yakkin' & whalen' about issues....
Welcome to our new and evolving blog on arts speak for Art11 & Art12 students at LHS. Here we will discuss art, react to issues and post our own stuff. If you participate in this blog you will be held responsible for your comments. Think smart but think marks. Yak on my friendlies.....
posted by aw @ 12:49 AM
11 Comments:
Aesthetic Experiences:
After all our talk about reality, dreams, ‘Nausea’ and illusions of time, let’s talk about something that is a bit more settling: aesthetic experiences.
Aesthetic experiences are described as 1) sensuous appearance of meaning, 2) the sense of depth of meaning (even though we cannot sum up that meaning) 3) a multi-sensory experience that gives a sense of deeper meaning 4) a moment of ‘ah ha’ that can be profoundly effecting 5) an epiphany as triggered by an experience.
Art has often been thought to trigger aesthetic experiences. The way a painting has been painting, the way light has been represented or the way a material has been carved can sometimes be very satisfying to the viewer. Nature has always been a source of aesthetic experiences. (Some have thought drugs enable aesthetic experiences, I think that is a poor, slack excuse for finding meaning.)
In simpler terms, have you ever consciously looked at something, listened to something or been somewhere when everything ‘lined up’ to give you a ‘sense’ of some greater meaning or deeper insight? Kind of like a quiet witnessing…
For example: I remember being a student at NSCAD and being asked what I thought an aesthetic experience was. I thought back to a previous morning. I was getting ready to go to school (NSCAD) and was standing by the kitchen window; the view was of a large expanse of trees that sloped downward towards the water. The sky was perfectly divided in half, one part with dark, deep bluish black clouds and the other part with perfectly blue clear sky. There was no breeze. The light falling on the trees reflected the sky and the perfect illustration of light & dark, the dichotomy (opposites such as on/off, good/evil, in/out, etc.) of our human experience. It was stilling, like I was witnessing some greater truth that I couldn’t really comprehend or articulate, instead I could just feel it or maybe, witness it.
I found reading parts of Einstein’s Dreams was aesthetically satisfying. The way it was written, to slow us down, the still our vision, to fix our minds. It was beautiful and effective.
Describe an aesthetic experience…and throw in an image if you’ve got one.
Okay you yahoos, glad to see yer on. In order to make this work for your own personal gain you need to read the aesthetic experience blurb and respond. Mr. Andro (J) a pleasurable experience might not be the same as an aesthetic experience. Not to undermine the cat but an ae should be a kind of epiphany or sense of something larger than our 'usual' experience.
This is what we are exploring...chat away. PS> Graham you fail, go back to grade 9 art...and do it three times.
I mean Christine - you fail...go back and do it four times.
Talk about aesthetic experiences. Look online for a good quote if you need a point to start with.
Mr. Andro (A, I see). Good photo.
Great comments. I love the idea of brief insights to layers or dimensions of being. And I hear you re: natural beauty and its ability to help the mind transcend the ordinary.
Now, can ART do this? For example: Jaret's photo work on his mother's battle with cancer - did it help the viewer transcend? How?
(Anyone can join in this discussion at anytime)
Your comments (all) 'illustrate' what an aesthetic experience can be. They aren't 'pretty' but are 'beautiful' in that they touch on, or suggest something, that is beyond the ordinary...like a hint of bigger thoughts/design/meaning. Check out the word "sublime".
Keep it comin' you large thinkers.
Melissa! You've created a perfect way into our next issue. We all talk about nature and perfection and beautiful colours so... consider this - Christine spoke of a 'silver thaw' when the ice is on the branches... Is nature as beautiful when light shines gently, maybe sparkles, on a frozen carcass of a young animal? Does nature's light judge what it shines on? Does colour care when it finds itself? Hhhmmm...
Dear Grounded,
Love your comments. You summarized an aesthetic experience in a beautiful way.
Has "art" ever provided you (or anyone else) with an aesthetic experience? I know music can, but can art?
Your comments are thoughful.They reflect your ability to meander through these ideas and make connections to real experiences.
I think many find themselves as the 'thinker' investigating their own personal realities. Socially speaking we are not often encouraged to share these feelings/thoughts/responses.
Solid 'art' is about this stuff...provoking thought..it is such a treat to be able to talk about it with you all.
A real piece of art is often referred to as an 'artwork' as it 'works' on your mind. When we get a sense of the sponsoring idea (through an artist's statement or a review) we can gain access to the art and have it 'work' on us. Jaret's photo of the chair in the woods is like your shopping cart project - people don't necessarily understand it (and maybe even think it is weird or a waste of time) until you begin to talk to them about it. Then they get interested and share their own ideas with you.
It has been a fabulous semester. Your show will be strong. Remember to let me know your 'handle/alias' for the blog. Cheers, Ms. Wha
Dear Mystic...
I hope you got your blog marks (identity?). I think we will start a new conversation soon and anyone who has participated in the past can join in. This is a great way to exchange ideas. Cheers, AW.
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