Search

Plain Aesthetics is an introduction to philosophical aesthetics and the philosophy of art written for all audiences. While students studying philosophy will find it informative, it is specifically constructed to be accessible to anyone, even those with no background in philosophy. It contains no jargon or technical language, except where such terms are defined at their point of use. Philosophers and theorists are discussed only where appropriate, and their views explained in context. Plain Aesthetics is written as a conversation between the author and the reader, and employs a great many examples of fascinating and influential artworks. Images and other works are presented to the reader both within the text and through an innovative interactive system. This book makes aesthetics accessible to everyone.

Mini-Lathe for Home Machinists explains the different parts of the mini-lathe and shows how they can be used to complete different projects. Author David Fenner covers all the basics, from safety and materials, setting up, and tuning the machine to using accessories and performing a full range of essential tasks. Also included are detailed instructions and hundreds of illustrations for making useful components like shafts, bushings, spindles, part-off tools, DRO handwheels, and a radius turning attachment. A complete course on using and improving the new generation of budget lathes, this book is a perfect choice for beginners as well as for those who are experienced with the lathe, but have never tried the mini-lathe.

Fenner presents an overview of the arguments about the importance of considering relevant context in determining the merit of a work of art.

David Fenner sets out to investigate the formulation of necessary and sufficient conditions for the adoption of the aesthetic attitude.

In TThe Art and Philosophy of the Garden, philosopher David Fenner and botanist Ethan Fenner examine the philosophical ideas lying behind one of the most universal human activities. They strip away our assumptions and take a close look at gardens -- starting with a definition of what a garden is -- and argue for a particularly way of understanding their aesthetic properties. Fenner and Fenner make the case that many gardens have a claim to being legitimate works of art. Their comprehensive and accessible discussion contributes to the resurgence of the theory of gardens and gardening, and will also interest any thoughtful person who cares about gardens.

This concise yet comprehensive introduction to the discipline of western aesthetical philosophy is focused directly on the central questions of aesthetics. Fenner arranges his analysis around four general themes—Experiences, Objects and Events, Meaning, and Judgment—that progress from issues of everyday experience to subjects of greater subtlety. Within these broader themes, Fenner explores such issues as The Aesthetic Attitude, Defining Art, and Reviewing Art Criticism. Although a historical organization is employed wherever a particular movement unfolds from earlier movements, the text's main organization is not motivated by an academic or historical treatment of the various topics. Instead, the topics themselves are of primary concern, in such a way that readers will come away with a complete overview of the canon of this highly significant area of western philosophy.