Transformative Arts - by Gary A Berg (Hardcover)

About the Book

Drawing on an extensive yet concise review of the history of cross-cultural aesthetics, the volume presents the scientists and artists working in the new world of transformative arts.

Book Synopsis

Traditional fine arts are often regarded as rarefied, something accessed by the uniquely talented and displayed in impressive museums or on lavish stages. Art thusly conceived is something that most people never practice in their lives. Yet in day-to-day life we all experience creative satisfaction through interaction with the physical and social environment that is a form of artistic practice. In Transformative Arts: Biological, Digital, and Everyday Aesthetics, Gary A. Berg explores what we gain through understanding ways to live imaginative lives and considers the increasingly important collaborative role of computers and interaction with nature.

Review Quotes

"An interesting follow-up to A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals (CH, Jan'23, 60-1281), this well-researched volume concisely traces the history of aesthetics through philosophers, artists, scientists, and scholars and considers the place of digital and biological art in creative practice. Its strength lies in its accessible structure. The introduction provides a clear road map of the narrative. Extensive notes and a well-curated bibliography provide additional sources for exploration and further enhance the scholarly merit. While primarily useful as a brief survey of aesthetics, the book nonetheless addresses emergent dialogues surrounding AI, biotechnological advancements in art, and the intersection of art, culture, and technology.: Recommended. Lower-division through advanced undergraduates." --Choice Reviews

"Gary Berg provides a thoughtful, extremely well-researched analysis of the systemic challenges and potential opportunities for creative professionals as they pursue their careers. This "bird's eye view" of the field will be extremely helpful to individual artists in their quest as well as to arts executives, policymakers and educators seeking to strengthen the cultural ecosystem and support artists in their efforts to bring joy, beauty and a sense of our shared humanity to our communities." --Rachel S. Moore, President & CEO of The Music Center and author of The Artist's Compass: The Complete Guide to Building a Life and a Living in the Performing Arts

"The book's appearance coincides with a moment of profound changes in creative lives (and not only professions!) of all kinds and is driven by data, not opinion, regarding creative worlds that need facts today as much as they do artists and their audiences. I recommend it whole-heartedly." --Brett Steele, Dean UCLA School of the Arts & Architecture

"Berg's apt, well-researched, well-written book is both poetic and pragmatic.... Invaluable for all who are in the creative arts or interested in pursuing the vast and varied career options in the arts. Highly recommended." --Choice Reviews

An interesting follow-up to A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals (CH, Jan'23, 60-1281), this well-researched volume concisely traces the history of aesthetics through philosophers, artists, scientists, and scholars and considers the place of digital and biological art in creative practice. Its strength lies in its accessible structure. The introduction provides a clear road map of the narrative. Extensive notes and a well-curated bibliography provide additional sources for exploration and further enhance the scholarly merit. While primarily useful as a brief survey of aesthetics, the book nonetheless addresses emergent dialogues surrounding AI, biotechnological advancements in art, and the intersection of art, culture, and technology.: Recommended. Lower-division through advanced undergraduates.

Berg's apt, well-researched, well-written book is both poetic and pragmatic.... Invaluable for all who are in the creative arts or interested in pursuing the vast and varied career options in the arts. Highly recommended.

Gary Berg provides a thoughtful, extremely well-researched analysis of the systemic challenges and potential opportunities for creative professionals as they pursue their careers. This "bird's eye view" of the field will be extremely helpful to individual artists in their quest as well as to arts executives, policymakers and educators seeking to strengthen the cultural ecosystem and support artists in their efforts to bring joy, beauty and a sense of our shared humanity to our communities.

The book's appearance coincides with a moment of profound changes in creative lives (and not only professions!) of all kinds and is driven by data, not opinion, regarding creative worlds that need facts today as much as they do artists and their audiences. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

About the Author

Gary A. Berg, PhD, MFA, is the author or editor of eleven previous books including A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals and The Rise of Women in Higher Education: How, Why, and What's Next. His widely-published research journals, as well as interviews and opinion pieces in popular media spans topics from technology used for educational purposes and innovation in non-profit and socially responsible organizations, to university admissions and financial aid public policy.