Who Belongs to Art Worlds?Who Belongs to Art Worlds?

Life Drawing Class, Bocour Paintmaking Studio NYC, c. 1942

c.

Plan for Class TodayPlan for Class Today

Lecture : Lecture : Conclude General Introduction of Theories Conclude General Introduction of Theories

about Art & Society about Art & Society Artists as a Social “Category”Artists as a Social “Category”

Discussion of Short AssignmentDiscussion of Short Assignment Workshop with Sylvia Roberts Workshop with Sylvia Roberts

(Communications Reference Librarian)(Communications Reference Librarian)

Required Readings (Weeks 3-4)Required Readings (Weeks 3-4) Zolberg, Vera. “The Art Object as Social Process”. Zolberg, Vera. “The Art Object as Social Process”.

Constructing a Sociology of the Arts. Cambridge University Constructing a Sociology of the Arts. Cambridge University Press, 1990, pp. 79-102.Press, 1990, pp. 79-102.

Becker, H. "Integrated Professionals, Mavericks, Folk Becker, H. "Integrated Professionals, Mavericks, Folk Artists and Naive Artists" Art Worlds. Berkley: U. Calif. Artists and Naive Artists" Art Worlds. Berkley: U. Calif. Press. 1992, pp. 226-272.Press. 1992, pp. 226-272.

Peterson, R. and A. Anand. “The Production of Culture Peterson, R. and A. Anand. “The Production of Culture Perspective” Annual Review of Sociology 2004. 30:311–34 Perspective” Annual Review of Sociology 2004. 30:311–34 (especially pp. 311-318).(especially pp. 311-318).

RecommendedRecommended Van Laar, T. and L. Diepeveen, "The Function of Artists in Society: Van Laar, T. and L. Diepeveen, "The Function of Artists in Society:

Starving Celebrities and Other Myths", Active Sights. Art as social Starving Celebrities and Other Myths", Active Sights. Art as social interaction., London, Mayfield, 1997, pp.51-69.interaction., London, Mayfield, 1997, pp.51-69.

Menger, Pierre-Michel, “Artists as Workers: Theoretical and Menger, Pierre-Michel, “Artists as Workers: Theoretical and Methodological Challenges” Poetics, Vol. 28 (4) pp. 241-254.Methodological Challenges” Poetics, Vol. 28 (4) pp. 241-254.

Kasfir, Sidney. “African Art and Authenticity”, in Oguibe, Olu and Kasfir, Sidney. “African Art and Authenticity”, in Oguibe, Olu and Okwui Enwezor (editors), Reading the Contemporary. African Art from Okwui Enwezor (editors), Reading the Contemporary. African Art from Theory to the Marketplace. Cambridge: M.I.T. Press, 1999, pp. 88-113Theory to the Marketplace. Cambridge: M.I.T. Press, 1999, pp. 88-113

Levine, Judith. "Art as social service: Theatre for the Forgotten", in Levine, Judith. "Art as social service: Theatre for the Forgotten", in Zolberg and Cherbo, Outsider Art, Cambridge U. Press 1997, pp.131-Zolberg and Cherbo, Outsider Art, Cambridge U. Press 1997, pp.131-145. 145.

Last Day: Internal vs. External ApproachesLast Day: Internal vs. External Approaches

Internal (Humanist--Internal (Humanist--aesthetics, history of the aesthetics, history of the arts, critics, etc.)arts, critics, etc.)

art=mystery, spontaneous art=mystery, spontaneous creation of isolated geniuscreation of isolated genius

importance of “aura” of importance of “aura” of individual artist for value of art individual artist for value of art workwork

timeless, enduring quality of timeless, enduring quality of beauty, perfectionbeauty, perfection

External (Social Sciences & External (Social Sciences & cultural studiescultural studies))

social production of artsocial production of art

importance of social processes importance of social processes and networks for creation of and networks for creation of belief in the artsbelief in the arts

values change in different values change in different social & historic contexts social & historic contexts

Debates regarding what art “represents” & position of artist in societyDebates regarding what art “represents” & position of artist in society

““reality” (nature), reality” (nature), mimesismimesis world view in a specific place & world view in a specific place &

timetime product of solitary genius product of solitary genius

(Renaissance)(Renaissance) ““system” of production & receptionsystem” of production & reception social process (symbolic & material)social process (symbolic & material) expression of the artist’s expression of the artist’s

identity/visionidentity/vision measure of differences in societymeasure of differences in society

Magritte, R. The Human Condition, 1935

Theories of Evolution of SocietiesEx.: Archaic & Classical Greek Sculpture, Naturalism in TheatreTheories of Evolution of SocietiesEx.: Archaic & Classical Greek Sculpture, Naturalism in Theatre

Kouros, 6 c. BC Laocoon, 3rd c. BC

The Arts as a “Tracer” of Technological & Social ChangeThe Arts as a “Tracer” of Technological & Social Change

EXAMPLES: rediscovery of Bronze sculpture, EXAMPLES: rediscovery of Bronze sculpture, Gutenburg press, audio recording, digital imagingGutenburg press, audio recording, digital imaging

http://www.youtube.com/

Political Dimensions of the ArtsPolitical Dimensions of the Arts ex. artistic movements and propaganda (ex. ex. artistic movements and propaganda (ex.

Stalinist Soviet Art)Stalinist Soviet Art)

Another example: Abstract Expressionism as symbol of democratic freedom

Another example: Abstract Expressionism as symbol of democratic freedom

Example: Chris Ofili’s dung-covered Madonna & the Sensations show at the Brooklyn museum in fall 1999

Example: Chris Ofili’s dung-covered Madonna & the Sensations show at the Brooklyn museum in fall 1999

Catholic Mayor of New York offended, Catholic Mayor of New York offended, tried to shut it down & withdraw funding to tried to shut it down & withdraw funding to museummuseum

intentions? title of show (Sensations)intentions? title of show (Sensations) owned by patron Saatchiowned by patron Saatchi rise in value of work, etc.rise in value of work, etc. Culture Wars: Culture Wars: notion of competing values notion of competing values

(moral, aesthetic etc…)(moral, aesthetic etc…)

Ofili’s Holy Mary

Ofili’s Holy Mary

Offending Images-- and assumptions about what art communicates (Mitchell)Offending Images-- and assumptions about what art communicates (Mitchell) Two assumptionsTwo assumptions

Image linked transparently to what it represents (what is done to image is Image linked transparently to what it represents (what is done to image is what it represents)what it represents)

Image possesses capacity for feeling what is done to it (pseudopersons)Image possesses capacity for feeling what is done to it (pseudopersons)

Less obvious factors in controversiesLess obvious factors in controversies Offending images unstable and depends on complex social contexts & Offending images unstable and depends on complex social contexts &

interactions that changeinteractions that change Images do not all offend in the same wayImages do not all offend in the same way Images that offend many people inspire laws, policiesImages that offend many people inspire laws, policies Offenses to images take different forms (iconoclasm, vandalism etc.)Offenses to images take different forms (iconoclasm, vandalism etc.)

More on this topic laterMore on this topic later

Zolberg-- “art object as social process” Zolberg-- “art object as social process”

Unique artists, unique art works (individual creation)Unique artists, unique art works (individual creation) Problem of Multiples (negotiating artistic value)– Walter Problem of Multiples (negotiating artistic value)– Walter

BenjaminBenjamin Changing views Changing views

Akrich—Beaune Akrich—Beaune AltarpieceAltarpiece Controversy over PBS jazz seriesControversy over PBS jazz series

Different views (controversies)Different views (controversies) Ex. Schwartz & Wagner-Pacifici on Maya Lin’s Ex. Schwartz & Wagner-Pacifici on Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veteran’s Vietnam Veteran’s

Memorial Memorial in Washington D.C.in Washington D.C.

Participants in art worlds --Participants in art worlds --

Art Audiences/PublicsArt Audiences/Publics

mediators

Creators

Audiences/publics/consumers

art

Different views of role of artist in Western art traditionsDifferent views of role of artist in Western art traditions

skilled worker, craftsperson (astrological sign, skilled worker, craftsperson (astrological sign, Mercury)Mercury)

tormented genius (sign of Saturn)tormented genius (sign of Saturn) Intellectual (French Academy of Painters and Intellectual (French Academy of Painters and

Sculptors)Sculptors) entrepreneur entrepreneur social critic/social healersocial critic/social healer

Andy WarholAndy Warhol

Campbell’s SoupCampbell’s Soup

MarilynMarilyn

Electric chairElectric chair

Artists’ Roles & status: Status of the artistArtists’ Roles & status: Status of the artist

inadequacy of economic measuresinadequacy of economic measures Not just who makes a living from the artsNot just who makes a living from the arts

issue of “professionalization”issue of “professionalization” training, training, laws, laws, self-regulating professional body for practitioners,self-regulating professional body for practitioners, standards (practices, fees, income) etc.standards (practices, fees, income) etc. model of professions in the liberal artsmodel of professions in the liberal arts

Self identificationSelf identification

Howard Becker’s Art WorldsHoward Becker’s Art Worlds

Arts worlds Arts worlds include all the people involved include all the people involved in art-makingin art-making

Cooperative links through shared Cooperative links through shared conventionsconventions

Study how participants “draw lines” and Study how participants “draw lines” and what art worlds dowhat art worlds do

What do art worlds do together?What do art worlds do together? Develop conventions & Develop conventions &

shared practices related to shared practices related to creation (ex. musical creation (ex. musical notation systems) notation systems)

Mobilize resources Mobilize resources (material resources, (material resources, training personnel, training personnel, networks, organizations)networks, organizations)

Develop Distribution Develop Distribution SystemsSystems

Different types of artists (Becker)Different types of artists (Becker)

TypesTypes Integrated professionalsIntegrated professionals MavericksMavericks Folk artistsFolk artists Naïve artistsNaïve artists

Classification according to how they fit in art Classification according to how they fit in art worlds (degree of integration)worlds (degree of integration)

Ranking Artists (Becker’s 4 types)Ranking Artists (Becker’s 4 types) according to different ways of working & according to different ways of working &

career patternscareer patterns 1. integrated professionals1. integrated professionals

fit with accepted conventions & canons held by fit with accepted conventions & canons held by organizationsorganizations

well-trained --technical skills, shared traditionswell-trained --technical skills, shared traditions

2.Mavericks2.Mavericks

innovative rebels against “system”innovative rebels against “system” begin as conventional “novices” but begin as conventional “novices” but

deliberatelydeliberately violate norms of art world violate norms of art world techniques for success-- develop alternate techniques for success-- develop alternate

systems for distributionsystems for distribution do not totally lose touch with world of their do not totally lose touch with world of their

mediummedium

example:KLFexample:KLF

Bill Drummond at Bill Drummond at the “Brit Awards”, the “Brit Awards”, 19931993

3. Folk Art3. Folk Art

link with community practiceslink with community practices ex. Duck decoys, ex. Duck decoys, quiltsquilts, chain-gang songs, Christmas , chain-gang songs, Christmas

pagentspagents

art serves needs, part of daily activitiesart serves needs, part of daily activities follows aesthetic conventions, using established follows aesthetic conventions, using established

procedures (ex. Sorting scraps by colour)procedures (ex. Sorting scraps by colour) often part of well-organized community, with often part of well-organized community, with

informal traininginformal training

4. Naïve Art4. Naïve Art

aka. “primitive” naïve, grassrootsaka. “primitive” naïve, grassroots indiosynmcratic indiosynmcratic

ex. James Hampton, Throne of the Third Heaven of the ex. James Hampton, Throne of the Third Heaven of the national Millenium General Assemblynational Millenium General Assembly

ex. Art of children and the insaneex. Art of children and the insane

outsidersoutsiders N.S. artist Maud Lewis, Henri Rousseau, Grandma N.S. artist Maud Lewis, Henri Rousseau, Grandma

MosesMoses

Van Laar and Diepeveen on “The function of Artists in Society”Van Laar and Diepeveen on “The function of Artists in Society”

Another typologyAnother typology Five roles:Five roles:

Skilled workerSkilled worker IntellectualIntellectual EntrepreneurEntrepreneur Social criticSocial critic Social healerSocial healer

Other dimensionsOther dimensions Ex. Wittkower “Under the Sign of Saturn”Ex. Wittkower “Under the Sign of Saturn”

• Transformation from craftsperson to status of intellectual in Transformation from craftsperson to status of intellectual in humanistic professionhumanistic profession

Concluding Remarks on the Definition of the ArtistConcluding Remarks on the Definition of the Artist Different criteria used in different contextsDifferent criteria used in different contexts Fundamental conceptual problemsFundamental conceptual problems

Criteria used in classifying art & artistsCriteria used in classifying art & artists

““aura” of the artist (aura” of the artist (authenticityauthenticity -- School of Frankfort, -- School of Frankfort, Walter Benjamin-- “Work of Art in the Age of Walter Benjamin-- “Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”)Mechanical Reproduction”)

qualities of the artqualities of the art artistic category artistic category particular workparticular work

characteristics of the audience/public (notion of characteristics of the audience/public (notion of consecrationconsecration)) ““highbrow/lowbrow” tastes (Levine--The emergence of a highbrow/lowbrow” tastes (Levine--The emergence of a

cultural hierarchy in America)cultural hierarchy in America) SESSES sizesize

Conceptual & practical problems in studying artists & artistic careersConceptual & practical problems in studying artists & artistic careers

Establishing criteria for locating, identifiying Establishing criteria for locating, identifiying artistsartists

““Irrationality” of choices (P-M. Menger)Irrationality” of choices (P-M. Menger) Ex. Choosing poorer pay for more prestigious roles as Ex. Choosing poorer pay for more prestigious roles as

an actoran actor In modern times -- Clash between notions ofIn modern times -- Clash between notions of

career (regularities, patterns ) career (regularities, patterns ) Artistic recognition (singularities, unique, break past)Artistic recognition (singularities, unique, break past)

Planning Short Assignments and Class PresentationsPlanning Short Assignments and Class Presentations Handout 2 Handout 2 (tentative proposed dates)(tentative proposed dates) Discussion of ideas for topicsDiscussion of ideas for topics

Guest SpeakerGuest Speaker

Sylvia Roberts on research strategies for Sylvia Roberts on research strategies for assignments and term papersassignments and term papers

Note to Users of these Outlines--Note to Users of these Outlines--

not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- not all material covered in class appears on these outlines-- important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t important examples, demonstrations and discussions aren’t written down here.written down here.

Classes are efficient ways communicating information and Classes are efficient ways communicating information and provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. provide you will an opportunity for regular learning. These outlines are provided as a study aid not a These outlines are provided as a study aid not a replacement for classes.replacement for classes.