Aesthetics
EXPRESSIONIST
Artworks are valuable, have merit, or are meaningful because they convey or
evoke feelings or moods.
INSTRUMENTALIST
Artworks are valuable or meaningful because they serve an important social
function. Persuading people to think or behave in certain ways.
FORMALIST
Artworks are valuable, or meaningful because of the way they are arranged, or
formed. The parts or elements of the work fit together well and demonstrate an
effective use of the P&Es.
IMITATIONALIST
Artworks are valuable or meaningful because they show objects or situations in
ways that they actually exist in the real world.
INSTITUTIONALIST
Something is called an artwork because the artist says it an artwork, or it is
displayed in a traditional art institution (ex. museum or gallery).
*Taken from
Marilyn Stewart's Thinking Through Aesthetics