1. You need to decide which piece is your favorite and why.

The one that spoke to me the most out of the pieces was probably Salvador Dali’s Metamorphosis of Narcissus. I like how he has put a lot of work into the details, and how it seems as if parallel stories are going on simultaneously. Even though no facial expressions are shown, the human-like shape sitting on the edge of the pond is clearly expressing tension and frustration in the way he is drawing his shoulder up to his head, and leaning his head on his knee, refusing to face his own mirror image. This, and other aspects of the painting (e.g. the man who has put himself on a pedestal, the beast who is chewing on what looks like flesh etc.), leads me to interpret it as a portrait of how pride and self-adoration is leading to the decay of human kind. I also like the foreboding sky with its dramatic colors and dark clouds, which seems to be foreshadowing an approaching doomsday. There is however also hope in the painting; in the foreground, the birth of a flower takes place in the bony hand that has sprung out of the ground. The fact a painting, which consists of figures, shapes and environments which does not belong to the natural world and comes together in a context that is unfamiliar to us, still can convey a strong message is a clear indicator of the remarkable skill the artist possessed, which makes me appreciate it even more.

2. Which piece is your least favorite and why.

Star Wars-Van Gogh mash up. It is not very original since the artist has copied two elements from other artists. It does not convey a message and it doesn’t say anything about the artist.

3. Which was created by the most talented artist and why.

It depends on if you are discussing talent in terms of technical skill or creativity. In terms of technical skills, I would say Ross Barbara’s painting, since it’s the most photorealistic. However, it can’t really be compared to the ones that were not aiming for photorealism. To be able to say which artist is the best painter, we would have needed to have a collection painted in the same style, aiming for the same effects.

Seen to creativity, Ross Barbara is perhaps one of the least talented artists (based on this one piece). Landscape paintings are rarely very creative or original, since they just copy reality. Salvador Dali is very creative in my opinion. Damien Hurst also had an interesting, creative idea.

4. Which was created by the least talented artist and why.

It’s the same dilemma as the one above. I actually think it is an irrelevant question. The value of a painting lies in the effect it has on its viewer, and that differs.

5. Are there any pieces that you would not consider to be art at all?

Why?

No, I think all of them are.

6. Are there cultural differences in any of the pieces?

Absolutely. There are cultural differences tied to where the painting was produced geographically, as well as cultural differences from when the painting was produced and what kind of society was present at the time. Some of the modern pieces (such as Damien Hurst’s), is very different from most of the landscape paintings, which were more appreciated a century ago or more. There are also differences in painting traditions between e.g. the Chinese painting and Monet’s impressionistic painting.

7. Which piece provoked the biggest emotional response in you? Do you know why?

Salvador Dali’s and Damien Hurst’s. They are both very original and they stray away from the old art tradition. I have already discussed Salvador Dali in the first question, so I don’t think it requires a further explanation. Damien Hurst’s cow affected me since he has chosen to display something that is imperfect and defect. It is a big contrast to what is preferred in this time and age. I think it is beautiful that he sees the importance of and the value in showcasing what does not follow the social norms. Diversity is needed more than ever right now. Salvador Dali’s painting follows kind of the same line, since it also shows of the imperfection of humanity, and how trying to conceal it hurts us rather than improves us.

8. After studying these pieces can you find a universal standard in art?

There is no universal standard for art, in my opinion. There are of course educated people and institutions who tries to regulate the way art develops and what is allowed to be considered art, but I think much of the beauty and diversity of art is lost when you try to do that. Luckily, there is generally a more liberate view of art these days. Art is a dialogue between the artist and the person who experiences it, and it should be free to take any shape it wishes.

	Created by Melissa Lennartsson over 10 years ago

International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge Note on Judging art Melissa, created by Melissa Lennartsson on 07/04/2014.

Judging art Melissa