Author: Foster, Arnold W.

Publication Year: 1974

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Abstract:

The author examines the field of sociology of the arts. The method is to try ascertain and evaluate the emphases of a great variety of authors who have contributed to the literature, proper or improper of the sociology of the arts. The overview, which in itself may have value in demonstrating the scope of the writings, will lead us back to an emphasis, shared by Silbermann, Simmel, Koffka, Irving Child and others, on the interactions between the individual or collective individuals and the work of arts. To illustrate this point, the author examines the following issues:

1. Whether is is important for sociologists to be concerned with the quality of art-literature.
2. The role of the artists. Is it unique? Or is the artist simply a craftsman working with aesthetic products?
3. Whether there are higher and lower forms of the arts, or whether this is simply an elitist bias?

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Community Development