Who decides what art means?

Just how much should an artist’s intention affect your interpretation of a painting?

This is a question that has been tossed around for decades. W.K Wimsatt and Monroe Beardsley argued that artistic intention was irrelevant and that it was just one of the many possible interpretations that existed. Steven Knapp and Walter Benn Michaels argued that an artist’s intended meaning was the only possible interpretation. Other thinkers feel that intention is just one piece in a larger discussion.

Watch this informative video by TED Ed to find out more!