Art and Entertainment: A Philosophical Exploration

Andy Hamilton's book explores art and entertainment from a philosophical standpoint, arguing that they are not opposites but form a loosely connected conceptual system. He questions the received modernist view and examines artist-entertainers such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday. He argues that entertainment is audience-centred but so is art, and that art should pass the test of time while entertainment must pass the test of its own time. The book includes dialogues with artists, critics, and academics that help to recast or reformulate the debate. It is essential reading for those working in art and aesthetics, as well as those in related disciplines.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Philosophers have delved into the realm of art, encompassing artistic practices like poetry, since ancient times. However, the emergence of art and entertainment systems truly took place in the modern era, particularly in the West during the 18th and 19th centuries. Regrettably, philosophers have paid relatively little attention to the concept of entertainment. In his book, Andy Hamilton delves into the world of art and entertainment from a philosophical perspective. Contrary to modernist theory, he asserts that art and entertainment are not mutually exclusive but rather form a loosely interconnected conceptual system. While he acknowledges the vital differences between art and entertainment, he also emphasizes their interconnectedness.

Hamilton begins by challenging the prevailing modernist view, examining artist-entertainers such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday. He argues that entertainment, by its nature, is audience-centered, while art possesses a distinct audience-centered aspect in a different manner. Consequently, while art should stand the test of time, entertainment must cater to the prevailing tastes and preferences of its time. Art and entertainment are interdependent concepts that require understanding alongside other aesthetic concepts such as criticism, genius, canons, and design. These concepts form the focus of subsequent chapters in the book, where Hamilton develops a meritocratic position that eschews elitism and populism. He also addresses the contemporary charge of cultural appropriation and qualifies it.

An innovative aspect of the book is the inclusion of dialogues with artists, critics, and academics, which serve to recast or reformulate the ongoing debate. Art and Entertainment: A Philosophical Exploration is a must-read for those engaged in art and aesthetics, as well as those in related disciplines such as cultural studies, music, and film studies, with an interest in entertainment.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 153 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138599949