Art Theory Text with Field Diagram 1941

Editor: This is "Art Theory Text with Field Diagram" by Stuart Davis. It's undated, consisting of writing on paper. It's quite small, but I'm struck by how it attempts to define art itself. What do you make of it? Curator: This piece is fascinating as it gives us direct insight into Davis's artistic philosophy. He was writing at a time when the definition of "art" was being heavily contested, particularly with the rise of abstract art. Notice how he calls the term "abstract art" absurd? Editor: Yes, I saw that! Why would he say that? Curator: Davis was likely pushing back against the notion that art could be entirely divorced from the real world. He was invested in relating art to the lived experience of the viewer. The mention of 'fields' relates to his ideas on spatial composition. Editor: So, this piece isn’t just about art theory, it’s a political statement about the art world at the time. I didn’t realize! Curator: Precisely. It highlights how art and its reception are always shaped by broader cultural and intellectual debates.