Short description
In today's art world many strange, even shocking, things qualify as art. In this book, Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with examples. She discusses blood, beauty, culture, money, museums, sex, and politics.
Long description
In today's art world many strange, even shocking, things qualify as art. In this book, Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples. She discusses blood, beauty, culture, money, museums, sex, and politics, clarifying contemporary and historical accounts of the nature, function, and interpretation of the arts. Freeland also propels us into the future by surveying cutting-edge web sites, along with the latest research on the brain's role in perceiving art. This clear, provocative book engages with the big debates surrounding our responses to art and is an invaluable introduction to anyone interested in thinking about art.
Review
In today's world many strange, even shocking things appear to qualify as art and Cynthia Freeland explains the value of innovation and controversy in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples discussing topical artists like Damien Hirst as well as historical examples like Goya and Velasquez. She also surveys cutting-edge websites along with the latest research on the brain's role in art perception.
Table of contents
- List of Illustrations
- Blood and Beauty
- Paradigms and Purposes
- Cultural Crossings
- Money, Markets, Museums
- Gender, Genius, and Guerrilla Girls
- Cognition, Creation, Comprehension
- Digitizing and Disseminating
- Conclusion
- References
- Further Reading
- Index