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Formalism

Formalism. Object-centered theory Focus only on the work itself Do not focus on the artist of the observer/audience. What is formalism?. Formal properties are the only things that matter about art Essence of art Definition of art Evaluation of art What are formal properties ?

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Formalism

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  1. Formalism • Object-centered theory • Focus only on the work itself • Do not focus on the artist of the observer/audience

  2. What is formalism? • Formal properties are the only things that matter about art • Essence of art • Definition of art • Evaluation of art • What are formal properties? • Shape, color, harmony, rhythm, angles, rhyme • NOT representation, expression, symbolism • NOT moral, religious, or political value

  3. Arguments supporting formalism • What is distinctive about art objects as opposed to ordinary objects? • What makes art special or distinctive as a cultural phenomenon? • Are there examples that can be understood best in formalist terms? Does it explain what we want to understand about art?

  4. Arguments against formalism • Does it account for the things about art that make it distinctive or special? • Are there examples that cannot be understood best in formalist terms, viz., counter-examples? Does it explain what we want to understand about art?

  5. Testing Formalism: Do we see the same object? • Do we describe the same properties in the object? Is there one “correct” description? • Does our age or veterans’ status or education lead us to see something different? • Does our race or gender lead us to see something different?

  6. Testing formalism: Can we appreciate the object fully by focusing only on formal properties? • Is information about the artist significant in understanding and appreciating the work? • Is information about the moral, religious, political value significant in understanding and appreciating the work? • Is the expression, symbolism, or representation significant?

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