is mental illness contagious?

Brian Eno "What Art Does: An Unfinished History" (Faber & Faber)





If you’re the kind of person who thinks art is most often found in museums and galleries, this book is for you!

The book itself is a work of art. It’s small, measuring just 4.5″ by 6.5″. It’s also short and can be read in a couple of hours. But each two-page spread is unique – full of thought-provoking text, typographical artistry, colorful and wildly varied hand-drawn images, and occasional useful observations about art.

Ever wonder why art is part of every culture? Or why others may worship a famous painting that simply leaves you cold? Ever ponder the connection between art, play, and feelings? Maybe you’ve wondered why one type of art lasts for centuries while another is nothing more than a fad? The authors ask us to consider rich philosophical questions like these and offer fresh explanations which, I promise, will lead you to a better understanding of the definition of art, which I now understand as much broader than I ever thought. And I also see how art is much more integrated into our daily lives than I realized. (HINT: Think music, television, advertising, even haircuts, etc.)

WHAT ART DOES gives us all permission to experience art in any way we like. To enjoy it as each individual wishes. Or not to enjoy it at all. Because each of us gets to define art for ourselves, with the understanding that our own definition can change often throughout the course of our lives.

I highly recommend it to everyone. It could prompt some very interesting discussions among family and friends.