Unravelling the Canvas: Understanding Fine Arts
You know, throughout most of my high school years, I always romanticized the idea of walking through a serene, sun-drenched studio space, brush in hand and creativity brimming over. While I didn’t end up walking this exact path, I found myself entangled with the arts through a whole other medium: writing. But it always made me wonder, what really happens when you take a step away from the conventional and dive into the rivers of creativity following the 10th grade? What are we taught if we take arts? It's a question many ask and today, I thought, "Why not? Let's get into this topic!"
Fine Arts, as a subject, is beyond merely painting on a canvas or sculpting from clay. It also encapsulates creativity, originality, and expression. Students learn about different forms of arts, including painting, sculpture, and graphic arts. They learn to appreciate various artists, their works, and historical context. Not only this, an understanding of art theories, criticism, and aesthetics are also woven into it. Each lecture becomes a museum tour, each assignment - a masterpiece. Alike me, crafting my words into stories, these students mould their thoughts into tangible forms of art.
Visualizing Stories: Graphic Design and Animation
When I first came across the name 'Graphic Design', I thought it was all about creating attractive banners and posters. And animation? Didn't that just mean drawing cartoons? Oh boy, was I wrong. Graphic Design and Animation are subjects that unravel the secrets of the digital art world. These subjects teach you about visual communication and problem-solving using typography, photography, iconography, and illustration. With a touch of humour, you could think of it as the Hogwarts for muggles, minus the owls and wands.
Students gain a plethora of knowledge in these subjects, starting from the basics like colour theory, typography, and visual composition, right up to the advanced stuff like CGI & 3D modeling. And the thing that sets these courses apart? Real-world application. Every logo you see, every advertisement you come across on your screens, every movie special effect that makes you gape in awe – all the fruits of these subjects!
Dancing on the Pages: Literature and Theatre Studies
When we talk about arts, we cannot stray from Literature and Theatre Studies. I always found solace in words, having written a book or two in my lifetime, I can vouch for the expressive power and the escapism literature offers. Here's a fun fact: did you know some people can experience a phenomenon called 'reading-induced synesthesia'? It's where people 'taste' words or 'see' colours associated with certain letters. Wild, right? But let's get back on track.
Literature studies provide a deep understanding of different genres of writing: poetry, drama, prose, and even non-fiction. Students learn to make critical analyses of literary works, delving deep into plot, character, theme, and style. Theatre studies, as a close ally, teach students about dramatic literature, theatre history, acting, direction, and the technical aspects involved in a stage production. From staging a Shakespearean play to writing a gripping soliloquy, these subjects turn a classroom into a vibrant theatre.
Sounds of Time: Music Studies
I remember my Grandfather’s enthusiasm whenever he talked about music; his eyes would light up, he wouldn't just describe melodies but also the tales weaved around them. I think it was from him that I first understood the power of music. And if you too are enthralled by the magic of music, arts after the 10th is like a symphony waiting to be explored.
Music Studies is a crash course in cultural diversity, encapsulating Western and Eastern styles of music, classical and contemporary genres. It's not just about learning how to play an instrument; it's about understanding the language of music, about how each note plays a role in this concert called life. From learning about music theories, the history and evolution of music, understanding musical notations, to performing and composition, Music Studies blends the old with the new, creating a melody that echoes through time.
To round off, when we talk about taking arts, we are talking about more than just subjects, we are talking about nurturing creativity, cultivating expression, and imbibing life skills. As for me, even though I ended up more on the writer's side of the arts spectrum, I have no regrets. I might not be stroking a canvas with vibrant colours, but I am still painting; painting with words, weaving an array of spectral emotions. So here's to celebrating arts and all the fascinating subjects it encompasses, and above all, here's to celebrating the freedom of expression!