Kant after the end of art

Abstract

The general purpose of this article is to analyze the Kantian concept of “mere reflexion” as a critical feeling, in order to think about the problem of contemporary art reception. In order to achieve this aim, firstly we point out the notion of the “end of art” in Arthur Danto and describe how “the world of art” constitutes a problematic legitimation of art. Therefore, we examine the imposing way in which the “world of art” transfigures ordinary objects into pieces of art. Thereafter, we point out the misconceptions that Greenberg made while reading Kant's aesthetic. We argue that Danto's objection to Greenberg, according to which Kantian aesthetics would be obsolete in judging contemporary art, does not correspond to a real objection to the Kantian aesthetic. Finally, we try to answer if the Kantian aesthetic could help us provide a reflection on contemporary art. In this regard, we have made the appropriation of the Kantian concept of reflection along with Thierry de Duve's reading of the Kantian Aesthetics to dialogue with contemporary art.