Learning to Look: Dispatches from the Art World

Learning to Look is a collection of short essays by Alva Noë that explore how we experience art and what it means to be an observer. Noë uses encounters with specific artworks to gain entry into a world of fascinating issues, such as how philosophy and science are represented in film, what evolutionary biology says about art, and the role of relics, fakes, and copies in our experience of a work. He proposes that art is a technology for understanding ourselves and that it is an opportunity for us to enact ourselves anew.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Learning to Look is a captivating exploration of the nature of art and its transformative power, presented by author Alva Noë in a collection of thought-provoking essays. Through these concise yet profound writings, Noë delves into the intricate ways in which we engage with art and the profound impact it can have on our lives.

Experiencing art requires a thoughtful and attentive approach, allowing it to resonate with us on a deeper level. It demands a creative spark, even from the observer, as we engage in a process of confrontation and reorganization. It is within this transformative journey that artworks have the potential to guide us toward self-rediscovery and renewal.

Noë's essays span a wide range of artistic mediums, from Pina Bausch to Robocop, from Bob Dylan to Vermeer. By engaging with specific artworks, he offers insightful perspectives on various themes, such as the representation of philosophy and science in film, the evolutionary implications of art, and the role of relics, fakes, and copies in shaping our understanding and appreciation of a work.

The essays in Learning to Look are personal, accessible, and deeply rooted in the author's own art encounters. Each essay emerges from a unique experience, whether it be in a museum, through the melodies of records, or during a captivating concert. Collectively, they paint a vivid portrait of our relationship with art, highlighting its profound influence on our thoughts, emotions, and sense of self.

Noë views art as a sort of technology for understanding ourselves, akin to philosophy. Through the careful articulation of the experiences encountered in these essays, he proposes that art offers us a unique opportunity to enact ourselves anew, to explore new perspectives, and to expand our horizons.

In conclusion, Learning to Look is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of art and its profound impact on our lives. Through Noë's insightful and engaging writings, we are invited to embark on a journey of self-discovery, renewal, and artistic exploration, allowing art to transform us in ways we never imagined possible.

Weight: 272g
Dimension: 135 x 185 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190928216