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Here is the Amazon description of Nigel Warbutron's
book on art:
'What is art?' is a question many of
us want answered but are too afraid to ask. It is the very
question that Nigel Warburton demystifies in this brilliant and
accessible little book. With the help of varied illustrations
and photographs, from Cézanne and Francis Bacon to Andy Warhol
and Damien Hirst, best-selling author Warburton brings a
philosopher's eye to art in a refreshing jargon-free style. With
customary clarity, he explains art theories, that are much
discussed but little understood, by thinkers such as Clive Bell,
R.G Collingwood and Wittgenstein. He 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 or those who simply like looking
at and thinking about pictures.
Nigel regularly gives courses on the
Philosophy of Art at Tate Modern in London
There are sections on The Philosophy
of Art (by Andrew Harrison), Artistic Modernism (by Martin
Bentham) and Art and Eastern Philosophy (by Ann Whiteside) in
World Philosophy.
There are a huge number of ideas
to explore within this subject, from the nature and function of
art itself, including its social and political impact, through
to the problems of expression and representation, to the whole
idea of giving visible form to concepts. In many ways, the place
of art in society mirrors that of philosophy - both are valid
ways of exploring and sharing a fundamental interest in the
meaning of human life and its place within the world.
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