Five Philosophies of Art(Theories of Art)

• Imitationalism• Formalism• Emotionalism• Instrumentalism• Institutionalism

Examples of Imitationalismin 20th Century Art

Imitationalism refers to art that focuses on things being realistically represented.

Andy Warhol,Sixteen Jackies, acrylic on canvas, 1964Pop Art

Imitationalism refers to art that focuses on things being realistically represented.

Duane Hanson,Young Shopper, 1973Pop Art

Imitationalism refers to art that focuses on things being realistically represented.

Richard Estes,Central Savings, oil on canvas, 1975Hyper-realism

Examples of Formalism in 20th Century Art

Formalism places the emphasis on the design qualities (the elements and principles) in a work of art.

Louise Nevelson,Sky Cathedral, 1957-1960,Abstract Expressionism

Formalism places the emphasis on the design qualities (the elements and principles) in a work of art.

Elizabeth Murray,Arm-Ear , 1994,Neo-Expressionism

Formalism places the emphasis on the design qualities (the elements and principles) in a work of art.

Frank Gehry,Guggenheim- Bilbao, 1993-1997Deconstructivism

Examples of Emotionalism in 20th Century Art

Emotionalism requires that a work of art must get a response in terms of awakening feelings, moods, and emotions in the viewer.

Pablo Picasso,Guernica, 1937Cubism

Emotionalism requires that a work of art must get a response in terms of awakening feelings, moods, and emotions in the viewer.

Kathe Kollwitz,The Volunteers, 1920German Expressionism

Examples of Instrumentalism in 20th Century Art

Instrumentalism requires that art move people to act for the betterment of society; art that serves as an ‘instrument’ for furthering a point of view that might be moral, social, religious, or political.

Keith Haring,Untitled ( Subway Drawing ), c. 1984Graffiti Art

Instrumentalism requires that art move people to act for the betterment of society; art that serves as an ‘instrument’ for furthering a point of view that might be moral, social, religious, or political.

Barbara Krueger,We Don’t Need Another Hero, 1987Neo-Expressionism

Examples of Institutionalism in 20th Century Art

Institutionalism focuses on unconventional works of art that can only be identified as works of art because they are placed in a museum or gallery.

Naum June Paik,In Flux House, 1993,Fluxus

Institutionalism focuses on unconventional works of art that can only be identified as works of art because they are placed in a museum or gallery.

On Kawara,February 19, 1980, 1980, Conceptual Art

Institutionalism focuses on unconventional works of art that can only be identified as works of art because they are placed in a museum or gallery.

Eva Hesse,Rope Piece, 1970,Post Minimalism