Art and the Aesthetic - Classic Text | Alexandria
Art and the Aesthetic: An Institutional Analysis (1974) is a seminal philosophical text by American aesthetician George Dickie that revolutionized contemporary art theory by introducing the "institutional theory of art." This groundbreaking work challenged traditional aesthetic theories by proposing that art's definition lies not in inherent properties but in its social and institutional context.
Published during a period of radical transformation in the art world, when conceptual art and minimalism were pushing conventional boundaries, the text emerged as a response to pressing questions about art's nature and definition. Dickie's work built upon Arthur Danto's earlier insights about the art world while offering a more systematic theoretical framework. The book appeared at a crucial moment when traditional aesthetic theories struggled to account for contemporary artistic practices.
The text's central thesis posits that an artwork is any artifact upon which someone acting on behalf of the "artworld" has conferred "candidate for appreciation" status. This institutional theory marked a decisive shift from previous essentialist definitions of art, suggesting that art's nature is fundamentally social rather than intrinsic. Dickie's analysis sparked intense debate among philosophers, artists, and critics, leading to numerous responses, critiques, and refinements over subsequent decades.
The enduring influence of Art and the Aesthetic extends well beyond its immediate reception. Its institutional perspective has become fundamental to contemporary art theory, influencing how we understand everything from museum curation to digital art. The text's insights remain particularly relevant in today's art world, where questions of legitimacy, authority, and institutional power continue to shape artistic practice and reception. Modern discussions of NFTs, social media art, and democratized creativity often echo Dickie's institutional framework, demonstrating its continued relevance in analyzing evolving forms of artistic expression.
This pivotal work remains a cornerstone of aesthetic philosophy, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about art's nature and raising provocative questions about the relationship between artistic value and institutional recognition that continue to resonate in our rapidly evolving cultural landscape.