Why does Dewey think aesthetics
should be understood as an
everyday experience instead of
a separate discipline or artistic endeavor?
The reason that Dewey believes
that esthetics should be understood as an everyday experience is because
it is an everyday experience. He gave a very good example in his
article which said that “It is quite possible to enjoy flowers in their
colored form and delicate fragrance without knowing anything about plants
theoretically” (pg. 10). Esthetics is an everyday experience it is
not an artistic endeavor. Art can be seen in many things and in many
ways. Art is all around us. Anything can be art to a person.
It all depends on how the person views the object that is in control.
Dewey does a great job explaining
how art is only seen as very departed from us and only in galleries and
museums. And after reading this article it really occurred to me
that he is absolutely right. Art is anything that is beautiful to
a person and that he takes a minute to admire. Of course that was
my definition but of course that is what art means to me. I feel
that Dewey did such an awesome job on this topic, that he totally convinced
me that art is an everyday experience. One great thing that I really
enjoyed that he wrote in his article is that “in order to understand the
esthetic in its ultimate and approved forms, one must begin with it in
the raw; in the events and scenes that hold the attentive eye and ear of
man, arousing his interest and affording him enjoyment as he looks and
listens.” This phrase is also a great example of a definition that
could stand for art. In order to understand such a thing you must
begin with it at the beginning. When looking at a piece of art, it
is important to understand it as raw before you see the real picture.
You must understand what the author must feel for the drawing and why he
did such a beautiful masterpiece.
As Dewey explains in this
article better then I do why beauty is a form of everyday life it amazes
me how correct he really is. Dewey explains that in order to understand
esthetics you don’t have to be a professional, with lots of school, and
to look at all the details. Art is something that is beautiful to
a person, that takes a minute to admire it. This is what art is all
about, and we have lost the real meaning of art thinking that it is in
the museums or in art galleries. Art is everyday life and Dewey explains
it great.