What Is Art For? (Paperback)

~ (Author) "What is art for?" is not a question that bothers very many people..." (more)
Key Phrases: Papua New Guinea, Howard Gardner, Sepik River

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.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (August 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295970170
• ISBN-13: 978-0295970172
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #363,513 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pivotal work, July 7, 2006

By	Art Lover (Indiana) - See all my reviews

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I like this book., September 4, 2007

By	jaspersu "susanh557" - See all my reviews

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.