April Book Club '25: What Art Does
An Unfinished Theory By Brian Eno & Bette Adriaanse
What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory
Why do we need art?
"What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory" is a collaborative exploration by musician and visual artist Brian Eno and Dutch artist and writer Bette Adriaanse, delving into the multifaceted role of art in human life and society. This concise yet richly illustrated volume seeks to answer fundamental questions: Why do humans create art? What functions does art serve in our lives?
Eno and Adriaanse propose that art extends beyond traditional forms like painting and music, encompassing any activity performed "for the sake of the feeling" it evokes, including everyday expressions such as hairstyling. They argue that art allows individuals to safely experience a range of emotions, including those that might be challenging or transformative, without real-world consequences. This engagement with "made-up worlds" enriches our understanding of reality and fosters empathy by providing a "reservoir of shared experiences" that facilitate the exchange of complex feelings and ideas.
The authors emphasize art's capacity to inspire societal change. They highlight how, for example, musicians in the 1960s broadened societal perceptions of gender expression, demonstrating art's potential to challenge norms and envision new possibilities. In the face of contemporary challenges like climate change and social inequality, Eno and Adriaanse advocate for art as a means to imagine and feel new futures, underscoring its role in fostering community and collective transformation.
Designed to be as visually engaging as it is intellectually stimulating, the book features inventive typography and playful illustrations by Adriaanse, enhancing its exploration of art's significance. "What Art Does: An Unfinished Theory" serves as both a philosophical inquiry and a call to recognize and harness art's power to enrich individual lives and drive societal progress.
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Authors: Brian Eno & Bette Adriaanse
Reviews
"A lifetime's worth of practical wisdom and reflection. The result is a kind of joyous manifesto." - David Shariatmadari, Guardian
"Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s I wasn't afraid of Art even though my family was poor and undereducated and knew nothing about it. I was excited and wanted to join in, even to be part of contemporary art-making. I lost that confidence along the way. Became scared of Art, felt excluded by it. Reading What Art Does, has helped me regain that confidence by reminding me we're all making art all the time. That Art is for us and by us." - Viv Albertine
"Remarkable for its ability to render sophisticated and sometimes slippery ideas in clear, accessible language. . .The most powerful ideas here present art as conduit to community, as a way to be vulnerable, to surrender. . .This is a beautiful book." - Peter Murphy, Irish