Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This collection of essays examines the movement which is currently underway to democratize the arts and make the world of artistic endeavor more open and accessible to all. Topics include the hegemony of copyright and trademark in art and popular culture; the relationship between a culture's dominant religion and its artistic tradition; the ideologically subversive but culturally enduring nature of early children's literature; and the cultural significance of the terms "high art" and "popular art" as these two realms have existed since the early 19th century.
Synopsis
In countries around the world, the rise of class divisions and unbridled capitalism are changing the conventional definitions of art and esthetics. Historically, the philanthropy of the elite has played a leading role in supporting, funding, and distributing artistic works. While such measures may be pure in intent, many worry that private funding may be gentrifying the arts and creating a situation in which art will only be valued for its prestige or, worse, its price tag.
This collection of essays examines the current movement to democratize the arts and make the world of artistic endeavor open and accessible to all.