The Value of Art

The Value of Art

1. Representation theories of art

   • a painting is always a painting of something
     • thus it gains its value in its ability to mirror the world
   • Plato viewed art as imitation but that we should not value it
     • we should instead use reason to understand the essence of the object or concept, rather than look at art
     • art fails to inform us or give us any knowledge of the world
   • art can use symbols, conventions and signs to represent themes - not imitate
   • art can convey some vision or truth
   • Issues
     • forgeries
     • no value for abstract art or ready-made art
     • would have to consider trompe l'oeils as the best art

2. Expression theories of art

   • artist's purpose is to express and reflect on his emotions and portray them through the art
   • Croce and Collingwood
     • art is the expression of sense-impressions and the feelings raised within the artist
     • appreciation of the artist's imagination and creative process
     • Issues
       • assumes that the emotions felt by the audience will be of a similar nature to those experienced by the artist
       • not enough value on the actual art - focus is on the creative process
         • ignore the importance of skill
       • disregards emotionless, realist and religious art
     • art proper expresses purely aesthetic emotions
   • the best art invokes the strongest reaction in the audience
   • Tolstoy
     • purpose is to express some type of moral message through the communication of their feelings
     • Issues
       • would have to consider horror films as the best art
       • facial expressions fit the criteria
       • Kant - aesthetic and moral judgments should be separate

3. Formalist theories of art

   • considers the purely artistic qualities of art
     • lines, shapes, colours, chords, harmonica progressions etc.
   • values the art in itself, for itself, rather than being almost secondary to what it represents or what emotions it expresses
   • Clive Bell - significant form characterised by the ability to generate aesthetic emotions in the audience
   • most inclusive of all theories
   • Issues
     • difficulty distinguishing art from artefact
     • very modern view
     • forgeries
     • circular