How do we Interpret Art?

Question 1

Bell’s Formalism

Answer 1

For it to be art, it need’s to consider:
- The audience feel’s a peculiar emotion to the piece, which is in relation to it’s structure and balance
- Need to be observant enough to acknowledge a piece of art as art

Bell considers beauty as a desire but not a key component of art
- You equally need both, since if you’re too emotional you won’t reach a proper reasoning

Question 2

Bell’s Formalism: Significant Form

Answer 2

Is the one quality common to all works of art
Art can’t be objective
- How the piece is structured, like how the lines and colours are combined

Question 3

Bell’s Formalism: Descriptive Art

Answer 3

Is art that does not move us aesthetically and therefore isn’t considered as art.
- We can relate this to writing, would you consider an informative essay as art if it doesn’t move you like poetry does

Question 4

Critically Evaluating Bell’s Formalism

Answer 4

Formalist theory doesn’t take into account the emotional states of either the artist or audience.
- Ignores the context, it’s seen as isolation.

Question 5

CollingWoods Expressionism

Answer 5

The act of expressing it is therefore an exploration of one’s own emotions.

Step 1. An artist must be conscious of what they are feeling, they don’t have to understand it they just need to be conscious of it
Step 2. They create an art piece based on these emotions. Expressing themselves through art.
Step 3. Hope the audience will feel the same way you expressed in your piece. Not targeting the audience

Question 6

Critically Evaluating CollingWoods Expressionism

Answer 6

• The artist could lie about how they are expressing themselves so it can be considered as art, even though no emotions are being unraveled.

Question 7

Dickie’s Institutionalism

Answer 7

Art can be anything, only becomes art when someone intends it to be
Art could not exist without human beings attention, such as an art critic evaluating the art and putting it into an art gallery.
Need to put somewhere were it can be recognised, and where people have enough time to admire it.

Question 8

Critically Evaluating Dickie’s Institutionalism

Answer 8

Art loses it’s merit if anything can be considered art
- And why do art critics get to decide what’s to be put up in galleries and what’s not
- A problem with originality, a boring kind of art

Question 9

Danto’s ArtWorld

Answer 9

To be a work of art is to be (i) about something and (ii) to embody its meaning

To see something as art depends on surrounding context of artistic theory
- Art needs some kind of context, detach objects from the real world to the art world
Can’t tell the difference between reality and the fake without context.
What makes them art is the context and theories behind them, it’s what makes them different from the real world

Art world is where objects seen in everyday life become more, become art

Question 10

Danto’s Method of Indiscernables

Answer 10

• Not being able to see clearly, can’t tell the difference
• Difference is invisible, no visual difference only when you are given context can you really appreciate art

Question 11

Critically Evaluating Danto’s ArtWorld

Answer 11

• Interpretation gives pieces meaning, makes them different from each other and make them different from just a splatter of red paint.
• Art isn’t always just about viewing, it can help people with an incompetent view to interpret better and is therefore needed in art.
• Aesthetic qualities, maybe it lies within the beauty and not the philosophy. Like the Mona Lisa, what makes them so recognisable is the nature of the piece not the context.

Question 12

Intentionalism

Answer 12

Claims that a work of art means whatever it’s creator intended it to mean
- The artists intentions are crucial if we are to make an accurate interpretation of the artwork
- Context enhances your appreciation of a work, sometimes one can’t see art without a bit of help

Question 13

Problem’s with Intentionalism

Answer 13

The artist doesn’t have clear intentions, and changes their views after the piece is created
- Artist could be lying, or their description doesn’t suit the piece

Question 14

Anti-intentionalism

Answer 14

As soon as the artist releases their artwork, they surrender it to the public. It is no longer their interpretation.
- Emphasising on visual features not external features such at the artists life

Problem of access when it comes to understanding an artists intentions, we can never be fully aware of an artists complete state of mind when they created a work of art.
- The artists interpretation is valid, but there are also other valid interpretations.

Question 15

Problems with Anti-intentionalism

Answer 15

• What if the authors point is obvious that it leaves no other areas for interpretation.
• It won’t lead to an underlying definition of the piece
  This makes art complicated since now there is no clear definition of what can be considered as art
• Defeats the purpose of that art piece

Since the piece is left to multiple interpretations it leaves the audience convicted and they might appeal to the artists intentions