Single Idea 20328

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / B. Nature of Art / 6. Art as Institution]

Full Idea

To see something as art requires something the eye cannot descry - an atmosphere of artistic theory, a knowledge of the history of art: an artworld.

Gist of Idea

A thing is only seen as art in an 'artworld', which has a theory and a history

Source

Arthur C. Danto (The Artworld [1964], II)

Book Reference

'Aesthetics and the Phil of Art (Analytic trad)', ed/tr. Lamarque,P/Olsen,SH [Blackwell 2004], p.32


A Reaction

The editors of the volume call this a revolutionary remark, followed up by Danto and George Dickie with a social and institutional account of art. Danto's key example is Warhol's Brillo pads - art in a gallery, cleaning material in a shop.