Out of the System: Hegel and the “Imperfect Arts”

The paper aims to explore Hegel’s notion of the “imperfect arts” (such as gardening, dance, etc.), which he situates on the periphery of the conventional art system, not fully recognizing their status as arts. The objective is to examine the features that differentiate these arts and to explore the reasons behind their “exclusion” from the established art system. The hypothesis posits that the traits Hegel attributes to these forms of artistic expression, along with their “eccentricity” from canonical artworks, share some common elements with certain contemporary art forms, which have radically challenged the traditional arts system (land art, site-specific art, performance art, etc.). After addressing the general subject of the arts system, describing its philosophical dimension and Hegel’s stance on it, the paper will shift its focus to the so-called imperfect arts. It will explore Hegel’s “exclusion” of these arts from the category of proper arts, emphasizing the rationale behind his structuring of the art system. Subsequently, the paper will delve into the examination of two notable examples, specifically gardening and dance. It will investigating the characteristics Hegel associates with these forms, identifying common elements that justify both their “eccentricity” and their “exclusion” from the system. The paper will then concentrate on delineating the reasons for the imperfection of these arts, finding them in the excess of nature and in their indeterminate and hybrid aspect. Finally, the article will endeavor to offer concluding remarks on this matter, aiming to facilitate an interaction between the Hegelian perspective and our contemporary artistic context.