AestheTECH

What is Art?

This animation from Creature Comforts has been around for a few years but it is worth a revisit.  Teachers; has anyone used this in their classroom?  If so, what was the response?

Want to join in on the "What is Art" conversation?  Check it out on Seesmic!

A layer of white covers my surroundings like a thin blanket; it transforms.

As I walked the property this morning, I had an amazing aesthetic experience.  You must know what I am writing of, having had a similar experience when viewing a sunset, walking along the beach or seeing a baby's smile. 

While walking, awe struck at the beauty around me, a memory came back to me of my first aesthetic experience.  I remember that I was about 7 years old and I was just sitting on a fallen tree in the woods... my friends could not pull me away.  They left and I stayed, just looking around.  I must have stayed that way for nearly half an hour.

I wonder, in this fast paced, high tech world that we live in, how do we ensure that our youth stop and take the time to enjoy the aesthetics that life and nature have to offer?

Here are a few of my photos from today...

I would like to pose a creativity question to not only the art community but also to the general public:

What constitutes a creative environment or a creative experience?  It might be interesting to think about "ah, ha" moments and describe the moment just before.  Ah-ha moments do not necessary need to involve creation of art - only new ideas.  Where do these ideas come from and how can we support their growth and productivity? 

When thinking about my own creative productivity I seem to be the most creative when my mind is free of clutter and I enter a "zone" of consciousness.  I do not do this intentionally, it happens with out trying to make it so (most often during quite time outdoors).  Then, seemingly out of no where, I develop creative solutions to problems or recognize an opportunity to follow the creative pull in a new direction. 

I would appreciate all thoughts on this subject and I would be interested to hear about the creative process for others. 

Any one intersted in reading more on creativity?  Check out this article: http://tip.psychology.org/create.html