Making Theory/Constructing Art: On the Authority of the Avant-Garde

by Daniel Herwitz

Artists and critics regularly enlist theory in the creation and assessment of artworks, but few have scrutinized the art theories themselves. Here, Daniel examines and critiques the norms, assumptions, historical conditions, and institutions that have framed the development and uses of art theory.

Spurred by the theoretical claims of Arthur Danto, a leader in the philosophy of the avant-garde, Herwitz reexamines the art and theory of major figures in the avant-garde movement including John Cage, Jean-François Lyotard, Jean Baudrillard, and Andy Warhol.

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Joan Berthiaume]

« Art is not expression , it is knowledge / art should be positivist , it should contribute to the education of society on a very professional level; since as artists we have been formed by western culture , our art should evolve with the same seriousness as philosophy » (p.78)