AG Issues of Aesthetics - First Meeting

Call for Participation! Issues of Aesthetics AG

“Talking about music is like dancing about architecture” (Frank Zappa). Yet, talk about music is what most of us do (and not only music!). Dance about architecture – maybe not so much. 

Anyhow, this is a call to action: after a two-year hiatus, the Issues of Aesthetics’ work at the Gießern Graduiertenzentrum Kulturwissenschaften (GGK) is set to resume on 13th of June!

Our attempt is to form an interdisciplinary group of advanced MA students, PhD students, and post docs to think about a broader understanding of aesthetics – one that is not confined to visual art and the fabric of art criticism.  We will explore various facets of urban aesthetics and aesthetics of architecture, taking as our departure point the claim that, as early as the origins of modern aesthetic thought, found in Addison and Steele’s The Spectator, the city was ‘an immediate and everyday source of aesthetic pleasures’ (Ghita 156). 

In line with the theoretical scaffolding, we will take our working space outside of the academic setting, to specific sites and different architectural surroundings. We want to think about forms, formats and media in which this reasoning could take place. Our aim is to not only theoretically discuss, but also to practically experiment. Ultimately, our ambition is to translate the content we generate into a coherent whole, such as a series of recordings (e.g. a podcast), writings/photography (e.g. a blog), etc. 

Inaugural Meeting: June 13th /// Berliner Platz /// 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Please note: This is a peripatetic meeting, starting at Berliner Platz and ending at the abandoned former post office building near Bahnhof 

During our walk, we will make two stops to facilitate discussion - one at Johanneskirche, and another one on the overpass at Elefantenklo. As this is going to be a formative meeting, the following questions will hopefully provide some guidance:

- How do we broadly conceive of 'urban aesthetics'? What concepts or ideas does the term conjure up? Which disciplines or categories might intersect when considering the aesthetic value of city spaces?

- What is the 'vantage point' from which each of us would like to examine this (sub-)field? Which connections can be made to our respective projects and research interests?

- How do we imagine the group's work? In line with the idea to explore specific sites and alternative meeting spots, which kinds of urban spaces would we be eager to examine? Against which theoretical background would we debate and appraise them?

- Which would be the most suitable medium to aim for with a view to the group's output of content (i.e. a blog + photography, podcast, YouTube channel/vlog, or something completely different)?

The new members of the Issues of Aesthetics AG warmly invite you to join us in giving the group a new lease on life!

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