Elements in Art

Here [in art], . . . the second factor--the factor of originality, individuality, creativeness--seems definitely to prevail over the first. In art we are not content with the repetition of traditional forms. . . . Every artist in a certain sense makes a new epoch. . . The poet give not only a new turn [to traditional forms] but also a new life (Cassirer 226).

In other words, Cassirer is not merely suggesting that the artist consider autonomy of vision and execution to be a useful concept or practice, he is saying that without such autonomy the artist is not an artist at all but is rather a mere copyist who is wasting his and his audience's time. For art to be art, autonomy is essential.

The "proof" of the autonomy of art requires, says Cassirer, that "the logic of the imagination . . . be distinguished from the logic of rational and scientific thought" (Cassirer 137), and that the "moral truth" and "theoretical interpretation" of art also be shown to be distinct

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ure and actually correct or perfect it (Cassirer 139). In that simple explanation, Cassirer essentially presents his argument for the autonomy of art and of the artist, or at least any artist who truly accomplishes the goal of art according to Cassirer, which is to portray beauty and truth, even if they do not exist in nature in the specific aspect of nature being portrayed. As Cassirer says, "The artist ought to improve on his model" (Cassirer 139). Cassirer also emphasizes the "meaning" behind a piece of art in his seeking of an understanding of the autonomy of art. Emotion, he says, is important, for "all . . . expressive art is 'the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.'" But it is not enough if these emotions are employed in merely changing the "sign" (the physical object) of art rather than the "meaning." Cassirer writes that "Art is indeed expressive, but it cannot be expressive without being formative" (Cassirer 141), formative being value-oriented, or, ultimately, ethical. In other words, for the autonomy of art to mean anything besides simple novelty or sensationalism for their own sake, there must be conveyed some normative or moral material. Yes, the package or medium will be "sensuous" (Cassirer 141) for that
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Approximate Word count = 1588
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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