this semester and have taught me very much. Honestly, I can say I wasn’t too excited about art this semester (because I didn’t know anything about it).. but you have definitely made it worthwhile!
Your statement about how art is a time machine is so true! All these artists from different times left us something to tell us about things they experienced. Art can be interpreted in many ways, but a time machine is a great example! Technology sure has advanced over the years, and like you said that doesn’t mean we have better artists now than back then. I am now very fond of art since you have taught me so much!
I think that art is very beautiful and is more powerful that people actually know and believe. Mr. K you have been a very wonderful teacher, you have taught many things about art that I would not go find for myself. I thank you for that. I like when you said “Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope”. This is a very true statement. I feel that every piece of art has a meaning behind it and that some art can reach out to a person and change the way that one may view life. Every artist is different but they all have a purpose and I think that the artist purpose is expressed throughout their piece of art. I think that all art is beautiful, there are many forms or art . For instance, dance, singing , creating a theater play and etc. This class has been very wonderful and I have learned a lot of information that I did not know about art.
Mr. K,
I have learned a lot about art this semester. Thank you for being such a wonderful teacher! Art truly is a time machine. Through the course of this class, that is something that has really stood out to me. Art connects people no matter what time period they live in. To look at art is to go back in time and, like you said, to experience a moment with the artist. Another great point I thought you made was the fact that just because we have better tools and technology doesn’t mean we have better artists. It’s amazing to think about what the artists of the Renaissance could have done with today’s technology or the technology of the future! I have thoroughly enjoyed this class and learned many things from it. Thank you for your thought provoking lectures, passion for art, and for the impact you have made on how I view art!
Your post in your blog is so interesting. I learned a great deal from you in art appreciation, and by reading this piece I can tell you truly have a grand understanding of art. I love how you express how art can connect people, and how it shapes itself through time. I also like how you look deeper into the painting of starry night and ask questions which could show the emotional attachment through the painting from the artist. Enjoyed your class and blog.
I had no idea how much meaning there is in each piece of art until recently when I took an art appreciation class. And just like you said in your blog, art is a reflection of time; culture, materials available, beliefs, competence, society..the list goes on. The word that really helped me understand art the most is “reflection”. Reflection of______and just fill in the blank. I couldn’t agree with you more!
Mr. K,
This is not the first time your words have rung through my head when admiring a piece of art. You are absolutely right; art is the projection of one’s mind for the world to see. Let it be a revolution or a hunt, the mind is the film and canvas is the screen. Let our own eyes help our brains feel what that person, group, culture was feeling. After the forums and reading, I went to a museum, I had an excellent time. But, I kept in mind what you have told us through and through, art is a reflection. I would spend minutes upon minutes looking at a painting or sculpture, just feeling like I was getting sucked into this time or era. At one point it truly gave me chills. Thank you for knowledge and leading on this wonderful path of art.
I absolutely agree about art being basically a set of binoculars into others worlds, generations past. I think our innovations of machinery mixed with art or programing such a photoshop, VSCO, etc does not mean art is any better or worse, it does not mean it is less creative or more creative. It is simply, the same as art in any other generation, reflecting todays time period. Someone in the future may look back and think the same things we are thinking about past artist in previous generations.
This post was quite interesting because often times I have thought of what the artist was going through at the time but never really thought of it as a time machine. With one in particular that you mentioned was Van Gogh’s Starry Night. This painting was one of the first paintings that I researched the background information of. I learned that this painting was done outside of the mental institution that Van Gogh was in and this was what he saw when he looked outside of his window. This is the first time when I thought about how crazy it was that such a talented artist was unappreciated and just left in a mental institution. How even though he was probably scared and lonely he still could create works of art that would eventually be regarded as master pieces and of course i think about how he never got to see how much people love his work now.
I agree that although we have the tools to make new kinds of artworks, we do not necessarily have better artists. If anything I believe the new tools, and the right training it makes it easier for anyone with a desire, to be an “artist”. There is certainly a lot more documentation through art of the society we live in today, and many different types of ideas and viewpoints can be conveyed by very different types of people.
Art allows us to see into the past, and helps us to understand the present. You presented that point wonderfully. As you said times, and technology have changed. One thing that will never change, however, is human emotion, and our desire to express our thoughts and feelings. You are very insightful, and seem to really try to allow yourself to absorb the world in as much glory as you can. I am striving to do the same.
Great post Mr.K. Thanks to you I know how to appreciate art more. I can fully appreciate every little detail the artist put into the artwork. Now I can find art everywhere because art is everywhere you just have to look closely with an open mind. Your post are full of great knowledge that inspired me to notice art where ever I go. You clearly have a passion for art and you have shared your passion for art with me. Your blog is wonderful and full of things that will open your eyes and appreciate things more. Like you said in your blog art helps you understand what was going on during the period of time it was created. You can time travel with art and have a better understanding of what went on in the past. Thank you Mr. K nice post!
Excellent post Mr. K! Reading your blog wrapped up my art class. It was the bow that tied together all the information learned this semester. You are correct! Art definitely enriches the lives of others and helps keeps our minds going. I do agree with your statement about technology. Just because we have some of the greatest tools, does not mean our art is better than Van Gogh’s for instance. I think the art of this generation needs to stand the test of time first.
Wow, well said, extremely well put! As you came to a close I’m so glad to see that you expressed that just because we have more capabilities and tools to create art, does not mean that we have better artists. In fact, we have different artists that is the what the evolution of art is all about, the growth and change in the people, we see what we’ve gained, and we see what we’ve lacked, and while Pixar is creating their movies (a huge step in “art” as well) we still have the appreciation and admiration of the hand made, man built monuments and painting that stretch across our globe. Art is such a beautiful thing indeed, and to fully appreciate the artists you much be educated for the historic moments that forged such great works. It is paramount that we know our history and continue to educate.
Mr. K
I totally agree with your blog being about art as a “time machine.” I feel as though we get to travel to a different place and time in history. Art allows us to see what was happening in the lives of the artist and have a piece of that person lives on through their artwork. We get to appreciate the work and dedication that each of these artist exhibited and explore the message they were trying to convey to us. I know personally when I began studying the different types of art that I only took them for “face value.” Now I understand so much more than that. Thank you for the insight to how art is important to seeing and understanding the past and present.
Mr.K
First of I want to say what an amazing teacher you have been. Very well put! I was excited about taking this class from the beginning. Then as the weeks went by, the more I knew the more intrigued I became and I wanted to feed my brain more! I found things beautiful but I truly had no idea where art started or the meaning behind any of it. I look around my house and I have Egyptian sculptures on my mantel over the fireplace, A naked lamp sculpture on my dresser, many different Islamic plates, vases and even a rug in the guest room. My house is filled with many different pieces of art work from all different cultures. I just looked at them as “just art work” because of this class I now see the beauty behind it and have a much more respect for it all because of the history throughout our globe! Art work has evolved over the many many years, and I am very grateful I am am to not only view it but understand it.
It is fascinating to me that one can get a glimpse of a culture through the art produced in that particular time much like one can from a history book; the technology, belief system, values, abilities, life struggles, and even the fashion of the times all come through in the images produced by those who lived the experience. Even if the image is produced in one era but a depiction of another, one can judge the creativity and mannerisms of how is was made, the technique used, to get an idea of where the artist was coming from.
Art changes as time, ideas and cultures change. As you point out, art is changing in our era as a response to our intellect and technological advances. Will that be our mark in art history? Much as the Renaissance artist founded their works on scientific discoveries, will out time be marked by technological evolution of photography and digital imagery? And if so, will it stand the test of time as the classical and past art has?
Mr. K, thank you the enlightening experience on all the wonders of the world of art.
This was a really thoughtful post! I often wonder if the art we’re making now will have as much of an impact as the classics did on us. Art is a great way to see what it was like back in those time periods. I agree that just because we have more advanced technology doesn’t mean that our art is any better than it was when they didn’t have the technology. I hope to one day look back and see that art from now is described as timeless and having a huge impact! This class has taught me a lot about the techniques used in art and how to identify them. I can now truly appreciate art with the skills that this class gave me.
Thank you, Mr. K!
This is a great essay Mr. K! I really enjoyed reading this and never thought of it in this perspective. Now that I have read this I do understand. Art is presented to us in many forms and goes back long before we had all these wonderful paints, and pencils, and canvas paper and things that we do today. It takes us back to the times where they found naturals resources and made do with what they had, and made things that we look back on today. The admiration is wonderful when we think about how far art does go back, I wonder about the art that no one has discovered, and what is there to come?
I really enjoyed reading your post Mr. K, the comparison of art as a time machine was incredibly thoughtful. When looking at certain works of art I can sometimes feel myself travel back to when it was created. It helps to get a perspective on what the artist was feeling at the time of the piece of artwork. Each piece of art is unique whether it is the time it was created or the way it was created and I think that is why art is so interesting to people.
This post was very thoughtful! I could not agree with you more that art is a gateway to the mind, soul and heart. Each artist was passionate about something whether it was their society, God, or if they desired deeper thoughts and feelings like you stated. Techniques have changed tremendously, but that is what makes art so special. When I look art, I feel as though I do not just look at it I experience it. I try to understand what is going on in their minds when creating this piece. I agree, the “face value” is just the face value. In almost every painting there can be something much deeper that viewers are missing out on. Good job Mr. K!
I completely agree that art is just like a “time machine.” Not only does it take us back in time to some of arts greatest moments; but it also takes us into the future of art and where it’s headed. I myself will always be a fan of past art paintings more so than today’s. Past art holds more deeper meanings and makes one’s mind drift, think, dream and really see the artist’s meaning verses today’s art. Yes, today’s art is nice but to me it does not hold the deep connection of past art. I really enjoy art that uses certain brush stroke techniques, lighting, linear perspective and so on. It’s going to be very interesting watching new forms of art come about in the years to come with all the new techniques and technology. But I really agree that art through the years has giving us a look into the hearts and minds of those before time. Mr. K I think you did a wonderful job on your blog and really enjoyed reading it.
I agree that art is like a “time machine” I love what you said about looking into the hearts, souls and minds of the people who came before us, couldn’t have said it any better than that! Art is taking us back in time by letting us see what people before us did or even thought of, for example, cave drawings gives us a peak at what their hunting styles and techniques were and what animal they wanted to kill when they went out on their hunting trip. I love looking back on the history of art, but I can’t help but wonder what art in the future is going to look like.
I really enjoyed reading this and also enjoyed taking your class this semester!
What you said about art being “art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds and souls of the people, cultures and civilizations that came before us” Is true. One can learn so much from viewing a piece of art. We can learn what was important during the time, what some cultures traditions are, and even what they believe in. For example we can learn what was going on during the Baroque period by looking at “The Descent from the Cross” by Rembrandt we can tell that Religion was a very important subject during this time.
Great post Mr. K on your “Art is a Time Machine” post, it contains a lot of information about arts time frames, also being able to just look back on past artists and artwork. I can agree with you when you said “art is like a time machine. It transports us back in time.” I agree because when I look at art I try to imagine what they were thinking at that time. I find it pretty amazing! Art has definitely changed in the past 200 and plus years. I wonder what art in the next 100 years would look like. It is just mind blowing to me what art can do!
I also would like to say thank you for being my teacher this semester and also teaching me things I did not learn prior to taking your class.
Hey Mr. K, awesome post. I too wonder what DaVinci would do with the technology we had now. If they created such amazing art back then with a small amount of resources then I can’t even imagine the awesome art they would all create.
Throughout your art class, I have learned that art is a mirror that reflects the issues and events a society faces. Art is certainly a time machine because as viewers we are transported to the specific time in history in which an art piece was created. By analyzing the time period, we are able to learn more about art. There are many times in which I would love to have a time machine, go back to the past in order to built the future. Art provides the opportunity to travel back to the past and learn more about humanity. Mr K, your article is very thoughtful and I strongly agree with your stament “art is like a time machine”
I think there Is a lot we can learn form art and that each piece of work is like a history lesson waiting to be explored. You are absolutely right in saying that art is a time machine because through it was can see the cultural, economic, political and religious issues of a period of time and each society/time period has its own representative style. Art has even been know to repeat itself, to be improved, to be tweaked and tuned, but most importantly artists learn from each other and grow from other works of art, just like people thought history have been known to do. Amazing job on the article, I think it depicts art very accurately.
Mr. K, I would like to take this time and thank you for my journey. It has been amazing. I take each experience in a different way. I can visit a museum numerous times and come out finding something different or some that I may have overlooked perhaps. It is a journey through time, where I find myself wondering what they might have been thinking. Especially when it comes to the attire they used to wear some of it looks really uncomfortable. But it was important and made a statement for that specific time period. I have passed through the door of art and I’m excited to step into my next transaction phase. My journey is just beginning with art. Thank you once again !
I love the way you use starry night as an example of how some art, truly makes us use our imagination. although we may not know what they are thinking or what emotion they were feeling at the time of creation. The paintings allow us to guess and explore the feeling behind the paintings. Thanks Mr. K. I’m not sure I am cut out to be an artist, but I can look at art now in a whole new light.
Mr. K,
Well said, art is like a time machine. Art through the ages has definitely helped me better understand and interpret what artists before us were thinking and why they created artwork. Taking this class has given me the opportunity to learn of the different eras of art and to appreciate the history behind it.
I love this perspective of art but between you and I would love to go to the Greek Age.
This is a great way to think about art! If you learn how to interpret art and how to look at it from a new perspective, you can really see what it all means. Like you said, you will be able to share a moment with amazing artists. Looking at art from a new perspective allows you to understand the artist, you can learn their motives for making the art and the emotion behind it.
This is very true, throughout the class we have all realized that artwork is a a direct reflection upon the period in which it was created. Therefore, by viewing artwork that was developed before our time, we are able to gain an idea of the artists perspective on that time period. Art allows us to see the world at any given point in time though the eyes of the artist himself.
Art is a open window to the past. There we can see how people lived their lives and how they visualize their surroundings. No doubt about that in case we brought somebody from the past this person, after the initial shock, would be able to dominate the world. They did so much with so little during their time, nowadays everything is relatively easy and most people have access to knowledge and ready accessible materials. Back then people had to figure out everything from scratch.
Art can certainly be compared to a time machine because it takes people on a journey to past societies and reveal their expressions and interpretation of the environment.
Mr. K, This blog is so true. I’ve always had a passion for art especially photography. When I visited the museum for the extra credit essay each piece from the past that we had studied held a new meaning to me. The Torso of an Emperor in the Guise of Jupiter made of Roman marble was one that amazed me. Had the guards not been around I probably would have touched it. I’m jealous of the worlds you have seen that I have not yet but keep hope that it will stick around long enough for me to travel that way. Thanks for an awesome and inspiring semester Mr. K. Cheers!
Hey Mr K. your blog is fantastic i loved how you described art as a time machine because its a very true statement. Its a creative away of looking into our past present and future . Great Job Mr. K
Mr K. I agree in your thought that art is a time machine, when we walk into a museum over even down roads and see forms of art it takes a person back, each piece has its own back story about the art itself as well as the artist. Whenever I’m looking at art, I try to imagine what their thought process was, what made them decide to create this, what is the message it is trying to convey to me, and what is the history and meaning behind it. Art is more than just breathtaking, it is an ongoing story to be told.
-Kayla
Mr. K, Art is definitely a time machine. Before taking this class I would look at a painting and not understand what and why the painting was created. Now learning different styles and period art was made and knowing the history behind that period, it’s like a puzzle piece being put together. The more knowledge a person has during that period, the more you understand the reasoning behind the painting and will appreciate it more than ever!
Mr.K, I definitely agree with you that art is a time machine. When viewing art you can literally see the past and the moments that were captured for up coming generations to see and learn from. I particularly liked the statement you made “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artist.” This is a very true fact for our world today. As we advance into technology, past original methods and concepts are being lost. At times it is often true that hands on experience gains more knowledge than any technological piece of equipment. I have enjoyed taking your art class and have greatly expanded my knowledge in art history.
I agree with I wonder where art will go from here and I wonder what the artist from history would think about it. I think of art as a photograph or a looking glass that you can use to see into the lives of the artist that painted the picture. Art expresses who are all the way down to how you put your makeup on and how you fix your nails or hair. Art is everywhere and each artist is different and has different ideas
Mr. K,
Reading your blog has been an absolute treat! Thank you for providing us with such an insightful opportunity to dig deeper into the knowledge of the past through means of creativity and intellect. You are certainly right that art can take us to places we have never been to experience scenes that we couldn’t see in live action. I liked what you said about art being the vehicle that would allow us to potentially peek into the minds of such great artists like van Gough and Michelangelo. Having the opportunity to explore the thoughts of such intuitive creators is a true gift that society as a whole should take more time to appreciate. It is all to easy to look at a piece and see it for its colors and shape, but to be able to look at something and read the history behind it is something of magic, that with a little studying and open mindedness, everyone can enjoy. Again, your blog has been fantastic and your class even better. Thank you!
Hi Mr. K,
Your explanation of art being different for different artists is so accurate. Good art doesn’t mean that it’s beautiful or appealing to the eyes. It can be, but it can also express thought, it can provoke emotion, and more than anything it should make you question something, ANYTHING. From a simple question like, “why did the artist make that mark?” or “-use that color?” to an elaborate question like “what were the turmoils that were occurring during this time period?”, “why does this make me sad/happy?”, and above all “what is the artist trying to express!?” , “why did the artist make this?”. I believe beautiful art is innovative and inviting, but art should have purpose. Whether or not the artist is descriptive with the purpose of the composition, or if they are abridged or short, the artist should always be able to answer the number one question: WHY?
Thank you for a beautiful semester,
-Tate
I agree with your analogy “Great art is like a time machine”. Throughout the years there have been many artistic differences. We see the “simple times” with the stick figures on cave walls. We see afterlife beliefs the Egyptians carried with the profiled characters. We see the thoughtfulness the Greek and Romans displayed with their intricate and detailed sculptures. We can even see emotions artists had through color choice, and subject matter. Throughout the centuries we see the highest and lowest points in civilization. Through each art piece we learn a little something about the artist and/or about the common occurrences affecting that time period. Language, and scripts leave but art is something we will always have, and will always use as a sense of unity.
Mr.K
Throughout this semester I have learned a lot more about art in a deeper way. Every assignment we had was awesome because as I read through all of the websites and the text book it took me back into time. I could feel somewhat what of the feelings the artists expressed in most of the paintings. When it comes to art, history is always apart of it and I love history. Thank you for giving me the opportunity learn something deeper in art.
Mr. K
great article, It made me think more, around the end. Mostly that is a good question, how would it have affected past artists to have the technology we have today, I promise that’s going to bother me for months. I found this article to be just as insightful as most of the modules in the class. believe it or not I really learned a lot throughout the class.
Mr. K,
You have changed my outlook on art. I could never EVER thank you enough. Art makes people bond and it is so powerful. This blog post was outstanding. These past artists have made our world a much better place and you have made me realize all of this. As I see this class coming to an end, it makes me sad, but so glad for the next students who will get to be taught about this amazing branch of life. Who would have ever thought I would love art museums, looking at the history of artists, and learning everything you have taught me. Great job on being an awesome teacher. We need more people like you to teach us something you love. Everything in your blog post was exactly correct. You are such a smart, genuine guy. I am so happy that the past artists did not have technology because I think “real” art would’ve been extremely overlooked. Thank you for everything you have done. -MacKenzie
This was a really beautifully worded post, Mr. K. I think that you hit the nail on the head, art being a time machine. It makes us wonder about artists past; their thoughts, perspectives, why they made the artwork they did. It was really interesting how this was written. And, as an artist, I feel like this is a really well stated observation about artists in general. We search the world, our beliefs, our lives, the inner workings of our souls to answer questions about why we create what we do.
I love this so much!
Thanks for an extremely fun, insightful and amazing semester.
-Chelsea
Mr. K-
This essay answers the first discussion question we had which was “What is art?” Art is amazing because it does act as a time machine and takes us back to the time periods that da Vinci and Rembrandt lived in. I found it interesting in this class how much history I learned, and I got to see how these artists interpreted the issues of their time. Studying art is important because it teaching us important analyzing skills and makes us think emotionally into ourselves. This was excellently written and inspired me!
-Adie Bjerkness
Mr. K, I agree with Adie that you did answer the first question you ever asked us, “What is Art?” I agree that art makes us question, think and dream. When I see a painting of a situation, I cant help but think and imagine what would I do in that situation. Art is a way com communication whether it be internally or externally.
Mr. K, I agree with you art is like a time machine it takes us back to the artists time that made the artwork and shows us what the artwork back then would be like. It shows us a time before all this technology and gives us meaning to life and helps us express our own feelings in artworks because we know from these paintings from the artists that expressing yourself is one of the true art forms.
-Courtney Strunk
Hi Mr. K,
What a fantastic blog post! It definitely made me think about how I felt after looking at different masterpieces from different eras. If open up to the painting you can really feel how the artists felt, especially with the more emotionally expressive artists. Also when you mentioned what would a mastermind like Da Vinci do with new forms of art and technology. Would he be overwhelmed with this new style that we take for granted? Or would he completely be in his element and astonish everyone with the same kind of creativity that made him famous in his own time? Either way I enjoyed reading your blog post whether it was for extra credit or not! However I won’t complain about getting an extra 5 points!
Thanks Mr. K,
– Camin RPM
I never really compared Art to a time machine before but this has certainly opened my eyes to new comparisons. This is a great blog post and it is very well written for people, including myself to understand. This post helps me to understand all questions you have asked us throughout the semester and answers them nicely. I enjoyed reading this and thank you sharing!
Great job on your post Mr. K! I like how you stated in your post that, “art enables the educated viewer an opportunity to step back and experience another moment in time.” Art is truly a great blessing to us all. As we look at works of art it gives us the chance to look back and sort of experience what the artist was thinking and doing at the time they created their piece of art. I also like how you said that great art is like a time machine. This statement is very true because it seems to take us back in time and experience what that time in history must have been like. Overall, I enjoyed reading your post. It was very well written and made me think of art in a different way.
Mr. K,
Prior to taking your class I knew very little about art like I stated in the introduction discussion at the beginning of the course. After taking your course I left with the curiosity to learn more and take time to discover the history of how paintings and sculptors became to be. After reading your blog, I liked how you said that art is a time machine. I defiantly agree with that comparison. I agree because time machines give you a glimpse of what is in the past, and near future. Without the sense of the past we wouldn’t be able to strive to make a better future. Also without painting or sculptors we would not have been able to really invent anything because everything we touch or come in contact with had to have a starting process somewhere. To achieve greatness you have to fail and only then can you succeed from your mistakes.
Mr.K,
When I think of how you allowed us (your student’s) to read and understand your perspective on art, we understand you as an art professor. I agree that art is definitely like a time machine because like our last discussion, we view art through the eyes of the artists and the society of their time. We are allowed to explore the attitude and direction of the society which had an effect of the art world. Art takes us to the past and let’s us view a slideshow of events that took place. I think this class is essential in learning the various time periods, styles, and elements within the history of art. Viewing art allows us to explore the different styles, talents, and artists that made an impact. Thanks for sharing your own blog with us.
Mr. K, this post is absolutely phenomenal. Art is in fact a time machine. This class has opened my eyes to so much more to how art evolved as well as the people who created it. Before, I never really thought about how art from so long ago had such a large impact on us today. I was simply focused on what kinds of art were being created more recently. Now that I have taken this class, I have learned so much about art, and can recognize influence in today’s art. Your question about what artists, such as Van Gogh, were thinking when they created their art is very valid. It is puzzling to think about what inspired these artists to created some of their most famous pieces, and it is puzzling even with today’s art. It is amazing that through art, we can experience these emotions that they were feeling, and the time period that they were in. I like how you said that just because we are more technologically advanced does not mean that we have better art. In fact, I think that art from past periods resonate more with me. Not to say that I do not enjoy modern art, but I just feel that I have a newfound love for it. This post made me think of how people have been placing famous art pieces in front of modern day places, or adjusting art to make it more relevant to today’s society.
I think that this is a very true statement Mr. K! I agree with you that art does show us a bit of history. I agree with you that art can show a part of the artist or a part of their world. I also think it is important to remember the historical context of the art that we look at as well, because it can provide more information into the artist’s world, how they were thinking, and what influenced them. It is so fascinating to look at a work of art and consider what made the artist create what they did. The artist could have been influenced by anything around them in their personal life or major world events.I feel like sometimes people get stuck on whether the art is aesthetically pleasing or if it shares a message, and people often tend to lean toward and like “pretty” art over art that shows raw emotions or historical events. I think that it is important to remember that the artist had a purpose for creating the art, no matter what the subject or style is. Thanks for sharing this post with us! 🙂
Great Work! I definitely agree that Art is a time machine. Art allows us to go into the minds of the people who came before us and the people we live with today. Over time art has changed so much, just like us as humans. It is so much more than just paint on a canvas. It is the expression of feelings from another person. Every piece of art has meaning and purpose. The idea of art is constantly changing. What will be accepted? What will be rejected? Thats what I love about todays art. Its okay to step outside of the box!
Mr. K, I completely agree with what you said about art being a time machine. I also loved what you said about artists communicating something about their time period through art. As a history buff, looking at the artwork through the times tells each and every one of us so much more than we realize when we glance at a painting. It’s difficult to fully comprehend how when we look at a painting, we are looking at our world in the past from someone else’s viewpoint. That itself is beautiful, and I have hope for our world if art continues to prevail.
I love this analogy. It’s so true, looking back at art from Prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek or the Renaissance tells a story from that time. Mr. K I have to be honest, I didn’t think I would learn anything from taking an ART class. But I have learned so much and truly enjoyed every week like a new adventure. Thank you for putting your passion into this class, it has rubbed off on me. I look at art through different eyes now.
Art is truly profound in many ways! I liked how you noted that just because we have more technology than before doesn’t necessarily mean that we have better art. Art comes from within a person. The things that THEY value and believe are what is expressed. Technology, while doesn’t necesarily mean that art has improved, has given us just another way to accurately convey the ideas that we may be thinking. Someone who is an artist is an artist because they must be. Thanks for sharing this!
I agree with you that art is a time machine and it can show us many incredible things. When you said you wonder what Leonardo Da Vinci would have done if he had a computer, I wonder too. I had never thought about how different art could have been if they had the technology we do. Art could have taken such a different turn if they did.
I’ve never looked at art critically before. I just assumed that I wasn’t “artistic” so I didn’t even try. But looking at art through your lens, as a way to view human history, has changed my thinking. Art really is the very best history teacher (or time machine). Thank you!
I really enjoyed reading your blog, great work! As I was reading your blog, you brought to light an aspect of art I really had not thought about before, even though it was right in front of me. Now, when I look at a piece of art, I can now reflect on the times of past and how much things have changed or have not changed. Awesome blog 🙂
Mr. K, “Art is a Time Machine”, is such an understatement! Since I began studying Art, three semesters ago, I have come to know, appreciate and really love art. When I think of art, 35.000 to 40,000 years ago, when the Cave Man was drawing dots and putting hand stencils on the cave walls, that their religious beliefs, that spirits were in drawings. Rock art, watercolors, and Native Americans petroglyphs and pictographs revealing ancient stories by using words, and photographs and other artistic artifacts to where art has come to through all the different movements over the hundreds and even thousands of years ago.It is to me like art has become full circle. and really is like being in a time machine.From Buddhism and Iconography, Basilian Churches, The life of Jesus in art, Architecture, sculptures.The list goes on and on. Art has come to be a way of life, once you get involved in it. I find myself looking and relating art to so many things since I started learning about it. It IS like being in a time machine, comparing early art to art of today, or modern art, and abstract. What a Joy this ride has been! Thanks for the journey!
Mr. K,
Art Though the Ages is a very informative blog. I agree that art tells a lot about the time and how the culture was then. Leonardo da Vinci probably would have a different path of art, I think that instead of being an painter maybe he would have been a photographer because of having a computer and Photoshop. Art is a very enrichment in our lives, it allows us to see and understand how the artist was feeling at the moment of creating the art piece. I enjoy how you used the phrase “Art is like a time machine,” this is a great way to explain art. With art it shows so many wonderful things about our past and how others interpreted the world during their time.
Mr. K,
Art serves as an excellent window into not only the mind of the artist who created it, but also the time period in which he/she dwelled. I think that the most interesting thing throughout this course is watching our definition of “art” grow and mature into what he know it as today. Just like the human race, art grew, became more complex, and evolved into extraordinary and unique styles. Your title of “Art is a Time Machine” is truly an understatement. I know I speak for myself and others in saying that it has been a pleasure in taking your course and I will take what I have learned with me throughout life.
Mr. K,
I enjoyed reading your blog. As I was reading, I understood what you meant about art being like a time machine. While researching the various artists, you can see the turmoil that was in their lives and it sometimes explained why their art was so dramatic. Some of the artist had mental issues and art was their escape. When you go back to the eras during the war you can see that the artist used painting as a way to deal with things without saying a word. Art is truly a great form of expression and it usually reflects the time as you have pointed out.
Although this post is from 7 years ago, it still holds true today. Anyone can read about history in a textbook, but art allows the viewer to experience the past by looking into the heart, mind and soul of the artist. When looked at with an understanding of elements and history, art invokes emotions and a sense of wonder. As you stated in your post, the viewer is able to experience history from the artists viewpoint during their particular time period. New contemporary art mediums help present day artists to create art work that reflects today’s time period, but many artists still use the same type of mediums that artists from long ago used. No matter the medium, the artwork created tells a story, a unique story, belonging to the artist who shares his story with us the viewer to interpret it, with the hopes that we understand his message. The blog title “Art is a Time Machine” will always be a phrase that holds true for many years to come!
Mr K! I agree with this blog it was very interesting to read. I really agree with you when you said “Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder and can even give us hope.” Because I have thought a lot about art for being in TWO art classes this semester. This class has gave me another outlook on life, Art is how some people communicate some even do art to cope with their style of living. Great Post! Thank you for being an awesome teacher
I enjoyed reading your blog post, I had visited an art museum with my aunt last summer in order to view some of the artwork her friend had completed. Viewing the artwork I realized that my aunt knew the context of the artists work, while I had to push my own perspective on what I was viewing. Art has this amazing way of reaching into yourself and pulling out what you perceive. Your post had great points in regards to art and its ever-changing ways.
I really like how art can take you back to a different time and society. Art often gives us a glimpse of the society that it came from, such as what they valued or some major event that occurred. I like how it can also show the history of the individual who created the art. I like to imagine the artist creating the artwork, asking questions like what technique was used or what medium they chose. I wonder what made the artist choose certain colors or use certain tools. It is amazing to learn about so many different artists and their artworks!
art really is like a time machine. You can look at a piece of artwork that was made thousands of years ago and you can really start to understand how their life was and what they had to endure. Art is a wonderful thing and the world would not be the same without it.
I really enjoyed reading your blog. I agree also that art is like a time machine I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist. I enjoy learning all about the many artist and their technique. and many styles. Art is unique and no two pieces of art are the same. Art is definitely a huge part of history and society.
This is so true! Art is like a window into the past, into the artists mind. We’re literally looking at the thought process of a human. All the events in an artists life, whether good or bad, happy or tragic are expressed in some way. It’s so beautiful and unique. Art is a GIANT part of society, and it’s wonderful!
Hi Mr. K!
Your post was lovely to read so informative and detailed. I see a similar message throughout this blog. It is that art is more than just a visual, it tells a story. Before taking Art Appreciation I was the type of person who took art for its face value. I see now how artists are individuals who are influenced by emotions and their environment. The way I would describe art is “visual expression”. I agree technology has allowed for a new medium in modern art. We can now photoshop and edit through moving a mouse. It is crazy to think how technologically advanced we humans have become.
I can see you are very passionate about art through your teaching styles and blog. Previous teachers made me memorize facts which was quite off putting. Your class was very diverse and included numerous art examples. Even the discussion boards posed interesting questions that I enjoyed answering. I believe having you as a teacher really allowed me to appreciate more. If I ever visit a museum, I hope I will recall what this class taught me.
Ps: Your art gallery was stunning. I absolutely loved the pictures in Ireland especially. Ireland appears full of green life and beautiful scenes.
Manal Saleh
Mr. Keough,
I really enjoyed reading your blog Art is a Time Machine. In your very first line you stated that “Art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds and souls of the people, cultures and civilizations that came before us” and I find this to be true as well. As we look back throughout time we can see the changes throughout art history, the changes in media use and the changes in techniques and styles, its all apart of the process. Art is constantly changing and it is a time machine as you said. If a person went to a museum it would be like stepping in as time machine because a person would be surrounded by art from numerous years not just the present. Therefore, we are allowed to connect with Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Picasso and so many more artist in a different time period. When you discussed digital technology and its influence on art, I believe this has its positives and its negatives at times. Some can say the new software programs and high up to date computers can hinder some artists from reaching their full potential, which is true. I believe that less people pick up a canvas and a brush and more computers and Ipads. However, in a total different perspective, software programs and high up to date computers allow everyone including the disable to become artists which is a big positive. Therefore, I have a love hate relationship with technology because it can have negative affects and positive affects on people. I enjoyed reading your blog, it was a very good read.
Thank you, Brittany Yelverton.
I love the title, Art is a Time Machine because it truly is! As you stated it does give us a look back into history and a possible look into the minds and souls of great artists that came before us. They are the ones that gave us the tools and knowledge for what we create today. Image result for the persistence of memory The Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dali, 1931
Digital technology as you mentioned is a wonderful tool in today’s world to create, enhance and change art in an “extreme” way. Although it is a great tool and can allow many new advances in art today, I do feel as if it takes some creativity out of “creating” art. In a way, it does a lot of the work for you. I have created digital art on a computer and edited a photograph using photo shop. No matter how satisfying that was to create something beautiful, there is still nothing like having a paintbrush in hand, or clay wrapped around your fingers, truly feeling the materials and the emotion together to make something great. As we keep moving forward into today’s society and what one believes art is, digital advances are here to stay. We need this in order to evolve and grow. However, the great artists that came before us gave us all the necessary tools and knowledge to continue to grow and evolve. Their use of iconography and symbolism, their use of certain mediums and their self-expression will always be with us as we continue to make art throughout our lives.
-Wendy Howell
Hey Mr. K, I really enjoyed your post because through art you can find out more about a person and what they were thinking when they made that piece of art. Everything that an artist goes through in their life can usually be displayed in their art, whether its good or bad. I find that this is really interesting and cool. Great post.
Hi Mr. K,
Your blog on Art is a Time Machine was such a great read because there is so much that one can learn while exploring art throughout life. The artists from history laid out a strong foundation for artist today because they are able to reference the artists artistic styles while they are creating their own artwork. In addition, we as viewers are able to see how the world has changed around us through art.
Mr. K,
I agree with your post completely. In our final discussion topic we discussed how art is a mirror. I believe that as art is a mirror, it is also a time machine in the same sense. As art mirrors the society in which it is created, it gives us a direct look at how things were at that specific time. Because of this, art is a time machine, giving us almost direct access to the past just like a history book would do. Since art is a time machine as well as a mirror, I believe we should pay more attention to it than we do. I believe art does not get enough credit for what it truly is. Having taking two art classes, including yours, I have found myself in complete awe at the immense impact art has made in the past and is making now. Art is full of history- so much more so than I would have ever thought. Great post, Mr. K!
Mr. K,
I really enjoyed this article! I agree strongly about how art is just like a time machine, and how it is like a mirror to society. I never even thought about relating it to a time machine, that is a really nice comparison! Looking back most artworks are just like time machines and take you back to where the artwork was created and what happened during those times. Looking at an artwork can make you feel like you are in another world just like a time machine! Great point Mr. K, it made me see art in yet another perspective!!!
I love what you said about art being a time machine. I really never thought about it that way. It is very true though. When you look at art in some you see what they saw back then. A lot of times I have wondered how we today know what things looked like back then. Then I read this and it all connected. If it were not for the art we have today we simply would not know anything about history. Really good article.
Excellent example of the time machine, and you also made an incredible point about artistic tools being better, but the art isn’t necessarily better. Art is the time and emotion you pour into creating it.
I have never had a real interest in art until taking this Art Appreciation class. Now when I see anything that says art, or represents art, I read and look to find out just a little more about what its about. That says alot about how your class has perked my interest in art. I enjoyed reading this article. Using a time machine to describe art over the years, I thought was brilliant. Art is very much like a time machine. When looking at some of the creations by Van Gogh, Michelangelo, ect, we learn alot about the time they lived in, their emotional state when creating a particular piece because of the colors used, or how bold or delicate the lines are created, maybe even their mind set at that particular time. It takes you back to a time in history! It is fascinating knowing that just by observing a creation of art, it can bring about so much emotion inside of the person observing the piece. Even though many people have different perceptions of a piece of art, I feel that is what was intended when the art was created. Great article.
I have never been a huge fan of art until recently. My interest for art spurred when I finally came to the realization that art is a mirror of society. I love your thought of art being like a time machine. When I went to Raleigh’s art museum, this idea came to life for me. As I was exploring the different pieces created throughout the ages, I felt as though I better understood the people of that specific time. With this being said, what a wonderful and thoughtful article! It is so evident that your love for art is not only a job, but a true passion!
I have never thought of art as a time machine but what a great analogy. Art is a reflection of what is going on in the artists time. I will forever look at art differently after learning from you Mr. K. Thank you for opening my eyes to art.
When I first started taking this art class I decided to visit an art museum in the beginning and end of the semester. The first time I went I looked at the pictures as they were, with out going into vivid detail and not knowing anything about the style or techniques. The second time I went, I was able to see things differently and look at the works of art with new respect. Art really is a time machine, and gives people the chance to see the world as the artists saw it. I have really enjoyed learning about the different periods in art, and I am sure that we have hardly scratched the surface. I look forward to taking what I have learned and using it in my own art, and when viewing others works of art. Thank you Mr.K, for giving me more reasons to love art and increasing my knowledge and appreciation. Great article.
Art is truly beautiful and has allowed so many to not only figure out what has happened throughout history, but what people had felt about it. I feel that it is an amazing way to truly go in depth in the beauty of the world and the attributes of certain time periods and locations. Places and times have definitely shown us what they think and what they value through their art pieces in symbolism, themes, colors, and many other attributes. Being able to see what others may visualize is definitely a major positive aspect to art. It not only can display emotion created and felt by the artist, but also can create emotion for the viewer and audience. Art allows us to see into others minds and thoughts, not only now, but also from throughout all of history. Art is truly a time machine! Love the post, Mr. K!
What a great essay Mr. K! I love how you mention in your essay that art is like a time machine, and I have basically always thought the same. Art continues to build from what was put down before it. No matter, what period in time one may be in or what kind of art we are dealing with I strongly believe that art always some how goes back to it’s roots. It’s like you said now we have a practically infinite amount of technology and tools, and although it may seem that those tools practically exile the older styles and ways to create art, they actually haven’t. It is thanks to the older styles of art that artists in this more modern way more tech savy era have any inspiration to begin with! Art will always remain one of the most beautiful things that life has to offer.
I agree that art is like a time machine! The kind of time machine in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, where you learn from the actual people who lived in that time. Art is a big example, too, of how we are created in the image of God. We have a hint of His infinite creativity.
This was a very interesting essay, I have to say that I had never thought about art as a time machine. But, after reading this essay and what I have learned in the class, art is exactly that. Art during each period of time gives you a sense of what was going on during that time. Art does reflect what is going on during that specific time. You can see the way art builds on each other and at the same time new elements are added. You mentioned Starry Night, one of my favorite painting, and when researching Van Gogh, I was asking the same things, what emotions was he feeling and what was the mood. From this class I have learned that all art is beautiful in one way or another and the different ways to look and relate to each period.
I really like your analogy of art being a time machine and I agree with you completely. The more I have learned about art, the more I understand the meaning behind each piece. I love that I can now look at a piece of art and see the emotion behind it, and see what was going on during their lifespan. That is why Van Gogh has become one of my favorite artists. The more you know about his life the more interesting his artwork is. It also helps you understand how they came to be and the mental turmoil that was his life. I also like how as the course has progressed. Our definition of art has grown and matured immensely.
I really enjoyed the idea of art as a time machine, the art of an era symbolizes that society and what was most important to them. An artist will create art based upon what is most important to them and based upon their mental health at the time.
Mr. K,
Art is a Time Machine really had a fantastic flow to it and it really drew me in as soon as i started reading. Personally, I never thought of art being a time machine, but that is essentially what it is. Every piece has a story and was created to fit that story by the artist, however, it is up the viewers to distinguish what that story is exactly. I love how you said “Some artist like Van Gogh and Caravaggio are more emotionally expressive – some more intellectually curious like Da Vinci, others deeply spiritual and some are intensely manic.” This specific sentence really stuck out to me and made me realize that not all artists throughout history were sane. Take Van Gogh for instance, he cut off his ear and was sent to an asylum where he actually painted Starry Night, one of the most famous pieces of all time! Sometimes being “intensely manic” is a beautiful thing. Moreover, technology is taking off and I believe we will soon see actual painters disappear and see more digital art. It is kind of saddening to me, but do you think those in the past were saddened by the artistic change they had to experience? Art really is a time machine. We can all be taken back to any period just by looking and analyzing a piece of art; it’s the perfect escape. Needless to say, i really enjoyed reading your work, Art is a Time Machine as it touched on so many important details related to the history and meaning of art.
A time machine is such a great description of art… Although the artist may not live forever, the art they created however, will always be alive. Art helps us see directly into the past through the eyes of those who lived it, and that is an amazing thing to realize. Without art, we would know so little today about the lives of those before us. Just like the art they we created today will one day be remembered in the future. Such a cool concept to think about.
I love your analogy of art being a time machine, I had never thought of it in this way. Art allows us to transport ourselves back to that specific time in history and see what someone was viewing and/or feeling. One thing that I love is the fact that you can use art to see how it changed over a short or long period of time. Art is someone that allows the artist(s) to leave a piece of themselves behind.
Indeed, art is like a time machine takes us back in time, unlocking our brain from the daily routine and lets us breed the beauty of the time. I always associate art with a language, because the artists tell the world so much what they are thinking and the period of time they are leaving in.
Art is an expression of oneself, art was saw as a sense of craft, a skill, an imagination, culture, knowledge of the world.
Art is magic, is mystery.
Art is a pleasure. Is sadness and happiness, express ugliness’ and beauty.
Artist relive past emotions and future ones. I am always interesting to see how the technologies reflects the art and the artists, but is just more to come, has been like that for a long-time changes are good and bad for us.
Thank you for an amazing class Mr. K.
Your explanation of art is spectacular! The idea of art being a time machine is 100% true. When I look at prehistoric art, I feel like I am living in that time. Likewise with other styles and time periods. The ideas and concepts that artists use all reflect what is being seen in the eyes of the artist. Then the artist honors viewers with a chance to see how they see the world around them. The Egyptians showed us how during their time, afterlife and wealth was what was being seen.
Mr. K, your view of art is very profound! I have enjoyed learning from you this semester about the various techniques and styles of art. Thank you for teaching me in an engrossing way about a world that I did not know much about before.
Great job Mr. K! I always read your posts on our weekly discussion board because you do such a good job of explaining the given prompt. It would always help me to see what I should be going for in my own post for that week. I think you bring up a fantastic point about the difference between today’s technology and the tools available at the time of most famous artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci. My first thought is that maybe an artist of his caliber would be able to produce even more spectacular works of art more quickly than before. And while faster goes without saying, higher quality works of art aren’t guaranteed by better technology. There is something pure about ancient art works being made physically by man and nothing else.
Mr. K,
What a magnificent analogy use that is. I agree that art is indeed a time machine!! You have opened my eyes even more with this post. Look, art is a word, & words/concepts are organic & change their meaning throughout time. In the olden days, art meant craft. It was something you could excel at through practice & hard work. You learnt how to paint or sculpt, & you learnt the special symbolism of your era. Through Romanticism & the birth of individualism, art came to mean originality. To do something new & never-heard-of defined the artist & with his or her personality, it became essentially as important as the artwork itself. Yet, art always speaks to someone, no matter the artist.
Mr. Keough,
Your descriptions and praise for art is very enlightening. It is evident in how you write about it that it is not simply a job, but a passion. I have to whole-heartedly agree with you that it is untrue that just because we have advanced art tools available to us now we have better artists. I, myself, am not an artist, but when I image how life would be as one (with rose-colored glasses), I imagine that for art to be great it needs sacrifice and struggle. Not to say graphic artists who use computers as their tools are not artists, but I believe that as a society we have become disillusioned by images all the time that we have lost sight of what art can mean. That it is something special and sacred that deserves more attention than a passing glance.
After taking your course in art appreciation, I can definitely say I have gained a better understanding and appreciation for art’s complexities. Thank you for your informative replies to the discussion forum posts and being a continuous presence in the online course.
Thanks again.
Hi Mary, I took several art courses online under Mr. K., and he is such an inspiring artist and teacher of art in many aspects. I have changed my whole way of looking at art since being his student. He is awesome!
I also enjoyed his in-depth replies, which helped me understand more about the posts we were doing. I miss his enthusiasm and his passion for the different art pieces. He is definitely a true artist in every sense of the word.
Take care,
Ricky Bass
I love that analogy, that art is a time machine. It truly is! I love looking at old pieces of art and trying to place myself in that time era. I think its outstanding how people were able to create such amazing works of art with such limited supplies. I like how you wonder how Da Vinci would be in the digital era and photoshop, honestly, I believe if he was he wouldn’t of ever found his true potential and talent. Everything is made so easily these days, I’m sure there are several Da Vinci’s walking around right now unaware of their potential. It’s a curse really, given everything, but blinded to our own true self. But who knows, he might of created something even more amazing and awe inspiring. I think whoever put him here knew exactly what they were doing. I often wish some of us could go back in time knowing what we know now….creating things and become one of the greats!
I agree on the quote “Art is a Time Machine” . Its so interesting just learning the many different eras of art, the styles , the periods , all of that . I often wonder when I see art What the artist had on their mind as well, or what made them want to draw the painting. Its alot more to art than just a picture. Im sure the artist has many reasons to why they choose to draw their work. I think modern art was so much more creative then our days though because now everything is digital or photocopied seems like . Theres not much creativity as it used to be before technology enhanced . I think its interesting though .Everyone doesnt have that talent !
Hey Mr. K! First of all I want to start off by saying that your post was very informative and interesting to read. I can tell that you take every piece of art and view them by their techniques. As you mentioned in your post great art is like a time machine that transports us back in time and tells a story. Every art piece created has its own history and value. I use to be the type of person who would judge a piece of art by its looks, not by its true meaning. I now see art as something more and pay more attention to small details within the piece that makes it unique. Artists create art out of emotions and they show that through their use of color. Like you mentioned in your post as well, digital technology has allowed us to create art using different tools that are usually not used. Although, this does not define an artist. I loved all the images that you added to your post. They made everything your were trying to convey very easy to understand.
I love the description,art is truly like a time machine!
The development and style of art changes over time yet a movement continues to improve. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge of art.
Hey, Mr. K! You are an amazing teacher, and I can tell that you have a true passion for art. You look at a piece of art and can tell the techniques used to make it and the emotions expressed. You put your heart and soul into your art, as well as everyone else’s. The analogy of art is a time machine is truly amazing! It is incredibly accurate for me. When I see an amazing piece of art from a different time period, I am transformed back to that time. Good artists like Michelangelo, Van Gogh, and Picasso express themselves within their artwork. Art is communication, and each artist communicates a way they feel about themselves or another person. Everyone always says “don’t judge a book by its cover,” so you cannot judge a piece of art by the way it looks. You have to look deeper which by your writing, it is obvious that you put a lot of thought into it. It is truly fascinating to see your passion, and it was an honor to be your student this semester.
I really like the topic of your blog. It explains art is a time machine very well and explains the depth of art. I liked taking your class and learned a lot.
I can’t help but feel as though photography has taken us 1 step forward but several steps back at the same time. The hard work that went into countless paintings before the era of technology inadvertently gave the paintings created at the time more detail, attention and greater depth because people actually thought about what they were working on. I don’t feel as though the work produced from Post-Impressionism to now really speaks to me. Your post was wonderful though I like the thought provoking statements about sharing a moment with the painter.
Mr. Keough
I agree that art is a time machine. Just observing a piece of artwork can tell you a lot about the artist and the time period that they are from. A piece of artwork always allows us a visit/view into the past or present. Future generations will look back upon the artwork that past artists and artists of our generation. They will learn about us and about all of the things that have happened during this period of time. One way of learning about a culture or a time period is to study the artwork that was created by that person or during that time. Art is a very important source that can teach people about the past. Your post was amazing and I hope you have a great day.
Mr. Keough, Art is truly a wonderful thing we have in our lives. I agree that it is a time machine, art during the prehistoric era, Greek era, Roman era ect, all allow the viewer to visualize and understand the occurrences of society and life during that time. These magnificent works of art allow us to experience and see culture, culture that we may of never been able to imagine if it was not due to these artist. This cycle will continue throughout all of history, I at least hope so because art is a gift, a gift that I truly hope the world has for as long as Humans are around and even longer. It is important to not judge art by just merely looking at its colors but to look into and ask questions about what the artist was thinking, what was happening during the time period, looking for details and symbols in art allow us to truly understand to best of our ability what is occurring in what ever piece of art we are looking at. Each artist has their own perspective, just like how you mentioned Van Gogh being more emotionally expressive, while Da Vinci was more intellectual. I absolutely agree that Art truly is like a time machine. I really enjoyed reading this, I hope you continue to write more!
Sensational article. Art truly is a time machine. We as humans cannot look at a Da Vinci painting and really see it unless we try to understand the world that Da Vinci lived in. What was society like? What was his environment like? What was public opinion like? Who was considered beautiful? What could be considered interesting and what would be ignored as irrelevant? What interest us at this moment, could be something artist cared little about. Far beyond the difference of use of color, shapes, and shadow is the hidden story that provide a wealth of insight in time past. This was fantastic article that have a better perspective on art as a whole.
Art most definitely is a time machine. If you want to feel what Da Vinci felt you can look at one of his paintings. If you want to feel the church undertones of the Renaissance, or the breaking away from the Catholic church with the Protestant Reformation. You can feel the emotion of Jackson Pollack. Art is one of my favorite things about life. Of course we all have our favorites, mine is more than likely Botticelli.
This is a beautiful blog on art Mr K. Going back you cannot truly understand art unless you can interpret the culture and background behind it. The same thing goes with Da Vinci and his paintings; although we may try to interpret it and see it in our own eyes, we can’t fully appreciate it until we consider the background behind Da Vinci as an artist as well as his artwork itself. Also with Van Gogh while so expressive and thoughtful pieces of artwork, we have to interpret it in our own way rather than pinning it to one set meaning. All in all this is a wonderful and insightful blog, I really enjoyed reading it and learning a little bit more about art; a subject in which I didn’t really appreciate until I took your class. Thank you!
Kaitlyn, I took Art courses under Mr. K. also for a couple of years and I never knew the appreciation for it until Mr.K came along. He is awesome!! He is unbelievably Good. I learned so much under him, it made me a new person when I think of Art..and it IS a Time machine. Thanks for your blog.
For someone who has never been interested in art, this semester has opened my eyes up completely and I view art in a much different way than I ever have in my life. I know more about art than I thought I ever would and now I can talk to people about art of even teach people about things I know about certain artists and styles. Art to me is like a time capsule, because you are able to see what lives were like back in the day and what was important to people.
Thank you for this semester!
This is a beautifully written piece, professor. I absolutely loved art before I started class with you, but being given the opportunity to take a deeper look into the history of art has definitely cemented my desire to be a part of it even more. I had never considered just how important and valuable the art world is to, well, all of the world. It matters just as much as math and science and literature- it is what makes us human, what allows us to really see and understand one another in a way that transcends language and even the sands of time itself. It does make us dream, but it also comes from dreams and can BE a dream. There is so much more to everything we see than what is physically there in front of us. Art can be a portal to the past, but whats also wonderful about it is that it can be a love letter to the present, too.
Thank you so much for this wonderful semester professor Keough! I’ve learned so much more than I thought I would have. In all honesty, I thought I knew everything that I needed to know.
Well done!
Art is certainly like a time machine. It’s crazy how things starts to change over time. I’ve never been into art but this class taught me a lot of new things. Things that I never would imagine on learning. By looking at a simple piece of art, it could tell us a whole meaning to it. Thank you so much Mr. K for this amazing experience/class.
Mr. Keough, I certainly agree with your art us a time machine it takes you back thousands and millions of years ago. Into centuries that are long gone but they left behind the art, stories, and pieces that let us all know there was a world before all of us. Art takes us all back in time and also in the future. I’ll take you to any period you’ll like to see. Art is a world of its own and reading your blog post makes art the most excellent technique and skill of all time.
Destiny H.
Mr. K, Art is certainly a time machine, it opens your eyes to the past, and how techniques change and how times change the techniques. Restored art, art dating back to millions of years ago, seeing how the made the art and learning of what they used. It shows us how we have evolved in art, small or big changes over time, but you can still see the same techniques passed down to new generations. Art can take you back to your favorite time period and you can learn different things about that time period doing so. Its not just what they teach you in a normal history class, its deeper and meaningful. Art is truly a time machine and everyone who had studied art would agree with that statement. Your blog post shows just how many techniques there are all around the world.
Makenna C.
What originally drew me to comment on your blog post (which I wish you had informed us students of because it is really cool) was the image of Rod Stewart from the movie Time Machine. I am a lover of classic film and have definitely seen this movie. Though it is bizarre, quirky, and produced badly its still a wonderful film that I love. Anyway, I completely agree that art is like a window in time, a way to look and humans and their emotions from a long time ago. You can walk into a museum and find a connection with a piece of art, artist, or genre of art. History books can be read to learn about events but art is what connects to the souls. I like to think about the future and how I will look at art people made when I was kid. I am excited to see how modern/contemporary art will evolve. From the cave drawing made with pigments to Mark Rothko’s emotive stain based canvasses art taps into the soul of society.
Art truely is a time machine we are able to see the evolution of human beings through art. Learning from the artwork of a society we can see not only how they lived, worked, loved, and grieved. But we can see the evolution of how humans were able to create. From the moment a cave man was able to paint the first images on cave walls to the modern day creators who use computers to design images our eyes can barely comprehend. We witness the evolution of the human mind
Your comparison of art and a time machine is correct. Art can give us a glimpse back to how a society once was. It can give us a glimpse into their belief systems or into their culture. You can look at a piece of art from a long time ago and you wonder what they were feeling or what sparked the artist’s idea. It helps us understand the common man in some instances, such as when the French Revolution was happening and we got to see people communicate their feelings through their art.
It is a very good and true article. I especially liked the part where you mentioned that just because we have better tools to make art now, doesn’t mean that we have better artists.
MaKellyn Mathis
May 16, 2019
Thank you for all you have done this semester! In taking this course I have learned that art is truly a time machine. Art is always changing and moving into different areas of time. After, going through the assignments this semester. I learned that art goes deeper that what meets the eye. In looking at the piece of art, it talks a lot about what the artists is going through as a person. Therefore, by what they paint you can see the emotions that was going through them: happy, sad, angry and very free caring. With that being said, art is a time machine. It is always evolving, changing and adapting to the world. I will take back so many lessons from taking Art Appreciation!!
Thank you:)
Hey Mr.K,
First, I’d like to thank you for opening my eyes to the world of art and all the aspects that art can be and is applied to. I love that in your blog post you compared art to a time machine in which you can view and in a way experience cultures, ideas, and events of the past. Art represents not only the artist but the happenings at that time, in that specific location. It is always interesting to view pieces and imagine being in that artists shoes and trying to fully understand why the piece was created. I have always loved art and have truly enjoyed learning so much more about art and it’s applications and history this semester. Thank you again!
Hi Mr.K,
Thank you for helping me learn a lot about art and art history this semester. I never realized how much art and history were interrelated. Art is a time machine because art is a mirror of society. In your post, you stated that art is a time machine because artists always have and will continue to express their lives and the culture in which they live. Also, you stated that just because we have the technology for digital art that does not mean that people are better artists today than times gone by. Art mirrors society and the mirror of society becomes a time machine of art for future generations of people to see. Art truly is an interesting topic of study and I have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into artistic styles, periods, and elements. Thank you again for everything you have done to teach me this semester!
This class has been awesome. Before I began taking art history classes, I didn’t think much about it at all. When I thought of art, I thought only of what I created, and what my friends created. We, as a society, tend to get wrapped up in our own views and ideas and forget about where we came from. This class has shown me parts of the world I’d never seen prior. Although I know that it’s not necessary or even GOOD to let the past entirely define you- the world would be worse-off if that were true in every case- I HAVE come to acknowledge that It’s at least important to familiarize oneself with the people and creations of the past. It gives art and creation a new breathe of life for me. Since art does act as a mirror, reflecting the society in which it is created, we in the present have a better /understanding/ of the past.
Thanks prof!
I really surprised myself, I never thought I would ever 100% understand art. Thanks to your amazing class I have grown and explored so many things outside of my comfort zone. I learned that art is a reflection upon everything! Just like someone once said history always tends to repeat it self. Just look out how old trends are coming back into the light! I never thought I would say I would miss a class, but I sure did enjoy this one.
Thank you!
Art is a time machine. At its core, art is the way an artist expresses themselves and portrays the world around them. If you truly study and appreciate a work of art, you can understand and experience it on many different levels. As we look at artwork, we are looking through the eyes of the artist at the world around them. We learn what was important at the time. Through art we truly tap into different eras and beliefs and generate a different understanding of the world around us. Taking your class has been a pleasure, and has truly opened my eyes to the beauty and depth of art.
I agree with the statement about how you said, just because we have technology it does not make you a better artist. I truly believe that something as simple as a canvas and paint can be transformed into something more magical than a computer can ever produce. Both require talent, but the old fashioned way expresses meaning better. I’ve enjoyed going through the different eras of art. I have been able to learn and grasp a better understanding on what art really is.
I agree I also think of art as a time machine. It can take us to the past in so many different ways. I like how you said “I often wonder what Leonardo Da Vinci would have done if he had a computer and Photoshop”. I think of things like this all the time what would our art or even our future be like if there was computers back then.
The comparison you made about art and a time machine is interesting and agreeable in my opinion. Art is usually inspired, and/or influenced by either common ideas thought by their culture back then, like religion and politics, or the artist’s reaction to these common ideas, like mocking, opposing, or comparing different ideas. Speaking of the latter, I would also compare art to an opening or a window to the artist’s opinions, ideas, and thoughts. Most art is subjective, and not easy to deduce or understand, but most artworks give something about the artist and/or the work they live in and can allow us to compare and equate to us and/or our world. There are various symbols in artworks that can mean many things, and I think it is fun to theorize not only what these symbols could mean, but the overall artwork as well. I had a good time with this class and it taught me a lot more about art and how to appreciate it more.
I also want to comment on the role the digital age has on art. I agree that more advanced tools and technology don’t technically make better artists. But, I think this digital age allows art forms to be shared more easily and consumed more easily. It even allows new art forms to be formed, like blogs and interactive websites. I think this age allows the exchange and expression of ideas and in this case, art, to be easier and more connected. It isn’t perfect at all, but I think the internet can open up more artists and allows them to express their ideas with ease.
I love the statement “art is a time machine”. Art has come a long way, and it can also take us to the past as well. Art is a way for artists to express themselves in so many different ways, whether it is music, painting, wood burning, the list goes on. I appreciate this class immensely, and I have learned so much throughout this semester. I learned the history of art and how the different styles came to be. This class has also taught me to appreciate art more and on a deeper level. Thank you for a great semester!
Mr K,
You said it best art is indeed a time machine. I will admit before your class I had no interest in art, just an interest in not having to do music appreciation. However, through this semester with your thought invoking discussion boards and emails about the next subject, I have gained a true appreciation and admiration for art in general. Back to the blog it was excellent I couldn’t agree more simply looking at a work of art can take you back to when it was being created, imaging how Pollock was sweating as he drip and splashed paint onto the picture as it lays on the ground, or Rembrandts thought as he expertly showed his understanding of the psychology of light. Art is a time machine and can take you to a world full of wonder and amazement just as this class did this semester. Thank you.
Art is truly a way to see into someone else’s emotions, life, and their personal history. Many view events differently and art is just one way to express those views, While someone may view an event as happy or joyful, someone else may view that event in a negative way. One can look at a piece of art and have their eyes adjusted to how the artist views the past and events. It is truly amazing how art can express so many things and events. Thank you for teaching a wonderful and eyeopening class this semester, I have already signed up for another one of your classes for the sping semester. I am excited to be taking another class with you soon!
Some art is so powerful that it truly does feel like you can feel the emotions of the objects in the paintings. A time machine is a great analogy. Many true artist put their blood, sweat, and tear into their piece, and viewers can feel the vibes of the artists as well. They can make connections on how the artist is feeling, whether is be happiness or depression. Some art pieces you truly have to dig deep into the meaning, especially if there is not a specific subject. This allows the viewers to be creative when they come up with scenarios about what they feel the paintings true meaning is.
Jessica Canaday
I feel that you are correct when you say “Art is like a Time Machine”. I can feel it when I look at a certain piece of art and feel like I am transformed back to that era. Great article!
Mr. K,
Art is in fact a look into the lives of those before us. Upon taking this course I went to an art museum and didn’t understand what the art was trying to say and having taken this course I now understand cherish and above all appreciate art much more. Art can be many things. It can be an expression, a representation, an ideology, a way of communicating and just so much more. The way in which we interpret art is what makes it that much more important. Through knowledge of arts history we can use it to make new art. I learned so much in this course and was glad to learn about different periods and how much art has changed.
Art is always changing and developing into something better than how it was in a earlier time. Art is like fashion it comes and it goes but it will always be changing and developing into something better. I think it’s amazing how many techniques and styles are used in art and the things you can allow the mind to create art.
I couldn’t agree with you more, art is truly a view into another time. As society and culture shifted through the ages, so did art with its techniques and purposes. This class has expanded my view on art exponentially and its been a pleasure to be a part of it! I notice and understand so many more aspects of art that i simply overlooked before and now that I have a better understanding, I get more enjoyment from art. Thank you, Mr. K, for the wonderful class!
We are a consistently changing society and because of that so is art! You chose the best way to describe art; as a time machine. This course has taught me so much over the past few months! It’s incredibly interesting to learn about how societies from such along time ago viewed art and most importantly WHY they viewed it that way. Much of it was because of what they were going through at that present time. We are all truly blessed to see things they created from their perspective, and our future generations are as well. Mr. K thank you for putting so much work into your students and being such an interactive instructor!
I love the title, it’s so fitting! I often wondered this semester what all we would have missed if it weren’t for art such as cave paintings. Would we know much about their lives without them? Just this semester I have seen how much art has evolved, and the many artists that made it happen. It truly is a time machine! Great post Mr. K!
I completely agree with you Mr. K! Just because we have newer and better technology than they once had, does not mean we have better artists. Technology is only another form of medium just like paint or granite.
Really well said! I especially liked what you said about Da Vinci and photoshop. I really do think of art as a time machine as well. Art over time has just done a great job of reflecting what everyone’s values were at the time whether it was wealth or religion. This course has given me a look into each period through art and overall helped me gain a better understanding of this. Great post Mr. K!
Mr K,
I have to say…this is a beautiful blog, as I am a blog junkie myself! But this post was really eye opening and made me see art in another light. I have never heard it referred to a time machine, but looking back to all of my visual analyses, it all tied back into history. Some may think those were ancient times then, but the art was just as maginificent as it is today. I will definitely be checking out more of your posts!
“Art is a Time Machine” that is defiantly an attention grabber. In your blog you mentioned that art can make you travel back in time and I absolutely agree with you. I believe that is was great art can do; better said that is what a masterpiece can do. That is a very original way to view it. After reading your blog, I will always associate the word art to the words time machine. It is true art is the product of what the artist captures from his or her time and/or place. Thank you, for this beautiful and thoughtful blog, Mr.K.
Mr. K,
I think your title for this blog is very fitting! I too agree that art is a glimpse into someone’s heart and soul. To me what a person creates is an aspect of their personality and inner self. I like how you compared art to a time machine, and I agree great art is like a time machine. Art can take us back in time, we can view art and see what was going on during the time period it was created. Since art can mirror society it definitely can be used as a form of history. Great example with Starry Night, I have always believed Van Gogh was trying to communicate sadness with that specific artwork. I agree that we have better and more powerful tools for making art and it definitely does not mean we have better artists. I believe true art is what comes from within!
This post was an insightful look into how our history and the history of art are deeply intertwined. As an artist, it feels like I leave a piece of myself behind in the work that I create. I think every artist experiences this to some degree, and not only do artist capture their subject, but a piece of themselves. In your post, you said that artists are driven to create–that we have very little choice in the matter–I think the need to leave something behind in the work that we create is the reason why, and I couldn’t agree with that statement more. The way that an artist leaves behind a piece of themselves is another reason why art is a time machine–which is a fitting title for this post.
I agree with the assertion that art is indeed a time machine. When artists create great works they are leaving not only a piece of themselves but also the society in which they are molded by. This gives us all insight into not only what is different about our time periods but also what they can have in common.
I really enjoyed reading this. Art really is like a time machine. Art allows us to see people’s worlds in a different kind of way. They express how they feel by painting. It is an expression of a person during a specific time in their life. Art is a time machine is a great analogy to use when describing art. Over time art has changes in so many different ways, it is crazy how they created art back in the ancient days compared to how they create it now. There is nothing better than being able to admire a great piece of art, and being able to fully understand the meaning behind it and the experiences those people who created it were going through while painting it. I agree that even though we have much better and more powerful more tools for making art, it does not mean that the artists are better.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge over this semester with the class about art. There is nothing more cherishable than a piece of artwork. This blog was very interesting to read.
We truly can learn more about the past through art history. Art is a reflection of the culture in which it was created. We can learn so much about the artist and civilizations by just looking all around us. So much art from the past was never created with the thought of it even being considered art. Yet, no it gives us so much insight.
Art enriches our lives, it makes us think, dream, question, wonder, and can even give us hope and deeper insights into the human condition. The more one learns about art the more its mysteries are revealed. There is so much more to art than what we as viewers see “face value”.
^^^^^^^^ This statement could not be any truer!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mr. K,
I really liked your blog post. What a beautiful way to express yourself about art. I agree with you that art is a time machine in which you could just travel to the past times if you wanted. Sometimes I feel that we do not appreciate art enough like we should and I say this because I am one of those people. After learning about art history I will not be able to look at art the same but I mean this in a good way! I have learned that each piece of art has a true meaning behind and no matter how old or how simple it may look it is ART!
Mr. K,
I completely agree that art is a time machine. It gives us the opportunity to look back into different periods of time and see what they thought or perceived it as. We often times look at art and shrug it off, but we should truly take the time and admire the work and dedication it took for the artist to complete the piece. Thank you for teaching such amazing classes and help open my mind up to art as more than just a pretty picture.
Katlyn Brink
What a fantastic overview! The links are helpful and for covering such a broad topic this is very informative. Even the opening sentence “Art is a glimpse into the hearts, minds and souls of the people, cultures and civilizations that came before us.” Sets the premise and tone for this post so well.
Examining a work of art really is such an underrated way to further our understanding of the period the piece came from. By really closely considering the emotion, politics and current events behind a piece that influenced its artist’s direction we can tell so much about the human condition of its time.
Very well said, Mr. K!
Jamie Loewy
Wow, what an excellent blog! Art can teleport you to any time in history. From the ancient cave paintings of survival, to the Egyptian works pondering the afterlife, to the pop-art of Andy Warhol, with a little knowledge and understanding, you truly can enter into the artist’s mind and understand the world around them through art. It is amazing what you can learn through art, it is a visual history book!
Thank you for all the knowledge about the world of art Mr. K!
Corey
What an interesting read. Us, as viewers of art, can learn so many things by looking into the history that an art piece illustrates and defines. We truly can be inspired by just simply questioning and deeply looking into a work of art and stepping into a time machine.
Wow i love this Mr.K! Such a neat and interesting read, just by reading this you learn so much more about the past art and how inspiring art can be when you actually take time to view it. Your opening sentence was such a great way to open this post, it’s so neat that after reading this it is true that art is a time machine ! Art can be characterized as many things and help you view things in different ways but i had never thought of it as a time machine, thank you for all your knowledge this semester!
I love the time machine analogy to describe art throughout history. As one journeys back through time to analyze and understand the art forms from the very beginning we have so much to learn. We learn what was important to people in that era by understanding the subject matter of the works. As time advanced, each era analyzed the art of the previous era and adopted techniques they liked and altered what they didn’t. As we view and interpret works of art it is like we are traveling through time and taking a glimpse into life at that time. Art has so much value to allowing us to truly understand history.
Like you, I wonder what Da Vinci would have created with today’s technology. And you are so right, understanding art is a glimpse into our past, an evolution of our world in shapes, textures and colors.We can see what those in the past found beautiful, such as in Reuben’s paintings, as well as see how knowledge and information were passed from generation to generation in prehistoric art. It is fascinating when you start looking back through the ages and seeing the many different ways art was used and how it is a story of us… our beginning, our travel through time, bringing us to the present.
I feel such enjoyment being able to see a glimpse into our past. The prehistoric cave drawings and showing us “the hunt” as well as being able to now view Egyptian art and see some of their connections with the afterlife. I am glad to be able to look into pieces I view from now on, rather than taking them for face value. Thank you for this great class experience Mr. K!
Art is a time machine, it’s beautiful because we don’t need a real time machine to see it, we have a window of time that we get to examine and research to understand. I think the digital age has brought so many new opportunities for more people to create art, no only because we have been able to have so much technology at our hands regardless of our social class (at least in America.) but we also have opportunities to be inspired by the countless forms of art in media, film, instagram, social media etc. I think we are headed to less art being painted on canvas and more art created through digital forms.
I enjoyed this blog post, thank you for the insight Mr. K!
Wow! I found this super fascinating and extremely informational. Personally, throughout this course I’ve became more intrigued with Art followed by the history behind it. I also wonder what the pasts artists work would be like today with the modern technology we have.
Mr. K. I’ve learned more than I could of ever thought possible from your Class. I had no idea there was so much depth to the art around us and thought it to be something quite boring before I was introduced to your art appreciation class, and now i know i can keep up with you with your awesome blog i hope you create new ones frequently!
Hello Mr.K!
I full believe that art is time machine that can take us anywhere we want! Art holds so much history, emotions, and stories that can be interrupted in vast ways. Art can be viewed so differently by people that a single piece and represent so many things to different people. You asked what we thought Stary Night would have represented, this is a painting that shows many things, he could be trying to show the wonders of the galaxy, the beauty of home, and express how to view the world from an imaginative point of view. I feel that art in the history each holds special meaning, if artiest back in history had the technology we have today art might have not been the same. I think technology was placed in the time it needed to be so we can see the progression, history, emotions, and growth that have been made throughout time. Art has been and will contiue to be a time machine for humans for years to come!
Hey Mr.K ! Nowadays pictures are easy ways to capture moments in time, these pieces of art made before our time really allow us to see how artist captured moments important to them. With an open mind a lot of things are possible, knowing what techniques artist were prone to use really allows us to pay attention to details in their work and appreciate them. We are human, just like these famous artist were but they were able to use artistic expression to tap into what it really means to be human illustrating all it’s aspects. Regardless of their techniques they created art that in a sense creates a portal into another way of thinking, every piece of art can be depicted by various ways that the beauty of art. Art comes in many different forms and without it feelings and expression would be scarce.
I think that saying art is like a time machine is an excellent way to look at art! We can look at all of these historical art works and get a glimpse of what art use to be like. It can teach us about what people were going through at a time and it conveys the artists feelings about that event. Artists use various techniques to convey how they feel and to get their point across. They can use certain colors or lines to help show this. Each artists has their own unique style of art. These artists use their own forms and ways of art to express themselves and show how they might have felt. We analyze their art pieces to try to understand what they were showing in that art piece and what lines and colors were used to show this. We admire their art and the meaning behind it. It is amazing that we can learn so much about the past from art work!
Wow Mr.K,
You are an exceptional writer and an even better art analyst. I truly believe that art is a time machine and your explanation as well as your insight was incredible. The way we admire and think about it is all based on our historical understanding and perspective. Art is influential and holds history and meaning in itself. How we view art is more than just the pictures we see and colors, art holds meaning, depth, and your post was absolutely amazing. Keep up the good work
Art really is a time machine. You are a really great writer and a truly great art analyst. I truly believe in your belief in art being a time machine. We can look at a piece of art from years and years, possibly centuries, ago and get transported back in time. We can feel the surrealness of that art piece as well as feel the emotion trapped in the many lines and swatches of color.
Art lets us look at ourselves and discover who we are and what we are feeling in that moment of looking at that special piece of art. It makes us feel and pursue these feelings we are discovering. Art is beautiful and can tell the face of true beauty while contrasting it with something less appealing. But it is all in how the artists does these things that makes the viewer feel the emotions. All the detail, creativity, pain, beauty, and so many other things go into to art and us as a audience realize that art is everywhere we look and go.
When you wrote “Just because we have much better and more powerful tools for making art now doesn’t mean we have better artists.” This is so true. When Van Gogh and all theses famous works of art were painted they couldn’t Photoshop their image to help their piece come to life, they mastered their pieces from the heart, mind, and soul. Art is truly like a time machine, from the beginning of time to now, in 2020 art can differ from its time and make a person think they are actually in that time! Good read Mr. K!
Art is a time machine that can carry you to the past or the present. In this machine that we call life, you never know what or who you might find. How art can have so many different techniques and how it can be interpreted is amazing to me. We can look at a work of art from years and years ago and we can still see a piece of technique by artists in today’s time.
Art is truly a time machine. I believe this because you can look back into time and sometimes predict how art will evolve in the future based on art in the present. Art is something people never know what they might discover because it can be interpreted in so many different ways. It is so incredible that we can go back and look at how art evolved over the different time periods even the ones we were not alive for. This is why I believe art is a time machine and it is one of the most amazing things invented. Technique from artists decided ago are still seen in today’s art pieces.
Art is a time machine that can take you anywhere you want, from ancient Greece to the future. If we didn’t have art we wouldn’t be able to see into what they had done and we wouldn’t know about the fertility goddesses and so much more. Art is a time machine that we couldn’t live without.
I think for me art is kinda like time capsule because it allows people like me to get a understanding of what the cultural mindset was in a ancient culture and how it could be used to help learn what was normal at the time how we as people changed. Sometime art can be a way to learn the emotional state of a person and help us understand a person better even though they are no longer among the living.
Mr. K,
I completely agree that art is a like a time machine. If you look through the different periods of art and through the different art movements, you can see the evolvement and different ways society and time have impacted each one differently. Art is an amazing way to view peoples emotions, the history and different aspects of the creators life in the way they viewed them.
Mr. Keough, I thoroughly enjoyed your class this semester and agree completely! Art will now act as a time machine for me anytime I view a painting, because I will be able to connect it with a specific time period or know how to research it for that information. I have always loved history and to be able to study art and connect it with historical time periods has been so fun! I am also taking a Western Civilizations class right now and there have been times when we were studying the same time period and I knew what was happening in the world as well as what art was being created. Studying art in a linear timeline shows the influence the previous periods had on what was to come. Any person, with art history knowledge or not, can look at a work of art and be transported to a time, place, or emotion that they’ve had before or never yet experienced, making art a time machine.
Wow, I think describing art as a time mac hine is just the perfect way of putting it. I love that we have a way to see into the minds of people from centuries ago. To be able to feel what someone like Picasso was feeling when they make art that calls to them. Art has a special charm that keeps it from aging and that’s what I love about it.
Great article Mr. K!!! I love the comparison you made to art and time machines. Art truly IS a time machine and gives us a glimpse of what the artist’s emotions and thoughts were at that time. I feel like Giotto did a wonderful job not only expressing himself through his art but allowing the viewer to be a part of it as well. It is amazing how he came up with such a skillful technique that was so different from what people were used to seeing back then!!
Love this article Mr. K!! I’ve always been big into history and plan on being a history teacher and I’ve always believed art and history go hand in hand. With art, we are able to get a sense of the time period in which it was crafted in and see what the world looked like through the artist’s eyes. I’ve also always been a very individual and hands on learner so art helps me put into better perspective the message the artist seeks to convey. Artists like Van Gogh created art to expression and make the viewer feel certain emotions which is powerful and causes the viewer to ponder the message conveyed.
Mr.K you are totally right art is literally a time machine! This was very interesting to read. You made some really great points that I personally have not even thought of. and I agree with your statement that you made about just because we have much better and powerful tools for art doesn’t mean we have better artists. Older art just catches your eye and makes you want more. Some newer art does that too but much older art seems so much more authentic and has more emotions and deeper meanings behind it.
Mr. K, I found your post to be fascinating. Art is a time machine through many different levels and you’ve identified the many ways that is possible! The thing I love about art is that it’s not meant for everyone to understand and what you take away from it is exactly what it should mean. Everyone isn’t going to view a certain painting as beautiful whereas most would. Some people think of graffiti as trash and wonder why anyone would ever do that while some find it wonderful because it expresses oneself. I find art beyond fascinating and I definitely agree is it a time machine at its best! I have learned so much through art these past few weeks. Great job on helping us understand all of these lessons!
Great post, Mr. K! Viewing art as a time machine gives a new perspective to WHY we view art. When asked what one would do with a time machine, most people respond they would go back and fix their mistakes or relive their finest moments. We have the ability to do that through art! We can view mankind’s strengths and weaknesses, victories and failures, disappointments and joys all through the medium of art.
Thank you for sharing this post, Mr. K! One of the things I’ve been learning in your class is that there really is so much more to art than what appears at face value. Learning about different lines, colors, styles, etc. is so helpful in really dissecting a work of art and finding the real meaning behind it. Art is much more than something to look at, it’s a way in which one person connects to another. Thank you for teaching us about the lens through which to view art!
Mr. K I agree with your statements made in this post. I feel that art being like a time machine is an extremely good analogy considering that art has been a large staple in society as a whole for tens of thousands of years, it serves as a way to know when or how something happened 300 years ago and how the artist felt about that event.
Nice! I completely agree with this and the comparisons done. Art is like a time machine and maybe future artists may interpret the artworks done in modern times, such as the ways we have done with ancient art works and architecture. No art is the same and they always have different backgrounds or meanings. It is so interesting to learn about art and how it was in different times.
Mr. K, I really enjoyed reading this. I most certainly agree that art is like a time machine. I have never looked at art like a time machine until reading this essay. It is craxy how you can look at at piece of art and if you dig deep into the artwork, you can step back and enjoy the artwork in that time period. Great piece of writing!
I really did enjoy reading this. I completely agree that art is a time machine. I also like when you stated that we see the history of art and how much it has evolved overtime by previous history of artwork. It is amazing to see how much artwork has changed and how far it has come since the beginning of time. I really appreciate the love and passion you have for art. It makes you a great teacher!
You are spot on. Mr. K.. I would most defiantly describe and classify Art as a time machine. It can take you anywhere in the world and anywhere in time. Both to a real time and place or to a fictional captured moment. It is a window into the very heart and soul of the artists themselves as well as the time period from which they came. A great learning experience and possibly a very moving moment from one’s first gaze upon an artists creation.
You are completely right about how a great work of art can get us lost in the colors and detail of a certain time period and take us back in time. Art is always changing and it is nice to find a certain piece that can bring you back. This is why it is always important to look deeper into the painting. A great article!
I love how you mentioned that art has so much more behind it then just the face value we see at first glance. Every aspect of a painting all the way down to the colors chosen for the piece all carry their own story. Over the course of taking my Art Appreciation class I have now grasped a better understanding of how to try and find the mystery behind many paintings that we look at each and everyday and that so much time, technique, and dedication goes into creating such wonderful master pieces. Great post Mr. K!
Mr.K, art is definitely a time machine as it allows people from all over, from different backgrounds. cultures, and times periods to be able to relate to pieces of art. Art opens the mind for creative and free-thinking– allowing people to make their own assumptions through the symbolism and iconography throughout the piece. Art can take you anywhere throughout the world, and to any period of time in just a walk down a museum gallery, so amazing. Such an insightful and eye-opening article,
Mr. K, I really like how you said that art is a time machine. I never really thought about it that way, but now it really makes sense. Art from thousands if not millions of years ago has been discovered all around the globe, and those pieces that have been found have helped us look into the lives of the people from our past. Even the art that is being created today could possibly be studied in the future- that is really cool yet weird to think about.
Art helps people look into different time periods, cultures, and places. It also helps us learn lessons from historical events. Art is a way for people to express themselves and it connects people together, it doesn’t matter what your race, gender, age, or education is, art is for whoever takes the time to enjoy it. People of the past did, and I hope people in the future will continue to do so.
Art really is a time machine, isn’t it.
Loved your post, Mr. K! I also think that art is a pathway into a person’s heart, mind, and soul and allows us a way into history. We can look at a piece of art from years and years, possibly centuries, ago and get transported back in time. We can feel the surrealness of that art piece as well as feel the emotion trapped in the many lines and swatches of color. Art definitely is like a time machine, it allows us to go back in time and experience the versions of art that represent religions and symbolisms from that particular time period. World renown artists from hundreds of years ago will always be remembered and cherished for their artwork! I love that no matter how old or different artwork is, it is all so important to us and our history.
I loved your post, Mr.K! I also believe art is a time machine. Art is a time machine that allows us to capture the creativity an artist has embedded during anytime, and anywhere in the world. Art allows doors in our minds to open towards creativity in which we can create about ourselves or our surroundings. We can freely express ourselves. Almost as if we were in a different world when we touch a canvas. Amazing! Not only does art stand as a time machine but it can also be a way we connect with others through history. We are able to remember any time in history through art. We are able to cherish and create art that can be cherished by anyone.
Mr. K,
When I think of a time machine, I imagine a fictitious device that would allow me to go back and change events, but when I think about it further, I realize that I have been thinking about it the wrong way; my initial thought of a time machine was almost the exact opposite of what an actual time machine is, instead of going back in time art reaches you through the past, it affects everyone in different ways, but to me personally I like to say it changes my life it changes my way of thinking and makes me want to know more, knows what inspired and what made the artist do what they do. Though the expected time machine is only imaginary, the time machine that exists is real, art is real, and it allows us to see what life was like all those years ago.
Excellent work on your post Mr. K, I loved being in your class, and as the semester ends, I want you to know that you helped me gain a better understanding of art as a whole and not just its visual appearance.
Thank you so much. I am grateful for all you have done.
Tristan
Hey Mr. K, I enjoyed reading your blog post and I found it to be really insightful about the many eras of art and how we all interpret works of art differently. Art, I agree, is a time machine as it allows individuals from all walks of life to engage in and relate to works of art from many countries and periods. Looking at art and seeing ourselves in the artist’s shoes, attempting to understand why the artwork was produced and how they wanted it to be perceived, is captivating. I’ve enjoyed your course and am grateful for the opportunity to be introduced to the world of art and all of the various ways it can be expressed through this class. Thank you!
What is art? Visual art is expressive. It expresses feelings, conditions of life, information, religion, society, today’s hot topics…basically it can be an outlet for anything. Art is all about communicating, whether through a drawing pencil, paintbrush, welding torch, chisel, camera, or even a computer program. Whatever the technique, art connects people with one another. It does not matter how old the art piece may be, who created it, or whatever its subject, the art piece is bound to evoke some sort of reaction. It can be aesthetically beautiful or horrifically terrible to the viewer; nonetheless, it is still art. Therefore, art is personal. But to the true art admirer, they would take the time to ponder the reasons for the piece and try to place themselves in the time frame of its creation in order to discover the reasoning for it. In this way, art can be a powerful tool to create new ways of thinking.
(Mr. K, I have greatly enjoyed your blog and class. Thank you!)
An interesting analogy! “Art is a time machine…” I certainly do believe that art allows us, the viewer, from any time period a window into what life was like and what occurred during the time of that artworks’ creation. It is such a pleasure to have the opportunity to admire surviving fragment of the artists expression from time long forgotten. A piece of the past documented in the form of shapes, colours, calligraphy, patterns, architecture, textiles, sculpture and so many more mediums – it’s incredible when you look back on the journey of how art made it’s way from simple cave paintings to computer generated images. Art can tell a story and narrate the climate of events, it can evoke every emotion possible and has the power to transport anyone from one time and space to another. No matter the level of intellect, age, gender, race, social economical background, the sheer power and effect that art can have on the vast audience is much to behold.
I love “Art is a Time Machine”. Art always has a history behind it. And art always tells a story. There is art from so many different eras and it helps us learn about how they lived and what they believed in. Art can help you escape reality for a little bit and it can take you back in time. You can imagine how it was to live in their time period and imagine their daily routine.
I have never thought of art as a time machine before. The more I think about it the more it makes sense to me. Art is an ancient concept that most people don’t put any thought into. It has been a way to capture creativity and effort within an artist’s work. We have used art for many purposes. I enjoyed reading your essay and it made me think about things that I never have before.
This is a really good way to describe art. Like, Ic ould not have thought of this, and I agree with you. This blog was really interesting and really enjoyed it. Art expresses and helps us express the way we feel, and you did it this way.
Mr. K,
I think your blog is a great article, I think of art as a time machine because it captures the essence of a person at a critical moment. It is both an outgrowth of that person’s thoughts and a sample of their existence. When you look at creative art, you learn more about a person than simply how they were feeling; you know about the period and their thoughts.
I think this is a wonderful take on what art represents. Seeing artworks from before my time is almost like I am time traveling to that time period! It is so interesting to see historical events or landscapes that I have never been able to see and get a feel for what the times and people were like long before me! Great thoughts!!
Mr. K,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this site and agree with a lot of statements you made. One statement you made that caught my attention was, “There is much more to art than what we viewers see at ‘face value’.” This is true because we may be able to look at the outside picture, but every artist is different. Everyone has different takes on artwork and we see themes differently. It is also interesting to view art throughout the periods and see what was happening in society.
I really enjoyed reading this article. I totally agree with you! Art truly does bring out the inner most of us that others may not see. Art can show how we really feel and are from the inside. Art can show others what the artists have seen, experienced and felt. Art really does bring such a good impact in our lives. It helps us see the world with more beauty. When we paint, draw, sculpt, and more, we pay really close attention to the details of life. Art is a remarkable piece in our lives!
Mr. K, Your post piqued my interest. You’ve noted the several approaches that are available. Art is a time machine via many distinct levels! What I appreciate about art is that what you take away from it is exactly what it should signify; art isn’t meant for everyone to understand. Not everyone will find a particular painting to be attractive, but most people would. While some people view graffiti as garbage and wonder why someone would ever do it, others think it is fantastic since it allows one to express oneself. I believe art to be utterly fascinating, and I wholeheartedly concur that it is the best time machine! These past few weeks, art has taught me so much. Well done for assisting us.
I never thought heard of someone saying art is a time machine but if you really think about it, it is. If you look at different paintings they tell a story or is history from the past. Paintings give you a way to almost feel like you were living in that life. Artwork gives us a way to go back and see what life was like back then. Nice post Mr. K!!!!!!
Great blog!! I agree art truly is like a time machine. Some artists, and their pieces, I feel more connected to. I feel like I can relate to their work and truly envision the message they were trying to portray. I like to say that I am a creative person and that I have a good eye with finding the message in difference pieces like paintings, drawing, music, or movies. Playing the violin for five years, I felt connected and drawn to certain pieces. Even for music that was on the radio, no matter the age of the piece I can capture a moment pretty quick. I believe art is a way to capture a moment in time or an idea the artist has and make that piece last for centuries.
Mr. K,
Great blog! it’s amazing how art lets us connect with the past and understand different cultures. Even with new technology, art still helps us explore our emotions and thoughts. It’s like a time machine, giving us a glimpse into the lives of people who came before us!
Mr. K, this was such a great blog. I have learned so much taking this art class and reading your blog. I definitely feel like I have traveled through the different art periods.
Great blog post Mr.K! I love everything you write even in class. We talk about different periods so much I feel like I live there now lol.
I really love how art can just take you back to any point in time and tell you how they lived and tell you more about their culture. Art in some instances is the only way you can tell how some lived and art is the only besides music that can really place you back when it was made, even music is considered art it’s just in the form of audio. It’s almost like a time machine and it’s amazing in all honesty.
Mr. K, I love your analogy. Now when I see art I think back to the cultural norms and the rules of society of when this specific piece was painted. I look for deeper meaning and conspiracy theories inside the political agendas of the artwork. Thank you for teaching me to think this way!
Thank you Mr. K,
I have always loved art and now I have a better understanding of how the world was developed to what is today. Learning the concepts of texture and style as we go through time with the work of art we experienced.
Not to seem morbid but my most interesting period was during the artwork that came from the plague. Seeing what and how situation happened and how they survived to continue to build from what could have been the end and most of all how we have and are still learning what to do just in case.
I appreciate you time that you invested in this class and I will continue to support and look forward to learning more about art and its history.
Hi, Mr. K!
I have really enjoyed taking your art class and I enjoyed this blog just as much. One thing that really made me think was when you asked what do you think artists from the past would do with technology from today like Photoshop? It is a great question and just further proves the fact that art is a relic of the time in which it was created.
I enjoyed taking your class and going more into detail with art. I am glad I have more knowledge with the different period of art. I also never thought about artists having something in common like creative expression!
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Great post, sir. This along with your class has been very insightful. Before the art history class I looked at art more as just a piece of art, and not something to show its history. Now I can see more meaning behind the work and more detail on why it may be made the way it is, or have certain characteristics, etc. Thank you for a learning experience! I think this blog post is a great sort of summary of what the class was about and gives a new perspective-art is a Time Machine.
Such a pleasure to read this post – Art certainly is a time machine in which it instantly transports us, the viewer, to the specific time in which the artists put paint to canvas. Enriching us in the culture, society and climate and conveying emotions through colour, lighting, compositions, subject matter and themes. Art has given us so much insight of what life was like back then and has in turn has made us more knowledgeable, open-minded and appreciative of our own time period in some aspects.
I didn’t really see art from ancient history the same way the class taught us to. I saw art as just art, something that was drawn to please the minds and hearts of others, but this post along with your class, I was able to see it in a more clear and concise manner, that was befitting your teaching of it. I now see art as a lens that lets us peak into the minds of the previous ancestor and see how they saw life and their own torments. I find the blog great for anyone, not just students, to really have a grasp on the importance of Historical art and architecture.
I love how “art is a time machine” goes hand in hand with “art is a mirror of society” We not only know what was happening in the world when a piece was made, or what the artist was thinking about or feeling, but we can actually feel both when looking at historical pieces. I’ve loved essentially being transported through time as we learned about different periods. I already loved art and the history behind certain pieces and artists, but this class made my understanding of it much deeper, and I can’t wait to take Art History I next semester.
Let me start by saying that I adore your site, Mr. K. It’s been a pleasure teaching under you, and you seem like a very intriguing person. Before I entered this class, I believed I understood a lot about painting. As I have discovered over the past few weeks, what I thought I knew is hardly the tip of the iceberg. When you suggest that art functions like a time machine, you are absolutely right. It’s incredible how a work of art that I used to only appreciate for its aesthetic qualities may suddenly tell a tale. Regarding your discussion about digital art, I would also like to add that, in my view, art created by an artist directly is of a greater caliber than art created using digital technology. While it’s true that digital art may have more realistic lines, shading, and other effects, I feel that it lacks personality. I appreciate your thoughtful blog.
Your perspective on art as a timeless window into the thoughts and emotions of different cultures resonates Mr. K. It’s like a time machine connecting us with the hopes, fears, and dreams of people throughout history. Your analogy of great art being a time machine is spot on, and your reflection on the enduring power of art in the digital age is thought-provoking. Art truly enriches our lives, providing insight into the human experience across time.