THEORY AS PRACTICE 2 - SEMINAR LECTURE
Umberto Eco: The Poetics of Open Works (1962)
In this seminar we were tasked in reading the chapter of Umberto Eco's theory, and then giving an overview of the theory in no more than 125 words without using direct quotes. This was just a task for getting a general idea of the theory as Rob did not expect us to get it correct on the first try.
Overview (125 Words)
In Umberto Eco’s theory on The Poetics of Open Works I feel that the phrase “Open Work” describes certain types of artwork, whether it be a musical composition or an art instillation. From this theory I believe that every work of art is deemed to be “open” through the interpretation that different viewers from different cultural contexts, with different personal experiences can provide to the piece. In addition to this Umberto Eco also refers to another type of “open work” and to different degrees of openness, historically in the Baroque era and symbolism in the work of Kafka. In the theory it is also apparent that open work reflects a change in science as well as art, giving us an experienced approach to reality.
In Umberto Eco’s theory on The Poetics of Open Works I feel that the phrase “Open Work” describes certain types of artwork, whether it be a musical composition or an art instillation. From this theory I believe that every work of art is deemed to be “open” through the interpretation that different viewers from different cultural contexts, with different personal experiences can provide to the piece. In addition to this Umberto Eco also refers to another type of “open work” and to different degrees of openness, historically in the Baroque era and symbolism in the work of Kafka. In the theory it is also apparent that open work reflects a change in science as well as art, giving us an experienced approach to reality.
