But is It Art?: An Introduction to Art Theory

Author/Contributor(s):	Freeland, Cynthia
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Date:	04/04/2002
Binding:	Paperback
Condition:	NEW

In today's art world, many strange, even shocking, things are put on display, prompting exasperated viewers to exclaim--is this really art? In this invaluable primer on aesthetics, Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are so highly valued in art, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many engrossing examples. Writing clearly and perceptively, she explores the cultural meanings of art in different contexts, and highlights the continuities of tradition that stretch from modern, often sensational, works back to the ancient halls of the Parthenon, to the medieval cathedral of Chartres, and to African nkisi nkondi fetish statues.