What Art Is (Tr)

A groundbreaking alternative to this view is provided by philosopher- novelist Ayn Rand, who created an original and illuminating theory of art--one which confirms the widespread view that much of today's purported art is really not art at all.

In What Art Is, Torres and Kamhi present a lucid introduction to Rand's esthetic theory, contrasting her ideas with those of other thinkers. They conclude that, in its basic principles, her account is compelling, and is corroborated by evidence from anthropology, neurology, cognitive science, and psychology.

The authors apply Rand's theory to a debunking of the work of prominent modernists and postmodernists--from Mondrian, Jackson Pollock, and Samuel Beckett to John Cage, Merce Cunningham, and others. Finally, they explore the implications of Rand's ideas for the issues of government and corporate support of the arts, art law, and arts education.