The topic of art to many can be confusing under the idea that there are so many ways to interpret a piece of art. For example, what do you think when you read the term swastika? For most, instantly minds relate to Nazi Germany and the evil they stood for. But originally the term swastika or the symbol of a swastika is one of prosperity, health and good fortune in the Hindu faith. Not actually standing for evil and violence like the Nazi’s used it for, when they flipped the symbol. The idea that art has so many ways to interpret it is in part true and in part false, in sorts a white-lie. Art can be interpreted in whatever way an individual may choose to do so. However, in order to fully appreciate a piece of art, one must dwell upon the purpose
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In terms of this paper, first I will clarify the aesthetic attitude and then I will do such for the practical attitude. But first why are these terms important in answering the question. In his opening statements, Stolnitz notes that “an attitude organizes and directs our awareness of the world” (33). Using this understanding of an attitude then one can apply the principles used by Stolnitz to deduce that we can separate our appreciation of a work of art from our own …show more content…
If the goal of an individual is subjective then they have already been influenced by their experiences, history and personal preferences. By trying to understand art for its own purpose it allows individuals to be captured by the display for what it was meant to be, allowing an individual to truly experience a piece of art objectively for the purpose of wonder and amazement rather than fulfilling an agenda. Another difference between the two attitudes is that the attitude of practical perception is normally the default attitude unless focus is maintained to constantly keep an aesthetic attitude. Jerome Stolnitz writes, “the attitude which we customarily take can be called the attitude of ‘practical’ perception” (33). Because of such, this allows me to highlight that the aesthetic attitude begins with some type of transformation, often symbolized by some form of emotion. “To be ‘sympathetic’ in aesthetic experience means to give the object the ‘chance’ to show how it can be interesting to perception”
In terms of this paper, first I will clarify the aesthetic attitude and then I will do such for the practical attitude. But first why are these terms important in answering the question. In his opening statements, Stolnitz notes that “an attitude organizes and directs our awareness of the world” (33). Using this understanding of an attitude then one can apply the principles used by Stolnitz to deduce that we can separate our appreciation of a work of art from our own …show more content…
If the goal of an individual is subjective then they have already been influenced by their experiences, history and personal preferences. By trying to understand art for its own purpose it allows individuals to be captured by the display for what it was meant to be, allowing an individual to truly experience a piece of art objectively for the purpose of wonder and amazement rather than fulfilling an agenda. Another difference between the two attitudes is that the attitude of practical perception is normally the default attitude unless focus is maintained to constantly keep an aesthetic attitude. Jerome Stolnitz writes, “the attitude which we customarily take can be called the attitude of ‘practical’ perception” (33). Because of such, this allows me to highlight that the aesthetic attitude begins with some type of transformation, often symbolized by some form of emotion. “To be ‘sympathetic’ in aesthetic experience means to give the object the ‘chance’ to show how it can be interesting to perception”