Full Idea
In the early twentieth century there were numerous attempts at defining the essence art. Significant form, intuition, the expression of emotion, organic unity, and other notions, were offered to this end.
Gist of Idea
Early 20th cent attempts at defining art focused on significant form, intuition, expression, unity
Source
Lamargue,P/Olson,SH (Introductions to 'Aesthetics and the Phil of Art' [2004], Pt 1)
Book Reference
'Aesthetics and the Phil of Art (Analytic trad)', ed/tr. Lamarque,P/Olsen,SH [Blackwell 2004], p.9
A Reaction
As far as I can see the whole of aesthetics was demolished in one blow by Marcel Duchamp's urinal. Artists announce: we will tell you what art is; you should just sit and listen. Compare the invention of an anarchic sport.
Related Ideas
Idea 20327 Modern attention has moved from the intrinsic properties of art to its relational properties [Lamarque/Olson]
Idea 20955 Art can make reason more all-inclusive, by articulating what seemed inexpressible [Bowie]