AestheticsPart 2

Th e A n dy Wa rh o l M u s e u m C a rn e g ie M u s e u m o f A rt

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Definition Two: Aesthetics

Function: noun

2. A branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of art and beauty.

The philosophy of aesthetics asks and tries to answer the

“Big” Questions: • What is art?• What makes a piece of art beautiful?• How important are personal tastes when judging

the quality of art?• What are the standards for judging art? • Why is originality so important in art? How do we

define what is original or what is creative?

Do artworks have to be beautiful or pretty?

The Nature of Beauty

Andy Warhol, Electric Chair, 1971, Published Edition, 137/250 screen print on paper, 35 1/2 x 48 in. ©AWF

What makes a work of art original or creative?

If Warhol worked from other people’s photographs,

is his work really original? … Why does he get to copy, but I can’t?

Original source material, Flowers series by Andy Warhol, 1964, Two-sided collage; adapted from Modern Photography magazine, June 1964, photographic spread of color transparencies by Patricia Caulfield. ©AWF

Andy Warhol, Flowers, 1970, Published Edition, screen print on paper, 36 x 36 in. ©AWF

How does an artist’s choice of materials and techniques effect the aesthetic quality of an artwork?

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn Self-Portrait with Raised Sabre, 1634, etching with touches of burin, 4 7/8 x 4 1/16 in. (12 x 10 cm) Carnegie Museum of Art

Andy Warhol, Self-Portrait, 1986, acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen, 80 x 76 in. ©AWF

Who decides what is art?

Who decides what makes an artwork special, valuable, or good?

Andy Warhol, Brillo Soap Pads Box, 1964, silkscreen ink and house paint on plywood, 17 x 17 x 14 in. ©AWF