Relief and the Structure of Intentions in Late Palaeolithic Cave Art. Issue 3 (18th June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hughes, Fiona
• Is Part Of: Journal of aesthetics and art criticism. Volume 79:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 285
• Page End: 300
• Publication Date: 2021-06-18
• Subjects: Aesthetics -- Periodicals; Art criticism -- Periodicals; 701.17
• DOI: 10.1093/jaac/kpab022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8529

Abstract

Abstract: Artworks at Lascaux and other late Palaeolithic caves integrate geological features or "relief" of the cave wall in a way that suggests a symbiotic relation between nature and culture. I argue this qualifies as "receptivity to a situation, " which is neither fully active nor merely passive and emerges as a necessary element of the intentions made apparent by such cave art. I argue against prominent interpretations of cave art, including the shamanist account and propose a structural interpretation attentive to particular cases. Seen in this way, cave art displays intentions that are analyzable as having a tripartite structure: mentally directed, embedded in actions and receptive to a situation. Moreover, the latter is the medium through which the other two elements are conjoined. Drawing on a range of archaeological and philosophical resources from both analytical philosophy and phenomenology, I argue that what I call cave art's "intentional story" is important for the philosophy of intentions more generally.