Theory + Aesthetics + Art Criticism Amber Ward, PhD ART 130 California State University, Sacramento

(view of reality; study of structures) ONTOLOGY (view of reality; study of structures) AXIOLOGY (role of values) EPISTEMOLOGY (nature of knowledge) paradigm PHILOSOPHY THEORY METHODS & METHODOLOGY Adapted from http://lams.epfl.ch/research/coretheory/

What is Theory? “Theory is a contemplative . . . type of abstract . . . thinking, or the results of such thinking” (Theory, 2016, para. 1). “A theory is basically a reflection, often a self-reflection, on things we see and understand” Osborne & Sturgis, 2006, p. 4). SYSTEM OF IDEAS intended to EXPLAIN something; LENS through which you VIEW something. We will use theories to explore visual art, education, and visual art education in this course.

Rather than organize their text by learning theory, Aubrey and Riley (2016) organize their text in chronological order. Similar to what you see here. Retrieved from http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/Theorists_timeline.htm

A typical EXAMPLE or PATTERN (see Greek definition) of something PARADIGM THEORY A typical EXAMPLE or PATTERN (see Greek definition) of something BREAKS DOWN the COMPLEXITIES of the world SYSTEM OF IDEAS intended to EXPLAIN something LENS through which you VIEW something Reread definitions of paradigm and theory Many educators view the theories from the previous slides as paradigms, as well

PARADIGM THEORY TRADITIONAL (1900-1950) REALISM, BEHAVIORISM realism, operant conditioning MODERNIST (1950-1970) CONSTRUCTIVISM, COGNITIVISM, MODERNISM formalism, Montessori theory, cognitive development, artistic development BLURRED GENRES (1970-1986) HUMANISM, SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM existentialism (philosophy, arts); embodiment theory (art, psychology, philosophy); critical theory; experiential learning theory; theory of intelligence CRISIS OF REPRESENTATION (1986-1990) CONSTRUCTIVISM, COGNITIVISM, POSTSTRUCTURALISM feminist art theory, narrative constructions of reality, intersubjective theory, theory of reflection, theory of power/knowledge THE POSTS (1990-2004) POSTMODERNISM theory of social sculpture, hyperreality THE FUTURE (2005-PRESENT) CRITICAL, COGNITIVISM rhizomatic (art, education); queer theory (art, education); situated learning theory; decolonization theory K E Y Art(s) and Culture Education Art Education Key Visual Art Education Theories Modern: DBAE Postmodern: VCAE For example, cognitive development learning theory falls under a cognitivist paradigm, or perspective.

PARADIGM THEORY TRADITIONAL (1900-1950) REALISM, BEHAVIORISM realism, operant conditioning MODERNIST (1950-1970) CONSTRUCTIVISM, COGNITIVISM, MODERNISM formalism, Montessori theory, cognitive development, artistic development BLURRED GENRES (1970-1986) HUMANISM, SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM existentialism (philosophy, arts); embodiment theory (art, psychology, philosophy); critical theory; experiential learning theory; theory of intelligence CRISIS OF REPRESENTATION (1986-1990) CONSTRUCTIVISM, COGNITIVISM, POSTSTRUCTURALISM feminist art theory, narrative constructions of reality, intersubjective theory, theory of reflection, theory of power/knowledge THE POSTS (1990-2004) POSTMODERNISM theory of social sculpture, hyperreality THE FUTURE (2005-PRESENT) CRITICAL, COGNITIVISM rhizomatic (art, education); queer theory (art, education); situated learning theory; decolonization theory K E Y Art(s) and Culture Education Art Education Key Visual Art Education Theories Modern: DBAE Postmodern: VCAE Information from our course structure Read Paradigm categories (modernist) and examples (constructivism, cognitivism, modernism), as well as theories (formalism, Montessori theory, cognitive development, artist development) Point out key for various theories emphasized

What is Aesthetics? “Aesthetics . . . is the study of BEAUTY and TASTE. It is about INTERPRETING works of ART and art MOVEMENTS or THEORIES” (Aesthetics, 2016, para. 1). “People have always tried to create THEORIES to UNLOCK THE CODE OF BEAUTY. What makes an object, or the response to an object, beautiful?” (Osborne & Sturgis, 2008, p. 55, emphasis in original) The German philosopher Alexander Baumgarten 1714-1762 posed the question ‘WHAT IS BEAUTY?’ And coined the term AESTHETICS to describe what he was doing. In 1735 Baumgarten first used the term aesthetic in its modern sense. It comes from the Greek word aesthesis which means perception” (Osborne & Sturgis, 2008, p. 58, emphasis in original) or sensation (Freeland, 2001).

study of beauty and taste aesthetics study of beauty and taste Q: “WHAT IS BEAUTY?” interpreting art art movements art theories “Aesthetics . . . is the study of BEAUTY and TASTE. It is about INTERPRETING works of ART and art MOVEMENTS or THEORIES” (Aesthetics, 2016, para. 1). Answers

What is Art Criticism? Art criticism is the PERCEPTION, or JUDGMENT, of BEAUTY (Kant, as cited in Osborne & Sturgis, 2008, p. 61). Philosopher Immanuel Kant states that art criticism “involves IMAGINATION and UNDERSTANDING” (Osborne & Sturgis, 2008, p. 61). Kant views beauty as both subjective and objective (rather than conceptual, or theoretical): SUBJECTIVE: “the eye, the mind, and the perception of the beholder” (Osborne & Sturgis, 2008, p. 61) OBJECTIVE: “the form or the organization of the object.” (Osborne & Sturgis, 2008, p. 61, emphasis in original)

What is Art Criticism cont’d? Art criticism is talking or writing about art from AN INFORMED PERSPECTIVE. “Art criticism helps us SLOW DOWN our judgment process and helps us UNDERSTAND why we respond the way we do. . . . It sometimes helps us VALUE ART that we don’t necessarily like, because we understand that the art COMMUNICATES something important.” (Discipline Based Art Education, n.d., para. 5) Certain methods exist that can assist students in making informed judgments about art; we will discuss these later in the semester.

art criticism = aesthetic judgment

In what ways do THEORY, AESTHETICS, and ART CRITICISM relate?

(view of reality; study of structures) ONTOLOGY (view of reality; study of structures) aesthetics (study of beauty) So . . . how you view reality informs how you study beauty In other words, ontology informs aesthetics

(view of reality; study of structures) ONTOLOGY (view of reality; study of structures) aesthetics (study of beauty) art theories interpreting As we now know, aesthetics includes the interpretation of art theories

KANT VERSUS LIPPARD Orlan Break class into two groups of 8/9: Kant’s aesthetic formalism from Enlightenment period (see Osborne & Sturgis, 2006, p. 44): “purposiveness without a purpose” (Freeland, 2001, p. 8), and Lucy Lippard’s contemporary analysis: (1) formal and material, (2) content, (3) context (see Freeland, 2001, p. 12) Orlan

Engage in art criticism/aesthetic judgment re this work from two perspectives: Kant’s aesthetic formalism from Enlightenment period (see Osborne & Sturgis, 2006, p. 44): “purposiveness without a purpose” (Freeland, 2001, p. 8), and Lucy Lippard’s contemporary analysis: (1) formal and material, (2) content, (3) context (see Freeland, 2001, p. 12) Students have 5 mins. to prepare, and 10 mins. to debate Orlan

EDT Questions What does it mean when educators talk about theory to practice? (see p. 1) Come up with an example to share. Aubrey and Riley (2016), state, “There is a danger, with recent government discourse, that classroom practice is becoming a competence-based activity, and the rhetoric seems to suggest a return to . . . more traditional, didactic and examination-focused approaches” (p. 2). Share examples from your educational history that support and disrupt what the authors are suggesting. According to the authors, “If theory is discounted in education we risk formulaic and step-by-step approaches to teaching and learning, where there is a set of strict rules for those who work with children and young adults to follow” (p. 2). Why is this problematic in education, in general, and in art education, in particular? If needed . . . Separate students into 3 groups of 5-6 students Readings (53 pages): EDT: Introduction

AT: Beg Questions Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde states, “No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he [sic] did he would cease to be an artist” (as cited in Osborne & Sturgis, 2006, p. 1). Does this statement relate to axiology, ontology, or epistemology? How do you know? In what ways is popular visual culture idealized (see p. 51)? In what ways does popular visual culture disrupt the ideal? Discuss Hegel’s (see p. 70) ontology of art? Readings (53 pages): AT: Beg: Intro (pp. 1-8), Ch. 5 (pp. 43-71)

AT: Intro Questions Do you think an art student has better taste than a science student? Why or why not? (see Freeland, 2001, p. 7) What does Kant mean by “purposiveness without a purpose”? (as cited in Freeland, 2001, p. 8) How does Lucy Lippard’s “three-pronged analysis” privilege Western art and culture? Readings (53 pages): AT: Intro: Ch. 1 (pp. 1-19)

Groups report out . . .