Review

Summary

The Palette of Artistic and Philosophical Imagery in The Search for Being

The review discusses the relationship between philosophy and art as it appears in Tomas Kavaliauskas' monograph The Question of Being in Art: Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Collage. These connections are explored primarily through the ideas of philosophers such as A. Šliogeris, M. Heidegger and J. Derrida. Combining philosophy with literature, art criticism, sculpture and photography, Kavaliauskas offers an innovative interpretation of the question of being. Engaging with various forms of art, the author emphasises an interdisciplinary approach and critically examines the traditional canons of art philosophy. In his attempt to understand the philosophical significance of artistic creation and the intensity of artistic expression, Kavaliauskas also interprets works of art. A significant part of the book is devoted to exploring the ideas of A. Šliogeris on the philosophy of art. Kavaliauskas's philosophical critique reveals contradictions within Šliogeris's philosophy, especially in his explanations of the relationship between art and nature. In addition, by analysing the works of artists such as Antanas Mončys, Jonas Mekas and Jurgis Mačiūnas, Kavaliauskas draws attention to the historicity of the artwork and to objects in general as important vessels of metaphysical and artistic meaning.