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Aesthetics Lesson 1: Introduction

What Does Aesthetic Mean?

Students at The Andy Warhol Museum exploring aesthetic responses to art

This lesson explores three definitions for the word aesthetic and introduces this area of critical thinking to students. Through writing activities students understand how aesthetics relates to their own life and to art, architecture and design. Students follow a progression of thought and investigate their own experiences while building vocabulary.

Suggested Time Frame:

Activity: 20 minutes
PowerPoint, Part 1: 20 minutes
Activity: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1-1 ½ hours 

Objectives:

• Students compare and contrast definitions for words frequently used in aesthetic dialogues
• Students decide upon best definitions for use in class dialogues to create a common understanding and language
• Students view a PowerPoint presentation introducing three definitions for aesthetics and how they apply to everyday life
• Students explore their own personal aesthetic through discussion and writing

 

Procedure

A woman making aesthetic choices while shopping

Materials:

Vocabulary Cards

Pencils

Digital Projector

Warm-up Activity:

1. Print out the vocabulary cards, one for each student. There should be at least two of each vocabulary word printed.
2. Students write their own definition for the word.
3. Students then work in groups with the person(s) who has the same word, sharing their definitions and then creating a group definition.
4. Review the class definitions. Draw attention to how students use the same word differently and how meanings are nuanced through group discussion.
 

 

Andy Warhol, Flowers, 1970, Published Edition, screen print on paper, 36 x 36 in., ©AWF 

PowerPoint, Part 1: 

Introduce the Three Definitions for Aesthetic using the PowerPoint presentation:

• A particular taste for, or approach to, what is pleasing to the senses—especially sight.
• A branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of art and beauty.
• A particular theory or conception of beauty or art.

 

How do we perceive things?

Review: 

Aesthesia (n.): the ability to feel or perceive (awake and feeling). To look at an artwork aesthetically is to perceive it with the senses—to be awake and to be aware of perceptions and feelings.

Anesthesia (n.): the inability to feel or perceive (asleep and non-feeling).

Aesthetic: when used as a noun means “that which appeals to the senses.” When used as an adjective, it describes anything that tends to enliven or invigorate or wake one up. Someone’s aesthetic (noun) has to do with his or her artistic judgment. Example: A designer with a rich aesthetic decorated the room in red velvet and gold furniture.

Shopping for cereal or shoes may involve personal aesthetic choices

Class Discussion:

1. What are some of the ways you use your senses and perceptions to make decisions?
2. How do our decisions about what to buy, wear, or use, also impact our culture?
3. How would you describe the aesthetic quality of your bedroom compared to that of your classroom at school? Think about all of the senses and the perceived qualities in the two rooms, such as: lighting, size, furniture (how that furniture functions), and the way you feel in each space.

 

Describing a space that we have helped to design reveals our own aesthetic choices

Homework Activity

Draw a diagram or photograph a room in your house, a closet, or your locker. Describe it using detailed writing. Answer the following objective and subjective questions:

1. When was this room/space created?
2. Who used the room/space and for what purpose?
3. What is in the room?
4. What colors are in the room?
5. What patterns or shapes are in the room?
6. How is the room lit?
7. What kind of feeling/mood do you have in this room?
8. How does the room reflect aspects of your personality?

 

Assessment

Warhol Education Rubrics

Click the Warhol Rubric headers below to reveal associated rubrics to which this lesson applies.

Critical Thinking

		Developing	Emerging	Proficient	Advanced	Exemplary
CT.1	Integrative: Able to identify, and integrate personal experience into one's thinking process	Sees little or no influence that their feelings and values have on their artmaking or critique of artwork.	Is increasingly more aware of how their own bias affects their artmaking or critique of artwork.	Possesses a concrete awareness of how their own preferences influence their art making or critique of artwork.	Adapts their personal perferences of artmaking and artwork based on an analysis of opposing viewpoints.	Integrates personal experience and formal critiques to examine the creative process or critique of artwork.

Aesthetics

		Developing	Emerging	Proficient	Advanced	Exemplary
AE.1	Personal Aesthetics: aware of perceptual preferences in relation to a work of art  and how their own interpretations affect how they experience a work of art	Difficulty in communicating personal opinions and feelings about an artwork.	Possesses a beginning recognition of how their own interpretations affect how they experience a work of art.	Analyzes personal feelings, likes/dislikes, values and associations as part of the process in interpreting works of art.	Deconstructs an artwork's formal and expressive qualities along with their own preferences as part of the process in interpreting works of art.	Formulates an analysis of works of art that combines formal, expressive and personal intepretations.

Communication

		Developing	Emerging	Proficient	Advanced	Exemplary
CO.2	Writing: Mechanics, Organization, Vocabulary.	Vocabulary is limited, mechanics are poor and organization is weak.	Some coherence, organization, and use of new vocabulary but ideas are ill-supported and/or grammar is still  poor.	Adequate mastery of mechanics, vocabulary and grammar to convey a clear point of view.	Demonstrates a strong command of structure and purpose; as well as an appropriate understanding of style and mechanics.	Presents and interprets complex material with sophisticated attention to mechanics, accuracy and context.
CO.3	Listening and Speaking: Ability to express ideas and listen to others.	Somewhat organized, but off topic. Unable to respond adequately to questions from others or summarize others' conclusions or viewpoints.	Answers reveal a partial understanding of material. Misses some aspects of the topic and inconsistently comments on others statements.	Expresses ideas well. Listens and responds to peers thoughtfully and respectfully. Grasps concepts well enough to ask questions about what is still not understood.	Responds to questions accurately and with supporting facts that are engaging. Established eye contact and demonstrated an awareness of audiences’ needs. Demonstrates additional curiosity in subject.	Explores topic thoroughly providing multiple details, examples and supporting facts. Answers convey a deep understanding of topic. Highly responsive to audience. Active participation in discussion brings group learning to a higher level.

Media and Related Items

Presentation

Aesthetics Powerpoint 1: Introduction and Meaning