Artistic contemplation and the equality of criticism.
This book could be a good read for those who appreciate the intersection of art and criticism. Oscar Wilde humorously challenges the conventional boundaries between the two, arguing that criticism can precede and inspire artistic creation. With his wit and thoughtful insights, Wilde invites readers to consider the importance of idleness and contemplation in cultivating art. This book is a thought-provoking exploration that emphasizes the power of perception and beauty in navigating the complexities of modern life.
ISBN: 9781644230039
Authors:
Oscar Wilde
Publisher: David Zwirner Books
Date of Publication: 2019-06-18
Format: Paperback
Goodreads rating: 4.13
(rated by 1238 readers)
Description
In The Critic as Artist , arguably the most complete exploration of his aesthetic thinking, and certainly the most entertaining, Oscar Wilde harnesses his famous wit to demolish the supposed boundary between art and criticism.Subtitled Upon the Importance of Doing Nothing and Discussing Everything , the essay takes the form of a leisurely dialogue between two Ernest, who insists upon Wilde’s own belief in art’s freedom from societal mandates and values, and a quizzical Gilbert. With his playwright’s ear for dialogue, Wilde champions idleness and contemplation as prerequisites to artistic cultivation. Beyond the well-known dictum of art for art’s sake, Wilde’s originality lays argument for the equality of criticism and art. For him, criticism is not subject to the work of art, but can in fact precede the artist cannot create without engaging his or her critical faculties first. And, as Wilde writes, “To the critic the work of art is simply a suggestion for a new work of his own.”The field of art and criticism should be open to the free play of the mind, but Wilde plays seriously, even prophetically. Writing in 1891, he foresaw that criticism would have an increasingly important role as the need to make sense of what we see increases with the complexities of modern life. It is only the fine perception and explication of beauty, Wilde suggests, that will allow us to create meaning, joy, empathy, and peace out of the chaos of facts and reality.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Good Condition
We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Well Read Condition
This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Artistic contemplation and the equality of criticism.
This book could be a good read for those who appreciate the intersection of art and criticism. Oscar Wilde humorously challenges the conventional boundaries between the two, arguing that criticism can precede and inspire artistic creation. With his wit and thoughtful insights, Wilde invites readers to consider the importance of idleness and contemplation in cultivating art. This book is a thought-provoking exploration that emphasizes the power of perception and beauty in navigating the complexities of modern life.
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