By Dr. Charlie W. Starr There’s a uniqueness to music that makes it hard to pin down. Music expresses, but it doesn’t always express ideas. We listen to music with lyrics differently than purely instrumental music. Where most other art enters our minds through the eyes, music enters through the ears. It’s unlike any […]
The purpose of art, part 11: movies and television
By Dr. Charlie W. Starr We’ve been discussing how to experience art: how to look at paintings, sculpture, and architecture and how to read literature. This month we look at how to watch movies and television. “But don’t we already know how to watch TV? Just grab the remote and press the ‘On’ button.” […]
The purpose of art: part 10: how to view literature
By Dr. Charlie W. Starr In this yearlong view on the purpose of art, we’re now looking at the best ways to view certain art forms. We’ve looked at less popular arts like painting and theater and we now turn to mainstream arts, starting with books. Most of the books we read for fun tell […]
The purpose of art part five: meaning and truth
Christians and Culture by Dr. Charlie W. Starr Art is meant to entertain, give pleasure, and offer fun. It also shows beauty (that’s part of the pleasure it gives) and sometimes that beauty points to the glory of God. Art reaches us through imagination, showing us things rather than telling us—putting us through experiences that […]
The purpose of art: part four: beauty and glory
Christians and Culture by Dr. Charlie W. Starr Beauty appeals to the imagination. In part that means it appeals to our senses (like sight and sound). One of the qualities of good art is that it shows rather than tells. Art doesn’t tell us that we should be brave. It shows us courage so profound […]
