Why do we need art? What makes art different from other things we enjoy? Creative sector leaders often face questions about the purpose of art from policymakers, funders, and even the general public in the context of their working lives.
The opening module of the GLI’s 2024 MBA in Arts Innovation challenges Cohort Members to collectively draw a number of preliminary conclusions about the role of art in our time. In a 4-part module entitled “Engaged Aesthetics,” professor José Luis Falconi guides GLI fellows through readings of Enlightenment-era philosopher Immanuel Kant to make the following initial conclusions —
- Art is surprising
Art does not need to be useful to be valuable. Instead, art is something that we appreciate for its own sake. This value we find in art is often unexpected — engaging us fully and pushing us to examine why we are so taken by it. The aesthetic experience, says José Falconi, starts with a surprise.
- Art builds curiosity
When we encounter a work of art, we might feel a sense of wonder or awe because the work challenges us. It may not fit into any category or label that we already know, and that keeps us engaged. Exposing ourselves repeatedly to art teaches us to appreciate what is different and cultivates humility toward learning.
- Art transcends limits
Art works to expand our minds, senses, and imaginations. It helps us see things in new ways and connect with something bigger than ourselves. Kant called this effect “transcendence”.
- Art supports democracy
Art is fundamentally social; it drives us to share our thoughts and feelings, building bridges with others. Art can open our minds and hearts to respect and appreciate diversity. In this way, art is a foundation for democracy.
- Art inspires action
Art is not always easy to understand at first glance, its elusive meaning only comes to those working actively to understand it. Participation in art practice and education primes us to engage meaningfully in the communities that surround us.
What do you think is the role of art in the world?
About José Luis Falconi
José Luis Falconi is a professor of art and human rights at the University of Connecticut. He has a Ph.D. from Harvard University, where he worked as a curator and an associate. He is an expert on Latin American art and its role in social change and human rights. He has written and edited several books and articles on contemporary artists and their works.
About Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who lived in the 18th century and was one of the main thinkers of the Enlightenment. He wrote influential works on the theory of knowledge, ethics, and aesthetics, such as Critique of Pure Reason, Critique of Practical Reason, and Critique of Judgment. He developed the idea of transcendental idealism, which holds that space and time are not real things but ways of perceiving reality. He also proposed the categorical imperative, a moral principle that commands us to act according to universal laws. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of all time and has influenced many other fields of thought.
