THE ARTIST BARNETT NEWMAN COMMENTED:’AESTHETICS IS FOR ART WHAT ORNITHOLOGY IS FOR THE BIRDS.’ BASED ON IMMANUEL KANT’S PHILOSOPHY HOW WOULD HE RESPOND TO NEWMAN’S CLAIM?
Aesthetics and the actual practice of art have been compared with the philosophy of science, modern physics and mathematics for several years. However, academic aesthetics has been of little interest to contemporary artists in the United States. Barnett Newman, an American artist, argued in 1952 that aesthetics is irrelevant to artists while speaking in a conference co-sponsored by the American Society for Aesthetics and artists’ group. According to him, aesthetics failed to involve itself in the conflict of values fundamental to the activity of artists, yet it presumes the authority of providing an opinion on art. Kant attempted to relate the mode of fashion and art with the destiny within modernity including the specificity of the area of focus in the sublime that occurs through its counter position to the aesthetics of the beautiful. The paper emphasizes the view of Newman based on Immanuel Kant’s philosophy.
The ‘Critique of Judgment ‘by Kant discusses aesthetic experience and judgment in the beautiful and the sublime the artistic creation. The areas of ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics are considered to be more philosophically central than those of aesthetic and natural teleology. Further, he adds that aesthetics is a significant factor in broadening the power of judgment (Guyer " Mathews, 2002, p. 429). The reflective role of understanding includes applying various cognitive tasks associated with scientific inquiry, aesthetic judgments about the beautiful sublime and the theological beliefs that ascribe to the purpose of natural things (Guyer " Mathews, 2002, p. 430).
According to Kant aesthetic judgment is based on the particular feeling of displeasure towards a specific object. Further, he describes three kinds of aesthetic tastes namely, agreeable, beautiful and sublime. However, Newman opposes this claim of aesthetics that provide a basis for the comprehension of art (Cunningham, 2004, p. 552). Consequently, his the exclusion of art from aesthetics is not an opposition to academic philosophy is in reaction to criticism from individuals who emphasize on aesthetic quality for the market-oriented culture of capitalism rather than for the advancement of artistic prowess. Additionally, the nature of painting has been reduced to the colours laid on the pieces of canvas rather than the artistic imagination intended to be passed across. Therefore, both attempt to illustrate the concept of the presentable and unpresentable depending on the general logic and experience of the individual viewing a piece of art (Cunningham, 2004, p. 553).
Kant believes that “Aesthetics is for painting as Ornithology is for the birds” as he has criticized the idea of Utilitarian and has emphasized that people should be at liberty and freed to express their art. The theory of utilitarianism is approved by many philosophers however a significant number of them have disputed with the belief. The moral assumption evaluates the ethical appeal of an action by determining the happiness produced by the acts. The deeds that result in great delight are that which is considered morally acceptable activity. However, Kant has criticized this sort of ideology because of the evaluation method used. The core of the opposition is that the theories devalue the people who are supposed to benefit from the art. Allowing functional outcomes to encourage human beings actions, will prompt the appraisal of people’s interest and welfare based on the utility. For example, in the event, utilitarian calculation assures more advantage it is feasible to validate sacrificing the benefits of an individual
The utilitarian assumptions are propagated by the merely dependent inclination in humans for happiness and pleasure, rather than the universal moral and ethical law determined by reason. Acting in pursuit of bliss and happiness is subjective and arbitrary, which is similar to actions that are motivated by selfishness and greed (Kohl 2015, p.331). All three aspects originate from non-rational and personal grounds. The disadvantage of utilitarianism is that it embraces baser instincts, rather than the vital function of reason in the context of the actions. According to Kant categorical Imperative “reveals to us our freedom and dignity.” The model reveals that self-respect, dignity and self-esteem results in adapting morally acceptable behaviours and obeying the ethical standard set by the society. Additionally, the model frees people from their senses as they are open-minded and can realize their nature. The Categorical Imperative determines what is immoral and moral and consequently, people can differentiate between the two. Additionally, it enables humans to be autonomous, and if one is independent, then they are free (Christians et al. 2015, p.85)
Kant believes that a person's actions should be guided by moral imperatives regardless of personal desire and utility (Kant 2016, p. 285). The Categorical Impression is a theory used in moral law that tries to explain reasonable and rational beings. The knowledge of the initiative of the reason is derived from prior rather than experience. The imperative is unconditional. Thus it binds people together and influences specific behaviours humans’ possess. Additionally, individuals encounter an obstacle while trying to follow the moral laws because beings are sensuous creatures that experience ethical dilemmas as they make their daily decisions. Sometimes people are willing to do the socially acceptable conducts, but they end up doing the morally unaccepted deeds the law (Hughes et al. 2015, p.32). Kant believed in evaluating the actions of an individual using the CL procedure will guide one to know if their acts are immoral or moral. The assessment method has four steps that involve the formulation of subjective maxima, generalization of the peaks, inverting the general maxim and then combining the new law with the old code. The newly formed standard needs to be analysed and critiqued to determine its advantages and disadvantages.
In the year 1937, an artist by the name Picasso articulated his outrage against war with a famous painting known as Guernica (Mallen 2015, p.1) .The mural-sized enormous art was displayed to a vast multitude of both local Paris citizen and visitors during the Paris World’s fair. Many philosophers and politicians have critiqued the indictment that speaks against the war (McCarthy 2015, p. 1). Up to date, the art has remained to be the most famous painting of all ages, and it has won several art awards. However, the picture cannot be easily interpreted as the drawing outward outlook entails death and killings. When a person looks closely, they will be able to see figure for example on the left of the painting there is a woman who has her head back crying out in grief as she holds the corpse of her lifeless child. In 1480, Botticelli made The Birth of Venus painting (Campbell 2017, p.85). The picture which is drawn on canvas shows the painting suited casual setting but not like the palace. The art was displayed at the Country villa in Castillo. Venus is portrayed standing straight on an outsized clamshell, her position is off balance and unstable, her hands try to discreetly cover her beauty as the gentle wind blows her long, blonde hair. The two famous painting reveals the freedom of the artist to articulate their emotions regardless of the audience. Picasso painting has a lot of death scene while Botticelli painting that reveals nakedness (Campos et al.2018, p. 248).These two artists could not be in a position to display their works if they feared the reactions of people.
In conclusion, the quote meant that artists are supposed to be concerned with the works as aesthetic value is determined by the critiques and viewers. Additionally, the artists should not be afraid to present their paintings because of its outward appearance just like the way birds continue living their lives without the fear that ornithologists monitor their behaviours.
Bibliography
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