art for art's sake

art for art's sake

Art created for the sole purpose of being an artistic expression. Don't interpret this piece as some sort of political statement—it's just art for art's sake.
See also: art, sake
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

art for art's sake

the idea that a work of art has no purpose beyond itself.
This phrase is the slogan of artists who hold that the chief or only aim of a work of art is the self-expression of the individual artist who creates it.
See also: art, sake
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • art
  • express (oneself)
  • express oneself
  • be art and part of
  • be art and part of (something)
  • thing or two
  • a thing or two
  • dabble in
  • dabble in (something)
  • admit (one) to (something or some place)
References in periodicals archive
It comprises one of four central tenets of what Oscar Wilde declares to be the "doctrines of the new aesthetics," principles that British aesthetes following Wilde would regard as foundational to the theory of art for art's sake (55).
But the art for art's sake mentality is truly exasperating when Ordinary People is nominated for awards, and Redford's arrogance shows through Callan's writing, making him appear distant and a bit unlikable.
Art for Art's Sake: Exploring Contemporary South Asian Art was successful in introducing the Toronto audience to the wide range of artistic practices from South Asia.
"Art for art's sake does not have any meaning if it does not make a difference.
Ziolkowski develops for these works an anatomy of displacement composed of five basic forms of surrogacy available to the authors as alternatives to the fading belief of their childhoods: 1) art for art's sake; 2) the pilgrimage to India; 3) socialism; 4) myth; and 5) utopian vision.
Art for art's sake is good and well, and it will always continue.
The rejection of utility and the ensuing alienation of the artist, which are analysed by Robert Archambeau's excellent study of Surrealist and 1970s American-language poets, give rise to a number of questions over the actual meaning of art for art's sake and its alleged apolitical nature.
"We don't support art for art's sake, but rather for the social and cultural role it plays," said Susana Rochna, Hivos coordinator for Central America and the Caribbean, speaking from her office in San Jose, Costa Rica.
other words that are like art for art's sake: sandalwood
Further chapters address "Tactical Fantasies: The Charm of Studies", "Art for Art's Sake: The Delight of Chess Problems", and much more.
What Malick has made is most definitely still an art film, with occasionally abstract or non-linear editing choices, but one that is never just art for art's sake. Film review : The New World
While I always enjoy seeing my students make the "connection," I also like to keep art for art's sake. This curriculum I am sharing allows for both.
"I don't consider myself an artist who does art for art's sake. I see myself as a designer who does art for solving creative problems."
This model prepares Rothstein to situate certain "high-cultural" early Netherlandish paintings at the beginning of a teleological narrative that historicizes and validates a modernist construction of art for art's sake, "not only sophisticated but also a form of sophistication itself" (186).
It's not art for art's sake; rather, it is art for the sake of increasing the aesthetic and marketing value of a building.