How important are material tools in the production or acquisition of

knowledge?

Material tools are very important in not only the acquisition, but also the
production of knowledge. Without ‘tools’, much knowledge would remain
theoretical and for many different types of knowledge, could never be realized
and produced as it is material tools that enable acquired knowledge to become
productive.
My object is a very worn, early 1980’s ‘Hondo’ copy of a Les Paul Gibson guitar.
This object was my first electric guitar. It is a tool for realizing a desire to write
music and play that music live in a Rock band. This real-life situation links to Art
and the production of acquired knowledge as this style of guitar enabled the
production of basic musical knowledge and the continued practice of that
knowledge to become a better, more accomplished musician.
This particular guitar was given to me as a means to create the kind of music
that I enjoyed: rock, heavy metal and punk music. It was very important in
enabling me to learn basic chords and progressions and eventually play the
songs that I liked from the bands I was listening to. If I was given a different
‘tool’ for music, such as a trumpet or a violin, I most likely would have not
pursued music as an art form. Therefore, the material tool has to be specific
and apt if it is to successfully facilitate the acquisition and production of
knowledge. Knowledge in the world of art is produced through the skill of
creating something tangible, whether it is a particular set of dance moves, a
sculpture, song or photographical composition, whatever skills developed
through the acquisition of knowledge it is the material tools that bring the
knowledge into productive being. Specialist shoes and dress, for dancing;
chisels and spikes for sculpting; musical instruments for songs and cameras,
lenses etc. for photography are all material tools that allow the acquisition of
knowledge within the Arts to become productive in creating something
artistic. Through the emotional desire to produce music to convey my thoughts
and feelings, and the activation of my imagination and what I wanted to
achieve musically, this object allowed me the means to acquire new knowledge
that I could then produce into audible music.
The guitar prompted me to ask: How important are material tools in the
production of knowledge? After examination, material tools are vital if the
acquisition of knowledge is to be realized via the production of that
knowledge.

404 words
My marking:
ü an object with its specific real-world context.
ü IA prompt well explained.
ü (one object only so links couldn’t be made)
ü Strong justification of the particular contribution that the object makes
to the exhibition.
ü All points are well supported by appropriate evidence and explicit
references to the IA prompt.

Mark: 9/10