Volume 15, Issue 57 (2022)
LCQ 2022, 15(57): 2-38 |
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afarin F. Criticism and Metacrticism in Art Critique: A Conceptual Analysis. LCQ 2022; 15 (57) :2-38
URL: http://lcq.modares.ac.ir/article-29-54360-en.html
URL: http://lcq.modares.ac.ir/article-29-54360-en.html
assistant professor, art studies department,semnan university , farideh.afarin@gmail.com
Abstract: (1409 Views)
The aim of the current study is to clarify different definitions of criticism and metacriticism in art critique. The method of data gathering is descriptive-analytic. The researcher has analyzed different definitions of art criticism from various domains and by adopting a descriptive-analytic approach, the following definitions and functions of criticism became clear: evaluating the advantages or disadvantages of the artwork, evaluating the piece by deduction and induction, or even on the basis of personal taste, translating visual signs to linguistic ones, unveiling the ultimate meaning of a work, decomposing the piece to its elements and analyzing the elements, making a part-whole relationship in search of meaning, regarding the viewers’ expectations, emphasizing on the value of reception, understanding the work of art and interpreting the multiple meanings of the piece. Metacriticism has also different definitions including, explaining the limitations of artistic systems such as visual systems, clarifying the norms, studying criticism, and analyzing methodologies and their pitfalls.
Extended Abstract
There are three ways to define criticism: 1. Explaining the function of criticism, 2. Explaining its types and classifications and 3. Relying on explanations in the cliché form of criticism, i.e. "criticism is..." (Smallwood, 1996, p. 256). In the first case, criticism is defined by its application. The use of criticism is determined by the situation, goals, objectives, and used methods. The applications are diverse and the purposes are different. Smallwood considers the mentioned definition conditioned on the fact that the rest of the factors in criticism are fixed and unchanging. Of course, this type of definition is nothing more than a tool to move from point A to B. In the description of criticism classifications, it can be said that criticism includes different types such as moral criticism, rhetorical criticism, archetypal criticism, historical criticism, feminist criticism, structuralist, and poststructuralist criticism. Overall, criticism is not a critique of the whole, but rather an arrangement of the sum of their partial differences, which may not reach uniformity, but create a concept that has many parts. Defining criticism by groups and categories would result in the superiority of descriptive and non-evaluative typology (Ibid, p. 259). Criticism can be defined by relying on the form of "criticism is...". Contrary to the definitions based on the application, the definitions here are clear and distinct. These definitions determine what "criticism should be" (Ibid, 1996, pp. 256-261), and also give order to the confusing scope of the definition of criticism. These definitions mostly rely on unfulfilled wishes and hopes. Ideal sentences that may sometimes not be related to the reality of criticism itself. Finally, in this research, criticism, and metacriticism are defined according to their functions, and as a result, a set of actions and activities are highlighted for the critic.
Method and Approach
In the current study, the aim is to clarify the meanings of critique and metacriticism in art criticism. the definition of critique in philosophy and literary criticism to gain a clear understanding of metacriticism helped the researcher to achieve her goals. The method of data gathering is descriptive-analytic.
Findings
The researcher has analyzed different definitions of art criticism from various domains and by adopting a descriptive-analytic approach, the following definitions and functions of criticism became clear: evaluating the advantages or disadvantages of the artwork, evaluating the piece by deduction and induction, or even on the basis of personal taste, translating visual signs to linguistic ones, unveiling the ultimate meaning of a work, decomposing the piece to its elements and analyzing the elements, making a part-whole relationship in search of meaning, regarding the viewers’ expectations, emphasizing on the value of reception, understanding the work of art and interpreting the multiple meanings of the piece. Metacriticism has also different definitions including, explaining the limitations of artistic systems such as visual systems, clarifying the norms, studying criticism by itself, analyzing methodologies and their pitfalls, rejecting the status quo, questioning values, the philosophy of criticism, a reflection on the action of criticism, its trends, motivations, and principles.
Art critics can use the results and findings of this study to determine the semantic limits of criticism and metacriticism. They can take a step in a more clear way to criticize works of art and thus gain a more accurate understanding of the unified narrative of artistic currents and tendencies in Iran. Secondly, clarifying the meanings of criticism would help them to review the approaches of art criticism and criticize the path and method of criticism of other critics.
Extended Abstract
There are three ways to define criticism: 1. Explaining the function of criticism, 2. Explaining its types and classifications and 3. Relying on explanations in the cliché form of criticism, i.e. "criticism is..." (Smallwood, 1996, p. 256). In the first case, criticism is defined by its application. The use of criticism is determined by the situation, goals, objectives, and used methods. The applications are diverse and the purposes are different. Smallwood considers the mentioned definition conditioned on the fact that the rest of the factors in criticism are fixed and unchanging. Of course, this type of definition is nothing more than a tool to move from point A to B. In the description of criticism classifications, it can be said that criticism includes different types such as moral criticism, rhetorical criticism, archetypal criticism, historical criticism, feminist criticism, structuralist, and poststructuralist criticism. Overall, criticism is not a critique of the whole, but rather an arrangement of the sum of their partial differences, which may not reach uniformity, but create a concept that has many parts. Defining criticism by groups and categories would result in the superiority of descriptive and non-evaluative typology (Ibid, p. 259). Criticism can be defined by relying on the form of "criticism is...". Contrary to the definitions based on the application, the definitions here are clear and distinct. These definitions determine what "criticism should be" (Ibid, 1996, pp. 256-261), and also give order to the confusing scope of the definition of criticism. These definitions mostly rely on unfulfilled wishes and hopes. Ideal sentences that may sometimes not be related to the reality of criticism itself. Finally, in this research, criticism, and metacriticism are defined according to their functions, and as a result, a set of actions and activities are highlighted for the critic.
Method and Approach
In the current study, the aim is to clarify the meanings of critique and metacriticism in art criticism. the definition of critique in philosophy and literary criticism to gain a clear understanding of metacriticism helped the researcher to achieve her goals. The method of data gathering is descriptive-analytic.
Findings
The researcher has analyzed different definitions of art criticism from various domains and by adopting a descriptive-analytic approach, the following definitions and functions of criticism became clear: evaluating the advantages or disadvantages of the artwork, evaluating the piece by deduction and induction, or even on the basis of personal taste, translating visual signs to linguistic ones, unveiling the ultimate meaning of a work, decomposing the piece to its elements and analyzing the elements, making a part-whole relationship in search of meaning, regarding the viewers’ expectations, emphasizing on the value of reception, understanding the work of art and interpreting the multiple meanings of the piece. Metacriticism has also different definitions including, explaining the limitations of artistic systems such as visual systems, clarifying the norms, studying criticism by itself, analyzing methodologies and their pitfalls, rejecting the status quo, questioning values, the philosophy of criticism, a reflection on the action of criticism, its trends, motivations, and principles.
Art critics can use the results and findings of this study to determine the semantic limits of criticism and metacriticism. They can take a step in a more clear way to criticize works of art and thus gain a more accurate understanding of the unified narrative of artistic currents and tendencies in Iran. Secondly, clarifying the meanings of criticism would help them to review the approaches of art criticism and criticize the path and method of criticism of other critics.
Article Type: Qualitative Research |
Subject:
Methodology of literary research
Received: 2021/07/26 | Accepted: 2022/07/1 | Published: 2022/07/1
Received: 2021/07/26 | Accepted: 2022/07/1 | Published: 2022/07/1
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