Art Theory (Very Short Introductions)

Description:
In today's art world many strange, even shocking, things qualify as art. In this Very Short Introduction Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples. She discusses blood, beauty, culture, money, museums, sex, and politics, clarifying contemporary and historical accounts of the nature, function, and interpretation of the arts. Freeland also propels us into the future by surveying cutting-edge web sites, alongside the latest research on the brain's role in perceiving art. This clear, provocative book engages with the big debates surrounding our responses to art and is an invaluable introduction to anyone interested in thinking about art.

Review:
Admirable for its compactness, reader-friendliness, this 'very short introduction' is nevertheless notable for its wide-ranging discussion of matters germane to the field of contemporary art. Should be a treat for the art-lovers amongst the academics. U.S.I. Journal

Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations; 1. Blood and Beauty; 2. Paradigms and Purposes; 3. Cultural Crossings; 4. Money, Markets, Museums; 5. Gender, Genius, and Guerrilla Girls; 6. Cognition, Creation, Comprehension; 7. Digitizing and Disseminating; Conclusion; References; Further Reading; Index