Aesthetics:
Diversity in Criticism
and Analysis of the Arts
Julie Van Camp
Fulbright Lecturer
Comenius University
Professor of Philosophy
California State University, Long Beach
Weeks 2-3
(24 Sept. & 1 October)
• What is aesthetics? Critical thinking
about art?
• What is art criticism?
• What are philosophical questions and
methodologies?
• How does philosophical “talk” about art
differ from art appreciation, art
history, and art criticism?
What is Aesthetics?
 A set of rules or
standards dictated by
critics to artists
 Pertaining to surface or
perceptual properties:
"redness" "smoothness“
 Philosophy of art
What is
Philosophy?
 Big picture questions
 Broad perspectives and
interconnections
 Implicit assumptions:
what's between the lines?
 Good reasoning
 Close examination of key
terms and concepts
Philosophical
Questions
Metaphysics: nature of reality
 What is real?
 What exists
Epistemology: theory of knowledge
 What do we know?
 How do we know it?
Value theory: meaning of "good"
 In human behavior (ethics)
 In art
Talk About Art
< Art Appreciation
< Art History
< Art Criticism
Talk About
Talk About Art
Aesthetics
(Philosophy of art)
Weeks 4-5
(8 & 15 October)
• The nature of art from different
theoretical vantage points
• How do different assumptions change
what we see (formalist vs.
expressionist vs. representation)
Aesthetic Theories
(Stances)
Purposes
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Explanation
Definition of art
Essence of art
Characteristics or nature of art
Heuristic: educate viewing
public
< Standards for good art
Aesthetic Theories
(Stances)
Examples:
< Representation-imitation
< Expression-emotion
< Communication of moral and
religious ideas
< Symbolic (non-verbal)
communication
< Formalism
< Instrumentalism-experience
Essentialism
Search for the
"essence" of art
< Properties of the object
(representation, expression,
formalism, symbolism, etc.
< Intentions of the creator
< Intentions of the
audience/observers
Types of
Aesthetic Questions
Focus on:
< Art works
< Artists
< Audience/perceivers
< Context: art world/society
Week 6 Midterm Exam
(22 October)
• You will be given an example of art and asked
to discuss it from the vantage point of
specific ideas to this point
• Goal: to demonstrate ability to explicitly
apply theoretical ideas to the analysis of art
• You must write in your own words, but may
refer to books and notes in developing your
answer
Week 7
(29 October)
• Critical perspectives:
• The elements of description,
interpretation, evaluation/judgment
• Evaluation of art: the meaning of the
word “good”
What is art criticism?
• Art “criticism” = art evaluation
• Elements of art criticism:
– Description of the work
– Interpretation and context
– Judgment of the work
• Art criticism vs. philosophy of art
– Criticism: individual analysis moving
toward the general
– Philosophy: general moving toward the
individual
The Value of Art
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Aesthetic value
Moral value
Personal value
Cognitive value
Economic value
Practical value
Religious value
Political value
Therapeutic value
Criticism or Aesthetics?
< Art criticism: Art
Evaluation
< Aesthetics: philosophy of
art
< Philosophy of art criticism
Weeks 8-9
(5 & 12 November)
• The significance of gender, race, and
culture in art criticism
• Examples: U.S. Diversity: AfricanAmerican, Latino, Asian-American, Native
American
• Do the U.S. experiences apply to Slovakia?
How are they similar and different?
Weeks 10-11
(19 & 26 November)
• Teaching Aesthetics
• Interdisciplinary
• Active learning
Learning Outcomes
< Knowledge, information
< Skills: philosophical
inquiry/analysis, critical
thinking
< Attitudes, tendencies
Teaching Aesthetics
< Big questions chart
< Philosophical puzzles
< Great debates
< In-out-maybe activities
Leading an
Aesthetics Discussion
< Carefully examine key terms and
concepts
< Consider clarity and consistency of
reasons
< Make explicit the reasons or evidence
that are the basis for conclusions
< Consider alternative viewpoints
< Hypotheticals: "what if" questions
Using Puzzle Problems
"Case Studies" or
"Great Debates"
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Avoid "yes" or "no" answers
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Include "facts" supportive of both sides
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Get all reasons "on the table"
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Argue for a side you don't happen to
agree with
Week 12
(3 December)
• Summary and Review
• Final papers: due Thursday, 6 December
(preferred: send as e-mail attachment)
• Final exam: week of 7 January