1. Is Art a Source of Knowledge? Artwork by Atlanta based Artist Brian Dettmer Theory of Knowledge YC – 2011

2. A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art. Paul Cézanne (19 th c. painter) If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint. Edward Hopper (19 th c. painter) The beautiful is in nature, and it is encountered under the most diverse forms of reality. Once it is found it belongs to art, or rather to the artist who discovers it. Gustave Courbet (19 th c. painter)

3. 1. What is Art ? Art vs. Nature Ars /Natura Nature is natural Art is… artificial Is it reasonable to attempt to define Art? Are there necessary and sufficient traits that define an Art work?

4. Art and Reality Rene Magritte, This is not pipe, 1928 Magritte, This is not a pipe

5. The beautiful is in nature, and it is encountered under the most diverse forms of reality. Once it is found it belongs to art, or rather to the artist who discovers it. Gustave Courbet, 19 th century Ingres, Grande Odalisque

6. Art as a Cluster Concept Because no one characteristic in a work of art is necessary or sufficient to make it a work of art. What are the properties (or characteristics) that are part of this cluster?

7. Michelangelo, David Taj mahal

8. William Shakespeare, Hamlet Christ redeemer, Brazil

9. Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa Swatch watch

10. Marcel Duchamp,LHOOQ, 1919

11. Case-study: Marcel Duchamp Readymade Art : a Redefinition of Artistic Value Fountain, 1917 In advance for a broken arm, 1915

12. Readymade Art Duchamp said of Bicycle Wheel, "Please note that I did not want to make a work of art out of it. It is offered as something "absolutely devoid of aesthetic pleasure.“ Painting is "washed up," Duchamp said in 1912. In abandoning painting, he said, "I want something where the eye and the hand count for nothing." This period culminated in his 1917 submission of Fountain (signed R. Mutt) to an art exhibit of the Society of Independent Artists in New York. Although the show did not have a jury, the organizers refused to exhibit Fountain. Duchamp responded in defense of his alter- ego, Mr. Mutt, with the following argument: "Whether Mr. Mutt with his own hands made the fountain or not has no importance. He chose it. He took an ordinary article of life, placed it so that its useful significance disappeared under a new title and point of view -- he created a new thought for the object."

13. Art is intentional and transformative Artists, museum curators, art patrons, art critics, art educators, art historians and others involved with art change their ideas about art over time. Early in the 20th century, for instance, artists expanded the definition of art to include such things as abstraction, collage and readymades. Romare Bearden, Return of the prodigal son, 1947

14. Characteristics of the Cluster 1.Possessing positive aesthetic properties (grace, elegance, beauty…) 2.Being expressive of emotion 3.Being intellectually challenging (questioning views and modes of thought) 4.Being formally complex and coherent

15. 5. Having a capacity to convey complex meaning 6. Exhibiting an individual point of view 7. Being an exercise of creative imagination (being original) 8. Being an artifact or performance which is the product of a high degree of skill 9. Belonging to an established artistic form (music, painting, film, dance…) 10. Being the product of an intention to make a work of art.

16. Art and Value Who is the authority ? Who decides what is valuable in art and what is not? Who are the experts?

17. Jeff Koons, Balloon dog

18. Kasimir Malevitch, Black Square, 1923-30 Contemporary art challenges us It broadens our horizons. It asks us to think beyond the limits of conventional wisdom. Eli Broad, art collector

19. What are the clear and accepted standards by which art experts may judge something as a work of art? Are those standards the same as the ones used by art sellers? Does it matter to you? Does it influence your judgment on a piece?

20. Do you like this? Jean Dubuffet, Dhotel nuance d’abricot, 1945

21. 2. The aesthetic experience Art is a sensual experience Art is an emotional experience Aesthetic judgments are made all the time because we all have aesthetic interests Aesthetic judgments are personal

22. Why do we find something beautiful? What is the origin and nature of Beauty?

23. Is this sense specific to the individual, to the culture, Mursi woman

24. or is it universal? What are the justifications and implications of claiming that there are absolute standards for good art, or that the only standard for good art is individual taste?

25. 3. What do we learn from the Arts? Picasso, Guernica, 1937

26. Do we need knowledge to understand a work of Art?

27. A writer should write with his eyes and a painter paint with his ears. Gertrude Stein Art is a language When we learn its codes we can understand its meaning There is thus a dialogue between the piece and the viewer:

28. Considering its geographical and historical context we can ask: When was it made? Where? Why was it made? Who paid for it? Who was looking at it? Hyacinte Rigaud, Portrait de Louis XIV, 1693

29. We could also ask questions about the work itself Why was it created? To say what? What was the artist’s motivation? Which medium is used? Why? George Hambov, graffiti artist

31. And what about the artist? Who did it?

32. Diego Velazquez’ Las Meninas, 1656

33. Vassili Kandisky, Abstract

34. 5. Art as a vehicle of knowledge Verbal or non-verbal arts communicate what they express through signs and symbols: Art communicates feelings or emotions Don’t look for obscure formulas or mystery in my work. It is pure joy that I offer you. Look at my sculptures until you see them. Constantin Brancusi, sculptor

35. Art communicates information about the world it “holds up a mirror to nature”

36. Art is about sharing a human experience

39. Art vehicles ideology

41. 6. Can Art be unethical? Plato: art has a moral value. Its function is to make us better citizens. Islam: any representation of the Holy is forbidden. El Greco, The Redemptor, 1610-1614

42. Does the artist carry any moral or ethical responsibility? Is it possible for an artwork to be immoral? Should art be judged on its ability to please or shock? Joel-Peter Witkin, Photographer

43. Ghunter Von Hagen

45. If ART has power on how people think, does it mean it should be controlled? Can or should art be politically subversive? Or should it serve the interests of the community, or the state, or the patron or funding organization?