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Arts & Culture

Symbolic Boundaries and the Legitimation of Cultural Hierarchies in Art Worlds

Quick fact

The distinction between 'fine art' and 'craft'—like painting versus quilting—is a symbolic boundary that was historically solidified in the 18th century by European academies, not by any inherent quality of the objects themselves.

Why this is interesting

Why do we call some art 'high art' and other art 'just craft'? Who decides, and what makes that decision seem so natural?