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Readings Of Zwelethu Mthethwa's South African Photographs: Postcolonialsim, Abjection, And Cultural Studies, Dusty K. Ross
Readings Of Zwelethu Mthethwa's South African Photographs: Postcolonialsim, Abjection, And Cultural Studies, Dusty K. Ross
English Theses
South African painter turned photographer, Zwelethu Mthethwa, was born in Durban during Apartheid. In 1980 Mthethwa began taking his photographs in the shanty towns on the outskirts of Cape Town and later took pictures in Mozambique and New Orleans. His work has global significance. Using art and literary theory and criticism, I expand upon the significance of his photographs in the contemporary world. I do “readings” of eight photographs from eight different series of Zwelethu Mthethwa’s work using postcolonial theory, abjection, and cultural studies as theoretical constructs to provide three different angles for interpreting his work.
The Expanded Cluster Account Of Art, Eric Murphy
The Expanded Cluster Account Of Art, Eric Murphy
Philosophy Theses
I argue for the Expanded Cluster Account of art (ECA) by first inquiring as to whether “art” is best described by a cluster account and where ECA fits into the current landscape of theories of concepts. Second, I explicate the relevant aspects of Boyd’s theory of natural kinds and argue that his concepts of “disciplinary matrices” and “homeostatic property clusters” (roughly analogous to Gaut’s criterial properties for characterizing art, particularized for each individual kind) have relevant roles in a proper cluster account of art, thus explicating and expanding Gaut’s account in the process. Third, I defend the thesis that Boyd’s …
Where Do We Go From Here?, James M. O'Donnell
Where Do We Go From Here?, James M. O'Donnell
Art and Design Theses
Where do we go from here? is a video installation by Atlanta-based artist James O’Donnell that attempts to provoke others into similar contemplation of that existential question through an immersive video and audio installation exploring the self through references to the internal and external; past and future; and connection and disconnection.
Normative Dualism And The Definition Of Art, Isabela Quevedo
Normative Dualism And The Definition Of Art, Isabela Quevedo
Philosophy Honors Theses
Defining art has been one of philosophy of art’s biggest projects. However, no definition offered has achieved to account for all objects we consider art. In this paper, I argue that normative dualism, an unjustifiable Western prejudice for the mental, plays a big part in this failure. The division between fine art and utilitarian and “low” art has been perpetuated because the former is associated with the mental processes involved in its appreciation and, thus, considered more valuable. Theories of art also tend to exclude production (a physical process), concentrating mostly on the appreciation of art (a mental process). Ridding …
Art, Gaut And Games: The Case For Why Some Video Games Are Art, Christopher J. Fidalgo
Art, Gaut And Games: The Case For Why Some Video Games Are Art, Christopher J. Fidalgo
Philosophy Honors Theses
In this paper, I argue that there are some video games which are art. I begin my paper by laying out several objections as to why video games could not be art. After laying out these objections, I present the theory of art I find most persuasive, Berys Gaut’s cluster concept of art. Because of the nature of Gaut’s cluster concept, I argue that video games, as a medium of expression, do not need to be defended as a whole. Rather, like all other media of expression, only certain works are worthy of the title art. I then introduce …
On Yonder Mountain, Christopher D. Walter
On Yonder Mountain, Christopher D. Walter
Art and Design Theses
The road to becoming an artist is paved with much confusion as we try to mold our brains into understanding abstract concepts and ideas. I became fascinated with how people perceive art, in particular, southern males that have no previous knowledge of art history or desire to learn. I contemplated long and hard about this and asked myself the question, “What if they did want to understand art?” The only difference between my brethren and I is this desire to pursue this seemingly foreign world. By creating an imaginary world and culture based on my own southern upbringing I have …