Reflection on the Philosopher Danto

I finally found someone who could articulate my ideas about art, when Cynthia Freeland discusses the philosopher Arthur Danto’s view of art in But Is It Art? It is very interesting that Danto was so intrigued by Andy Warhol, because I have always found it hard to understand Warhol’s works of art. In particular, I feel like I can relate to Danto’s thoughts on Warhol’s Brillo Boxes. How can exact replicas of an ordinary object be art? It seems Warhol often uses common images or objects and a simple color palette for his art, but if I did the same thing in high school, I would have failed my art class. Somehow Warhol makes a connection with people who label and admire his work as art. Indeed, Danto provides the explanation that a work becomes a piece of art when it conveys meaning to the beholders. I like Freeland’s note about how the boxes were considered art because of the time period in which they were made. She often reminds us that art is relative to the time period and cultural background in which was created. I think this is an extremely important point, because it makes it much more difficult to dismiss something as not being art. Additionally, something may not be considered art immediately, but if people in the future appreciate it, then it becomes art.

Danto makes a good point about the focus of prior philosophers on the art of their own time. Art changes with time, and it makes sense that philosophers could become occupied with the art that is most familiar to them. They would be thinking about and forming ideas about the art in their societies, similar to Danto reflecting on Warhol. However, Danto saw the broader picture of art. He describes the theory of art as being the connection between the artist and the audience based on factors such as social context. This is the best explanation I have read as to why there are so many different types of art. Further, there are so many things that may be considered art, but they can be assigned to particular categories or groups that can be described by general characteristics and often correlate to certain time periods. It is also interesting that Danto clarifies that some art is better than others. He focuses on how art conveys meaning as a judgment of its quality, which is a wise approach to observing works of art.