What does it mean that african art is descrptive and historical not normative an

Question:

What does it mean that african art is descrptive and historical not normative and intellectually interpretive?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

you need to have good definitions of your terms.

descriptive -- in this case probably refers to being grounded in observation or experience.

historical -- means defined by, concerned with history or traditions

normative -- means conforming to standards or specific ways of doing things

interprative -- in this case probably refers to a particular way of doing things or creating art -- method, style, adaptation etc

So -- African art is more concerned with life and experience -- it is probably meant to explain or teach or symbolize something or to document a story or happening etc

which is opposed to the "western" ideal of art that is proscribed and set out into rules and ways of doing things. Art may tell a story, but it is created according to (generally) rigid rules and styles.

Does that make sense?

Sometimes the best place to start is to define your terms -- especially how they apply to the subject.