Apollonian and Dionysian Forces in Art: A Theory of Art

This brief essay argues that the Apollonian and Dionysian can be used to muster a theory of art, one where “sets” or logical operators allow a certain discerning of why certain art is considered great i.e. A masterpiece. It only works of course if we begin by assuming the truth of the narrative of the theory and history of art which obtains even in the deconstructive impulse of postmodern analysis. An argument is developed that a certain creative dialectic exists in the case of such art and does not exist in the great mass of art produced, where the ultimate state and “artwork” is a harmonious world quite literally.