Theories about the relationship between Art & Society(Socio-historic dimensions)Theories about the relationship between Art & Society(Socio-historic dimensions)

References to Readings Today:

Becker, Howard. “Art Worlds", and

Bourdieu, Pierre. "Who Creates the 'Creator'?” & "The Circle of Belief”

Inglis, David. “Thinking ‘Art’ Sociologically”

Mitchell, W.J.T. “Offending Images..”

Recommended:

Becker “The power of inertia”

Bill Viola “Crossings” (detail)

Street Art Documentary : Exit through the gift shop Street Art Documentary : Exit through the gift shop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW-rt3jyZU8rt3jyZU8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZK7D6WqzR0v=fZK7D6WqzR0

Course OrganizationCourse Organization

Handout 1: Syllabus and Preliminary Reading ListHandout 1: Syllabus and Preliminary Reading List Resources (on web)Resources (on web)

http://webdav.sfu.ca/web/cmns/courses/marontate/2010/858

note note Importance of attendance & participation for gradesImportance of attendance & participation for grades Proper use of citations to acknowledge sourcesProper use of citations to acknowledge sources

Finding out about artistic events & issuesFinding out about artistic events & issues

Library Resources:Library Resources: Music : Music :

http://www.lib.sfu.ca/researchhelp/subjectguides/fpa/music.htmhttp://www.lib.sfu.ca/researchhelp/subjectguides/fpa/music.htm Dance Dance

http://www.lib.sfu.ca/researchhelp/subjectguides/fpa/dance.htmhttp://www.lib.sfu.ca/researchhelp/subjectguides/fpa/dance.htm Visual Arts Visual Arts

http://www.lib.sfu.ca/researchhelp/subjectguides/fpa/visarts.htmhttp://www.lib.sfu.ca/researchhelp/subjectguides/fpa/visarts.htm

Other SourcesOther SourcesOther SourcesOther Sources

Cultural Sections of papers likeCultural Sections of papers like The Georgia The Georgia StraightStraight

broader: broader: Sunday New York Times -- Arts and Sunday New York Times -- Arts and Leisure Section Leisure Section (in library)(in library)

Other magazines and journals devoted to the artsOther magazines and journals devoted to the arts Web sites showcasing other art forms, Web sites showcasing other art forms,

ex. http://www.agitart.org/ex. http://www.agitart.org/ Web sites that present art, ex. Virtual museum Web sites that present art, ex. Virtual museum

exhibitions, blogs, and other electronic resourcesexhibitions, blogs, and other electronic resources

Theories of Art and Society (Different Intellectual Traditions & Roots)Theories of Art and Society (Different Intellectual Traditions & Roots)

Humanistic disciplines (history, literary studies)Humanistic disciplines (history, literary studies) Formerly centered on great events, individuals, canonsFormerly centered on great events, individuals, canons Some interdisciplinary (ex. Cultural studies) Some interdisciplinary (ex. Cultural studies) Iconographic & formalist frameworksIconographic & formalist frameworks

Visual and Performing Arts Visual and Performing Arts perspective of art-makers & criticsperspective of art-makers & critics

AnthropologyAnthropology functions of the arts & symbolic representations, “others”functions of the arts & symbolic representations, “others” ex. Religious, ritualex. Religious, ritual

PsychologyPsychology cognition & perceptioncognition & perception

PhilosophyPhilosophy AAesthetics, knowledge etc.esthetics, knowledge etc.

Sociology & Communications –many approaches (focus of Sociology & Communications –many approaches (focus of the course)the course)

Some “Common-sense” approaches to Art (Artist)/Society RelationsSome “Common-sense” approaches to Art (Artist)/Society Relations

Art as historical record (events, practices, values)-- Art as historical record (events, practices, values)-- notion of notion of Zeitgeist Zeitgeist (spirit of the time) or mentalities (spirit of the time) or mentalities

Measure of civilization (with predictable stages of Measure of civilization (with predictable stages of “development”) “development”)

Predictor or instigator of change (theories of the avant-Predictor or instigator of change (theories of the avant-garde)garde)

Some “Common-sense” approaches to Art/Society RelationsSome “Common-sense” approaches to Art/Society Relations

Art as Art as historical record (events, practices, values)-- historical record (events, practices, values)-- notion of notion of Zeitgeist Zeitgeist (spirit of the time) or mentalities (spirit of the time) or mentalities

Measure of civilization (with predictable stages of “development”)Measure of civilization (with predictable stages of “development”)Measure of civilization (with predictable stages of “development”)Measure of civilization (with predictable stages of “development”)

Ex. representation of perspective in neo-classical painting. Jacques Louis Ex. representation of perspective in neo-classical painting. Jacques Louis David c. 1889. David c. 1889. The lictors bringing to Brutus the bodies of his sonsThe lictors bringing to Brutus the bodies of his sons

Predictor or instigator of change Predictor or instigator of change (theories of the avant-garde)(theories of the avant-garde)Predictor or instigator of change Predictor or instigator of change (theories of the avant-garde)(theories of the avant-garde)

Pink Bloque (2001-2005) Dancing in Dissent protesting racism & sexism at street dances http://www.pinkbloque.org/

Disciplinary Differences: Internal vs. External ApproachesDisciplinary Differences: Internal vs. External Approaches

““internal”internal” (humanities) -- arts outside social (humanities) -- arts outside social processesprocesses Artist=solitary creator, exceptional genius (humanistic Artist=solitary creator, exceptional genius (humanistic

approach)approach) Arts, aesthetics as “universal”Arts, aesthetics as “universal”

““external”external” (social sciences & interdisciplinary (social sciences & interdisciplinary approaches) --art world(s) socially constructedapproaches) --art world(s) socially constructed importance of social context, processes & structures for importance of social context, processes & structures for

understanding the production/creation, mediation & understanding the production/creation, mediation & reception/consumption of the arts, recognition processes, reception/consumption of the arts, recognition processes, their uses, functions, meaningstheir uses, functions, meanings

Some Internal Debates: “What is Art? Who Are Artists?”

Some Internal Debates: “What is Art? Who Are Artists?”

emphasis onemphasis on Gifts, talent, innate Gifts, talent, innate

characteristics (for Artists)characteristics (for Artists) expression of eternal “truths” expression of eternal “truths”

(for artists & possibly (for artists & possibly connoisseurs)connoisseurs)

Ex. Notion that Greek Aesthetic Ex. Notion that Greek Aesthetic Values (like Ideals of BeautyValues (like Ideals of Beauty& Bodily Proportions) express & Bodily Proportions) express universalsuniversals

Relations to natural world, Relations to natural world, material or embodied practices, material or embodied practices, or ‘reality’ (or ‘reality’ (mimesis, imitatio)mimesis, imitatio)

Internal Approaches --Internal Approaches --

Styles, tastes and systems of ranking art formsStyles, tastes and systems of ranking art forms

– avant-garde vs. traditionalists etc.avant-garde vs. traditionalists etc.

– Genres, art formsGenres, art forms

– Types of art Types of art CanonsCanons –essential components of dominant art system, –essential components of dominant art system,

influential artworks that participants must know & understand influential artworks that participants must know & understand More recently: place of social & historical processes in defining More recently: place of social & historical processes in defining

art & what/who gets included in art & what/who gets included in canonscanons

What is art? Who decides who is an artist?Ex. Marcel Duchamp--Readymade Sculptures vs. conventional techniques (challenging definitions of what is art and who decides)

What is art? Who decides who is an artist?Ex. Marcel Duchamp--Readymade Sculptures vs. conventional techniques (challenging definitions of what is art and who decides)

Fountain, original (left) and recreations of lost 1917 “Original”

Who decides what is art?– the artist, experts, publics??

Other Types of Challenges to “the Canon”: Mona LisaOther Types of Challenges to “the Canon”: Mona Lisa

(l.)Leonardo DaVinci’s so-called Mona Lisa c. 1503; (r.) Marcel Duchamp’s L.H.O.O.Q, 1920 for a Paris Dada show.

Non-western cultural traditionsNon-western cultural traditions

(l.)Leonardo DaVinci’s so-called Mona Lisa c. 1503; (r.)Book cover from Cultural Studies for Beginners by Sardar & Van Loon.

Rethinking institutionalized exclusionary practices: “Differencing the Canon”Rethinking institutionalized exclusionary practices: “Differencing the Canon”

Guerilla Girls posterGuerilla Girls poster

References to Artistic Canons as way of establishing credibility & authority within art worldsReferences to Artistic Canons as way of establishing credibility & authority within art worlds

Jean August Dominique Ingres, Grande Odalisque (1814), oil on canvas.

Another ExampleAnother Example Manet Olympia 1863.

Yasumasa Morimura Twins Yasumasa Morimura Twins

“External” Views “External” Views art should be art should be contextualizedcontextualized (situated in social, political & historic (situated in social, political & historic

contexts)contexts) search for patterns (regularity) rather than exceptionssearch for patterns (regularity) rather than exceptions

What do successful artists have in common?What do successful artists have in common? What do fans share?What do fans share? How do institutions function?How do institutions function?

wider range of art forms studied (high culture, pop culture etc..)wider range of art forms studied (high culture, pop culture etc..) Stronger focus on institutions & processes ofStronger focus on institutions & processes of

Production-creationProduction-creation • (training, collaboration networks etc.)(training, collaboration networks etc.)

MediationMediation • (gatekeepers, facilitators etc.) (gatekeepers, facilitators etc.)

Reception,Reception, consumption consumption • (tastes, audiences, publics, markets)(tastes, audiences, publics, markets)

Importance of social processes for recognition of the arts & artists: Visitors to the Louvre Museum in front of Mona Lisa (old

hanging)

Importance of social processes for recognition of the arts & artists: Visitors to the Louvre Museum in front of Mona Lisa (old

hanging)

Early Social Scientific Approaches to the study of Art/Society (Communication) RelationsEarly Social Scientific Approaches to the study of Art/Society (Communication) Relations

Art Art andand Society/Communication Society/Communication Art History & Criticism (Interpretation of artworks as symbolic forms with cultural Art History & Criticism (Interpretation of artworks as symbolic forms with cultural

meanings) : Erwin Panofsky, Arnold Hauser, Pierre Francastel, John Berger, etc..meanings) : Erwin Panofsky, Arnold Hauser, Pierre Francastel, John Berger, etc.. Marxist Traditions : T. Adorno, W. Benjamin, Heidigger (Francfort School), H. J. Marxist Traditions : T. Adorno, W. Benjamin, Heidigger (Francfort School), H. J.

Jauss (School of Constance), Janet Wolff, Lucien Goldmann, Jauss (School of Constance), Janet Wolff, Lucien Goldmann,

Art Art inin Society/Communiccation Society/Communiccation practices & institutions such as patronage, connoisseurship, publics, fans practices & institutions such as patronage, connoisseurship, publics, fans

(M. Baxandahle, T.J. Clark etc.); styles as social networks (M. Schapiro, (M. Baxandahle, T.J. Clark etc.); styles as social networks (M. Schapiro, C. Ginzburg)C. Ginzburg)

Art Art asas Society/Communication Society/Communication

Inspired by Nathalie Heinich Inspired by Nathalie Heinich La sociologie de l’art.La sociologie de l’art.2001 Paris: 2001 Paris: La Découverte.La Découverte.

Variety of “external” approachesVariety of “external” approaches

Different degrees of importance of Different degrees of importance of “social “social construction of reality”construction of reality”

Debates about symbolic vs. material Debates about symbolic vs. material dimensionsdimensions

Varied assumptions about society & how to Varied assumptions about society & how to study itstudy it

Examples: two different approaches Becker Examples: two different approaches Becker & Bourdieu& Bourdieu

Pierre Bourdieu—Pierre Bourdieu—

Marxist, critical theoristMarxist, critical theorist Emphasis onEmphasis on

Social and political structures & material conditions as limits to Social and political structures & material conditions as limits to freedom of freedom of agencyagency

Power relations within the Power relations within the field of artistic productionfield of artistic production Creation of beliefCreation of belief in the power of in the power of symbolic goodssymbolic goods (art, artistic (art, artistic

reputations etc.) and their conversion into reputations etc.) and their conversion into economiceconomic and and socialsocial capitalcapital

Core notions: Core notions: Habitus, field of cultural productionHabitus, field of cultural production (history & (history & position in it), domination, distinction (taste & class), position in it), domination, distinction (taste & class), praxis, doxa praxis, doxa

hierarchical modelhierarchical model Relationships marked by class Relationships marked by class conflict and power strugglesconflict and power struggles

1930-2002

Howard BeckerHoward Becker

Symbolic interactionistSymbolic interactionist http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/hbecker/http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/hbecker/

Early work on labeling theory and social Early work on labeling theory and social actorsactors (a (a different way of thinking of different way of thinking of agency)agency)

Emphasis on Emphasis on Sense-making (interpretive) Sense-making (interpretive) Human interaction & identity-formationHuman interaction & identity-formation ConsensusConsensus & conventions & conventions Art-making as a Collective ActivityArt-making as a Collective Activity Notion of different types of “art worlds”Notion of different types of “art worlds”

Strong sociological background but also a performing Strong sociological background but also a performing artist (jazz musician)artist (jazz musician)

“Many people know that I used to play the piano for a living, in taverns, for dances, weddings, bar mitzvas, Safeway employees Christmas parties, and so on. Here is a picture of the Bobby Laine Trio, circa 1950 (Bobby Laine, tenor; Dominic Jaconetti, drums; Howie Becker, piano), performing at the 504 Club, which was located at 504

W. 63rd St. in Chicago” from Howie Becker’s homepage

“Many people know that I used to play the piano for a living, in taverns, for dances, weddings, bar mitzvas, Safeway employees Christmas parties, and so on. Here is a picture of the Bobby Laine Trio, circa 1950 (Bobby Laine, tenor; Dominic Jaconetti, drums; Howie Becker, piano), performing at the 504 Club, which was located at 504

W. 63rd St. in Chicago” from Howie Becker’s homepage

Art & Political RepresentationsArt & Political Representations

Debates regarding what art is considered to “represent”Debates regarding what art is considered to “represent” Example related to History of Visual ArtsExample related to History of Visual Arts

rendering of “reality” (nature), rendering of “reality” (nature), mimesismimesis as world view in a specific place & timeas world view in a specific place & time as product of solitary genius (Renaissance)as product of solitary genius (Renaissance) made by “system” of production & receptionmade by “system” of production & reception as social process (symbolic & material)as social process (symbolic & material)

Critiques of Externalist/Internalist StancesCritiques of Externalist/Internalist Stances

extreme extreme reductionismreductionism vs extreme vs extreme formalismformalism (Scylla & Charybdis metaphor)(Scylla & Charybdis metaphor)

reductionismreductionism art reduced to social process (ignores specific art reduced to social process (ignores specific

characteristics of aesthetic forces)characteristics of aesthetic forces)

formalismformalism focus on limited range of aesthetic qualities --ignores focus on limited range of aesthetic qualities --ignores

importance of social processes & contextimportance of social processes & context

Recent Controversy over what art represents (EU public art project--Brussels)Recent Controversy over what art represents (EU public art project--Brussels)

L-“The sculpture resembles a giant model kit with snap-out pieces.” (CBC)

R-“Romania is depicted as a vampire theme park.” (CBC)

See also CBC coverage (link) Jan 14 2009British (Telegraph) coverage and video

Bulgaria as a toilet link

Theories about changes in ideas about what art represents over time (Jurt)Theories about changes in ideas about what art represents over time (Jurt)

rendering of “reality” (nature), rendering of “reality” (nature), mimesis, imitatiomimesis, imitatio as world view in a specific place & timeas world view in a specific place & time as product of solitary genius (Renaissance)as product of solitary genius (Renaissance) Artists’ vision (19th romanticism)Artists’ vision (19th romanticism) made by “system” of production & receptionmade by “system” of production & reception Socio-political processes (symbolic & material)Socio-political processes (symbolic & material)

“Externalist” Views “Externalist” Views art should be art should be contextualizedcontextualized (situate in social & historic contexts) (situate in social & historic contexts) search for patterns (regularity) rather than exceptionssearch for patterns (regularity) rather than exceptions

What do successful artists have in common?What do successful artists have in common? What do fans share?What do fans share? How do institutions function?How do institutions function?

wider range of art forms studied (high culture, pop culture etc..)wider range of art forms studied (high culture, pop culture etc..) Stronger focus on institutions & processes ofStronger focus on institutions & processes of

Production-creationProduction-creation • (training, collaboration networks etc.)(training, collaboration networks etc.)

MediationMediation • (gatekeepers, facilitators etc.) (gatekeepers, facilitators etc.)

Reception,Reception, consumption consumption • (tastes, audiences, publics, markets)(tastes, audiences, publics, markets)

Second Part of Class : Visit of the Vancouver Art Gallery: 750 Hornby Street – Meet in the lobby at 3:55 (for admission at 4)

Second Part of Class : Visit of the Vancouver Art Gallery: 750 Hornby Street – Meet in the lobby at 3:55 (for admission at 4)

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

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

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

If time….If time….

Art & Society exampleArt & Society example

Videoclip: Excerpt from Cai Guo-Qiang interview: Videoclip: Excerpt from Cai Guo-Qiang interview: Art:21(Art in the 21st Art:21(Art in the 21st Century) Century) PBSPBS

Olympic Ceremony Controversy (enhancement of Guo-Qiangs’s Olympic Ceremony Controversy (enhancement of Guo-Qiangs’s Footprints of Footprints of History” History” firework performance firework performance

http://blog.art21.org/2008/08/22/cai-guo-qiang-responds-to-olympics-fireworks-controversy/http://blog.art21.org/2008/08/22/cai-guo-qiang-responds-to-olympics-fireworks-controversy/