Sociology of the Arts. Victoria D. Alexander

Sociology of the Arts - Victoria D. Alexander


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debate on whether or not Bob’s movements were art highlights the issue of context. If the fountain had been in a theater, his dance would probably be thought of as art (whether it was good art is another question). If he danced in a public fountain, passersby might think he was mentally ill. Since the context was an art school, the answer was not clear.

      Becker also suggests that we think of the definitional problems in relationship to art as an opportunity for research rather than as a problem: “Art worlds typically devote considerable attention to trying to decide what is and isn’t art…; by observing how an art world makes those distinctions rather than trying to make them ourselves we can understand much of what goes on in that world” (p. 36).

      Becker’s comments are quite correct and we shall examine them in greater detail later. Assuming that we cannot define art formally and abstractly, there are, nevertheless, some elements that characterize most forms of art:

       There is an artistic product. It may be tangible, visible, or audible. The product can be a physical object, like a book or record. Or it can be a performance, like a play or a concert.

       It communicates publicly. To be art, the cultural product must not only exist, it must be seen, heard, touched, or experienced by an audience, either in public or private settings. All art is communication. Of course, not all communication is art.

       It is experienced for enjoyment. “Enjoyment” can take many forms. Art might be consumed for aesthetic pleasure, for sociability and fun, for mental stimulation, or for escape. Sometimes, however, people are exposed to art because “it’s good for them,” as in a school trip to a museum.

       Art is an expressive form. When art relates to real life, it presents a fiction or an interpretation. Sometimes art claims to tell the “truth,” but if it takes this idea too literally, it moves into the area of documentary, non‐fiction, or news.

       Art is defined by its context, both physical and social. What is art in a museum or theater may be just odd objects or strange behavior in other settings. When different social groups view the same expressive product, they may disagree on whether or not it is art.

      It is as important to understand what this book will not cover, as well as what it will cover. I exclude from analysis (1) popular culture in the broad sense, for instance, youth culture or commodity culture, and (2) the media in their informational, rather than entertaining, formats, for instance news, documentaries and the like, whether online or broadcast. Griswold (2013) distinguishes between implicit culture and explicit culture. Implicit culture is an abstract feature of social life: how we live and think. Explicit culture is a tangible construction, a performance or product that is produced—it is what I am calling “art.” The book analyses culture in the explicit sense, but does not attempt to address implicit culture systematically.

Art (as defined in this book) Not Art (as defined in the book)
image Fine art Opera Symphony Painting and sculpture Experimental performance art Dance – ballet, modern, etc. Literature Etc. image Popular art Popular music (rock, pop, country, etc.) Popular fiction Movies & film (Hollywood, made‐for‐TV or Internet, and independent) Television drama (series, mini‐series) and sit‐coms (broadcast or for download) Advertising (print, television) Etc. image Folk art DIY art Amateur music Quilting Etc. image The art of subcultures (but not how people in them live) image Art products on the Internet – digital art, virtual museums, (some) music, video, and images (when presented as fine, popular or DIY art), and the like. ⊠ Popular culture (broadly stated) Fads and fashions Trends in clothing The meaning of blue jeans Attitudes towards hair coloring or body design (tattoos, piercing) Subcultures, as a way of life Youth cultures Consumerism Manufactured products that carry a cultural meaning (e.g. Levi’s, branded clothing, Coca‐Cola, mobile phones) Etc. ⊠ Sport ⊠ Media – in non‐fiction and news facets TV, print and Internet news Documentaries Current affairs True crime Science shows The Internet, in most of its aspects Etc. ⊠ Private expressive forms Personal sketches, watercolors, doodles Photos posted on Flickr/Instagram/Facebook, (most) videos on YouTube Art therapy Etc. ⊠ Lots and lots of other things
Gray Area (These fall outside the book’s definition, or at least its attention, but might have strong elements with respect to artness)
High fashionCooking, especially haute cuisineDemolition Derby, World Federation WrestlingComputer/digital games[etc.]

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