Artistic Intetions Flashcards
Appropriateness?
Does the object interpreted constitute an appropriate target ?
Intentionalism 1
If you think arts intention makes it art you are an intentionalist
If you think society making it art makes it art then you are not
Boundaries
Are the boundaries of the object circumscribed?
Do we know what is actually meant to be included in the judgement of the art?
Intentionalism 2
What we think should be included may not improve it, it’s what the artist intends
Categorisation
The object interpreted must belong to a category of relevant things
All three make up what?
Primary meaning
What is primary meaning
The artists intentions must play a significant role in determining the meaning of the art
What is actual intentionalism?
1 according to this view artists communicate through their work
2 so therefore intentions must be made aware to understand the true intended meaning
Problems with actual intentionalism?
Tricky to distinguish between successful and unsuccessful art as we won’t be able to find the true interpretations as there are so many
Anti intentionalism
Artistic intentions aren’t actually part of the work at all , it is what’s actually in the artwork that makes it art
Problems with anti intentionalism
Deciding what’s actually part of the work is difficult as many features are clearly irrelevant (weight etc)
Some info should affect interpretations such as biography etc
Hypothetical intentionalism
To understand a work we have to take a best guess as to what the creator intended to convey
(Best guess is from our best critical practices)
Is the argument circular?
Yes
Have to find a way to conclude correct interpretation leading back to intention but that’s too confusing and vague
Tracking outcomes ?
1 specifying category ; boundaries and appropriateness are ambiguous and better for art theory
2 specifying primary meaning leads to complexities of intentionalism and anti
3 a form of constructionslism may be an alternative but can go against intuitions of past and present art
