Introduction
1. The aesthetics of entertainment
Interview with Louise Gibbs
2. A Kristeller thesis for entertainment
3. Defining art: art for art's sake and political art
Interview with Mark Carroll
Interview with Mandhira de Saram
Interview with James Young
4. Taste and criticism
5. Genius: defending a Kantian account against Romantic hyperbole and Nietzschean scepticism
6. Canons and the test of time and place
Interview with James Parakilas
Interview with Molly Barnes
7. Aesthetics of product design
8. Cultural appropriation and artistic freedom.
Bibliography
Index
Biography
Andy Hamilton teaches at Durham University, UK. He has published books and articles on aesthetics, Wittgenstein and philosophy of mind. He is the biographer of Lee Konitz, and writes for The Wire and other magazines on jazz and contemporary composition. He is a jazz pianist.
"There is a great deal to praise in the book, both regarding the clarity with which it has been composed as well as the broad scope of its subject matter. And both scholars and students (of both philosophy and the arts in general) will be able to laud the carefulness of Hamilton’s arguments. … Art and Entertainment is a worthwhile addition to the contemporary discussion of a wide variety of topics in philosophy, aesthetics, and the arts in general. It offers both the expert and the novice a great deal of thoughtful engagement with these issues." - Joshua Heter, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
"At long last, a book that confronts the ghost in the closet of aesthetic theory: entertainment. Andy Hamilton is highly qualified to tackle it, and the results are compelling, informed, and innovative." - Theodore Gracyk, Minnesota State University Moorhead, USA
"A persuasive perspective on the aesthetics of entertainment, exploring a debate that feels both very old and highly current. Readers discover that the art/entertainment dichotomy is far more complex than it seems." - Elisabet Dijkstra, composer
"Andy Hamilton presents a compelling manifesto for Real Aesthetics: a vision of aesthetic inquiry that places the actual artworld and the lived experience of the artist centre stage. Through dialogue with artists and musicians, critics and philosophers, Hamilton takes us beyond the academy to collaborative spaces in which concepts are defined by their use. Essential reading for philosophers of art, practicing artists and those who like to be entertained." - Andrew Cooper, Warwick University, UK
"With its rich examples, this inventive discussion will reward any reader interested in art or entertainment." - Dawn M. Wilson, University of Hull, UK
"R.G. Collingwood said that a work of entertainment is not a genuine work of art. In this thought-provoking book Hamilton finds plenty of cases to dispute that. One of its main virtues is the way that Hamilton balances theory and practice, interweaving theoretical chapters - which draw on an abundance of deftly chosen examples - with in-depth interviews with artists and philosophers. The result is more than entertaining!" - David Macarthur, University of Sydney, Australia
