LEI0172 - Brian Eno - What is Art? Discuss

Course Description

In our culture, if the arts are seen as dessert, not the meal, then why do we engage in these activities we call art? People say things like; Art helps me see the world, art helps me understand the world, art helps me imagine new worlds, art helps me to escape, connect, relax,  and energise... But what do they mean? How does it actually work? (Eno & Adriaanse, 2024). You’ll explore some of Eno’s music and art and read Brian Eno and Bette A.’s What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory to explore these questions in discussion.

Course Outline

Week 1
Chapter 1. Art - The art engagement begins where the functional engagement ends.
Chapter 2. Feelings – Art is a way of making feelings happen.
Chapter 3. Fiction feelings – Art is escapable.
Chapter 4. Fictional worlds – Art is a simulator.

Week 2
Chapter 5. Take haircuts for instance – When you are looking at art you are looking at differences.
Chapter 6. Where does art start? - Where art reads depends on when and where it is being read and by whom.
Chapter 7. How does art change me? – Play is how children learn. Art is how adults play.
Chapter 8. How does art change us? Art suggests new places to direct our attention.

Week 3
Chapter 9. We start worlds – Art makes communities.
Chapter 10. Wish – Live the world you want.

Week 4
What is your theory of art?
 

Learner Outcomes

Through discussion and analysis of examples of art you will develop an understanding of art in your life and more generally, in our culture. You will emerge from the course with the ability to apply art to the development of your new life as you move beyond meeting functional needs and toward the enjoyment of life.
 

Notes

A PDF copy of the book What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory by Brian Eno and Bette A. will be sent to you before the start of the class.