Description
Book SynopsisIdeas About Art is an intelligent, accessible introductory text for students interested in learning how to think about aesthetics. It uses stories drawn from the experiences of individuals involved in the arts as a means of exposing readers to the philosophies, theories, and arguments that shape and drive visual art.
Trade Review"This book will engage the serious reader of art theory with accessible language and interesting imagery and personal." (SchoolArts, 1 May 2014)
"This book provides many refreshingly-new ideas about art from many people and areas of the world, as well as open-ended, non-dogmatic discussions on many topics." (Biz India, 10 December 2012)
"This text offers art-interested students and general readers a sampling of ideas on a wide range of topics, in an accessible, non-intimidating manner." (Book News, 1 August 2011)
"This book will engage the serious reader of art theory with accessible language and interesting imagery and personal stories." (School Arts, 1 May 2014)
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations ix
Preface x
Acknowledgements xxii
1 Public Opinion/Public Art 1
I Don’t Know Anything About Art, But I Know What I Like!
2 Non-Western Ideas About What Art Is 15
Is Art Situational? Cultural? Biological? Universal?
3 Western Ideas About What Art Is 33
4 Beauty 52
Does Art Have to be Beautiful?
5 Expression and Aesthetic Experience 67
6 Art and Ethics 78
Morals and Religion
7 Political Art, Censorship, and Pornography 93
When Art Is Too Powerful, Cover It Up
8 Art and Economics 111
9 Feminist Art, Aesthetics, and Art Criticism 123
Where Were the Women in My Art History Books?
10 Postmodernist Art and Attitudes 142
11 Photography and New Media 156
12 (Re)Discovering Design 171
13 Art and Aesthetic Education 190
14 Artists, Art Critics, Art Historians, Curators, Museums, and Viewers 205
Making Art Ideas Your Own
Bibliography 224
Illustration Credits 239
Index 241
