Art and Philosophy
At Bromyard Road Methodist Church Meeting Room postcode WR2 5DL on Thursdays at 10:00.
Leader and Contact: Michael Lafferty
This discussion group looks at visual art (primarily through PowerPoint slides) as well as considering music and literature. We are interested in some of the underlying philosophical questions about art: can you define it? Why do we regard art as being so important? Does it have a purpose? How do we judge art?
We have had presentations on: ‘Proust and Painting’, ‘The New Pluralism’ (an examination of Arthur Danto’s theory of art), ‘Art as Life – Life as Art: Frida Kahlo and Sophie Calle’ and ‘The Art of Photography, Two Views: Roger Scruton and David Hockney’.
The poetry we discussed ranged from Alan Ginsberg’s ‘Howl’ to Ian Duhig’s ‘Watercolour’. In two sessions we had a detailed look at Nietzsche’s 1873 essay ‘On Truth and Lies in a Non-moral Sense’.
No previous experience of art, art history or philosophy is required. A love of art and an enquiring mind are all that are needed.
Members decide on the final programme depending on their interests. Suggested topics areas are indicated below:
• Presentations by the group leader or members in their own areas of interest or expertise (although there is no requirement for members to do a presentation).
• Group reading and analysis of chosen essays, articles or books.
• Members’ choice: bring something along that you admire and try to explain why. It could be poetry, painting, music or some of your own work.
• Visits have included The Royal Academy, The Barber Institute, the Ikon Gallery and BMAG in Birmingham.
We meet fortnightly for two hours.
We are open to ideas and suggestions from new members.
The first session will begin by discussing and finalising the programme