Tools and Settings
Content
Questions and Tasks
Imagine traveling to a place you have never been before. What is the process that you use to arrive successfully? Perhaps you consult a map, road or street signs, or landmarks (like mountains or specific buildings). Perhaps you talk to someone who has made that same trip in the past to get some guidance and suggestions. In any case, the road you must navigate is highly visual. We are surrounded by visual stimuli that, as humans, we have learned to interpret in order to survive. Although we may not always call it art, the skills we use are basically the same as those we develop in examining art throughout history.
We must learn to do the following:
Once mastered, this ability strengthens our critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are fundamental skills to successfully navigate the increasingly complex world. So, while on the surface this is a text that explores art history, it is really a text about developing valuable transferrable skills. As you explore this content, be sure not to overlook this important focus. Each of these artworks is worth your time and attention, but avoid losing perspective of what you are actually gaining by studying them.