James Elkins - Can Art and Design Be Taught

In todays lecture with Spencer we looked at James Elkins and types of knowning - can art be taught?

Elkins argues that art is an irrational activity, he questions the reasons behind why art is a subject that is not conventional. How it shouldn't be classed within the same section as subjects such as Maths, and English.

A certain part of me believes this to be slightly true, as an art and design enthusiast its a little bit ironic. But I do believe that certain subjects that involve creativity have a certain level of talent or enthusiasm required, reasons behind this being Maths and English are two subjects that our level of competence within the world we live in, using being able to read and write as a factor shows how they basically work as the stepping stone to higher education or greater knowledge. I think on a certain level when subjects are creative they become personal objectives, as an individual you are not judged on how good you are within a creative field to the same degree as being exceptional at english or maths.
One of the reasons to degrade the teachings of Art is due to there being such a vast array of work, we live in a world where individuality is hard to come by, because of this work that we may often view as spectacular and often one of a kind maybe 50 years ago is now just another painting by another artist. I believe art is something that can be nurtured but the talent or underlying motive to become better at art has to already be implemented within that person.