Free essay on dewey j 1934 art as an experience new york pedigree books

Common notion has it that art exists externally and physically, in addition, work of art is recognized by books, statues, buildings, or painting. This does not include human experience aspect of art. It becomes difficult to understand art because of the long history of absolute admiration of the different works of art that creates ideals that hamper new and fresh insight in understanding the true meaning of art. Dewey (1934) argues that when works of art achieves a status of admiration and recognition, it loses the aspect of the human condition through which it was created. Furthermore, this works of art become separated from their origins and in the end, their general significance fades away slowly. The task then becomes to restore works of art to represent the human experience and everyday events.
Dewey (1934) provides a theory that can be used to bring about the human experience in art. He proposes the use of a different approach for purposes of understanding art. For example, in enjoying flowers, one can do so without having the in basic understanding of the functionality and flowering processes of the plan (Dewey, 1934). One needs to conceptualize the work of art using the five senses to understand the beauty in art. Details that the eyes capture or distinctive sound that reaches the ear help to draw out the feeling of enjoyment of the work of art.
For art to fulfill its purpose, it has to generate pleasure. Readers of poetry derive pleasure from the journey of reading the poem rather than finishing it. Being artistically engaged brings about a sense of control and care. Dewey (1934) notes that in recently people attain a lot of pleasure from things they do not consider art. These include movies, music, and comic strips among others.
The concept of fine art has emerged in modern days because of capitalism. Museums such as those found in Europe depict a picture of the rise of nationalism and imperialism. These museums portray the artistic part of these nations while at the same time illustrates the merchandise that monarchs acquired by conquering other nations. Art collectors collect art as a symbol of social standing and economic power in the society. Capitalism has resulted to the works of art losing their original status. Initially produced as a sign of natural expressions, works of art are currently being produced for sale in the different markets across the world.
Changes in the industrial conditions have resulted to artist exaggerating the artwork to separate themselves from the mainstream industry that focuses on mass production of artistic products. The artists exaggerating in their artwork tend to lose their natural aspect of art by creating an individualistic concept. This tends to create confusion in the attainment of pleasure. Consequently, pleasure is derived from mere things as collecting art or ownership of art instead of the inner aspect of pleasure of artwork.
Despite the economic influences on the appreciation of art, Dewey (1934) tries to show that theories that segregate art from its appreciation are not inherent, but rather occur because of external conditions. These conditions influence practice of living and esthetic perceptions that provide happiness by reducing or removing the levels of pleasure.
Dewey suggests the use of common things to discover the beauty of art derived from normal experiences. The theory Dewey uses begins with the acknowledgement of the esthetic value of the work of art and setting the work of art in its own niche away from potential influences. Consequently, this allows the work of art to develop and bring out valuable things for everyday enjoyment.
Many theories that exist that explore disconnection between the process of experience and art. Conception of fine art allows for the discovery of factors that favor the development of common human traits. In addition, writers of esthetic theory are trying to establish if esthetic philosophy can assist in bringing out esthetic appreciation. If the philosophy cannot show the relation between art and experiences, then it may be deemed useless. An understanding of the production of art and pleasure derived from the art can be achieved using the esthetic theory.
For purposes of understanding the nature of experience, evaluations of the existing conditions of life need to be determined. Dangers surrounding living creatures exist in the surrounding environment. Production of certain sounds such as a growl of a dog elaborate that it is a living creature. Different environments affect organisms differently. A separation of organisms from their environment may result to their death. This illustrates how the biology of different organisms affects esthetic experience in nature.
Dewey (1934) tries to show that the interaction between a living creature and its environment is because of the emphasis in esthetic and intellectual concept. The artist works as he thinks of his problem and as a result, this is produced in his work. Scientist can only enjoy the aesthetics when his ideas link up to make a significant object. This shows that direct experience can come only through interaction with nature and with each other. The esthetic experience thus depends on interactions of living creatures and nature.