A Redefined Concept of Aesthetics for the Museum: The Pluriverse Within the Museum

Author

Christina A. de Vreeze, Salve Regina University

Abstract

This dissertation uses Kant's and postcolonial philosophical aesthetics as a lens to argue that the Museum of Empire, in its decolonization process, requires a redefined concept of aesthetics. Using the looted Benin Bronzes as an example, the aesthetic lens reveals that ethics is missing in the decolonization efforts, as the decolonization debate only examines the formal qualities of the colonially looted art and artifacts, silencing the Indigenous descendants of the enslaved Bini citizens. The redefined concept of aesthetics holds that the non-empirical qualities of artworks establish a moral purpose for beauty. Additionally, the relational aspect of aesthetics also involves the social transformative dimensions of art.

Disciplines

Aesthetics | Museum Studies | Philosophy

Subject Area

Philosophy; Aesthetics; Museum studies

Recommended Citation

de Vreeze, Christina A., "A Redefined Concept of Aesthetics for the Museum: The Pluriverse Within the Museum" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations. 247.
https://digitalcommons.salve.edu/doctoral_dissertations/247

Department

Humanities (HUM)

First Advisor

Horan, Jennifer

Second Advisor

O'Callaghan, Sean

Third Advisor

Catterson, Troy

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.