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Transformative Arts

Biological, Digital, and Everyday Aesthetics

Gary A. Berg

Traditional fine arts are often regarded as rarefied, something accessed by the uniquely talented and displayed in impressive museums or on lavish stages. Art thusly conceived is something that most people never practice in their lives. Yet in day-to-day life we all experience creative satisfaction through interaction with the physical and social environment that is a form of artistic practice. In Transformative Arts: Biological, Digital, and Everyday Aesthetics, Gary A. Berg explores what we gain through understanding ways to live imaginative lives and considers the increasingly important collaborative role of computers and interaction with nature.

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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 164 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
978-1-4758-7252-1 • Hardback • March 2024 • $85.00 • (£65.00)
978-1-4758-7253-8 • Paperback • March 2024 • $34.00 • (£25.00)
978-1-4758-7254-5 • eBook • March 2024 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
Subjects: Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General, Education / Arts in Education

Gary A. Berg, PhD, MFA, is the author or editor of eleven previous books including A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals and The Rise of Women in Higher Education: How, Why, and What’s Next. His widely-published research journals, as well as interviews and opinion pieces in popular media spans topics from technology used for educational purposes and innovation in non-profit and socially responsible organizations, to university admissions and financial aid public policy.

Introduction

Starting Point

Shaping Questions

Plan for the Book

Conclusion

Chapter One: The Origin and Evolution of Western Aesthetics

Philosophical Foundations

Spirituality and Art

Religious Traditions and Art

The Sublime and Transcendence

Modern and Contemporary Scholars on Art and Spirituality

Modern Aesthetics

Psychological Perspectives

Conclusion

Chapter Two: Beyond Western Aesthetics

Anthropological Foundations

Regional Histories and Contrasts

Cross-cultural Patterns

Beauty in Disinterestedness

Beauty of Spirituality and Transcendence

Beauty of Imperfection and Process

Beauty Every Day

Conclusion

Chapter Three: The Aesthetics of the Everyday

European Precursors

John Dewey and Art as Experience

Aesthetics of the Everyday

Conclusion

Chapter Four: Digital Art

Origins

Machine Learning and Art

Deep Learning

Generative Adversarial Networks

Applications Using Text Prompts to Create Art

Robotics

Computers in Music and Literature

Computers and Performing Arts

Computers and Consciousness

Conclusion

Chapter Five: Biological Art

Using Technology to Uncover Beauty Up Close and Far Away

Animal Art

Development of Bio Art

Humans Interacting with Living Organisms

Conclusion

Conclusion

Primary Questions

Impact of Computer and Biological Advancements on Aesthetics

Power of Everyday Aesthetics

Conclusion

Bibliography

About the Author

An interesting follow-up to A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals (CH,Jan'23, 60-1281), this well-researched volume concisely traces the history of aesthetics through philosophers, artists, scientists, and scholars and considers the place of digital and biological art in creative practice. Its strength lies in its accessible structure. The introduction provides a clear road map of the narrative. Extensive notes and a well-curated bibliography provide additional sources for exploration and further enhance the scholarly merit. While primarily useful as a brief survey of aesthetics, the book nonetheless addresses emergent dialogues surrounding AI, biotechnological advancements in art, and the intersection of art, culture, and technology.: Recommended. Lower-division through advanced undergraduates.


— Choice Reviews


Gary Berg provides a thoughtful, extremely well-researched analysis of the systemic challenges and potential opportunities for creative professionals as they pursue their careers. This “bird’s eye view” of the field will be extremely helpful to individual artists in their quest as well as to arts executives, policymakers and educators seeking to strengthen the cultural ecosystem and support artists in their efforts to bring joy, beauty and a sense of our shared humanity to our communities.


— Rachel S. Moore, President & CEO of The Music Center and author of The Artist’s Compass: The Complete Guide to Building a Life and a Living in the Performing Arts


The book’s appearance coincides with a moment of profound changes in creative lives (and not only professions!) of all kinds and is driven by data, not opinion, regarding creative worlds that need facts today as much as they do artists and their audiences. I recommend it whole-heartedly.


— Brett Steele, Dean UCLA School of the Arts & Architecture


Berg's apt, well-researched, well-written book is both poetic and pragmatic…. Invaluable for all who are in the creative arts or interested in pursuing the vast and varied career options in the arts. Highly recommended.


— Choice Reviews


Transformative Arts

Biological, Digital, and Everyday Aesthetics

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Traditional fine arts are often regarded as rarefied, something accessed by the uniquely talented and displayed in impressive museums or on lavish stages. Art thusly conceived is something that most people never practice in their lives. Yet in day-to-day life we all experience creative satisfaction through interaction with the physical and social environment that is a form of artistic practice. In Transformative Arts: Biological, Digital, and Everyday Aesthetics, Gary A. Berg explores what we gain through understanding ways to live imaginative lives and considers the increasingly important collaborative role of computers and interaction with nature.

Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
    Pages: 164 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜
    978-1-4758-7252-1 • Hardback • March 2024 • $85.00 • (£65.00)
    978-1-4758-7253-8 • Paperback • March 2024 • $34.00 • (£25.00)
    978-1-4758-7254-5 • eBook • March 2024 • $32.00 • (£25.00)
    Subjects: Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General, Education / Arts in Education
Author
Author
  • Gary A. Berg, PhD, MFA, is the author or editor of eleven previous books including A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals and The Rise of Women in Higher Education: How, Why, and What’s Next. His widely-published research journals, as well as interviews and opinion pieces in popular media spans topics from technology used for educational purposes and innovation in non-profit and socially responsible organizations, to university admissions and financial aid public policy.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Introduction

    Starting Point

    Shaping Questions

    Plan for the Book

    Conclusion

    Chapter One: The Origin and Evolution of Western Aesthetics

    Philosophical Foundations

    Spirituality and Art

    Religious Traditions and Art

    The Sublime and Transcendence

    Modern and Contemporary Scholars on Art and Spirituality

    Modern Aesthetics

    Psychological Perspectives

    Conclusion

    Chapter Two: Beyond Western Aesthetics

    Anthropological Foundations

    Regional Histories and Contrasts

    Cross-cultural Patterns

    Beauty in Disinterestedness

    Beauty of Spirituality and Transcendence

    Beauty of Imperfection and Process

    Beauty Every Day

    Conclusion

    Chapter Three: The Aesthetics of the Everyday

    European Precursors

    John Dewey and Art as Experience

    Aesthetics of the Everyday

    Conclusion

    Chapter Four: Digital Art

    Origins

    Machine Learning and Art

    Deep Learning

    Generative Adversarial Networks

    Applications Using Text Prompts to Create Art

    Robotics

    Computers in Music and Literature

    Computers and Performing Arts

    Computers and Consciousness

    Conclusion

    Chapter Five: Biological Art

    Using Technology to Uncover Beauty Up Close and Far Away

    Animal Art

    Development of Bio Art

    Humans Interacting with Living Organisms

    Conclusion

    Conclusion

    Primary Questions

    Impact of Computer and Biological Advancements on Aesthetics

    Power of Everyday Aesthetics

    Conclusion

    Bibliography

    About the Author

Reviews
Reviews
  • An interesting follow-up to A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals (CH,Jan'23, 60-1281), this well-researched volume concisely traces the history of aesthetics through philosophers, artists, scientists, and scholars and considers the place of digital and biological art in creative practice. Its strength lies in its accessible structure. The introduction provides a clear road map of the narrative. Extensive notes and a well-curated bibliography provide additional sources for exploration and further enhance the scholarly merit. While primarily useful as a brief survey of aesthetics, the book nonetheless addresses emergent dialogues surrounding AI, biotechnological advancements in art, and the intersection of art, culture, and technology.: Recommended. Lower-division through advanced undergraduates.


    — Choice Reviews


    Gary Berg provides a thoughtful, extremely well-researched analysis of the systemic challenges and potential opportunities for creative professionals as they pursue their careers. This “bird’s eye view” of the field will be extremely helpful to individual artists in their quest as well as to arts executives, policymakers and educators seeking to strengthen the cultural ecosystem and support artists in their efforts to bring joy, beauty and a sense of our shared humanity to our communities.


    — Rachel S. Moore, President & CEO of The Music Center and author of The Artist’s Compass: The Complete Guide to Building a Life and a Living in the Performing Arts


    The book’s appearance coincides with a moment of profound changes in creative lives (and not only professions!) of all kinds and is driven by data, not opinion, regarding creative worlds that need facts today as much as they do artists and their audiences. I recommend it whole-heartedly.


    — Brett Steele, Dean UCLA School of the Arts & Architecture


    Berg's apt, well-researched, well-written book is both poetic and pragmatic…. Invaluable for all who are in the creative arts or interested in pursuing the vast and varied career options in the arts. Highly recommended.


    — Choice Reviews


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