The Open Work

More than twenty years after its original appearance in Italian, The Open Work remains significant for its powerful concept of "openness"--the artist's decision to leave arrangements of some constituents of a work to the public or to chance--and for its striking anticipation of two major themes of contemporary literary theory: the element of multiplicity and plurality in art, and the insistence on literary response as an interactive process between reader and text. The questions Umberto Eco raises, and the answers he suggests, are intertwined in the continuing debate on literature, art, and culture in general. This entirely new edition, edited for the English-language audience with the approval of Eco himself, includes an authoritative introduction by David Robey that explores Eco's thought at the period of The Open Work, prior to his absorption in semiotics. The book now contains key essays on Eco's mentor Luigi Pareyson, on television and mass culture, and on the politics of art. Harvard University Press will publish separately and simultaneously the extended study of James Joyce that was originally part of The Open Work, entitled The Aesthetics of Chaosmos: The Middle Ages of James Joyce. The Open Work explores a set of issues in aesthetics that remain central to critical theory, and does so in a characteristically vivid style. Eco's convincing manner of presenting ideas and his instinct for the lively example are threaded compellingly throughout. This book is at once a major treatise in modern aesthetics and an excellent introduction to Eco's thought. From Library Journal This collection of newly translated essays presents Eco's response to the aesthetics of Benedetto Croce, which have had considerable influence in Italian thought for several decades. Eco's idea of "open" works of art, those that "have in common . . . the artist's decision to leave the arrangement of some of their constituents either to the public or to chance" is challenging and will disturb traditionalists. Nevertheless, as with his other books, Eco writes insightfully and forcefully, and the variety of subjects tackled here is illuminating, ranging from language and communication in general, to television and mass culture. Highly recommended for academic libraries and informed readers. - Terry Skeats, Bishop's Univ. Lib., Lennoxville, Quebec Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. More Than Twenty Years After Its Original Appearance In Italian, The Open Work Remains Significant For Its Powerful Concept Of Openness--the Artist's Decision To Leave Arrangements Of Some Constituents Of A Work To The Public Or To Chance--and For Its Striking Anticipation Of Two Major Themes Of Contemporary Literary Theory: The Element Of Multiplicity And Plurality In Art, And The Insistence On Literary Response As An Interactive Process Between Reader And Text. The Questions Umberto Eco Raises, And The Answers He Suggests, Are Intertwined In The Continuing Debate On Literature, Art, And Culture In General.this Entirely New Edition, Edited For The English-language Audience With The Approval Of Eco Himself, Includes An Authoritative Introduction By David Robey That Explores Eco's Thought At The Period Of The Open Work, Prior To His Absorption In Semiotics. The Book Now Contains Key Essays On Eco's Mentor Luigi Pareyson, On Television And Mass Culture, And On The Politics Of Art. Harvard University Press Will Publish Separately And Simultaneously The Extended Study Of James Joyce That Was Originally Part Of The Open Work, Entitled The Aesthetics Of Chaosmos: The Middle Ages Of James Joyce. The Open Work Explores A Set Of Issues In Aesthetics That Remain Central To Critical Theory, And Does So In A Characteristically Vivid Style. Eco's Convincing Manner Of Presenting Ideas And His Instinct For The Lively Example Are Threaded Compellingly Throughout. This Book Is At Once A Major Treatise In Modern Aesthetics And An Excellent Introduction To Eco's Thought. The Poetics Of The Open Work -- Analysis Of Poetic Language -- Openness, Information, Communication -- The Open Work In The Visual Arts -- Chance And Plot: Television And Aesthetics -- Form As Social Commitment -- Form And Interpretation In Luigi Pareyson's Aesthetics -- Two Hypotheses About The Death Of Art -- The Structure Of Bad Taste -- Series And Structure -- The Death Of The Gruppo. Umberto Eco ; Translated By Anna Cancogni ; With An Introduction By David Robey. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [251]-275. Translation Of: Opera Aperta, And Other Essays. Depuis le début du siècle sont apparues des œuvres qui s'offrent à une pluralité d'organisations: compositions musicales dont les parties sont à enchaîner selon le choix de l'interprète, sculptures mobiles, tableaux informels, jeux sémantiques dont Finnegans Wake a fourni le modèle. Ce nouveau type d'œuvres, U. Eco le décrit, et l'enracine en le confrontant à l'ensemble de la culture contemporaine, aux sciences qui accordent une importance toujours plus grande au hasard. Il le fonde aussi, en se demandant à partir de la théorie de l'information jusqu'à quel point une œuvre peut s'ouvrir sans cesser d'être communication. -- Back cover. Cover 1 Title Page 2 Copyright 3 CONTENTS 4 Introduction by David Robey 6 The Open Work 32 1. The Poetics of the Open Work 34 2. Analysis of Poetic Language 57 3. Openness, Information, Communication 77 4. The Open Work in the Visual Arts 117 5. Chance and Plot: Television and Aesthetics 138 6. Form as Social Commitment 156 7. Form and Interpretation in Luigi Pareyson's Aesthetics 191 8. Two Hypotheses about the Death of Art 200 9. The Structure of Bad Taste 213 10. Series and Structure 250 11. The Death of the Gruppo 63 269 Notes 284 Index 310 This book is significant for its concept of “openness”—the artist's decision to leave arrangements of some constituents of a work to the public or to chance—and for its anticipation of two themes of literary theory: the element of multiplicity and plurality in art, and the insistence on literary response as an interaction between reader and text. First published in Italian as Opera aperta, 1962. English edition Translated by Anna Cancogni With an Introduction by David Robey Publisher Harvard University Press, 1989 ISBN 0674639766, 9780674639768 285 pages