Beauty and ugliness: MOD ART’13 Conference proceedings, November 25-27,2013, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University

Abstract

The classical modem art changed the artistic approaches of the past once and for ali. The identity of the artist, ideological independence of the art and its stylistic character as well as its production and reception / consumption processes changed in a way that the effects of this change has continued until today. This differentiation can also be observed in the modem art's perspective of beauty and ugliness. The very grounds on which the definitions of ethical rights and wrongs, philosophical reality and illusions as well as aesthetical beauty and ugliness shifted. Not only questioning the values that root back from differentiation of the beauty and ugliness but also making them relative and continuously re-defining them is a consequence of the classical modem art that is still evident today. Modern art characterizes what is deemed ugly as beautiful or at least considers the possibility to realize such a characterization. This is a tendency that can easily be considered as perception of beauty as ugliness. This is why a deconstruction ofa new stylistic repertoire and understanding as well as aesthetic standards is positioned right at the center of the cultural life of the modern art. MOD ART '13 Modem Art Conference, aims to trace the definitions and stylistic expressions of the concepts of beauty and ugliness throughout the punctuated history which was created by the effects of modern art extended from its roots to classical modem art. Understanding of beauty and ugliness in examples more connected to classical modem art from old times as well as in recent examples from around the world will be evaluated through various branches of art. MOD ART '13, hosted by MSFAU (Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University), will be organized from 25th to 27th of November, by DAKAM (Eastern Mediterranean Academic Research Center). / Efe Duyan