Genius and Taste

[leafofgrass]

In Section 50 of Kant's third Critique, he joins together two faculties necessary to fine art. Genius, the capacity to create fine art, is defined as exemplary originality. Taste, the capacity to judge art as fine, is a form of judgment, pure judgment. Kant claims that it is possible to have genius without taste, or taste without genius, and,

Comments

[leafofgrass]

Danto argues that contemporary/conceptual art is actually a democratizing force - now that art history is "over", any art is possible - the barrier between the "art world" and people is being torn down because art is no longer the province of an elite class of trained artists. Now, I know that most people feel out of touch with the institutional "art world", but

Hmmm, But what?I'd be interested in your opinions on this one because one of my major tiffs with contemporary art is its overly intellectual nature or else its active avoidance of aesthetic value as elitist. This, as always, is only my impression, but the feeling of disconnectedness with contemporary art is something that i don't think will be overcome with time as with other trends. Impressionism, for example, was rejected by both the people and the elite back in the day, and yet today it remains one of the most popular art movements of all time. Do you really think performance art or Rroy Lichtenstein will ever achieve such a thing> If people lack comprehension of what is going on, where is the enjoyment going to come from? What happens to beauty?... I for one do not think that beauty is an elitist or an empty concept.

I did read the Danto essay, but a long time ago. I recall that at the time I was impressed with the longing for egalitarianism, but at the same time distressed at the consequences. I don't think art history is dead, however, and that in time we'll move back to producing works more aesthetically relevant. I see just as many posters of Warhol's Marilyn Monroes as I see posters of Picasso's or Monet's... And I see just as few real Warhol's as I see Cezanne's. frankly, I'd rather see the view over the bay of Marseilles.

[29usc151]

Ok, IOU one lengthy discussion of contemporary, particularly conceptual, art.

I used be anti-conceptual art. Danto proved to be my "brillo box" of sorts.

I'll catch up with you on this after I finish my paper.

[leafofgrass]

Word! That sounds righteous.

I'm trying to be less closed minded about things like this, but it's hard. I like a lot of what Danto says, but I just don't like what it means in practice a lot of the time. We'll see... I shall await your insights! :-)