vix.ing · top · new · best · stats · spec

Are Titles of Artworks Proper Names of the Artworks They Entitle?

2025/06/01 by Simon J. Evnine · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Social Sciences · #Archaeological Research and Protection #Law in Society and Culture #Public Spaces through Art

paper · doi:10.1093/aesthj/ayaf024

openalex publication_date 2025/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/25 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

Abstract I argue against the view that titles of artworks are proper names of those works and that all descriptive content in them is relevant only to interpreting the works. In its place, I suggest that the ties between titles and works are much more complex than is allowed by thinking of them solely as names. Their descriptive content is crucial to understanding how they entitle and that it is aesthetically important, not in an interpretive way, but in terms of how a work is staged or bounded in its confrontation with an audience.

Citations

Discussions

Related