Iconoclasm in Aesthetics [Hardcover]

Discusses the work of four influential philosophers of art: Heidegger, Adorno, Derrida, and Danto.Philosophers have characteristically taken the view that art is a vehicle of some universal meaning or truth, while art historians emphasize the concrete, historical location of the individual work of art. Is art capable of sustaining these two approaches? Or, as Kelly argues, is art rather determined by its historical particularity? This book discusses four philosophers - Heidegger, Adorno, Derrida, and Danto--who are ultimately iconoclasts despite their deep philosophical engagement with the arts. Kelly concludes by suggesting ways in which iconoclasm in aesthetics can be avoided in the future.Philosophers have characteristically taken the view that art is a vehicle of some universal meaning or truth, while art historians emphasize the concrete, historical location of the individual work of art. Is art capable of sustaining these two approaches? Or, as Kelly argues, is art rather determined by its historical particularity? This book discusses four philosophers - Heidegger, Adorno, Derrida, and Danto--who are ultimately iconoclasts despite their deep philosophical engagement with the arts. Kelly concludes by suggesting ways in which iconoclasm in aesthetics can be avoided in the future.Although philosophers have characteristically taken the view that art is a vehicle of some universal meaning or truth, art historians emphasize the concrete, historical location of the individual work of art. Is aesthetics capable of sustaining these two approaches? Or, as Michael Kelly argues: Is art actually determined by its historical particularity? His book covers the views of four philosophers--Heidegger, Adorno, Derrida, and Danto--ultimately iconoclasts, despite their significant philosophical engagement with the arts.1. Heidegger, van Gogh, Schapiro; 2. Adorno, Richter, Buchloh; 3. Derrida, Tansey, Danto; 4. Danto, Sherman, Krauss; 5. Aesthetics without iconoclasm.