Contradictions of the Transmission Theory of Art
dissonance 8 . Some of the most well-known figures in Hollywood deal with mental health while simultaneously portraying their beloved lighthearted characters in film. This dissonance is interchangeable, with villainous characters played by kind actors or characters dealing with depression who are played by those who do not deal with depression in their real life. Tolstoy fails to acknowledge the requirements and demands of an actor’s occupation, and therefore fails to account for the performing arts as a valid form of artistry. Ultimately, the Transmission Theory meets another steep contradiction. IV. Condition 7: Clarification In closing, I will deconstruct the validity of the seventh condition of the Transmission Theory, which stipulates a necessity for the clarification of what is being expressed by the artist through their work. Given the ongoing process of discovering historical artworks and the growing prevalence of interpretive art, this necessity for clarification is possibly the most contentious aspect of the Transmission Theory. When studying works of art by widely revered figures such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, and more, the theory fails to account for such notable pieces that the artist did not clarify or explain 9 . Various examples of artworks are consistently examined by professors, art historians, and even down to the elementary level of education. Regardless of this theory, we still recognize these works as art despite lacking the element of clarification and even an intended emotion altogether. There is no way to know what the artist means to convey in their art if they are not there to clarify it directly. Without the words of the artist themselves, one cannot confirm but merely assume, theorize, and skepticize. The IESA Arts & Culture's definition of Art History says:
8 Carroll, “Art and Expression,” 69. 9 Carroll, “Art and Expression,” 75.
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