Artists' intentions and artwork meanings: some complications
1Department of Philosophy, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. sj.davies@auckland.ac.nz
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 20, 2013
Summary
Artistic meaning is complex, extending beyond artist intentions. External factors and artworld roles significantly shape an artwork's interpretation, suggesting meaning is not solely derived from the creator's original goals.
Area of Science:
- Aesthetics
- Art Theory
- Philosophy of Art
Background:
- Art appreciation often prioritizes understanding artists' intentions.
- The relationship between artistic intention and artwork meaning is a central debate in art theory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the primacy of artists' intentions in art interpretation.
- To explore the multifaceted nature of artwork meaning.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of art appreciation and creation.
- Review of art historical and philosophical perspectives on artistic meaning.
Main Results:
- Artistic creation is not always fully deliberate, and artists may not achieve their intentions.
- External factors and artworld roles significantly influence artwork meaning.
- Artworks can be interpreted independently of the creator's intentions.
Conclusions:
- Artwork meaning is a dynamic construct influenced by various factors beyond the artist's original intent.
- Interpretation should embrace a broader scope, not limited to recovering intended meaning.
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