", , , , ..T HiJw~~ w fije th~h ~tuJg Gj 4~t; uvecJJ tire wlwk ~Wtg Gj p~t gau~tWnJ Many students take for granted the correlation between art and history. Harding's hi story and art professors see the importance of interrelating art and history and encourage students to take art and history classes and to attend one of Harding's overseas programs. Karen Carruth, a senior art major, said that all art majors were required to take at least two art history classes. She fel t these classes helped her realize that art is a reflection of the mood of different time periods in history. "Hi story tells us where we've been, but our art and architecture tell us what we were doing when we were there," associate professor of hi story Mark Elrod said. "Likewise, the visual arts of past generations tell us about our efforts to di scover and express who we are." Elrod spent the fall in Florence, Italy, teaching at the HUF program. He had the opportunity to experience some of the art and architecture Europe offers and said, "It is likely that the average inhabitant of this planet will discover more about who they are by walking through the Louvre or the Uffizi than they would by turning the pages of a hi story book." Reagan Weaver, a junior history major who also attended the HUF program, said, "Art visually helps bring hi story to life. It helps you see what books don 't or can't explain. Words can't explain the time period like art can." Carruth said art infl uences culture and culture influences art. She explained that artists try to capture the time, place, mood, religious issues, political issues or person. Artists give the impression that they felt or were required to portray like in the portraits of the kings and queens of ancient times. Also, German art that toured duringWorldWar II influenced the Germans to believe they were a superior race. "Art di ctates public opinion. Artists challenge the popular view of their time and that dictates history," she said. The way society views themselves, their communi ty and their relationship with God can also be seen through the work of art. Elrod sa id, "If there is one common characteristic running through the history of all the empires and nations that have ever existed, it is that we are constantly seeking to find ourselves and our relationship with our Creator in our creative arts. This means all the art and archi tecture today are more than just beautiful buildings but holy places that express our very human need to draw attention to ourselves and our commun ities . j'This is because our material creations, even those of a religious nature, are also an expression of civic pride. From both a historical and contemporary perspective, the need to create and the need to find God through our creations are universal, " Elrod said. Harding history and art professors and students recognized the hi storicalsignificance art has on society. "Art reflects the mood, feeling, politics and religions of the time periods you have missed, " Carruth said. ''You can't have one without the other. Art is how people communicate what is going on and how they feel about it. It is preserved and passed on like literature sowe can see today what the culture was like 100 years ago. " - Rebekah Scott PaulPill, ElizabethMason ondMollyNoble wait to enter the new gallery in the art building. The gallery was namedin honor ofMason, who served as chairman of the Art Department in the formative years. Art students were thrilled with the new gallery thot allowed them to showcase their art in evengrander style than before. ART & HI STORY 165 •
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==