The Aesthetics Of Imperfection Re-Conceived: Improvisations, Compositions And Mistakes

Hamilton, Andy

Abstract

Ted Gioia associated the “aesthetics of imperfection” with improvised music. In an earlier article, I extended it to all musical performance. This article reconceives my discussion, offering more precise analyses: (1) The aesthetics of imperfection is now argued to involve open, spontaneous response to contingencies of performance or production, reacting positively to idiosyncratic instruments; apparent failings in performance, and so on. Perfectionists, in contrast, prefer a planning model, not readily modified in face of contingencies. (2) Imperfection is not toleration of errors and imperfections, as Gioia assumes, but a positive aesthetic, as in Japanese wabi‐sabi. Imperfections can become new styles or kinds of perfection—and so true imperfectionism is a constant striving for new contingencies to respond to. (3) A subtler, more complex relation between composition and improvisation is proposed, in which both have broad and narrow senses. Composition involves (a) works, usually desk produced and notated; or more generally, (b) putting things together in an aesthetically rewarding form. Thus, improvisation is a (broad sense) compositional method. (4) Improvisation and composition are interdependent; both involve structure and spontaneity. (5) Imperfectionism is an aesthetics of performance—of compositions as well as improvisations. Improvisation is no risker, or prone to mistakes, than performance of compositions.

Citation

Hamilton, A. (2020). The Aesthetics Of Imperfection Re-Conceived: Improvisations, Compositions And Mistakes. The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 78(3), 289-302. https://doi.org/10.1111/jaac.12749

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 19, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 13, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Feb 17, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 18, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism
• Print ISSN: 0021-8529
• Electronic ISSN: 1540-6245
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 78
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 289-302
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jaac.12749
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1276914