Andy Hamilton teaches at Durham University, UK. He has published books and articles on aesthetics, Wittgenstein and philosophy of mind. He is the biographer of Lee Konitz, and writes for The Wire and other magazines on jazz and contemporary composition. He is a jazz pianist.
"""At long last, a book that confronts the ghost in the closet of aesthetic theory: entertainment. Andy Hamilton is highly qualified to tackle it, and the results are compelling, informed, and innovative."" - Theodore Gracyk, Minnesota State University Moorhead, USA ""With its rich examples, this inventive discussion will reward any reader interested in art or entertainment."" - Dawn Wilson, Hull University, UK ""Andy Hamilton presents a compelling manifesto for Real Aesthetics: a vision of aesthetic inquiry that places the actual artworld and the lived experience of the artist centre stage. Through dialogue with artists and musicians, critics and philosophers, Hamilton takes us beyond the academy to collaborative spaces in which concepts are defined by their use. Essential reading for philosophers of art, practicing artists and those who like to be entertained."" - Andrew J.Cooper, Warwick University, UK ""R.G. Collingwood said that a work of entertainment is not a genuine work of art. In this thought-provoking book Hamilton finds plenty of cases to dispute that. One of its main virtues is the way that Hamilton balances theory and practice, interweaving theoretical chapters - which draw on an abundance of deftly chosen examples - with in-depth interviews with artists and philosophers. The result is more than entertaining!"" - David Macarthur, University of Sydney, Australia ""At long last, a book that confronts the ghost in the closet of aesthetic theory: entertainment. Andy Hamilton is highly qualified to tackle it, and the results are compelling, informed, and innovative."" - Theodore Gracyk, Minnesota State University Moorhead, USA ""With its rich examples, this inventive discussion will reward any reader interested in art or entertainment."" - Dawn Wilson, Hull University, UK ""Andy Hamilton presents a compelling manifesto for Real Aesthetics: a vision of aesthetic inquiry that places the actual artworld and the lived experience of the artist centre stage. Through dialogue with artists and musicians, critics and philosophers, Hamilton takes us beyond the academy to collaborative spaces in which concepts are defined by their use. Essential reading for philosophers of art, practicing artists and those who like to be entertained."" - Andrew J.Cooper, Warwick University, UK ""R.G. Collingwood said that a work of entertainment is not a genuine work of art. In this thought-provoking book Hamilton finds plenty of cases to dispute that. One of its main virtues is the way that Hamilton balances theory and practice, interweaving theoretical chapters - which draw on an abundance of deftly chosen examples - with in-depth interviews with artists and philosophers. The result is more than entertaining!"" - David Macarthur, University of Sydney, Australia"