Editorial Reviews
Review
"What is art? A live peacock? A racehorse? Or, as in Duchamp's famous Fountain, a white porcelain urinal? Barnett Newman suggested that artists need art theory like birds need ornithology, but some of these questions just won't away in The Art Question. Nigel Warburton brings a philosopher's eye to the debate, drawing on the arguments of Clive Bell, R.G. Collingwood and Wittgenstein to explore, with admirable clarity, the factors that might turn a roomful of chocolate into a work of art, and why it matters."
-Christopher Hirst, The Independent
"A very good book. Clear, concise and engaging."
-James Elkins, author of What Painting Is and How to Use Your Eyes
"Warburton's gem of a small book is an important survey of the most important accounts of the nature of art."
-Alex Orenstein, City University of New York
Book Description
"What is art?" is a question many of us want to ask but are afraid to. This is the very question that Nigel Warburton demystifies in this brilliant and accessible book. Using carefully chosen illustrations and photographs, from Cezanne and Van Gogh to Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol and the Osmond family, best-selling author Nigel Warburton brings a philosopher's eye to art in a refreshingly jargon-free style.
Nigel Warburton explains with customary clarity much discussed but little understood theories of art:art as significant form; art as expression; art as family resemblance; and the institutional theory of art. He brings to life the arguments of the thinkers behind these theories, such as Clive Bell, R. G. Collingwood and Wittgenstein, and illuminates other perplexing problems in art, such as the artist's intention, representation and emotion. Drawing on photographs of Cindy Sherman and Tiananmen Square, Warburton shows that, if we are ever to answer the art question, we must consider each work of art on its own terms.
A stimulating and handy guide through the art maze, The Art Question is essential reading for anyone interested in art, philosophy and looking at pictures.
The Art Question
The Art Question,N. WARBURTON,Nigel Warburton,Routledge,0415174902,Aesthetics,Art,Art & Art Instruction,History - General,Philosophy,Theory of art
Book Details:
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