The lamented death of art following the rise of modern art theory and the reframing brought about by the appreciation of non-Western culture leads to the budding philosophy of everyday aesthetics. Traditional fine arts are often regarded as rarefied, something accessed by the uniquely talented and displayed in impressive museums or on lavish stages in front of large audiences. Art thusly conceived is something that most people never practice in their lives. Yet in day-to-day life we all experience a creative satisfaction through interaction with the physical and social environment which is a form of artistic practice. This book explores how we gain by understanding ways to live imaginative lives and considers the increasingly important collaborative role of computers and interaction with nature.
Gary A. Berg, PhD, MFA, is the author or editor of eleven previous books including A Career in the Arts: The Complex Learning and Career Needs of Creative Professionals and The Rise of Women in Higher Education: How, Why, and What's Next. His research published widely in journal articles, as well as interviews and opinion pieces in popular media, has spanned topics such as technology used for educational purposes, innovation in non-profit and socially-responsible organizations, and university admissions and financial aid public policy.
Introduction Starting Point Shaping Questions Plan for the Book Conclusion Chapter One: The Origin and Evolution of Western Aesthetics Philosophical Foundations Spirituality and Art Religious Traditions and Art The Sublime and Transcendence Modern and Contemporary Scholars on Art and Spirituality Modern Aesthetics Psychological Perspectives Conclusion Chapter Two: Beyond Western Aesthetics Anthropological Foundations Regional Histories and Contrasts Cross-cultural Patterns Beauty in Disinterestedness Beauty of Spirituality and Transcendence Beauty of Imperfection and Process Beauty Every Day Conclusion Chapter Three: The Aesthetics of the Everyday European Precursors John Dewey and Art as Experience Aesthetics of the Everyday Conclusion Chapter Four: Digital Art Origins Machine Learning and Art Deep Learning Generative Adversarial Networks Applications Using Text Prompts to Create Art Robotics Computers in Music and Literature Computers and Performing Arts Computers and Consciousness Conclusion Chapter Five: Biological Art Using Technology to Uncover Beauty Up Close and Far Away Animal Art Development of Bio Art Humans Interacting with Living Organisms Conclusion Conclusion Primary Questions Impact of Computer and Biological Advancements on Aesthetics Power of Everyday Aesthetics Conclusion Bibliography About the Author
