Transformative Arts

Gary A. Berg, PhD, MFA, is the author or editor of eleven previous books including A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals and The Rise of Women in Higher Education: How, Why, and What’s Next. His widely-published research journals, as well as interviews and opinion pieces in popular media spans topics from technology used for educational purposes and innovation in non-profit and socially responsible organizations, to university admissions and financial aid public policy.

An interesting follow-up to A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals (CH,Jan'23, 60-1281), this well-researched volume concisely traces the history of aesthetics through philosophers, artists, scientists, and scholars and considers the place of digital and biological art in creative practice. Its strength lies in its accessible structure. The introduction provides a clear road map of the narrative. Extensive notes and a well-curated bibliography provide additional sources for exploration and further enhance the scholarly merit. While primarily useful as a brief survey of aesthetics, the book nonetheless addresses emergent dialogues surrounding AI, biotechnological advancements in art, and the intersection of art, culture, and technology.: Recommended. Lower-division through advanced undergraduates.

• IntroductionStarting PointShaping QuestionsPlan for the BookConclusionChapter One: The Origin and Evolution of Western AestheticsPhilosophical FoundationsSpirituality and ArtReligious Traditions and ArtThe Sublime and TranscendenceModern and Contemporary Scholars on Art and SpiritualityModern AestheticsPsychological PerspectivesConclusionChapter Two: Beyond Western AestheticsAnthropological FoundationsRegional Histories and ContrastsCross-cultural PatternsBeauty in DisinterestednessBeauty of Spirituality and TranscendenceBeauty of Imperfection and ProcessBeauty Every DayConclusionChapter Three: The Aesthetics of the EverydayEuropean PrecursorsJohn Dewey and Art as ExperienceAesthetics of the EverydayConclusionChapter Four: Digital ArtOriginsMachine Learning and ArtDeep LearningGenerative Adversarial NetworksApplications Using Text Prompts to Create Art RoboticsComputers in Music and LiteratureComputers and Performing ArtsComputers and ConsciousnessConclusionChapter Five: Biological ArtUsing Technology to Uncover Beauty Up Close and Far AwayAnimal ArtDevelopment of Bio ArtHumans Interacting with Living OrganismsConclusionConclusionPrimary QuestionsImpact of Computer and Biological Advancements on AestheticsPower of Everyday AestheticsConclusionBibliographyAbout the Author