In this blog post, we explore ways to revive our senses and see the world in a new light through art and everyday life, based on Stollnitz’s theory of aesthetic attitudes.
Stolnitz argues that everything we perceive with an aesthetic attitude becomes an aesthetic object. This aesthetic attitude differs from the practical attitude of perceiving an object based on its usefulness. The aesthetic attitude he refers to is an attitude of “indifferent” yet “empathetic” contemplation of the object itself, whether it is a work of art or not.
The “indifferent” in Stolnitz’s aesthetic attitude is different from “disinterested,” which means not caring about the object. Indifferent means not looking at the object with the purpose of using or manipulating it to get something. In other words, being indifferent means looking at the object with interest as it appears and feels, without any vested interest in it. For example, when someone sees an apple, they do not look at it with an interest in gaining knowledge or profit, but rather with an interest in the apple itself.
“Empathy” means that when the viewer responds to an object, they accept it based on the conditions of the object itself. To do this, the viewer must suppress reactions such as beliefs and prejudices that separate themselves from the object. If they do not, the possibility of the object being perceived as interesting by the viewer disappears. For example, it is not empathetic for a viewer to reject a sculpture intended to praise a particular god because it differs from their religious standards.
Finally, “contemplation” does not mean simply staring, but rather actively paying attention to the object. Contemplation can also occur in conjunction with other activities. For example, a listener may concentrate on the music and tap their hands to the beat. However, actively paying attention to the object is not the only meaning of contemplation. In order to appreciate the unique value of an object, it is necessary to carefully examine even the most complex and delicate details. The ability to sensitively perceive these delicate details is discernment. In other words, if you have discernment and contemplate, you can have a richer aesthetic experience. This discernment can be cultivated by repeatedly experiencing works of art, studying knowledge such as the techniques of expression and the components of a work, and through technical training in art forms.
Looking at Stollnitz’s theory in the context of modern society, we can see that new art forms such as digital media also require an aesthetic attitude. For example, contemporary art forms such as video games and digital art can provide an aesthetic experience in and of themselves, beyond mere entertainment or technical achievement. In this case, viewers need to contemplate the visual elements, storytelling, and interactive elements on the screen with indifference and empathy. These forms of digital art attract the viewer’s attention in a different way from traditional artworks and enable new forms of aesthetic experience.
Furthermore, aesthetic attitudes can also be applied to everyday life. We can adopt an aesthetic attitude when appreciating natural landscapes or looking at everyday objects. This allows us to discover beauty that we easily overlook in our daily lives and recognize its value. For example, pausing for a moment in our busy daily lives to look at flowers blooming on the side of the road or watching the sunset can become a deeper experience through an aesthetic attitude.
In conclusion, the aesthetic attitude that Stolnitz refers to can be applied not only to works of art but also to everything around us, enriching our lives and filling them with meaningful experiences. An aesthetic attitude allows us to go beyond simply seeing and develop the ability to understand and appreciate the world more deeply.
