Artistic Vision
Art Education. Straight Up.Archive for Sports
Art is Boring (Sports vs. The Arts, Part 3)
My previous blog post detailed the responses I got from my students when I asked them why they believed sports was more compelling than either creating or viewing art. It was an interesting conversation, but I cannot say that their comments surprised me.
I originally was going to reflect upon each of the responses, but so many of them are rather straightforward that I thought I would give that a pass and focus on their perspectives on art. Over the next few posts, I’ll handle them one or two at a time. As always, your feedback is appreciated.
Art Is Just Plain Boring
At the heart of this statement is the false notion that art should be easy. This misperception comes from my students’ background where they have never persistently been challenged to think otherwise. Consider that most have not been to a museum (except for the Franklin Institute or The National Great Blacks in Wax) or looked at artwork other than manga, Family Guy or the shows like those on Cartoon Network. So, of course, my class should be easy because its value to them is little-to-nonexistent. They don’t know what possibilities are out there in the way of careers in the arts or even the joy of a life-long hobby that could be theirs if they were to practice developing a few skills.
In addition, our culture is focused on pop culture, not high culture. That’s where the money is: sports events/figures, celebrities and R&B. Much of the fascination with pop culture rests with our seemingly collective love of being entertained (which requires little or no thinking). Why go through the drudgery of trying to create a painting (composition, color balance, verisimilitude, etc.) when you can sit in front of the TV with no concerns except when your body tells you it’s time to snack, pee or poop.
Lastly, the art world itself has alienated kids (and many adults) to what is out there because, let’s face it, much of the contemporary art scene remains arcane or just plain weird—Duchamp’s readymades, anyone?
There is more to the whole “art is boring” concept, but I’ll leave it at these few. (Please feel free to put forth your own via comment.) But suffice it to say, art educators face a tough upstream battle convincing today’s postmodern-bred youth in seeing art as other than boring.
My Students Speak (Sports vs. The Arts, Part 2)
In my last post I wondered where the arts had gone wrong in not only attracting young people but also our culture as a whole.
My students informed me that the arts (particularly visual art which is my field of study) couldn’t hold a candle to either participating or watching sports because:
- Playing sports is an adrenaline rush
- Playing sports builds sportsmanship and character
- Playing sports stresses the importance of working with a group towards achieving a goal
- Playing sports is a great form of exercise
- Playing sports could get you a college scholarship
- Playing sports could lead to a professional career and the opportunity to make lots of money
- Watching sports is a great form of relaxation
- Watching sports provides an opportunity to follow your favorite team or player
- Watching sports builds friendship
- Watching sports is just exciting
(Numbers 1, 5 and 6 in bold were the responses most often given.)
What do you think of their list? Is it a list that should be expected from high school students? Would a list from adults be different?
Post your additions and thoughts.
Sports vs. The Arts (Part 1)
Has anyone wondered where the arts went wrong?
I sit in my classroom listening to my high school students talk passionately about sports: favorite players, beloved teams and the most recent game. I listen to their big dreams of getting scholarships to play in college and (because of their street-born skills, of course) moving on to play professionally. In light of the harsh statistics associated with the actual percentage of students who really go on to play professionally, I remain sorrowfully (and silently) skeptical of such dreams. But, you never know what the Lord has in store for anyone.
While listening in recently, I found myself questioning why sports and not art. If I merely go off what my students tell me, it’s sheer boredom. Art can’t compare to the excitement received from playing football, basketball or baseball. Nor does it compare to watching sports. But is that all there is to it?
Before I posit my thoughts, I’m wondering if this post sparks any thoughts for you?
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