J. Derrida and J.

Kosuth: the Tyranny of the Letter, or, Art for Philosophy

This paper focuses on analysing Jacques Derrida's aesthetic thought with reference to the
conceptual art of Joseph Kosuth. The examination of Derrida's aesthetics in the context of
conceptual art is based upon: inter alia: Of Gramatology, and Margins of Philosophy. merican
conceptual art is regarded as a sign of a peculiar language crisis diagnosed by the !rench philosopher. The
paper examines Derrida's dialectics of presence and absence, the infinite and the temporal in the context of
colour and plane. "egation of negation #line$ forms space, states Derrida. nalogously, the negation
of traditional art forms conceptual mental space. % analyse the implications of Kosuth's theoretical
statements with reference to his &olume entitled Art After Philosophy and After, Collected Writings,
1966199!, preceded by J.'!. (yotard's introduction. Kosuth's Art as "dea as "dea aims to engage
and confront thought, language and artwor)s. De&oid of the attraction of colour and go&erned by
the rigorous logic of the line and typography, the aesthetic &alue of Kosuth's concept of idea defines
not only art after philosophy, to refer to Kosuth's terms, but also art for philosophy.