Aesthetics for Birds

Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art for Everyone

Category Archives: Around the web

December 6, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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New Blog: Ad Populum

Philosopher Nils-Hennes StearNils-Hennes Stear (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) has started Ad Populum, a blog for philosophers to “use the tools of our philosophical training to dissect issues of interest to popular culture writ large, and to demonstrate the usefulness of careful and critical thinking about matters big and small.” The blog so far features Nils as well as guest posters on topics from Skittles and Syria to the media reception of sports protests. It looks very cool! The most recent post, especially, might be of interest to AFB readers: “The Comedian as Philosopher, David Chappelle on the Election of Donald Trump” by Michael L. Thomas (Stanford). Image of Jeff Koons’ Michael Jackson and Bubbles courtesy of Jules Antonio via Flickr

December 4, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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3d Printed, AI-produced Original “Rembrandt”

A collaboration between ING bank, Microsoft, Delft University of Technology, and the Mauritshuis museum brings us the Next Rembrandt project. They’ve created an original, Rembrandt-style “painting” created by analyzing existing Rembrandt paintings (colors, head direction, facial composition, etc.). <!–more–> If this is a taste of what the robot apocalypse will look like, then I guess it seems sort of anticlimactic. Anyway, if you were curious about how to make the MOST paradigmatic Rembrandt painting, you’d want the following characteristics: Okay, but so much you probably already knew, without any deep data algorithms. Just with your fleshy meat brain. But could you do this part? They did micro-landscape analysis of the brushstrokes and mimicked that, too. Then used “paint-based UV ink” to create the final product with a 3D printer. And how does it look? I mean, it looks like a Rembrandt to me. (Some people claim they can tell it’s not authentic. I’m skeptical.) This – like … Continue reading →

November 23, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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A Thanksgiving Announcement from AFB

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in America, and while there are many things to be thankful for (though also many things to be dissatisfied with, to put it mildly), we at AFB would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate Native American art and people. Please remember that the conventional Thanksgiving narrative is at best naively and misleadingly incomplete and at worst grossly, perniciously, and irretrievably wrong. And be aware that Native Americans still fight for recognition, respect, and rights. Be aware of the current Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) situation (see how you can help here). Be aware that while you may be sitting down tomorrow to a meal with family and friends, others will be protesting at the National Day of Mourning in Coles Hill Plymouth, MA and at the Indigenous Peoples’ Sunrise Gathering on Alcatraz Island, CA. The influence of indigenous cultures on contemporary American culture is immeasurable. So we … Continue reading →

November 16, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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More Bibliographies

Last week, we presented three new diversity curricula supported by the ASA. Relatedly, here are a few bibliographies people might find useful in trying to assemble diverse course readings, or for those interested in exploring other areas: Race and Aesthetics, from the BSA-sponsored Race and Aesthetics Conference last year Feminism and Aesthetics (1990-2003), by Joshua James Shaw (Penn State, Behrend) Theological Aesthetics, by Laura Smit (Calvin College) Marxism & ‘the Left’ in Philosophy of Art & Aesthetics, by Patrick O’Donnell (Independent Scholar) Image credit: Nicolaes Maes, “An Old Woman Dozing over a Book” (1655), via NGA

November 15, 2016
by Rebecca Millsop
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Artists Respond to the 2016 Election Results + Auden Poem

Follow these links for some great coverage on how artists are responding to the 2016 election results. Please feel free to share any information about how artists are responding to the election results in the comments below. ArtNet News: Here’s What Artists Have to Say About the Future of America Under Donald Trump ArtNews: Morning Links The Art World Reacts to a Trump Victory Hyperallergic: Artists Respond with Devastation, Then Determination, to the Election of Donald Trump For your viewing pleasure, here is the cold open from Saturday Night Live this past weekend. A response to the 2016 election results and Leonard Cohen’s death from the obviously multi-talented artist and comedian, Kate McKinnon: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG-_ZDrypec] In conclusion, an Auden poem: September 1, 1939 | W. H. Auden, 1907 – 1973 I sit in one of the dives On Fifty-second Street Uncertain and afraid As the clever hopes expire Of a low dishonest … Continue reading →

October 6, 2016
by Rebecca Millsop
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MoMA’s Entire Exhibition History is Now Online & It’s Free

  New York City’s Museum of Modern Art is certainly one of the most important and influential art institutions in the USA and the world. MoMA curators throughout the decades have made decisions that have greatly affected the way the artworld and public understand the nature of art. You can now view all materials from all of MoMA’s exhibitions, beginning with their opening in 1929. Check it out for yourself: MoMA’s Entire Exhibition History After, or perhaps before, check out a recent article in The Atlantic by Robinson Meyer, “The Museum of Modern Art’s Miraculous New Online Archive”, discussing the aesthetic and functional changes in exhibition documentation throughout the years.

September 20, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Art for Dogs

New in the “Is It Really Art?” category: Okay apparently I’m a bit behind the curve on this one, but for those of you who didn’t catch it about a month ago, there was an art show for dogs in London, sponsored by MORE TH>N pet insurance, with artworks designed by Dominic Wilcox. Artnet News writes that “The exhibition is, of course, a marketing gimmick” – but it’s not like there’s no precedent for art that is a marketing gimmick. (*cough* BMW *cough*) The press release from the RSA Insurance Group reads: “They say art is for everyone, and while this may be true, the ‘everyone’ mentioned here traditionally refers only to humans. With pets assuming an ever more important role in our lives, isn’t it time that the art world catered to them as well?” Well I don’t know who “they” are, or if they’re right… but everything about this … Continue reading →

May 6, 2016
by Aesthetics for Birds
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Bence Nanay Guest Vlog at Brains Blog

Bence Nanay has been guest vlogging at the Brains Blog. The topic this time: Mental imagery and aesthetics. He discusses “aesthetically relevant properties”: properties that make an aesthetic difference when attended to. Have a look. It’s the perfect length for watching over a short break from work! Mental Imagery and Aesthetics