Elisabeth Schellekens

We are very pleased to be publishing a special issue on Art, History, Perception. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sonia Sedivy, who proposed a special issue at the intersection of art history, aesthetics, and the philosophy of perception, on the basis of a workshop held at the University of Toronto in 2017, which was supported by the American Society for Aesthetics, the SSHRC, and the University of Toronto. The plan for this special issue has evolved since then, and not all of the articles included are based on papers presented at the workshop. But the goal of the workshop, which was to foster integrated, multi-dimensional research into works of art and visual culture, remains the purpose of the special issue, and we are very grateful to Prof. Sedivy for her invaluable advice and assistance during its preparation.

What is conceptual art? Is it really a kind of art in its own right? Is it clever – or too clever? Of all the different art forms it is perhaps conceptual art which at once fascinates and infuriates the most. In this much-needed book Peter Goldie and Elisabeth Schellekens demystify conceptual art using the sharp tools of philosophy. They explain how conceptual art is driven by ideas rather than the manipulation of paint and physical materials; how it challenges the very basis of what we can know about art, as well as our received ideas of beauty; and why conceptual art requires us to rethink concepts fundamental to art and aesthetics, such as artistic interpretation and appreciation. Including helpful illustrations of the work of celebrated conceptual artists from Marcel Duchamp, Joseph Kosuth and Piero Manzoni to Dan Perjovschi and Martin Creed, Who’s Afraid of Conceptual Art? is a superb starting point for anyone intrigued but perplexed by conceptual art - and by art in general. It will be particularly helpful to students of philosophy, art and visual studies seeking an introduction not only to conceptual art but fundamental topics in art and aesthetics.