Communication Models of Aesthetics by Bruno Latour and Graham Harman

Abstract

The aim of the article is to conceptualize the communication component of the aesthetic theories by Bruno Latour and Graham Harman.Research methodology is supported by interdisciplinary approach that combines phenomenological, hermeneutic, comparative and historical-genetic methods which made it possible to highlight and analyze the communication component of «flat ontologies» as part of the dynamics of philosophical thought.Results. The author has identified and investigated the communication aspect of the aesthetics of the 20–21st centuries by means of an example of the concepts by Bruno Latour and Graham Harman. It is shown that nowadays the ideological basis of aesthetic discourse is «flat ontologies» as the alternative to hierarchy in the model of peace and division of space into subject and object. The esthetics of «flat the ontologies» is defined as an integrative factor of regulation of objects in space. The lack of depth in existence and the presence of sensual experience not only in the anthropological segment of existence are considered to be the essential signs of communication aesthetics. According to the intellectual tradition of «flat ontologies», the concepts of Bruno Latour and Graham Harman are identified and explored. It is shown that the anthropological element in these concepts is simplified to object level not in value of depreciation of humanistic ideals of mankind, but in value of expansion of opportunities of communication from linguistic measurement to financially — material and corporal components. It is specified that the communication element of the actor connection theory of B. Latour predetermines the dynamic model of esthetics where the main are connections between objects, but not objects themselves. Object-oriented ontology by G. Harman is shown to be such a variant of communication aesthetics where the interaction between elements on the principles of diversity, equality and unlimited number of combinations.Novelty. The concepts of Bruno Latour and Graham Harman are determined to be communication models of aesthetics and their heuristic capabilities are shown.Practical significance. The results of the research can be used for teaching courses in aesthetics, philosophy of art, philosophical anthropology, and philosophy of the 21st century as well as for interdisciplinary research of modern art, implementation of curatorial projects and for cultural industries.