The Necessity of Art: A Marxist Approach

By Ernst Fischer

Book Overview

"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 endeavor remains as timely today as when it was first published sixty years ago.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140551514
• ISBN13: 9780140551518
• Release Date: December 1978
• Publisher: Puffin
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 5.0" x 1.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Mapping the necessary social function of art

Fischer's book, translated cleanly by Anna Bostock, addresses art from the levels of medium, message and magic. Thought-provoking and influential, _The Necessity of Art_ is also quite readable and not at all dogmatic. Book is divided into five sections:The function of art The origins of art Art and capitalism Content and form The loss and discovery of realityPerhaps the most-quoted passages come from "content and form", which was indeed for me the most interesting section of the book. Form as solidified social experience fits into his analysis extremely well and the idea is developed here in a fascinating manner.