The document discusses various ways of defining art and theories about art. It outlines three approaches to defining art: 1) clear-cut definitions that classify what is and isn't art, 2) skepticism about being able to define art, and 3) a contextual approach focusing on art's changing social role over time in different contexts. It also summarizes several key theories of art, including imitation theory, intentionality thesis, communication theory, institutional theory, and Duchamp's concept of 'readymades' which argues an object becomes art through an artist's intentions.

1. Ways of Defining Art
1) Clear-cut definition-
classificatory, tendency to
classify things; distinguishing
things that are from things
that are not
weakness: tendency to exclude

2. 2) Skepticism about the
possibility of a definition; “art
itself is a phenomenon that by
its nature defeats attempts to
define it”
weakness: too vague

3. 3) Contextual Approach- art as
a succession of stages of
development realized in
different historically and
specific contexts; focus on art’s
changing social role

4. Some key theories about art

5. Imitation Theory
•The goal of art is the
faithful imitation of
nature
•Plato and Aristotle

6. Themistokles von Eckenbrecher, Ustikt over Laedalsoren, 1901

7. Intentionality Thesis
• Monroe Beardsley
• An artwork is such because of the
artist’s intention that what he is
making/fashioning is a work of
art satisfying aesthetic interest

8. Diego
Velasquez,
Las Meninas,
1656-57

9. Communication Theory
• Art communicates emotion
between the creator and the
audience

10. Edvard Munch,
The Scream,
1893

11. Edvard Munch,
The Scream,
1893

12. Institutional Theory of Art
• It is the artworld which
determines whether something is
a work of art.
• Artworld- Museum directors,
gallery owners, academics, critics,
etc.

13. Marcel Duchamp, Fountain, 1917

14. ‘Readymades’- Duchamp
• By simply choosing,
repositioning or joining, titling
and signing it, the object
becomes art