Self Test and Review #3

Drag the cursor over the square before the statement that you believe is the best response.

1. Here are three photos of one of the most famous works of architecture in the world. It is called The Alhambra and consists of both a palace and a fortress. It was built between the years 1230 and 1354 in what is now Granada, Spain. It reflects the Muslim style of a period when Spain was ruled by monarchs of the Nasrid dynasty. Observe these photos carefully while deciding whether to click on "T" (true) or "F" (false) for the statements related to this work of art.

The Alhambra is an example of an art work by "designation."
Because it is a work of architecture, it has no formal properties.
Its thin pillars and delicate and intricate carvings convey a sense of refined resplendence.
It is unique because it has no relationship to the cultural values that were dominant when it was built.

It would be considered today as a perfect example of decorative art.

Its value stems primarily from the fact that it is an excellent example of Muslim art.

The Alhambra is meaningful to us today because of its extraordinary sensory, formal and expressive properties.

2. Works of art achieve significance in relation to the extent that they:

are very costly.

involve us in the aesthetic aspects of experience.
remind us of things and events that are personally important.
appear in textbooks.

3. The hierarchy from "nice" to "significant" when considering works of art:

implies that paintings and sculptures are superior to functional objects.

depends completely on the extent to which we have aesthetic encounters.

implies that historical, social, innovative, and prophetic factors also count.

depends solely on one's personal and individual responses to art.

4. Aesthetic analysis requires that one:

suspend personal taste and investigate a work of art objectively.

focus on the materials and techniques of artistic creation.

suspend identifying and describing inherent qualities in favor of judging the value of works of art.

focus on identifying the historical-cultural context of works of art as well as relevant iconographic elements.