Both context and form require cognition to recognize and appreciate. It is my opinion that both of these elements can serve to enhance any aesthetic experience. For example, the context and form in which I saw Starry Night by Vincent Van Goh this summer (in the MoMA, 6 inches away from the real thing) greatly enhanced my aesthetic experience as compared to if I had seen it online or in a textbook.
2. Subjectivity/universalism in aesthetic experience
I already sort of touched on this subject in a previous post, but I'll reiterate my thoughts here. This subject is of particular interest to me, I think mainly because I've created art pieces that are extremely subjective and often get negative or confused reactions. I believe that while every artistic object or experience may have the potential to be universally appreciated (there are qualities in it that anyone may find attractive) it takes the right person, with the right set of experiences, opinions and beliefs, to recognize those traits. This echoes Kant's point that appreciating art requires understanding.
3. Relationship between beauty & morality/ethics
I think that the relationship between beauty and morality is much more subjective today than in Kant and Hegel's time. I don't believe in a higher power, and therefore do not view beauty as the representation of the divine, however, when those perspectives were put forth, there was a much more cohesive belief system when it came to religion, deities and morality. An example that perfectly articulates this dichotomy is the work Piss Christ by Serrano Andres.
This photograph shocked many viewers because it is apparently anti-Christian or offensive to Christians because it is the figure of Jesus in human waste. However, when looking at the piece objectively, the colors and texture are quite beautiful. This is a moment where morality/ethics/religion differs with beauty instead of agreeing with it.4. Where do Kant's, neo-Kantian,& Hegel's perspectives fall short?
While Kant, Hegel and Neo-Kantians such as Gerard Genette cover a lot of ground in their musings on aesthetics, I'm left feeling very detached from the process and experience of aesthetics. I would be interested to hear philosophies on how human intervention affects art, more about the creative process, history, art and philosophy as self-reflexive, and more about why aesthetics are important.
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