Aesthetics Exploration: Western
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Manifest Destiny and the Western expansion of the United States was a movement that began in the mid-1800s. Because of this movement, mass groups settled on the American Frontier. This movement also created the Wild West and a popular Western aesthetic today. A famous painting by John Gast shows Western aesthetics at the beginning of…
Memphis Design
The Memphis Design movement emerged in the 1980s as a bold and unconventional response to the minimalist, functional design trends that dominated the previous decades. Characterized by its vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and eclectic mix of materials, Memphis Design challenged traditional design norms and embraced a playful, almost rebellious aesthetic. Memphis Design was founded in…
Cottagecore
This image from Passportoeden.com (Toa Heftiba) demonstrates the general idea of the cottagecore aesthetic. We can see that the essence of the cottagecore aesthetic is the embracing of traditional rustic lifestyle practices. (꒰ @ijupiiterx ꒱‧₊˚ from Pinterest) The image above, pulled from Pinterest (Niamh Heyden), shows how nature plays a strong role in the design…
Spanish Golden Age
The Spanish Golden Age is now recognized for the prosperity Spain underwent regarding literature and the arts during the 16-17th centuries. This era originated after the Catholic Monarchs reclaimed land in Spain that was previously occupied by Muslim forces and ended the centuries-long Iberian Reconquista in 1492. With the successful end of the Reconquista, along…
Biophilic Design
The concept of Biophilic Design was first explored in the book titled Biophilic Design, by authors Stephen R Kellert, Judith H Heerwagen and Martin L Mador. Although Biophilic Design was published in 2008 coining the term, this philosophy has existed alongside humanity for most of its existence. This aesthetic incorporates social ecology with physical design to…
The Aesthetic and History of Miniatures
The miniature aesthetic is a fascinating world of detail and craftsmanship, turning large-scale objects into intricate, small wonders. Whether it’s a tiny Christmas village, a miniature garden, or a cake so small it fits on the tip of your finger, these creations captivate us with their ability to honor and replicate the larger world in…
Rococo Aesthetic
Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “The Swing” is a painting you and others may know and recognize. Whether that is from the overall composition, colors or extravagant amount of detail, this painting is studied and admired by many. But, what sets it apart from other known artworks like the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci or Van Gough’s…
Athleisure
I chose athleisure as an aesthetic to explore more because I feel like it closely relates to my life and what I choose to wear on a daily basis. I have always liked wearing more comfortable, athletic and breathable clothes, and I think the uprising of the athleisure made a change to also make these…
Naturalness
Title Featured Photo: Japan Nakama (1) Naturalness is one of the most compelling aesthetics. However, in its purest form, nature itself is not an aesthetic. Nature is not an artistic creation made by humans to invoke beauty or emotion—it simply exists as it is. However, we humans can interpret nature to be beautiful, and—with this—we…
Aesthetic Exploration- The Wild West
The western / cowboy culture is something that exists from over two centuries of rich history, and in the modern day is quite departed from its roots. Originating from the lifestyles of horse-riding cattle tenders, the Cowboy aesthetic is largely rooted in 18th century American expansion into the central western United States / Mexico. The…
Aesthetic Exploration: Restomods – Reviving Classics with Modern Innovation
Restomods, short for “restoration-modifications,” blend the timeless design of classic cars with the advanced technology of modern vehicles. This approach retains the aesthetic and historical significance of vintage automobiles while enhancing their performance, safety, and comfort. For car enthusiasts, restomods offer the best of both worlds, celebrating nostalgia while embracing innovation. The concept of restomods…
Neo-expressionism
Known for its bright colors, textural strokes, and brutish manner, Neo-expressionism grew to popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. The stylistic beginnings are said to be rooted in Germany, when Georg Baselitz opened a controversial exhibition in West Berlin in 1963. From there, Baselitz led a group of German artists known as Neue Wilden, or…
Aesthetic Exploration – Victorian Architecture
Victorian Architecture The above image of London St Pancras Station is by Colin off of Wikimedia Creative Commons and showcases the Gothic Revival style. The era that Queen Victoria reigned over Great Britain and Ireland, known as the Victorian era, spanned from 1837 to 1901. This era had a very distinct architecture style that can…
Aesthetics Exploration – Western
Figure 1: Cowboy on a ridge The Western, or Wild West, aesthetic emerged in the 19th century and gains inspiration from the American frontier’s landscapes, cultures, and lifestyles. Within this aesthetic, themes of self-reliance, rugged individualism, and the untamed wilderness are constantly being touched on. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood are two of the most…
The Very Wild West
“I should’ve been a cowboy.” -Toby Keith One of the most popular songs in all of country music resonates with an American people still fascinated with the sense of beauty and adventure experienced by the trailblazers of western expansion. A rough and rugged people staking their claim where the wagons willed they stay laid not…
The Four Roman Fresco Styles
Roman society was that of violence, triumphs, opulence, and poverty, but most of all it was a society that adored the dramatic. From arranged battles in the colosseum to the adoration of generals that destroyed the barbarians, the Romans loved a good story. One way they told stories was through their frescos-an aesthetic style that…
Aesthetic Exploration- Studio Ghibli
Growing up, my favorite childhood movies were Studio Ghibli movies. The director, Hayao Miyazaki is an amazing animator who creates imaginative visuals and compelling storytelling. I was always drawn to the art style and whimsical nature of the films. Miyazaki created beautiful scenes using vibrant colors, nature, and greenery to create a cozy and playful…
Aesthetics Exploration – Victorian Aesthectic/Era
A highly influential era was the Victorian Era (1837 – 1901) developed a popular aesthetic that is almost interchangeable with the era. It was sometimes referred to as the aesthetic movement. This era saw the British Empire become the first global industrial power allowing for major improvements in the sense of arts and sciences. The…
Aesthetics Exploration: Brutalist Architecture
Brutalism was a modernist movement that focused on bringing in a new era of architectural design, leaving the war-torn 1940s in the past. It is most commonly found in architecture but can also be seen in fashion, art, and other forms of expression. This design style began in England in the 1950s, as they were…
Wabi-Sabi, The Japanese aesthetic of imperfection
Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese aesthetic built around the idea of finding beauty in something “perfectly imperfect.” This could be a crack in a plate, a knot in a piece of lumber, or even a distorted shape. It’s about embracing natural flaws and imperfections and seeing the beauty in them. According to Paul Atkins, a…
Aesthetics Exploration – Berlin Techno
If you have been on TikTok for the past couple of years chances are you may have seen the viral trend of people playing Berghain trainer, an online simulator where you answer a series of questions to determine whether you would get into Berlins exclusive techno nightclub Berghain. However, long before techno captured global attention…
The Formalism Aesthetic of Dr Seuss
Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite artists. Born in 1904 at the beginning of formalism movement, his works often depict absurd gadgets, landscapes, and characters. As a child I loved reading his books and looking at his wacky illustrations. When I was an adult I discovered is other artworks that explore a broader set…
Kolam:The Ultimate Floor Art with a Twist
When I first saw that the aesthetic exploration was our first assignment, I was super excited. My mind instantly jumped to ideas like minimalism and other trendy aesthetics. But then I thought, “Wait, probably half the class is going to pick that.” So I decided to park the idea and give myself some time. Then…