Aesthetic+Inquiry+Research

I read a document created by the Lincoln Center Institute. This page will include some of my findings/thoughts.

First, I wasn't exactly sure what the Lincoln Center Institute was. So I searched on google and found their website. http://handbook.laartsed.org/models/index.ashx?md=27 This site explained the history- which made it easier for me to understand who Maxine Greene and John Dewey were when reading the PDF document on Aesthetic Inquiry. In addition to explaining the 1975 beginnings to the Center, the website also explains it's purpose ("approach"), it's partnerships and so on.

After I found out some information on the Lincoln Center Institute, I searched for Aesthetic Inquiry. Sure enough, the Lincoln Center Institute popped right up and I found a PDF document on the topic. Art Education/Arts Integration = Aesthetic Education. As I began to read the article some more, I quickly was reminded of our meetings at the Intermediate Unit during Year 2. The reason for this is because the article notes that the combination of art education and arts integrations as well as "interactions with high quality works of art supported by an inquiry process" is an alternative approach to traditional education. At the beginning of each IU meeting, we have been introduced to works of art/artists and we have interacted/experienced. Each artwork/artists has been completely unique and wonderful. Immediately following these thoughts, there was a quote from John Dewey's "Art as Experience" that stated, "to perceive, a beholder must create his own experience. And his creation must include relations comparable to those which the original producer underwent." I feel I have learned a lot from creating my own experience inspired by these artists/artworks...particularly our quilt work and the Cello Fury piece (finding our own instruments- mine was the cap to my tea caddy). The author also notes, "as presently practiced by Lincoln Center Institute, aesthetic education consists of a continuous experience with a work of art over time, mediated by a particular form of individual and group inquiry." Once again, I thought back to our music making piece on the day of the Cello Fury visit. I thought back to day 1 of Year 2 - my CIG created a 60 second sound piece with all kinds of instruments (again taking things out of everyday life that I would not typically think of as an instrument).

I continued to read about "Capacities for Aesthetic Learning". Noticing Deeply, Embodying, Questioning. The first three are essential for the following 6 capacities. Making Connections, Identifying Patterns, Exhibiting Empathy, Creating meaning, Taking Action and Reflecting/Assessing.

The conversation continues...