18 Dec 2009
The development of art, fashion and design is susceptible to considerable changes in the course of time. The emergence of new styles and movements is practically inevitable and this trend accompanies art, fashion and design throughout epochs. On the other hand, it is necessary to remember about the existence of symbols which persist through different epoch and remain relevant always, acquiring certain implicit meaning. In such a way, the development of art, fashion and design is affected by two controversial trends: the trend to changes and the trend to preservation symbols which seem to be eternal. In such a situation, it is very important to understand the basic trends in the development of art, fashion and design in order to understand the significance of changes and new movements as well as their impact on traditional symbols and aesthetic value of art, fashion and design.
At first glance, the devotedness of people to traditional values and symbols may be revealed in quite unexpected areas. For instance, the national cuisine, which naturally can be viewed as a form of art, can reveal the fact that certain dishes and products are associated uniquely with specific cultures to the extent that they almost become national symbols, indistinguishable from the national image. In this respect, it is possible to refer to articles “Steak and Chips” and “Wine and Milk” by R. Barthes, in which the author reveals the symbolic, almost sacred significance of certain dishes and products for the French. To put it more precisely, the author views such products as wine, milk, chips and steak not as ordinary products, but rather as symbols, which are deep-rooted in the French national cuisine and French culture. In fact, Barthes stands on the ground that these products can define the national character and the life of the French is practically unimaginable without steak and chips, for instance, which virtually constitute an essential part of their individuality to the extent that Barthes views them as being “into the blood of man” . Moreover, the author argues that ordinary products, such as wine, are very important for the sociability of an individual, which makes him a part of the community, namely a part of the French people that can be traced through the very technique of drinking wine: “knowing how to drink is a national technique which serves to qualify the Frenchman” . In such a way, wine becomes a product closely associated with France and indistinguishable from the national character.
On recalling my experience, I should say that I always attempted to make my life purposeful and useful for other people. I strongly believe that we cannot live for our own sake only. Instead, we should take care of other people around us for the more we give the more we gain. At the same time, we are not always confident of the fact that we can really help other people. I know many people who believe that they cannot be of any help to other people and they do nothing to change the situation. Frankly speaking I used to be one of such persons, but I have changed my life dramatically as I started tutoring math, which was a very important experience for me.
Part A
In 1796, the Presidential elections in the USA were marked by the struggle of two major politicians, who played the leading part in American politics – John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The choice in favor of either politician would define the further development of the country and American people should make a conscious choice. As for me, I would vote for John Adams because his political ground seemed to be more realistic and reliable.
The Aztec Empire was the leading power in Mesoamerica. Before the Spanish conquest, the Aztec Empire played the dominant role in Central American and it was the most advanced civilization in the region which could compete only with Incas in South America. By the time of Cortez’s conquest, the Aztec Empire was the main, if not to say the only well-developed civilization which had substantial financial and material resources, which could help the empire to protect its territory from the foreign invasion. By this time, the would-be powerful Maya city-states had declined and could not resist to the foreign invasion. In such a situation, the Aztec Empire was the main native power which could resists to conquistadors.
Traditionally, art played an important role in the human life, but the art performed not only aesthetic functions, but it also contributed to the order in human life. Moreover, art is not just a spontaneous form of artists’ self-expression, but it is rather a complex structure which can be analyzed and it is through the analysis it is possible to understand its significance and the order it brings into the human life. In such a situation, it is very important to understand the art as a complex structure.
