Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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Art: Developing ones powers of visual observation Art ■

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I Dr. Larson Comments On The Role Of Anthropology I am a linguist who developed an interest in anthropology because I was interested in aspects of linquistics which are very close to the border of an thropology. It is a field which is called anthropological linguistics by the linguists or linguistic anthropology by the anthropologists. My first interest, which was Greek, eventually led to an interest in how language was learned and this brought me closer to linguistics. As I became involved in a language school for missionaries, this interest developed in response to a need to understand the nature of man from a broader point of view. I began to find myself drawn more and more to aspects in the realm of what we call cultural anthropology, but I did not teach anthropology as such before I came to Bethel. I hope to help young people today to expand their world view. I have always been a strong believer in the liberal, or, the liberating, education, and I have seen and continue to see anthropology as a very significant means by which this liberating could come about. I recognize the tremendous dangers that are involved in liberation. This is a traumatic experience for many. We have to take this risk because it is part of our Christian responsibility to rise above our own culture and to have a sort of global citizenship as part of God's family at the same time that we are part of a country or state or city. Furthermore, we are living in a new world where students are oriented towards a type of globalism; the whole world is their home. I think that anthropology is going to become increasingly important to the globally-oriented student and especially so for those who are Christians. Anthropology and linguistics are valid for any liberal arts course of study and would be the most obvious major for the church-oricnted vocation. To understand the cultural differences which keep men apart is fundamental if the Christian is going to have any success at all in stepping across those cultural boundaries and translating his experience into other terms. Anthropology

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To many, art is better seen than said, that is, experienced rather than talked about. Yet words can more clearly define the aesthetic experience for art ist and viewer alike. As in verbal communication the word gives form to the idea, so in art does the idea or desired effect provide the basis out of which a work of art evolves. Thus the ability to conceive ideas is as necessary to art as the ability to execute them. Courses called Art Appreciation and Elements of Design become as important as those which teach basic studio skills such as drawing or painting. It would seem that few things in this world have not been done before, so the erstwhile artist must be able to perceive existing things in new relationships. Developing his powers of visual observation, the artist trains himself to be sensitive to line, form, color, and space relationships. The more observant and aware the artist, the more he is able to tap the rich reservoir of infinitely possible combinations of these elements to form that new relationship — which is — a work of art. Janet Appelquist Art