So Bad It’s Good

$48.00

Saturday, June 13, 1:00–3:00 PM

A single-session discussion class on why we love art we know is bad, and what that says about aesthetic value. This is a single-session class. 

What you’ll do
Why do people pay to watch bad movies? Why does the Museum of Bad Art have a cult following? In this class, you’ll explore what philosophers have made of that puzzle and make the case for your own favorites. Through guided discussion, you’ll look at what separates good-bad art from guilty pleasures and camp, how artistic value differs from aesthetic value, and whether loving bad art is morally suspect, secretly avant-garde, or something else entirely.

What you’ll learn

  • What separates good-bad art from guilty pleasures and camp

  • The distinction between artistic value and aesthetic value

  • How philosophers have thought about the appeal of bad art

  • How to defend your own terrible favorites

Great for: Anyone who has ever loved a terrible movie, novel, song, or artwork and wanted to defend it. No background in philosophy needed.

Instructor: Phil Mack holds a PhD in philosophy and has over ten years of experience teaching at UW–Madison, Marquette University, and UW–Milwaukee. He makes big ideas accessible through conversation, not academic jargon, and is building a public philosophy practice in the Madison area.

Schedule
Saturday, June 13, 1:00–3:00 PM

Cost: $48

What to bring: Yourself, and at least one terrible movie, song, book, or artwork that you love.

Saturday, June 13, 1:00–3:00 PM

A single-session discussion class on why we love art we know is bad, and what that says about aesthetic value. This is a single-session class. 

What you’ll do
Why do people pay to watch bad movies? Why does the Museum of Bad Art have a cult following? In this class, you’ll explore what philosophers have made of that puzzle and make the case for your own favorites. Through guided discussion, you’ll look at what separates good-bad art from guilty pleasures and camp, how artistic value differs from aesthetic value, and whether loving bad art is morally suspect, secretly avant-garde, or something else entirely.

What you’ll learn

  • What separates good-bad art from guilty pleasures and camp

  • The distinction between artistic value and aesthetic value

  • How philosophers have thought about the appeal of bad art

  • How to defend your own terrible favorites

Great for: Anyone who has ever loved a terrible movie, novel, song, or artwork and wanted to defend it. No background in philosophy needed.

Instructor: Phil Mack holds a PhD in philosophy and has over ten years of experience teaching at UW–Madison, Marquette University, and UW–Milwaukee. He makes big ideas accessible through conversation, not academic jargon, and is building a public philosophy practice in the Madison area.

Schedule
Saturday, June 13, 1:00–3:00 PM

Cost: $48

What to bring: Yourself, and at least one terrible movie, song, book, or artwork that you love.

Save the date!


CREATIVE MARKET @ DHC

Join us August 14–15 for a two-day district event in Stoughton’s Depot Hill Historic District.

The inaugural Creative Market will include a Maker’s Market at Depot Hill Creative, the Grand Inspired Mug Show, artist demonstrations and activities across participating locations, and food and drinks from neighborhood partners.

Participating locations include: Depot Hill Creative, Abel Gallery, Stoughton Innovation Center, Grand Inspired, and Wildwood Cafe.

If you’re an artist, apply for a booth. Learn More here.