theory of art

¶ … Art

The question of Cultural Hierarchy

The question and the problematics raised by the concept and reality of Cultural Hierarchy have created intense and even divisive debate in art theory. The general consensus is that the ideology of Cultural Hierarchy is not only inadequate to deal with postmodern and contemporary developments in art, but that it also privileges certain types of art over others. Cultural hierarchy in effect marginalizes types of cultural and artistic practices and promotes the division between high and low art. However, critics also point out despite these general objections to the idea of cultural hierarchy, it still tends to be present in theory and praxis and some claim that it retains a certain degree of validity in art theory

Central to the problematics of cultural hierarchy is that it attempts to deny the validity of alternative and less canonical forms of art. I see this as the main objection to this theoretical stance. This view is in line with the contemporary postmodern ethos, in which the concept of a privileged hierarchy of standards has been interrogated and deconstructed. The rigid selectivity of the Cultural Hierarchy has become untenable to the postmodern art theory, which places emphasis on plurality and diversity rather than on hierarchical structures and the judgment of certain types of art as "high" and others as "low."

However, in spite of strong opposition commentators note that, "...it is still influential." This leads to the question of whether there is some value in this theoretical approach.

In spite of arguments for this theory there can be little of value in an approach that holds as its central tenet the view that, the understanding and appreciation of popular culture by some groups is thought to be better or more valid than the standards of other groups."

It also denies the value of diversity and variation in popular culture and art. Critics have referred to the "two-dimensional" nature of Cultural Hierarchy and that it often aligns itself with the division between race and class.

It is therefore feasible to conclude that due to these objections, especially the distinction that it creates between high and low forms of art, that this theory is problematic in terms of the development of contemporary art and therefore should be precluded from having a prominent place in the modern theoretical assessment of art.