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Single Idea 20342

[filed under theme 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 2. Aesthetic Attitude ]

Full Idea

Performative interpretation occurs only with certain arts, but critical intepretation pertains to all.

Gist of Idea

Interpretation is performance for some arts, and critical for all arts

Source

Richard Wollheim (Art and Its Objects [1968], 38)

Book Ref

Wollheim,Richard: 'Art and Its Objects' [Penguin 1975], p.100


A Reaction

Fairly obvious, but this is the first point to make about the concept of 'interpretation'. Does the word in fact have two meanings? Or do I perform a painting when I look carefully at it?


The 16 ideas from 'Art and Its Objects'

It is claimed that the expressive properties of artworks are non-physical [Wollheim]
A drawing only represents Napoleon if the artist intended it to [Wollheim]
If artworks are not physical objects, they are either ideal entities, or collections of phenomena [Wollheim]
The ideal theory says art is an intuition, shaped by a particular process, and presented in public [Wollheim]
The ideal theory of art neglects both the audience and the medium employed [Wollheim]
Style can't be seen directly within a work, but appreciation needs a grasp of style [Wollheim]
The traditional view is that knowledge of its genre to essential to appreciating literature [Wollheim]
We often treat a type as if it were a sort of token [Wollheim]
An interpretation adds further properties to the generic piece of music [Wollheim]
A musical performance has virtually the same features as the piece of music [Wollheim]
Interpretation is performance for some arts, and critical for all arts [Wollheim]
A love of nature must precede a love of art [Wollheim]
Some say art must have verbalisable expression, and others say the opposite! [Wollheim]
If beauty needs organisation, then totally simple things can't be beautiful [Wollheim]
A criterion of identity for works of art would be easier than a definition [Wollheim]
Classes rarely share properties with their members - unlike universals and types [Wollheim]