Art & Archaeology
In this blog, we attempt to focus on how the discipline of art and archaeology are closely allied and how visual art and its history benefits the other profession. Archaeology can be well defined as the scientific study and analysis of human and material culture. It encompasses a detailed exploration of artifacts, architecture, and cultural landscapes.
From cave paintings to pottery decoration, archaeology has always had an intimate relationship with art. The discipline involves surveying, excavation, and eventually analysis of the data collected, to learn more about the past. In a broader scope, archaeology relies on cross-disciplinary research. The department of archaeology largely depends on not a comprehensive survey but a sampling of arts -- painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and prints -- and artistic practices from diverse historical periods, regions, and cultures. The course balances consideration of historical developments and methods of interpretation with attention to individual works of art. Prior knowledge of visual art and its history enables archaeologists to become experts in their profession and helps them to investigate, examine and interpret material artifacts from a wide range of cultures. Art classes sharpen the critical thinking ability as well as problem-solving skills which fosters the inquiry-based learning of an individual. It also develops observational and communication skills which are significant tools to interpret and articulate the factual history during the archaeological surveys. Practical lessons of visual art and art history involve the use of a lot of techniques, material explorations, scientific aspects of drawing compositions, implementation of perspectives, detailed study of color theories, principles of balance and harmony, and critical analysis of ancient as well as contemporary artworks. These experiences open up the ability of an individual to work with a research-oriented mindset, visualize the outer and inner meanings after keen observations and draw effective conclusions about any cultural site or artifact based on the available scientific data and factual interpretations. Some archaeologists create art as a means to represent the understandings they gain from working with materials.
Archaeologies use practices like juxtaposition and disarticulation, staples of understanding archaeological assemblages, in creative works and it is only through art they hone their skills while excavating the past. Art has an important role in visualizing the concepts and articulating them in the right way which benefits an individual to become an effective researcher in the profession.
Join us to get trained in visual arts while exploring material cultures and learning techniques to visualize from our trained instructors!
