Overview
This lecture explains the distinction between art and entertainment, using examples to illustrate the deeper intent behind art, and introduces the concept of theater as a place where art and entertainment intersect.
Art vs. Entertainment
- Art aims to capture the human spirit and touch upon intellectually elusive meanings.
- Entertainment is defined as the pleasure afforded by being amused.
- A technically excellent painting of a bowl of fruit is classified as entertainment, not art, because it does not move or change us.
- Art must attempt to communicate who we are, where we came from, or elicit a deeper understanding.
Example Comparisons
- A decorative bowl of fruit painting serves only to match decor and entertain viewers.
- Even renowned artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, painted works for income that were not considered art but entertainment.
- A split-screen painting showing two contrasting eight-year-old boys—one overfed, one malnourished—uses the same artistic skill, but this time the orange symbolizes a deeper message, making it art.
Theater: The Intersection
- Theater often combines spectacle and entertainment to engage audiences, sometimes delivering art's lessons without their full awareness.
- The audience may feel changed or learn about themselves due to the artistic effort disguised as entertainment in theater.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Art — Man’s attempt to capture the human spirit and explore intellectually elusive meanings.
- Entertainment — The pleasure afforded by being amused.
- Theater — From Greek “theatron,” meaning “seating place”; the collaborative space where art and entertainment meet.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare to explore the definitions and roles of theater in future classes.
- Reflect on examples of art and entertainment in daily life.
- Look forward to a discussion on "craft" in a later lesson.