Aesthetics for Birds

Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art for Everyone

Axel Barceló on Pond

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Oil in a wide, shallow tank. A perfectly smooth surface reflects an industrial ceiling.

This is entry #44 in our 100 Philosophers, 100 Artworks, 100 Words Series.

Philosopher: Axel Barceló, UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Artwork: Pond, (2006), Marcela Armas, metal tank, oil, and car door-handle. This work is made up of a metal tank full of car used oil from which emerges a car door-handle.

Words: Conceptual art is often criticized for producing sensually uninteresting pieces. Some of the best conceptual art, like Marcela Armas (2006) “Pond”, for example, manages to be both beautiful and thought provoking. And just as beautiful art motivates the question of what is specifically aesthetic about our aesthetic experience, successful conceptual art motivates the question of what is specifically aesthetic about the thoughts provoked by art. 

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