Single Idea 23924

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / B. Nature of Art / 2. Art as Form]

Full Idea

When we strip things of all associations and significance, what is left is 'the thing in itself', or 'ultimate reality'. …Artists can express an emotion felt for reality through line and colour. …So through 'significant form' we sense ultimate reality.

Gist of Idea

Maybe significant form gives us a feeling for ultimate reality

Source

Clive Bell (Art [1913], I.III)

Book Reference

Bell,Clive: 'Art' [nk 2010], p.20


A Reaction

[compressed] The thing in itself is a Kantian idea. He offers this as a speculation, rather than a fact. Maybe quantum physics gets us closer to the thing in itself? Bell knows that his faith in significant form needs more justification than an emotion.