Essay on Adoros Aesthetic Theory - 1704 Words

Art can be interpreted in varying ways. One could take the Kantian approach by placing special importance on art’s autonomy, while proclaiming that art prescribes to its own set of self-created maxims. These maxims facilitate the creation of normative idea of art, where excellent is determined by how well it meets arts self-created maxims. Therefore the Mona Lisa is only a good painting because it greatly conforms to the maxims of the art normative. Another approach would be the Hegelian interpretation that states that art is the â€Å"highest human vocation.† In this way art shows humanity normative of human existence in a way that shows the worthiness of human society. However, there is a problem with both sets of interpretation—they†¦show more content†¦As stated above Adorno interpretation of art, or his Aesthetic Theory, draw from both Hegel and Kant. Adorno’s Aesthetic Theory can be shown in two parts, by interpreting a piece of art and the n contrasting his theory with Walter Benjamin, another member of the Frankfurt School. The Cloisters Museum in New York City houses a collection of seven tapestries known as The Hunt of The Unicorn. The exact date of that these tapestries is unknown; however, it is estimated that they were created between 1495 and 1505 C.E. They where likely created for a member of the landed class in the Low Lands region of Europe. The series chronicles the hunt of a Unicorn by several nobles. The second in the series called The Unicorn is Found (Figure 1): shows a pure white unicorn genuflecting in front of a water fountain, with its horn piecing a stream. According to Medieval thought, this was thought to purify the water. Twelve hunters dressed in cloths only noblemen could afford linger in the background, as they appear to be discussing their plan of attack. On the water fountain sit four birds, a pair of goldfinches and a pair of pheasants. In front of the unicorn lay a series of un-recogniza ble animals. The tapestry is filled with various plants, which are common on all the tapestries. They appear to be plants that were used in medieval times as medicine. In interperting The Unicorn is Found (Figure