Art and

Philosophy
7. Action
Theory
“ “On the floor I am more at
ease, I feel nearer, more
part of the painting, since
this way I can walk around
it, work from the four sides
and literally be ‘in’ the
painting.” - Jackson Pollock
(1912-1956)
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Action Theory
▪ Action theory – style of abstract
expressionism by Jackson Pollock.
It is the process of putting,
dripping, pouring, and splashing
paints on the canvas.
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The
concept
Verb - a word used to
describe an action, state, or
occurrence, and forming the
main part of the predicate of
a sentence, such
as hear, become, happen.

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Harold Rosenberg (1952) – Action Painting

▪ “The canvass began to appear as an

arena in which an act--rather than a
space in which to reproduce, re-
design, analyze or express an object,
actual or imagined. What was to go on
the canvas was not a picture but an
event.”
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 Color Field Painting

▪ (Branch of Action
Painting) – flat mass
Gus Albor
of colors on the picture
plane (Mark Rothko
and Gus Albor).
Sample Color Field
Painting by Mark
Rothko 7
8. Institutional
Theory
 Institutional Theory
▪ Art is an institution in
the society (George
Dickie and Arthur George Dickie

Danto).
▪ Institution is a society or
organization founded for a
religious, educational,
social, or similar purpose. 9
Arthur Danto
The Concept

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 The Artworld
▪ The people are in the position of
power. The artworld are the
artists, art critics, art
historians/educators, art patrons/
curators, art museums/galleries,
schools/clubs, art awards,
recognition/popularity, art
journals, and TV/newspapers. 11
The Logic of Institutional Theory
▪ For something to become art is like for someone
to become a dentist or an engineer; it must
pass all the standards set by the school as an
institution. For someone to become an artist is
like for a person to become a member of the
Catholic church and rise to the hierarchy; s/he
must go through all the stages prescribed
by the church as an institution. 12
To be recognized as an artist by the Artworld-
Institution, a person must:
▪ have skills and talent;
▪ be studying in an art school;
▪ have a degree in Fine Arts;
▪ be a member of art organizations;
▪ win recognition, prizes, and awards;
▪ have artworks exhibited in museums and/or
galleries;
▪ be mentioned in books, media, and art history;
▪ be well-known; and
▪ have a revolutionized art. 13
Institutional Theory
▪ A thing becomes art if it is acknowledged
as an art by the Artworld.

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Thanks!
Any questions?

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