The Necessity of Art

Name: The Necessity of Art
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781844675937
Price: 73.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Ernst Fischer

0.0 (0 reviews)

3.92

( 437 ratings, 49 reviews)

Summary

The Necessity of Art by Ernst Fischer is a profound meditation on art's essential role in human life. Fischer explores how art enables us to recognise and transform the world, blending the magic of creativity with social reality. He passionately argues that authentic art must reflect life's imperfections and inspire change, emphasising the artist's duty to engage with society meaningfully. The book critiques consumerism and technological excess while projecting a hopeful vision for art's future, making it as relevant now as when first published six decades ago.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$73⁰⁰

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

The Necessity of Art

$73⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in arts and culture, especially those keen on the social and philosophical dimensions of creative expression. It suits artists, students, and anyone reflective about art’s power to influence and improve society.

Discusses the art's importance in viewing the world in which we live. This title looks at the relationship between art and social reality, arguing that truthful art must both reflect reality in its flaws and imperfections, and help show how change and improvement might be brought about. It focuses on the individual's need to engage with society.

The influential meditation on the role of art, with a new introduction by John Berger

Description

"Art is necessary in order that man should be able to recognize and change the world. But art is also necessary by virtue of the magic inherent in it." – Ernst Fischer

Reissued with an introduction by John Berger, The Necessity of Art is a beautifully written meditation on art's importance in viewing the world in which we live. In this wide-ranging and erudite exploration of literary and fine art, Fischer looks at the relationship between the creative imagination and social reality, arguing that truthful art must both reflect existence in all its flaws and imperfections, and help show how change and improvement might be brought about.

With his emphasis on the individual's need to engage with society, his rejection of rampant consumerism and hypertechnology, and his indomitable optimism, this radical, affirmative and humane vision of the artistic endeavour remains as timely today as when it was first published sixty years ago.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Kenneth Tynan praises Fischer's work for answering why people have always needed art and what has shaped its forms. He urges readers to study and debate Fischer’s insights voraciously, highlighting the book's intellectual richness and enduring value.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781844675937

Publisher: Verso Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 June 2010

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Verso Books

Edition: 2nd edition

Contributors:

Translated by Anna Bostock
Introduction by John Berger
Introduction by John Berger

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 208.0mm

Weight: 349g

Pages: 266

Collections

Arts & Culture Ernst Fischer Non-Fiction

About the Author

Born in Austria, Ernst Fischer (1899-1972) studied philosophy before working as a newspaper editor, radio commentator, and writer; in the years after World War II he became a leading cultural commentator. His books include Art Against Ideology and The Necessity of Art.

Storyteller, novelist, essayist, screenwriter, dramatist and critic, John Berger is one of the most internationally influential writers of the last fifty years. His many books include Ways of Seeing, the fiction trilogy Into Their Labours, Here Is Where We Meet, the Booker Prize-winning novel G, Hold Everything Dear, the Man Booker-longlisted From A to X, and A Seventh Man.