Have you ever wondered who gives meaning to an artwork? Is it the audience to whom the artwork is presented or is it the artist who produces the artwork? There are two approaches to the question at hand. We will look at both the approaches in this blog.

Intentionalist Approach:

First of all, there is an intentionalist approach for intentionalists it is the intention of an artist that counts, when it comes to determining the meaning of an artwork. They think only the artists can give meaning to their artwork as it is only the artists who are aware of intended meaning behind their work of art.

An artwork has no meaning independent of the intended meaning of the artist or the creator of the work. To find out the meaning behind any artwork we have to understand the artist. We have to question what the artist is like, what are his ideologies, and so on. In light of his personality we can interpret the work of art. Or we can also directly ask an artist, if he is alive, what was intended by his work of art. The audience may give different meanings to an artwork but it will not be the intended meaning, therefore not real meaning.

Anti-Intentionalist Approach:

Contrary to intentionalist approach, the anti-intentionalists says that it is the audience that gives meaning to an artwork. They believe that there is no single meaning of art. There are as many meanings of an artwork as there are spectators.

We may give any meaning to an artwork, and we are free in doing so. As, whatever meaning audience gives to artwork it becomes that meaning for that artwork. An artwork can have innumerable meanings. It is the nature of arts that it resists single meaning.

Anti-intentionalists argues that the artists can’t determine the meaning of an artwork. As, they maintain that when an artist completes and experiences his own artwork he becomes spectator, part of audience.

So these are the two approaches regarding the meaning of art. Let us know which approach you follow in the comment section.