Aesthetics

Question 1

Define Bell’s Formalism

Answer 1

Art can be judged based on the particular elements used and their relationship with each. It is through these elements that an aesthetic emotion is evoked in us.

Question 2

Evaluate Bell’s Theory (3)

Answer 2

• Formalism refuse to consider the emotional states of the artist by what he placed in the work
• Responses to art can have a lot to do with what is being presented not just how it is being presented
• It is circular, Bell discusses that an aesthetic emotion is produced by an aesthetic producing quality

Question 3

Define Collingwood’s Expressionism

Answer 3

The artist’s mental states and emotions are transferred into the art. Collingwood believes this emotion must be unconscious. Valued by how the artist connects with the audience

Question 4

Evaluate Collingwood’s Theory (2)

Answer 4

• This rejects any piece that might be making a statement rather than actually trying to share an emotion, e.g. Brillo Box
• In creating pieces of art it is through the use of different elements that the art can evoke emotions from the audience. For example a painter uses blue, dark colours and a musician uses a minor key to evoke sadness. However if this emotion is unconscious could not plan how they arise an emotion and thus would fail as an artwork.

Question 5

Define Dick’s Institutionalism

Answer 5

Something is an artwork if it is given that status by a gallery owner

Question 6

Evaluate Dickie’s Theory (2)

Answer 6

• This means literally anything can be art. If anything can be art is there any point to the term,
• What qualifications should a person have to govern what is and isn’t art

Question 7

Define Intentionalism

Answer 7

We have to know the attitude and intentions of the artist to be able to judge it

Question 8

Evaluate the Intentional Theory (2)

Answer 8

• We can never fully be sure or understand an artist’s complete state of mind when they created a work of art
• The personal connection we have with an art piece may be more rewarding than an artist’s opinion which we cannot relate to.

Question 9

Define Anti-intentionalism

Answer 9

The artist’s opinion on their piece of art just as important as any other opinion within the community

Question 10

Evaluate the Anti-intentional Theory (2)

Answer 10

• If a person isn’t able to connect with the artwork or understand it they would view it as a bad work of art, however if they have knowledge of the story behind the piece they may have a greater appreciation
• If the artist intends a work to be ironic we cannot tell from the art itself but only from the artist’s intention. If we failed to recognise irony we would completely lose the meaning

Question 11

Define Danto’s Artworld Theory

Answer 11

We must use philosophy in order to discern the difference between an object and a piece of art

Question 12

Evaluate Danto’s Theory (2)

Answer 12

• Not everything requires philosophy to gain a greater understanding. Sometimes a beautiful painting is simply that. However we can still appreciate its beauty and it may move us
• This seems to disregard the physical art itself. Does Da Vinci’s paintings have less value then The Fountain because although it is aesthetically pleasing and beautifully crafted it doesn’t have any theory behind it.