What is the relationship between signs/symbols (in everyday life and art) and aesthetic experience?
I think that the recognition of signs and symbols in life and art relates to cognitive effort. In order to associate any meaning to symbols when viewed, there must be a higher level of thought and attention than to merely view a piece for form or for sensory perception. I think signs and symbols allow for meaning to be represented or interjected into life and art pieces without being too obvious. It takes effort from the viewer or experience haver to recognize the symbols and signs and to assign them meaning.
According to Dewey, aesthetic affect is found directly in sensory perception. What are your thoughts on this? What if senses don’t align?
This statement kind of throws me. While I believe that sensory perception plays a large role in aesthetic reactions, I also think that cognition can play a large role. I find theories that state only one form of perception (like significant form or sensory perception, as two examples from our recent readings) to be troublesome because I don't think its natural for viewers to isolate their consumption or reaction of artistic works into such categories. I believe aesthetic objects are viewed in a multi-faceted way.
What are your thoughts on Dewey’s position?: “What is not immediate is not aesthetic.” What do you think this means, and do you agree or not? Why/Why not?
Since Dewey believes that aesthetic affect is the result of sensory perception, it makes sense that he sees aesthetics as strictly immediate. I don't agree. I find myself reflecting on aesthetic experiences and having new feelings, discovering different nuances, while not necessarily in the presence of the aesthetic object. In this way, aesthetics are not immediate.
