What is ~A E S T H E T I C~ Experience? | Idea Channel | PBS Digital Studios

Summary

This Idea Channel episode explores the concept of 'aesthetics', traditionally a philosophical study of beauty, now popularly used to describe a pleasing style or visual appeal. It discusses the term's evolution, especially in digital spaces like Instagram, where 'aesthetic' comments reflect personal taste or style. The video challenges the notion that true aesthetic experiences are only possible offline, arguing that beauty is subjective and context-dependent, experienced through interaction with art and media, not just inherent in the object itself.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty, traditionally applied to fine art but now also used to describe a sense of style or taste.
• 🌐 The term 'aesthetic' has been popularly adopted on social media platforms like Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest to express personal style or satisfaction with certain images or content.
• 📈 The use of 'aesthetic' as a comment is more than just a description; it's propositional, suggesting a value judgment about the subject and its worth to the commenter and others.
• 🖥 There's a debate over whether the internet can truly host aesthetic experiences due to the nature of digital media being reproductions and not 'real' experiences.
• 🤔 The script challenges the idea that beauty or aesthetic experiences are impossible to have online, arguing that beauty is not inherent in objects but is a construct of human perception and experience.
• 👥 Aesthetic value is not just about the form of a work but also about the personal and cultural context in which it's appreciated, including the time and place of the viewer.
• 👕 The script uses the metaphor of a tailor-made suit to discuss how aesthetic appreciation involves engaging with an object in a way that befits its nature, such as wearing a suit to appreciate its aesthetic qualities.
• 🌐 The internet allows for a different kind of aesthetic engagement where comments and shares become part of the aesthetic experience, contributing to the collective understanding of a piece's value.
• 🏛 The script suggests that by looking at what people do with digital objects (like commenting 'aesthetic'), we can understand their importance and how they can be appreciated as art.
• 🎭 The script concludes that aesthetic experience is not a singular process but a contextual and ongoing one, where anything can be appreciated as art if guided by the right cultural and personal contexts.

Q & A

What is the traditional role of aesthetics in philosophy?

Traditionally, aesthetics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study and nature of beauty, particularly as it applies to objects of Fine Art.

How has the term 'aesthetic' been popularly used recently?

Recently, 'aesthetic' has been used to refer to a sense of style, with people recognizing different and coherent aesthetics such as impressionist, cyberpunk, and Pokémon trainer.

What is the difference between aesthetic comments and other forms of online appreciation like 'like' buttons?

Aesthetic comments are more propositional, not just descriptive. They assert value about the things being commented on, suggesting a deeper satisfaction or personal style association beyond a simple 'like'.

What is the propositional nature of the term 'aesthetic' as used online?

Online, 'aesthetic' is used propositionally to communicate a value judgment about the subject of the comment, the commenter, and the context where the comment occurs.

Why might some people believe that the internet cannot host true aesthetic experiences?

Some believe that because screens are filters and there are no originals, the internet cannot fully host aesthetics as it lacks the authenticity and presence of real objects.

What is the philosophical debate over what constitutes an aesthetic experience?

The debate centers on whether aesthetic experiences are derived from the inherent beauty of objects or from the interaction between people and objects within a cultural and historical context.

What is the difference between aesthetic value and artistic value as discussed in the script?

Aesthetic value refers to the perceptible features of a work experienced directly, while artistic value includes everything inferred from personal background and context, relevant to a particular world or person.

How does the appreciation of beauty relate to the context and culture of the observer?

The appreciation of beauty is not just in people but in people in time and in cultures. What one finds appealing is dependent upon where and when they are, influenced by personal and historic context.

What does the script suggest about the ability to have aesthetic experiences with digital objects?

The script suggests that one can have aesthetic experiences with digital objects, as the appreciation of these objects can create an artfulness, even if they do not transform into easily recognized art objects.

How does the script define the aesthetic process in the context of the internet?

The aesthetic process on the internet is defined by what people do with digital objects, such as commenting, labeling, tagging, categorizing, and sharing, which collectively make a value proposition about the aesthetic importance of those objects.

What does the script suggest about the nature of art and aesthetics?

The script suggests that aesthetics is contextual and ongoing, and that while not everything is art, anything can be appreciated as art, challenging the traditional notions of where and how aesthetic experiences occur.