An Existential Interpretation of the Artistic Theories of Paul Klee
Abstract
The tendency of modern art toward dehumanization poses an
apparent paradox for aesthetics. Concerned primarily with purifying
art of all human content, modern art nonetheless seeks to embody
deeply human meanings. The problem thus posed for aesthetics is to
explain the dehumanizing intent of modern art in terms of a profoundly
humanistic philosophy. Furthermore, it must do so in such a way that
the presently dehumanized state of art becomes actually the more
authentically human. Such is the purpose of an existentialist aesthetic.
Existentialism attempts to discover in the heart of man's being the
entirely free act by which he establishes himself as an individual in
the society of men. That free act is also the source of creative
expression and hence of new meanings. The deliberate attempt of modern
art to dehumanize itself can be viewed as an assertion of artistic
freedom and hence also as a promoter of new meanings. Existentialism
as a philosophy concerned with the conduct of human life and modern
art concerned with free artistic expression are thus parallel phenomena
in the modern world related by their common concern with human freedom.
It is the purpose of this paper to present a synthesis of modern art
and existentialism in the form of an existential interpretation of the
artistic theories of Paul Klee. Since existentialism does not constitute
a consistent system of philosophical principles, the interpretation
will rely mainly on the aesthetic theories of Jean-Paul Sartre and
Maurice Merleau-Ponty, two eminent French existentialist thinkers.
It is hoped that such an interpretation will indicate the value of
similar interpretations of other twentieth century artists and hence
perhaps or modern art in general. If you are not a current K College student, faculty, or staff member, email dspace@kzoo.edu to request access to this SIP.