H. S. Beckerʼs Sociology of Art

Beckerʼs Conceptual Impact in the “New Sociology of Art”

Abstract

This paper explores the potential contributions of H. S. Beckerʼs sociology to the new sociology of art. In Art Worlds (1982), Becker presents the perspective that art is a product of people activities and socially constructed. While he presents the basic perspective of such a sociology of art, his work has been critically examined. This paper examines not only Art Worlds but also his subsequent works, showing that his sociological approach has the potential to analyze non-humans, and is not a simple social reductionist. His sociology of art is characterized by a consistent interest in people activities, the process by which art is created and produced, and process, while also having the potential to analyze the role of non-humans. This paper attempts to apply his theoretical framework to provide a conceptual response to issues that are common to the new sociology of art.