Contested Ideas About Art, Culture, and Tradition

Abstract

Modern art theories have only broadened our understanding what art can be and in this book I also introduce quite a few ideas to illustrate how contemporary art is being interpreted by such diverse groups as the art establishment, politicians and the general public. If the social critique or message conveyed by an art piece appears banal or too simple it changes into boring propaganda and can easily turn against the original political objectives. It is far better create art that defies definitions and continues to raise questions, art that remains interesting and will be interpreted and re-interpreted in markedly different ways. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong in enjoying aesthetic beauty of art when the art provides joy, happiness and good feelings. Next there is a discussion on John Dewey's idea of art being a window to another culture and to the minds of people and after that about the hermeneutics and interpretative approach of Hans-Georg Gadamer and what they tell about culture and the incomplete and prejudiced understanding of everyone.