On Criticism
1st Edition
Published on 2. June 2009
224 pages
978-1-134-22131-8 (ISBN)
Description
In a recent poll of practicing art critics, 75 percent reported that rendering judgments on artworks was the least significant aspect of their job. This is a troubling statistic for philosopher and critic Noel Carroll, who argues that that the proper task of the critic is not simply to describe, or to uncover hidden meanings or agendas, but instead to determine what is of value in art.
Carroll argues for a humanistic conception of criticism which focuses on what the artist has achieved by creating or performing the work. Whilst a good critic should not neglect to contextualize and offer interpretations of a work of art, he argues that too much recent criticism has ignored the fundamental role of the artist's intentions.
Including examples from visual, performance and literary arts, and the work of contemporary critics, Carroll provides a charming, erudite and persuasive argument that evaluation of art is an indispensable part of the conversation of life.
Carroll argues for a humanistic conception of criticism which focuses on what the artist has achieved by creating or performing the work. Whilst a good critic should not neglect to contextualize and offer interpretations of a work of art, he argues that too much recent criticism has ignored the fundamental role of the artist's intentions.
Including examples from visual, performance and literary arts, and the work of contemporary critics, Carroll provides a charming, erudite and persuasive argument that evaluation of art is an indispensable part of the conversation of life.
Reviews / Votes
"Carroll's extended essay is sensible, nuanced, informative, engaging and a good read for anybody who would like to think more clearly. Summing up: highly recommended." - Choice 'This book is badly needed, as much by critics as those who read them, as much by teachers of criticism as those who would like to write criticism.'- Arthur C. Danto, Art Critic, The Nation
'This little book runs directly counter to the modern orthodoxy that proper art criticism is all about interpretation and contextualizing. With admirable clarity and disarming candor, it defends the unfashionable view that the heart of art criticism is giving reasoned evaluations of artistic achievement. Everything else passing under this label -- from gender theory to Derridean deconstruction -- is secondary. What makes the book specially persuasive is Noel Carroll's unrivalled expertise in all things aesthetic.'
- Gordon Graham, Princeton University, USA
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
File size
1,06 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-134-22131-8 (9781134221318)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Noel Carroll is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is the author of a number of books on aesthetics and philosophy, including The Philosophy of Horror and The Philosophy of Art.
Content
Introduction, Criticism as Evaluation, The Object of Criticism, The Parts of Criticism (Minus One), Evaluation: Problems and Prospects
