Editoriale – L'estetica all'opera. Focus Genette

Abstract

The aesthetic reflection of Gérard Genette seemed to be the most adequate object to practice such exchange, since the author has set about fifteen years ago the principles of a general aesthetic very meticulous and systematic and seeking to discover, explain, and define how art exists and how it works. By building his ‘magnum opus’ on the American analytical philosophy (essentially on Nelson Goodman) and confronting vigorously with the aesthetics of Hume and Kant, Genette primarily focuses on different modes of existence and manifestation of works of art. Then, he concentrates on exploring the aesthetic function of the artworks to arouse in the receiver the feeling and the idea of being in front of an object felt or believed as produced intentionally for some aesthetic aim. From the inquiry of artistic objects in their multiplicity, to the investigation about aesthetic attention and judgment, artistic appreciation and intention, Genette is always very careful towards the plurality of the artworks and the diversity of their existential modes and ontological features, particularly to the contemporary art.