Possible definitions of art

Account for first art?

Account for avant guard art?

Account for new artforms and genres (e.g., jazz photography)

 

 

            Family resemblance


No


Not ready-mades

 

 

 

Radical stipulativism Experts arbitrary decisions decide

No

Yes

 

 

 

Aes functionalism Art if intended for aes experience of aes properties


Yes

No; can’t account for art that lacks or rejects aes properties


Yes (doesn’t require reference to established art

 

 

Institutional theory Artist created it to be presented to artworld

No as no art institution back then

Yes; allows for found and ready-made art

Yes

 

 

Historicism Art if properly related to its artistic predecessors

No as no predecessors

No as this art often aims to reject the tradition

No as historically unprecedented genres not so relate