Philosopher: Immanuel Kant

Cristin Norine

Future of Socializing

2010

According to the philosophy of Kant, art should be created without internal or external purposiveness. "Art for Art's Sake" is the idea behind his philosophy. Kant is a Formalist who believes art should be beautiful, regardless of its use or value. Kant views art in an intellectual framework that is objective and impersonal. The content or subject matter is irrelevant to Kant. Simply stated, Kant believed that art should be based upon its formal qualities, rather than its content or practical significance.

When interpreting Norine's Future of Socializing performance art, Kant would disapprove of its purpose. Norine's performance art visually demonstrates the effects of social communication and how it is isolating individuals from personal interaction. This work is intended to be valuable because of the research that is being conducted through her performance. The work is also supposed to be personal because the glass walls around the performance force the viewer to engage in the work. The content and subject matter is the focus of the art, and they serve as the materials. There is no definite form to the work because it is a performance piece. Being a Formalist, Immanuel Kant would not approve of this work nor consider it art.

Sand Slash, 2011

Ryan McGinley

Photograph

Untitled No.33, 2010

Jen Davis

Self-Portrait Photograph

Isolation, 2008
Jason Brockett
Oil on Canvas

Ash Covered Snow Pyramids, Snowfield Near Knife Creek Glacier, Copyright 2010

Gary Freeburg

Photograph

Untitled, 2010
Naomi Elena
Photograph

Cristin Norine (Performance Artist)

Future of Socializing

2010

 Aaron Hobson

Phone Call

2008

Andrew Cranston

Man/Partition

2008

Amy Guidry

United-Isolation

2009

Jessica Walker 

What You Really Are

2010

Contemporary Art Reflecting Isolation

Jason Brockert, Isolation 2008

This contemporary work of art reflects the theme of Isolation. This painting is very two-dimensional and simple in subject matter. The blues and greens create a soothing atmosphere. The small green silhouette in the center left of the work depicts a sense of loneliness and isolation. The figure stands alone in an empty and large environment. The lack of detail of the figure shows that he does not want to be identified, further emphasizing his isolation from the world. The feeling that can be acquired from this work is a sense of loneliness and silence, yet in a way that is not necessarily depressing. The soothing colors and lack of strong contrast give off a sense of hope and peace. 

Edward Hopper, Nighthawks 1942 (Oil on Canvas)

When considering the theme of Isolation, specifically human isolation, I immediately thought of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. Through his use of strong contrast, Hopper creates a dark night-time environment. The open and barren space of the street also indicates a sense of loneliness and silence. The man facing away from the viewer sitting by himself seems alone and deep in thought, hidden by a shadow. Also, the couple do not seem to be engaged in conversation, but are rather staring blankly into space. Edward Hopper personally sought solitude in his lifetime, and reflected that in his art. "I didn't see it as particularly lonely (referring to his work). I simplified the scene a great deal and made the restaurant bigger. Unconsciously, probably, I was painting the loneliness of a large city," stated Hopper. The figures in the painting reveal a sense of vulnerability and boredom. While in the same diner, the figures seem as if they don't notice there are others around them. The design of the diner also adds a sense of emptiness. The viewer can see into the scene through the large glass window, yet the figures fail to interact with the viewer. This painting allows the viewer to share a feeling of isolation with the figures.