Art as the Foundation of History: On the Historical Dimension of Heidegger's Art Criticism

Abstract

Abstract: In the latest years, the debate between Heidegger and Schapiro on Van Gogh's Shoes has received considerable attention among the Chinese scholars. Despite the controversy over Heidegger's interpretation of the painting, scholars have reached an agreement that Heidegger's art criticism derives from his philosophy of art and therefore lacks the insight of art history abundant in Schapiro's scholarship. This assertion, to a certain extent, misunderstands Heidegger's thought. This paper argues that Heidegger's art criticism also contains a historical dimension, for he not only investigates art history but also pays close attention to the relationship between art and history. The difference, however, is that Schapiro examines the history of specific artworks, whereas Heidegger explores the origin and essence of art. In other words, the former views history as the basis for evaluating art, while the latter attempts to institute art as the foundation for history. This historical dimension in Heidegger's art criticism can be understood on three levels: to institute art as the foundation the history of Dasein, to institute art as the foundation for the history of the nation, and to institute art as the foundation for the history of Seyn.

Key words: Heidegger, art, history, Dasein, Seyn

CLC Number:

Song Congcong. Art as the Foundation of History: On the Historical Dimension of Heidegger's Art Criticism[J]. Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art.

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