John Dewey and Art as Experience
This first blog post covers the
philosopher John Dewey’s book Art as Experience. Dewey’s philosophy on
art is substantially different in that the overall point he is trying to make
is that “art” is not merely the product of an artist’s work, as it is traditionally
defined. Rather, “art” is an experience, either the experience of creating the
artistic product or the experience we have while appreciating the artistic
product.
In the
first chapter of his book, Dewey works to destroy the boundary between art and
everyday experiences. Previous philosophers and art critics have set up art on
a pedestal of sorts so as to distinguish art from other crafts, such as making
an ornate table or building. Dewey criticizes these theories for their
separation of art from community life. Art can be appreciated in many
day-to-day activities, such as cooking, dancing, reading, and even playing a
game. Anyone that is engaged in a process is artistically engaged, such as an
artist, or scientist, or teacher. This is where experience plays in. The actual
process by which someone accomplishes a task can be art.
Because his
use of the word “experience” can sometimes be confusing, Dewey attempts to
differentiate between “experience” and “an experience.” Experience is
continual, because we as humans are always involved in the process of living.
However, experience itself is not “an experience.” An experience is had when
any task is satisfactorily accomplished. This can apply to finishing a
painting, completing a board game, or even writing this blog post. What’s
interesting is that Dewey states that the importance of the experience is
inconsequential; what is important is that an experience was had. Furthermore,
the experience is driven by emotion. When an experience is concluded, such as
when an artist finally accomplishes his work, he is emotionally moved not only
by the outcome of his works, but by the experience of having worked on this
product and successfully expressed himself.
From here,
Dewey moves on to talk about expression. Expression is not spontaneous, at
least not in the artistic sense. For something to be artistically expressive,
it must have taken time and effort to create. Artists must sift through all
their past experiences, and pull different meanings and lessons from them. The
process must be filled with introspection, reflection, and editing. Art is at
its finest when there is a combination of past and present experiences.
From
expression, the expressive object (final product) is produced. Dewey criticizes
other theories that simply focus on the expressive object, separating it from
the process by which it was created. Dewey believes that the product and the
process are linked, and to only know one is to miss the point of the overall
work. To only analyze the expressive object would leave you clueless as to all
the influences and outside experiences that fueled the artist’s imagination. To
only know the process would leave you with no appreciation for the expressive
object. To fully understand and appreciate the work of art, both the work
itself and the process behind it must be looked at as one piece of art. The
expressive object is therefore representative of the nature of the artist’s
experience.
Dewey goes on to discuss the nature of art’s
form and how artists channel their energy to create art, but the highlights of
his theory have been covered here. He is most remembered for how he links art
with everyday life. If there is one thing you learn from this blog post, I
believe Dewey would want you to understand that art is present every day. Art
is found in conversation, in studying, even in teaching philosophy. Dewey’s
theory teaches us to appreciate our lives as enriched by art by changing our
perspective of what art is. This approach to life really does make everything
seem a little more meaningful, and a little less chaotic. I highly suggest you
take the time to read his book, or at least read an overview. Maybe you’ll come
to appreciate art in your everyday life too!
http://hyperallergic.com/67081/reconsidering-john-deweys-art-as-experience/
ReplyDeleteHere's a link for some further reading on "Art as Experience!"
"Dewey’s theory teaches us to appreciate our lives as enriched by art by changing our perspective of what art is." Exactly. Art is all around, if we can just learn to notice it. "The tense grace of the ballplayer" etc. etc.
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