Formalism

1
Formalism

• Object-centered theory
• Focus only on the work itself
• Do not focus on the artist of the
  observer/audience

2
What is formalism?

• Formal properties are the only things that matter
  about art
• Essence of art
• Definition of art
• Evaluation of art
• What are formal properties?
• Shape, color, harmony, rhythm, angles, rhyme
• NOT representation, expression, symbolism
• NOT moral, religious, or political value

3
Arguments supporting formalism
Does it explain what we want to understand about
art?

• What is distinctive about art objects as opposed
  to ordinary objects?
• What makes art special or distinctive as a
  cultural phenomenon?
• Are there examples that can be understood best in
  formalist terms?

4
Arguments against formalism
Does it explain what we want to understand about
art?

• Does it account for the things about art that
  make it distinctive or special?
• Are there examples that cannot be understood best
  in formalist terms, viz., counter-examples?

5
Testing Formalism Do we see the same object?

• Do we describe the same properties in the object?
  Is there one correct description?
• Does our age or veterans status or education
  lead us to see something different?
• Does our race or gender lead us to see something
  different?

6
Testing formalism Can we appreciate the object
fully by focusing only on formal properties?

• Is information about the artist significant in
  understanding and appreciating the work?
• Is information about the moral, religious,
  political value significant in understanding and
  appreciating the work?
• Is the expression, symbolism, or representation
  significant?