1.1 Reflection paper (S)

Nancun Yu

PR. Kyle Grady

PHIL 330: Aesthetics

2^nd, Sept. 2014

1.1Reflection Paper (S)

There are many dissimilar kinds of arts, such as sculpture, painting, music etc., They all express an image designed by the creative person. Identically, there is no perfect statement, because words have no flexibility. In contrast with words communications, the art form communications had been planned to give more freedom. Instead of paying out a complete statement by words, artwork allows the viewer interpret the import base on their knowledge and experiences. Hence, put across by using artworks can be closer to perfect agreement.

From my view under my knowledge, I think that the substantive purpose of artworks should be enlightening the viewer by using any art form. On the other hand, artworks should be viewed as another form of language. However, instead of normal talking based language, the language of art requires a clear idea (thesis). For instance, we can speak a random, meaningless sentence and even call those sentence languages. On the opposite, a meaningless pint should not be considered as artworks. Everything exists must have a rationality or otherwise it should not be exist. Moreover, most likely things are created in pairs. (Example: Ground and sky, light and dark) Instead of being meaningless, the form of art are supposed to be meaning more in an abstract sense. Thus, voice communication does not command a clear thesis in order to be language. But art works needs a clear point to reach in order to be called artworks.

               However, the meaning carried by an artwork cannot demonstrate that meaning by stand alone. German Philosopher Nietzsche had once made an interesting example in < THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA> “Thou great star! What would be thy happiness if thou hadst not those for whom thou shinest! (Nietzsche 1) In order to be valued, every “artworks” must go through a valuation process – to be viewed by people. In other words, without a stage to “talk”, art works cannot become artworks. The paradox about having a signification is that there is such conflict between bearing a signification in itself and convey its significance to other masses. Even know that some works might carry a substance. Without being seen and understand, that work will not be considered as artwork. It partly explains the cause why many art works can never be considerate as artworks until the artist past over. People can always easily make up/ given meaning to a work. But as long as the creative person is alive, he/she can always complain about being misinterpreted.

        In conclusion, the essential intent of the artwork is to communicate. In particular, it also required being shown to another object in order to finish the cognitive operation of communication. Therefore, an artwork should (1) carries an information/idea (2) be shown. 

Cited： http://philosophy.eserver.org/nietzsche-zarathustra.txt, THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA. Paragraph 1, philosophy.eserver.org, (Nietzsche 1)