Why This Art? Aesthetics and Criticism in Contemporary Art

Why is this art? Why is it in a museum? Who says it is art? What is the reason it is qualified as good? As author Terry Barrett raises these and similar questions about contemporary art, he draws upon four important sources: a wide variety of engaging examples from different fields, the artists who created the works, art philosophers, and art critics. Why Is That Art? introduces students to established theories through contemporary art, consisting of examples of abstract and realistic paintings, monumental sculptures, performance art, video installations, films, and photography. With this book, which contains a total of 71 images, the reader will: Gain knowledge about established art theories. Apply these theories to contemporary artworks. Be able to visualize abstract ideas thanks to the provided examples. Develop their thoughts on the concepts they have learned about. Grasp terms in contemporary art with the glossary at the end of the book. Enjoy interpreting postmodern art. "A wonderful book! Terry Barrett expertly reveals complex ideas that are vital to the understanding of contemporary art and writes his book in a language that students can easily understand." Patrick Luber, University of North Dakota "A comprehensive, well-structured, and cleverly crafted introduction to theories that enlighten the reader in understanding contemporary art and its discourses. The book distinguishes itself significantly from its peers thanks to the diverse artists it covers." Derek Murray, University of California, Santa Cruz "This book is absolutely excellent. A great book for my undergraduate students." Irene Nero, Southeastern Louisiana University