How can the art of one historic period still function as art (i.e. "unconceal truth") in the historic periods that follow?
In "Origin of the Work of Art", Heidegger discussed how the ancient temple served as a home for the ancient Greek gods -- but how can that temple still function as a Work of Art once those gods have left? How can it be anything more than "an antique painting valued for period style or subject matter" (as Saul just put it). This question was beyond the scope of Heidegger's essay, and Saul has proposed that historical art can still "function within the cultural sphere" as it comes "to reflect the economic, social, and cultural circumstances of its (current) audience" But, as I then asked, how can that incredible diversity of stuff (Indian totem poles, dancing Shivas, portraits of Caesar, Tibetan mandalas etc) reflect anything specific about our economic, social, and cultural world, other than our capacity and taste for "an essential kind of cultural pluralism" (to quote James Cuno from the article that Joseph just shared with us) Or, as another museum director, Philippe de Montebello, put it :"Few, I expect who have marveled at the scale and majesty of the Euphronios krater and the precision and elegance of line and its poignant depiction of a Homeric epic of the death of Sarpedon would concede that it is a cosa morta" In other words "All great works of art have, in addition to their historical and other learned contexts, an aesthetic context as well." Though, make no mistake about it, for Martin Heidegger,"Truth is the unconcealedness of that which is as something that is. Truth is the truth of Being. Beauty does not occur alongside and apart from this truth. When truth sets itself into the work, it appears." Got it ? No Truth unconcealed -- no Beauty appears--- which might make sense regarding the ancient Greek and his temple, but what about us, with our collection of artifacts taken from thousands of different cultures from around the world -- for many of which, those artifacts are all that's left of them. Heidegger's metaphysical concept of Art is a cornerstone for our contemporary artworld (why else would anyone pay attention to a pile of rocks thrown on the floor) But outside the contemporary artworld, it's irrelevant. ____________________________________________________________ Click here for free information on how to reduce your debt by filing for bankruptcy. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2231/fc/BLSrjnxXKIrBVTTcYSqCfBXMN7D4uI DW6sYz0QqOtOC17jYoIzbA3usb1yo/
