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Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
The author's attempt to substantiate her thesis "that although the arts are a cultural phenomenon, Art might profitably be viewed as a prior, biological one" is thwarted by her muddled approach to biology, anthropology, psychology, cultural histories, and aesthetics. At best, her text is argumentative; more often, it sinks into overblown phraseologies, self-contradictory assertions, and blatant oversights of seminal thought. That artistic behaviors might have a biological basis is an interesting idea, but we shall have to await another work on the subject before evaluating it.Francisca Goldsmith, Golden Gate Univ. Lib., San Francisco
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
...adroitly presented and of landmark stature. -- The Key Reporter (Phi Beta Kappa), Summer 1989, Earl W. Count
...probably one of the most intellectually enriching interdisciplinary studies of art that has ever been written. -- Nature, Vol. 340, 6 July 1989, Paul Crowther
Art educators would do ... well to digest and discuss the arguments presented in this passionate and thoughtfully reasoned essay. -- Studies in Art Education (1992) 33(4) 267-68, Kenneth Marantz
Dissanayake has tackled a difficult subject which has often proved evanescent in less practical hands . . a realistic and provocative . . discussion. -- Lionel Tiger (Jacket Cover)
Very interesting, very fresh, extraordinarily informative. She brings a new light to critical problems with style, taste, and excellent scholarship. -- Jerome Bruner (Jacket Cover) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
...probably one of the most intellectually enriching interdisciplinary studies of art that has ever been written. -- Nature, Vol. 340, 6 July 1989, Paul Crowther
Art educators would do ... well to digest and discuss the arguments presented in this passionate and thoughtfully reasoned essay. -- Studies in Art Education (1992) 33(4) 267-68, Kenneth Marantz
Dissanayake has tackled a difficult subject which has often proved evanescent in less practical hands . . a realistic and provocative . . discussion. -- Lionel Tiger (Jacket Cover)
Very interesting, very fresh, extraordinarily informative. She brings a new light to critical problems with style, taste, and excellent scholarship. -- Jerome Bruner (Jacket Cover) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pivotal work,
By Art Lover (Indiana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: What is Art For? (Paperback)
Although there may be flaws in Dissanayake's first presentation on this topic, her ideas are revolutionary and (in their more developed form) will influence ideas about the genesis of art and its evolutionary role in human experience and culture for years to come. Her ideas are pioneering and will be quoted, argued, further developed, expanded, and expounded upon.
Best of all...this is a very readable book. In fact, its an exciting read; you may be challenged but you won't be bored.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like this book.,
This review is from: What is Art For? (Paperback)
Ellen Dissanayake has influenced my art teaching philosophy. She tries to connect art making to the biological evolution of human kind, and it gets a little wacky, but I got very interested in the idea that making and responding to art are part of human nature. I think teaching kids about art is part of teaching them to be human.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pioneering!,
By
This review is from: What is Art For? (Paperback)
This book is not light reading. One should carefully read each section, think about what it says and then read it again. Ms. Dissanayake's thesis is valid. I did a statistical study of her position on the value of surface beauty and verified it across cultural groups and age cohorts. Whatever other scholars develop in the way of theories of art, hers is the foundation. Read it first, then go on to the others.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
"What is art for?" is not a question that bothers very many people. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Papua New Guinea, Howard Gardner, Sepik River New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
"What is art for?" is not a question that bothers very many people. Read the first page Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Papua New Guinea, Howard Gardner, Sepik River New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
47
books
cite this book:
See all 47 books citing this book
- Woman the Gatherer by Frances Dahlberg in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Man Without Qualities (2 volume set) by Robert Musil on page 186, and Back Matter
- Preface to Plato (History of the Greek Mind,) by Eric Havelock on page 152, and Back Matter
- RC Series Bundle: Madness and Civilization (Routledge Classics) by Michel Foucault in Back Matter
- Ecstasy: A Study of Some Secular and Religious Experiences by Marghanita Laski in Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
- The Biological Origins of Art by Nancy E. Aiken on 4 pages
- Depression and the Spiritual in Modern Art: Homage to Miró by Joseph J. Schildkraut on page 206, page 217, and Back Matter
- Nature Exposed to Our Method of Questioning by Amy Ione on page 28, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Self-Taught Art: The Culture and Aesthetics of American Vernacular Art by Charles Russell on page 37, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Why Fairy Tales Stick: The Evolution and Relevance of a Genre by Jack Zipes on page 9, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 47 books citing this book
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