The sublime, the elegant, the beautiful and the ephemeral are some of the aesthetic values that serve to express the beauty related to everything we perceive. However, we tend to believe that these values always respond to the same principles or interests. The reality is that aesthetic values can change according to different cultures and are always associated with a subjective component.
The perception of aesthetics is not something static, but is transformed over time and its value depends on the eye of the beholder. What is a fact is that they are inherent to human experiences and that they give a material, sentimental or emotional value to everything around us. In this Psychology-online article, we will talk about the aesthetic values: what they are, characteristics, list and examples that will help you to distinguish all its qualities and its importance.
Aesthetic values are the criteria that each person has regarding what is considered beautiful or beautiful. They are generally very subjective and depend on the individual using them, as well as their historical and social context. Are the
In fact, they are active elements that allow us to interpret a work of art through its approach, as well as the new and original features that define it. Are the emotional componentswith which people give their own personal vision about the world. In addition, they are variable in time, since the pieces of their vision are directly related to the historical moment.
Together with this, aesthetic values are personal constructions according to individual realities and not only represent the creators' thoughts, but also transmit their emotions and feelings. Specifically, they can be classified as follows:
- dissonant values: Generate rejection.
- Concordant values: They stand out because they are harmonious and balanced.
Aesthetic values are of great importance, as they inform the beauty of the physical world around us, so help people increase sensory richness and to maintain healthy relationships with others and with the environment. Thus, aesthetic values are very important for the following reasons:
- They allow to establish a value judgment positive or negative regarding the pieces of art.
- They establish the necessary qualities so that art is maintained over time.
- They enhance the viewer experience.
- They are ideal for determine the reaction to stimuli.
- They serve to appreciate the chaos, the drama, the tragedy, among other patterns such as human emotions that can be admired artistically speaking.
- They help to replicate artistic feelings and emotions on objects, people or other living beings, that is, they can be applied to everything around us.
Now that you know what aesthetic values are and what their characteristics are, we are going to see examples of these values so that you know how to identify them and fully understand them:
1. Harmony
The value of harmony allows us to see how everything fits perfectly in a piece or element, without leaving room for criteria that do not correspond to it, that is, everything is appreciated in perfect balance. For example, the notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony fit together in perfect harmony.
2. Perfection
One of the aesthetic values that gives the vision of what has no errors or defects. It is something that is related to what is totally finished and that could not be better. For example, many mothers and fathers see their children as perfect.
3. Beauty
Beauty is an aesthetic value that responds directly to harmony and perfection. It is related to the symmetrical and the subtle. However, there is no specific definition of beauty, since, like any aesthetic value, It depends on the subjective interpretation of each one.. For example, for some people a field of flowers is synonymous with beauty and for others it is not.
4. Comedy
Do you want to know another aesthetic value? Comedy is related to laughter, joy and with satire. It is part of a literary genre that is often used to generate positive and joyful reactions on the receivers. For example, the films of the Mexican comedian Cantinflas are full of comedic aesthetic values.
5. Slender
Slender is all about vertical and horizontal shapes in perfect proportion. Their purpose is to please the eyes of the receiver and they always maintain their grace. For example, models are characterized by maintaining a slender figure.
6. Solemnity
If we talk about aesthetic values, this is related to the formality of some things. It is characterized by follow a definite, organized pattern and previously established. For example, the academic graduation acts stand out for having a lot of solemnity.
7. Delicacy
Delicacy is a value related to subtle sensations that arouse sensitivity. In fact, it also has to do with fragility and finesse. For example, silk is considered a very fine and delicate fabric.
8. majesty
How is aesthetic value determined? Specifically, majesty is associated with grandeur, solemnity and haughtiness. For example, the kings and queens of any country are often considered majestic and majestic.
9. Awesome
Another of the aesthetic values that is related to the imposing and the admiration for something or someone, that is, it has to do with the amazing and the magnificent. For example, the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo Buonarroti for many people in the world are impressive.
10. Tragedy
This type of value is used in literary compositions to classify some types of texts. They intertwine drama with tragedy to provoke different sensations on the reader. A well-known example of this aesthetic value is William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, which contains love, sadness and pain.
11. Absurd
The absurd is an aesthetic value that escapes all logic. It is the logical that is within what is not logical and, due to its complexity, there may be many subjective examples of it that will depend on the global vision of the person who perceives it. For example, many of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint's works are abstract and some qualify as absurd with a touch of genius.
12. Elegance
Within the aesthetic values there is also elegance, which is nothing more than the simplicity and sobriety associated with luxury. This value depends on the different social times and the cultural context. For example, for some the color black is elegant and for others it is white and red.
13. Ridiculous
Although it seems not to be, the ridiculous is framed within aesthetic values. In fact, it's a representation of what is out of context or place. Sometimes it has a certain negative connotation, however, it is widely used within the literary genre as a resource to generate comedy. For example, the Mexican program “the guy from 8” is characterized by having different scenes based on the ridiculous.
14. Mystery
Mystery is an aesthetic value that has to do with what is not fully appreciated, but rather remains hidden without being fully revealed. The purpose of this value is express intrigue about what is not seen to fall into the plane of reflection. For example, some of Rembrandt's portraits are filled with a certain mystery.
15. Sublime
The sublime is characterized by the fact that it generates an extraordinary elevation. Furthermore, philosophers often associate the sublime with most impressive manifestations of humanity and of nature. For example, watch the sunset.
16. Ugliness
Another of the aesthetic values is ugliness, which evokes disorder and chaos. It is the opposite of beauty and harmony. His proposal is totally subjective, since it does not respond equally to all perspectives. For example, for some people classical music is ugly, but for others it becomes sublime and majestic. It all depends on each criteria.
17. Chimera
The chimera is an aesthetic value that is related to the fantastic, what is unreal or what can hardly become. In addition, it also has to do with the illusion of something expected but not real. An example of a chimera would be to dream of traveling the world on a bicycle in just 30 days.
18. Grotesque
The grotesque is an aesthetic value that refers to the opposite of beauty and balance. It alludes to the exaggerated disproportions causing displeasure. It is usually somewhat in poor taste and tends to be rude and obnoxious.
19. Entertaining
Entertaining is used to refer to what holds our attention. For example, TV shows and series are entertaining, as are movies. If you want to understand it better, we recommend you read this article about the types of attention in psychology and their characteristics.
20. Obscenity
The aesthetic value of obscenity takes on different meanings according to the social environment, historical time and culture. Usually it has to do with what is morally questionable. Therefore, the examples are very subjective and ambiguous in certain contexts.
