Event Details

The Philosophy in Film Series Presents: Jeff Feuerzeig’s (2005) The Devil and Daniel Johnston After the film, students are invited to participate in conversation with Prof. Gabriel Gottlieb and Members of the Philosophy Department. Topics for discussion include: Genius, beauty, art, and the aesthetic value of rock music! See http://sites.google.com/site/xavierphilosophyinfilm/ to download a short selection from Kant’s Critique of Judgment. FREE PIZZA & POP!!!!!!!!!! About the film: The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) is a documentary about the life and art of indie rock musician Daniel Johnston. Johnston’s music had an important influence on the music of Nirvana, and his songs have been covered by Pearl Jam, Wilco, Death Cab for Cutie, Tom Waits, and The Flaming Lips. His songs also appear on numerous soundtracks including Kids and Where the Wild Things Are. Johnston’s art raises interesting questions about the aesthetic value of popular culture and rock music. Many consider his art and music primitive, if not just bad, yet others claim he is a genius. Johnston’s bouts with manic depression and his fundamentalist Christian perspective complicate these matters even more. Aesthetic themes we plan to discuss: What is genius? Beauty? Kitsch? Is rock music a fine art? Is Daniel Johnston’s music even art? Can a rock song achieve the same status as a Picasso painting or a Beethoven symphony? We will look at a short excerpt from Kant’s Critique of Judgment to help frame our discussion and think about Johnston and rock music philosophically.

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