Why is it that when we encounter a urinal in a museum space we stop, explore its aesthetic features,
think about its meaning, get upset, surprised or excited, and when we see a urinal
in the nearby toilets we approach it as a utilitarian object, rarely if ever wonder about its
shape, colour or meaning? Philosophers have long debated whether people enter a specific
state of mind when they experience art, which makes them view even everyday objects
through a different lens. Previous research has shown that people accept more
negative emotions, which in everyday life they tend to avoid, in the context of art, thus
potentially pointing that people enter a specific state of mind when engaging with art. In the
current study participants (N=64) rated immoral behaviour as less negative in the context of art,
which further suggests that different cognitive operations may be in place in this context.
To create greater conceptual unity and provide a framework for future research, we propose
the concept of Mode of Art eXperience (MAX), which brings together accounts spanning
2500 years of inquiry into this state of mind. We conclude that MAX is essential for
maximising the art experience, not in utilitarian terms, but in terms of having a boundary-less
meaningful engagement with art.