Linda's Aesthetic Awareness: Part One

When I think about my experiences in my classes here at George Mason, I feel as thought I have broaden my aesthetic awareness in my non New Century classes. During my freshman year, I took a history course which required us to go to the Holocaust Museum because we were studying that period in time. As a class, we went on a Saturday afternoon, and walked through it together. I have been to the museum once before, and I think I was too young to feel the complete effect. Part of aesthetic awareness is being able to connect to a concept of art beyond the museum, but I feel as though my trip there made me more able to connect with that point in time of history. I was able to look at the pictures, and walk through the exhibits, and feel for these people, and understand how the works of art portrayed that era. I had a better sense of what it was like to be a person from then. I also took another general ed class that was required on classical music. Personally, I am not a big fan, but since I was required to go and watch some performances on campus, I was able to hear things we learned in class in person, which helped me understand the roots of classical music.

Written: I found this article, which can be found at this URL: http://www.pervasive2006.org/ap/pervasive2006_adjunct_3A.pdf, which talks about aesthetic awareness, and how different forms of art help express different meanings. Some of the basic points of this article can be found in the section of the conclusion and findings. It talks about how there is a cultural, aesthetic appeal, and comprehension and continuity that takes place relating to architecture components. Culturally, art allows us to visually relate and have an understanding of a person’s life. Going back to the Holocaust Museum, I had an understanding of the lives of the people then. The aesthetic appeal had to be the emotions is brought out in me, and the way the entire display was set up made it easier to relate to and was more appealing for the people who walked through the exhibit. If it was set up any differently, it might have not had the same affect.

Non Written: I think an example of aesthetic awareness might be the music we listen to everyday. Some song lyrics in today’s popular music selection among our society reflect our period in time. I have noticed that a few country singers have written songs about September 11th, and our soldiers representing us that are fighting in our war. By listening to these songs, I am reminded of what our country is going through, because sometimes I get too wrapped up in my every day life.