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A study on design as parergon : Focusing on the concept ‘parergon’ of Kant
The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art
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This paper is written in order to clarify the characteristics of the design especially focusing on the concept of “parergon”. In this study, we concentrate that design as aesthetic object becomes something additional to our lives. This study is accomplished through the relevant texts among Kantian writings; Critique of the Power of Judgment (Critique of Judgement) and Religion within the Bounds of Bare Reason (Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason). And we also consider parts in The Truth in Painting of Derrida, in which he analyzed and interpreted the concept. While understanding the background that the word parergon appeared, we apprehend several implications of the term, and examine together meanings of examples in contexts it is used. In fact, the term parergon in the third critique does not appear directly only once in plural form (parerga), but we are able to attempt some newer and wider explanations about the design through the concept. Although Derrida had already analyzed the third critique itself using actively the concept, I refer to his interpretation, in conjunction with the design ─ of course not he connected it to the design ─ to use the framework of a new interpretation about the design. In other words, we have the in-depth analysis on design as parergon that parergon and design are coupled, and give a new meaning to the modern perspective on design. Based on the study, the characteristics of design as parergon are to express in several propositions as follows. First of all, design as parergon makes general annotations. Secondly, design as parergon does incidental jobs. Thirdly, design as parergon is also ergon that has beautiful form in itself. Fourthly, design as parergon is expansion of everything, i.e. of ergon and ourselves. Fifthly, design as parergon might fall into decoration(Schmuck) for vanity (Eitelkeit). Through this research process, we can have a new perspective on the design. In other words, with regard to the characteristics of the design by analyzing the parergon concept, we can know the fact that design product we face is not just ornament, but given a unique role as the addition completing the work(Werk; ergon) itself, our lives.
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