PART A

1. Aesthetics & design,
Borev, Yuri : Aesthetics.
Roger, Scranton: The Aesthetics of Architecture.
Sheppard, Anne : Aesthetics, An Introduction to the philosophy of Art.
Palmer, J. and Dodson M. (ed.): Design and Aesthetics.
Hauffe, Thomas : Design, An illustrated historical overview.
Course Teacher : K.M. Ulil Amor bin zaman
Lecturer, dept. of architecture ,
DUET,Gazipur.
r e f e r e n c e
part -b

2. Is Aesthetics a normative science
(the relation between aesthetics and the act of creation)
• In the course of history of aesthetics two extreme positions have been evolved
on the question of its relation to art:
1. A trend that exaggerates its normative (derived from standards) role and
2. Empiricism (observation)
Normative role:
Boileau ( theorist of neo-classism) saw aesthetics as a science dictating to the artist
the norms and rules derived from philosophy and politics.
While Hippolyte Taine ( French art critic) saw aesthetics should trace the facts of art
and pin then down.
Both extremes are equally unacceptable for modern aesthetics. Scientific method
and facts of art may not fulfill the properties of aesthetics.

3. Is Aesthetics a normative science
(the relation between aesthetics and the act of creation)
• Aesthetics does not exist to act as a check upon creative thought or to issue
prescriptions in the way medicine does. This doesn't mean that its principles does
not set norms for creative activity.
• Aesthetics assumes its function when it throws light on the inner laws and
historically unique qualities of art.
– The norms it introduces are neither more or less obligatory for the artist than the norms introduced
by the Law of Archimedes for somebody who intends to go for sailing.
( one can go to the sea in a boat, in ship or on a raft, but he cannot use any object whose weight exceeds
that of water. To this extend the law of Archimedes is normative and breaking it is fraught with danger.)
Artist is free in his choice of the subject, genre and form of poetic expression
but he cannot dismiss the laws of creative activity. So the neglect of aesthetic
norms may even land him outside the boundaries of art.

4. Is Aesthetics a normative science
(the relation between aesthetics and the act of creation)
Empiricism
• Aesthetics is normative in so far as it sums up the laws evolved by art itself. If
this objective laws are disregarded than a departure from nature and purpose of
art is imminent (forthcoming).
• However the historic laws are not absolute either.
George Noverre ,the founder of ballet performance “the Shakespeare of the dance”
said,
“The rules are very well upto certain limit .One should able to follow them, but also to reject
them and take them up again, Woe to the impassive artist clinging to the narrow regulations of
art.”
Beethoven's work is an example of radical departure from accepted standards.
(unlike typical music). A great artist oversteps the established boundaries of the creative activity.
But he cannot break the law. Rather he modifies them in accordance with the changed situation
and newly accumulated experiences.
But very often the changes he made are important.(his reformation is rooted in
tradition )

5. Is Aesthetics a normative science
(the relation between aesthetics and the act of creation)
• Aesthetics sums up the experience of art and provides a theoretical
demonstration and support for everything in it which is truly novel. (innovative)
• Aesthetics bases its conclusions on practical activities in art and its
interpretation by history , theory of art and art criticism.
• It concentrates on the concrete and the universal (not empty abstractions but the
generalizations which have absorbed the experience of world art.)