Phenomenology of art in the viewpoint of Merleau-Ponty

Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the most prominent French phenomenologist, sought to evaluate and review the fundamental and mutual relationship between soul and world, so as to decline the traditional interpretations on experience, and to draw attention to Gestalt-oriented approach. Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological orientation led him to regard ‘lived experience’ as commence of identity for soul and world. Thus, body takes a special position in the thought of Merleau-Ponty. Abolishing the traditional dualistic perceptions on experience, he criticized the philosophical tradition of the west for it considers art as ‘imitation’. Merleau-Ponty believes that soul and world mutually affect each other in such a way that it might be said, “Nature imitates art.” Rediscovery of the world through this perception is not only the result of modern philosophy but it also stems from modern art and painting in particular. Therefore, a painting forms our perceptions on it and on the world alike. He believes that the principles of art or design are only tools through which expression occurs. That is, it solely creates an idea, rawly perceived by the artist before it takes shape. Merleau-Ponty offers a unity in regards with art style which is more fundamental than that presented by other theorists, and is emanating from the fundamental situation of human body in the world. By exploring Cézanne’s character and works as well as Psychoanalysts’ achievements, he also believed that life and past of an artist provide fundamental aspects which do not impose any specific action. However, they can be found in all the works of an artist.