Product Description

In today's art world many strange, even shocking, things qualify as art. In this Very Short Introduction Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples. She discusses blood, beauty, culture, money, museums, sex, and politics, clarifying contemporary and historical accounts of the nature, function, and interpretation of the arts. Freeland also propels us into the future by surveying cutting-edge web sites, alongside the latest research on the brain's role in perceiving art. This clear, provocative book engages with the big debates surrounding our responses to art and is an invaluable introduction to anyone interested in thinking about art.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19956 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

Review
Admirable for its compactness, reader-friendliness, this 'very short introduction' is nevertheless notable for its wide-ranging discussion of matters germane to the field of contemporary art. Should be a treat for the art-lovers amongst the academics. (U.S.I. Journal )

About the Author
Cynthia A. Freeland is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Houston. She has published on topics in the philosophy of art and film, ancient Greek philosophy, and feminist theory. She is also author of The Naked and the Undead: Evil and the Appeal of Horror (1999) and co-editor of Philosophy and Film (1995).

Customer Reviews

Readable, informative, and thought-provoking
What is art? That's a hard question, and it fills the whole of this short book, covering various theories of art and some very different artists and ways of doing art. Despite being packed with information and thought-provoking ideas, "Art Theory" is very easy to read. It was my first "Very Short Introduction" - I now want to collect them all. Brilliant.

But is it art ?
No, this book is not a work of art. But among the mixed bag that is the 'very short introduction' series ( i own 7 currently )it's one of the better ones. A readable style and broad coverage, arranged by theme rather than chronology, combine to do exactly what it says on the tin.

So you get aesthetics, feminist perspectives, the purpose of galleries, the motivation of artists all deftly delivered by someone with an engaging turn of phrase and choice examples. The author lays her cards on the table throughout, with bits of 'I believe...', punctuated by an even handed exposition of the main arguments.

Two small gripes - I'd have liked a glossary and a few more illustrations, but these are but minor quibles. Overall, well worth it.