“We always may be sure that every man-made thing arises from a problem as a purposeful solution”
All objects are invented and created as an answer to human desire and need.
Genius is a result of “nurture”:
“The comparisons between talent and genius are explored in regard to time and degree. Leonardo da Vinciand Raphael are provided as examples; to debate between who is more talented is a moot point. Both were extremely talented artists but the other artists of the time “came late when the feast was over through no fault of their own” (7). The ideas of ‘nature vs. nurture’ in regard to the inheritable traits of genius; Kubler concludes that genius is indeed a result of ‘nurture’ as learning is not a biological concern.”
Adherence and Self-Signals:
“The self-signal, as Kubler contends, is the obvious purpose of objects — artwork or tool. The self-signal of a hammer, for example, is its “mute declaration” that its intended use is to be grasped by the handle, thus extending the individual’s fist through the peen for driving a nail into a plank(24). The adherent signal of the hammer is the patent and protected trademark of a specific manufacturing address stamped on the handle. Using the example of fine art, Kubler explains that the self-signal of a painting is its colors and their arrangement on the two-dimensional surface that alerts the viewer to concede to a visual language that will produce enjoyment. “Part of the self-signal,” writes Kubler, “is that thousands of years of painting still have not exhausted the possibilities of such an apparent simple category of sensation” (24, 25). The adherent signal of the painting is, for example, the culturally recognized depiction of a well-known myth or historical scene.
Kubler points out that neither adherent signals, which speak only of meaning, nor self-signals, which prove only existence, are enough to assign value to a tool or artwork. The combination of the two is key. As Kubler explains, “…existence without meaning seems terrible in the same degree as meaning without existence seems trivial” (25).”
The Artist:
“Today the artist is neither a rebel nor an entertainer.”(53) he explains how art is affected by different personalities. He explains how more social personalities work well in music and theatre while introverted personalities are more common in visual art. However, even within visual art a certain amount of sociability allows for artists to be more in tune with their clients and rivals. The social artist has even been used as a kind of entertainment in royal houses. He has also used social characteristics to rebel. However, Kubler ends the section saying that the artist no longer functions as an entertainer or rebel. “More lonely than ever, the artist today is like Dedalus, the strange artificer of wonderful and frightening surprises for his immediate circle.”