The Art of Understanding Art: A new perspective by Hugh Moss

by Hugh Moss

What is art? How do you judge it - by price, artist, technique, emotional response? How did artists such as Duchamp and Hirst change things? And what can we learn from the Chinese about appreciating art - and music?In this delightfully readable book, art expert and artist Hugh Moss persuasively presents a controversial new theory of art that should help everyone to enjoy art more, and feel more confident in their judgements about it. He shows that much accepted thinking about art is the result of intellectual tyranny. To fully appreciate a work of art, he argues, we need to combine intellect and reason with the transcendental side of consciousness. Not easy, admittedly - but if you can reach your own enlightened view, immensely rewarding.Written with a light touch, practical, intelligent, provocative, seasoned with irreverence and wit, and wonderfully illustrated by Peter Suart, this is a book that anyone interested in art will find stimulating.

Genres: Art

Hardcover

Reviews

[Naomi Wakan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Understanding Art by Hugh Moss, puts art in an historical timeline when it comes to the development of human consciousness. Mr. Moss proposes that creating art is an evolutionary tool for raising human awareness. While this isn't a totally novel idea (see Tolstoy's "What is Art?" and Kandinsky's "Concerning the spiritual in art"), Mr. Moss has put the idea in non artspeak language and developed it in a logical and very persuasive way. Particularly helpful is his approach to recent "cutting-edge" art that many dismiss as garbage. He gives validity to every art form and explains reasonably and generously how such seemingly outrageous works also have a place in human evolution. Mr. Moss, an authority on Chinese painting adds a useful balance to the usual Euro-centric way of viewing creativity. I highly recommend this book which should be in every art school and general library.
Naomi Beth Wakan, poet laureate of Nanaimo, BC

[CM]

(Stopped at 40%)

After a few chapters deep in a (brilliant) textbook on art theory*, I came to this slim little book, written by an art dealer, thinking how refreshing it could be to read a non-philosophical take on a closely related subject, art appreciation. Even better when both the writer and illustrator are connected to HK in some way. The main idea, that we should treat art as a means to expand our consciousness by having an active dialogue with the art itself, may not be exactly new or clear, which, alone, is not a deal-breaker. But when he suggests he has found the "enlightenment with capital-e" for the 10th time, it could be more than irritating.

*Introducing Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art by Darren Hudson Hick

[Angelmae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on Art. Helped me understand not just modern art but also music, literature, performance, architecture. Brief but very effective. Thanks Hugh