From Category: thoughts
Photo: Ana Bregantin
Aesthetics is a term that's been thrown around a lot lately, but what does it really mean? Is it just about looking pretty, or is there something deeper behind it? From the clothes we wear, and the makeup we put on to the way we decorate our homes, our aesthetic choices say a lot about who we are. But in the age of social media and endless visual content, aesthetics have taken on a whole new level of significance.
With the ability to curate and share our styles with the world, aesthetics have become a means of self-expression and a way to connect with others who share our tastes. So, let's dive in and explore the world of aesthetics, what it means, and why it's become so popular on the internet in the recent few years.
What is Aesthetic as a Branch of Philosophy?
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, art, and taste. It seeks to understand and evaluate the qualities that make things beautiful or pleasing to the eyes and senses. Aesthetics encompasses a wide range of topics, including the nature of art, the part of the artist, the relationship between art and beauty, and the criteria for evaluating artistic pieces.
One of the main goals of aesthetics is to understand what makes art valuable. Philosophers of aesthetics have proposed various theories about the nature of beauty, including the idea that beauty is objective and can be discovered through rational inquiry, or that it is subjective and depends on individual tastes and preferences.
Another important topic in aesthetics is the role of the artist. Aestheticians explore questions such as what motivates artists to create, how they go about creating their works, and what responsibilities they have to their audiences and society. They also consider the impact that art has on its viewers and how it can shape their experiences and perceptions of the world.
Photo: Ozan Çulha
The Concept of Aesthetics and the Internet
Internet aesthetic is a term used to describe the visual and stylistic elements commonly found on the internet, especially in the world of social media. It is a rapidly evolving and constantly changing aesthetic that reflects the cultural zeitgeist and technological advancements of the digital age. The internet aesthetic draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including popular culture, fashion, art, and graphic design, and it is characterized by its use of bold colors, playful typography, and a sense of humor.
One of the defining characteristics of the Internet aesthetic is its ability to create a sense of community and belonging among Internet users. By using similar visual and stylistic elements across a range of digital platforms, internet users can instantly recognize and connect with others who share similar interests and aesthetics. This has led to the creation of online subcultures and communities that are bound together by a shared love of internet culture and aesthetics.
Another important aspect of the Internet aesthetic is its emphasis on self-expression and individuality. With the rise of social media and other digital platforms, people have more opportunities than ever before to express themselves creatively and showcase their unique set of interests. The internet aesthetic provides a visual language for this self-expression, allowing individuals to create digital personas that reflect their identities and values.
Photo: Camila Esteves
The Search Term “Aesthetic” and Google Trends
According to Google Trends, the search term "aesthetic" has been steadily increasing in popularity over the past five years, with the highest search interest coming from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The term is particularly popular among younger generations, with a significant portion of searches coming from individuals between the ages of 18 and 24.
In addition to Google Trends, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have also seen a significant increase in the use of the term "aesthetic", particularly in the context of visual content such as fashion, beauty, and home decor. Users use hashtags such as #aesthetic, #aesthetics, and #aestheticstyle to categorize posts and connect with others who share their aesthetic interests.
How Tumblr, Pinterest, and TikTok Popularized Aesthetics
Tumblr, Pinterest, and TikTok have each contributed to the popularization of aesthetics in their unique ways. On Tumblr, users created and shared mood boards, featuring images, quotes, and other media that conveyed a particular aesthetic. These mood boards often focused on niche interests, from gothic horror to cottagecore, and were shared widely among Tumblr communities. This platform allowed users to curate their own aesthetic identity and connect with others who shared their interests.
Pinterest, on the other hand, took the concept of mood boards to the next level. With a user interface designed specifically for creating visual collections, Pinterest became a hub for users to discover and save inspiration for everything from home decor to fashion. The platform's algorithm recommended related content, further exposing users to new aesthetics and styles. In this way, Pinterest made it easy for users to explore and experiment with aesthetics beyond their immediate interests.
TikTok, the latest addition to this trio, has revolutionized the way that aesthetics is shared and consumed. The platform's short-form video format allows users to showcase their aesthetic preferences and interpret others' in creative ways. TikTok has even popularized new aesthetics, such as "cottagecore," which has gained a massive following on the app. TikTok's algorithm also plays a significant role in promoting aesthetics, as the "For You" page serves as a feed of content that matches users' interests, making it easier than ever to discover new aesthetics and trends.
Photo: Ozan Çulha
What Are the Most Popular Aesthetic Lifestyles at the Moment
In recent years, aesthetic lifestyles have gained significant popularity among people worldwide. From fashion and beauty to home decor and social media, the desire to curate a visually appealing and cohesive aesthetic has become a significant part of modern culture. Here are some of the most popular aesthetic lifestyles at the moment:
- Cottagecore: This aesthetic celebrates the simplicity and serenity of rural life, often incorporating elements of nature and nostalgia into fashion and home decor. Think flowy dresses, cozy knitwear, floral prints, and rustic furniture.
- Minimalism: In contrast to the maximalist tendencies of previous years, minimalism has emerged as a popular aesthetic lifestyle. With a focus on clean lines, neutral colors, and a "less is more" approach, minimalism prioritizes simplicity, functionality, and quality over excess.
- Dark Academia: This aesthetic draws inspiration from classic literature, art, and academia, with a focus on dark, moody colors and traditional styles such as blazers, loafers, and pleated skirts. Think ivy-covered buildings, old books, and intellectual pursuits.
- Kawaii: Originating in Japan, kawaii is a cute, colorful aesthetic that often incorporates playful, childlike elements such as pastel colors, cartoon characters, and fluffy animals. This aesthetic is popular among fans of anime and manga and has gained a significant following on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
- Grunge: A subculture that emerged in the 1990s, grunge has made a comeback in recent years. This aesthetic is characterized by edgy, rebellious fashion such as ripped denim, leather jackets, and combat boots, often paired with dark makeup and messy hairstyles.
These are just a few of the many aesthetic lifestyles that have gained popularity in recent years. Each aesthetic has its unique style and vibe, but they all share a common desire to create a visually pleasing and cohesive aesthetic that reflects the individual's personality and values. I'll try to explore them separately and compare, analyzing these aesthetics in future blog posts.
Summarizing...
Overall, aesthetics is a complex and multifaceted branch of philosophy that explores the nature of beauty, art, and taste. It helps us appreciate and understand the art that surrounds us, and think about how it can enrich our lives and contribute to our understanding of the world around us.
Tumblr, Pinterest, and TikTok have each played a significant role in popularizing aesthetics by providing platforms for users to share, explore, and experiment with their unique aesthetic preferences. These platforms have created a new form of visual culture that encourages users to express themselves and connect with others based on shared aesthetics. However, there is always something more profound to the concept of aesthetics, worth exploring and learning about.
Photo: Alex Guillaume
Are you familiar with the Radium Girl story? The first time I heard about it was a few years ago when I stumbled upon the 'Radium Girls' movie trailer on YouTube. Only a few years later, I could enjoy the movie and take a deeper look into this heart-breaking story. However, there is always a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, even in a story like this.
Who were Radium Girls?
Radium Girls were a group of female workers hired by the United States Radium Corporation in the early 1920s. In these factories, women performed various tasks. They included handling the chemical element radium and applying radium paint onto dials for a glow-in-the-dark effect. Unlike owners of the factories and scientists, who were familiar with the effect of radium, women workers were not aware of the danger.
But radium and its wondrous properties, discovered by Marie Skłodowska-Curie, were used not only in the production of watches and airplane instruments. It was aggressively promoted as a miraculous beauty ingredient. Soon, radioactive face creams and the famous energizing tonic Radithor overwhelmed drugstore shelves. Beauty and medical brands couldn't miss a chance to capitalize on this discovery.
As a result of the "lip, dip, paint" technique, which Radium Girls used to paint dials, more than 50 women died of radioactive poisoning. Although, the exact number of people, who suffered from the impact is unknown. The radiation sickness and even death caused by radium exposure didn't affect the popularity of radium watches and other radioactive products.
The final dot in the case was put in the spring of 1938 when the justice ruled in favor of workers. The whole case of Radium Girls holds a revolutionary place in labor in the field of human health and the movement for labor rights. It turned the system upside down, establishing the right of the individual worker to sue big corporations and the occupational disease labor law. All thanks to the courageous women, human rights activists, and other caring people, who were not afraid to fight for their rights.
In 1938, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act finally outlawed several dangerous products and fake medical devices, including radium-containing drinks. The Center for Human Radiobiology was founded thirty years later in 1968, where scientists collected medical information, and samples, and provided examinations for living dial painters. This research made an extensive contribution to health physics and radiology.
The Takeaway
What is the takeaway of this story? I believe there are multiple things we have to learn from it. First, we should fight for our rights no matter if we are going to win. It is important to stand up for yourself, and for the people around you who need protection. Second, capitalism has its own ways and morality, when it comes to financial interest. We should be smart and responsible for our health. And, third, even the saddest story can teach us something important. The Radium Girls epopee must become an unfortunate example that can guide millions.
Photo: @thoughtcatalog
Reading is the safest and the most relaxing way to learn important life lessons. That's why today I gathered five engaging books that will help you become a little bit better and teach you some important truths. These books are not about self-improvement or personal development, these are the books that will teach you how to love, respect, and even hate through the life and actions of characters from the books.
Each author in my list has a very special way of revealing the truth to the reader. Some are gentle, soft, and poetic, while others are roughly direct. But I hope all the books on my list will leave you with many experiences and emotions. I would love to erase my memory and re-read all of these five books once again.
Martin Eden
A novel by Jack London
“But I am I. And I won't subordinate my taste to the unanimous judgment of mankind”
This was one of the first books by Jack London I've read. A very romantic and beautiful novel about a young sailor from the working class who is struggling to become a writer and to win the heart of a girl from high society. I was fascinated by Martin's enthusiasm and his passion for knowledge. He is definitely a great example of a person who is trying to become better, and pursuing his blue dream. The ending of the story is sad, and a little bit shocking, but absolutely understandable. I want to recommend this to everyone, especially those who are still trying to find their place in the world.
Nineteen Eighty-Four
A novel by George Orwell
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
I know this book might sound a bit cliché, but it is a must-read for everyone. Nineteen Eighty-Four is a British dystopian novel written by talented writer George Orwell and originally published in 1949 about life under constant surveillance. This fiction has a lot of truth between the lines, and if you are a person who lived far away from the Soviet Union but wants to imagine what it was like to live under a strict governmental machine of total propaganda, repression, and humiliation you need to read Nineteen Eighty-Four without any doubt.
While I was reading this book I was thinking about our past and how many things it has in common with the present. I was thinking about the country I'm living in and other countries surrounding me. And of course, I was thinking about the future of humanity, do we have a chance?
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings
Short story by Gabriel García Márquez
“His huge buzzard wings, dirty and half-plucked, were forever entangled in the mud.”
The first time I read this book at school and I remember liking the story very much. Gabriel García Márquez combined two absolutely opposite literature genres fantasy and realism in one masterpiece. The story starts when a very poor family finds an old man with huge wings who has crash-landed in their yard.
The author does not explain this supernatural event, he does not open up to the audience the character and personality of an angel. He simply leaves this to the reader's mind and everyone can decide who this mysterious old man was with wings.
In Bad Company
Book by Vladimir Korolenko
“Better to have a piece of heart in the chest, than a cold stone.”
I doubt my readers have ever heard about this book and the author Vladimir Korolenko, but I couldn't leave this book without attention. Bad Company can also be translated as Children Of The Underground is a tragic story filled with sadness and truth. Book events took place at the end of the 18th century in a small Polish town. The author demonstrates the everyday life of two boys from polar families - a family of main judges of a city and a family of beggars. This story is sincere and it definitely leaves a very pure and kind print in everyone's heart, I wish I'd read this lovely story at school.
The Mountain That Loved a Bird
Book by Alice McLerran
“I am Joy, and I have come to greet you.”
A colorful and emotional book written by Alice McLerran and featuring the most beautiful illustrations by Eric Carle. The story is about a little bird named Joy and how she healed and was brought back to live in a broken, lonely mountain. Every word in this book is saturated with love, loyalty, and hope. Even though this book is not lacking in sad moments, I still think you can definitely read 'The Mountain That Loved a Bird' with your little kids, since it will teach them to love nature and always believe in happy endings.
Summarizing...
This was my personal list of five interesting books that will make everyone better. Please let me know if you've read any of these books and if you agree with my list. Don't forget to share your favorite books, that helped you to learn some lessons. Do you have a Goodreads account? Add me as a friend, so I can check out your favorite books as well. Thank you for visiting my blog, I'll talk to you again very soon!
Photo: Marek Okon
History repeats itself, and so do fashion trends, they come and go and return to our wardrobes again. It is an eternal fashion cycle and every trend comes back into style eventually. Each time an old-fashioned design reappears in fashion, it brings brand-new ideas and fresh concepts, like digital fashion, for instance. According to this point of view, future fashion may repeat the hottest trends of the early 00s, so don't hurry to throw out your beloved hipster glasses and skinny jeans, you may want to wear them once again shortly.
Of course, I doubt that future outfits will look like the old-school costumes from sci-fi movies and books. I hope fans of the original Star Trek will forgive me, but there are no places for aluminum swimsuits and faux fur crop tops in the future. And as much as I love tight catsuits, we need to face reality, the future won't look like Marvel comics. But what will the future of fashion look like?
"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contact are so quick. Fashion is an instant language." —Miuccia Prada
Photo: Noah Buscher
- Intelligent Textiles & Fast Fashion
Climate changes will accelerate the invention process of new materials and fabrics. These materials will be bacteria and cruelty-free and have adaptive abilities to regulate body temperature according to the weather conditions. Brands will need to develop a new design approach to stay up-to-date and survive on fashion markers.
Fashion is the third most polluting industry in the world, so designers will need to think up how to carefully bring environment-friendly materials into the fashion industry. Thanks to worldwide globalization, cultural mixing processes, and advanced technology, future clothes will be comfortable, mobile, and fleeting. The concept of 'throwaway' or fast fashion will become a common principle of all designers, because of a rapid lifestyle and fast-changing trends.
Photo: Lucrezia Carnelos
- Shopping Revolution
When it comes to future shopping, I disagree with people who think that regular physical stores will fully disappear from our lives. Of course, they will look and function differently, in a new contemporary way. For example, future dressing rooms will be equipped with holograms and virtual reality. These technologies will allow customers to try on new outfits without even changing their clothes. Shortly consumers will play a large, important role in designing their own garments. Fashion stores won`t need to stock a huge range of colors, sizes, and shapes.
Future 3D printers and other similar technologies will allow customers to print necessary items with a unique design and sizing. Digital modeling and virtual reality technologies are even closer than you think. For instance, in October 2015, designer Tommy Hilfiger became the very first major fashion retailer who test out virtual reality headsets in the stores and shoppers experienced his fashion show virtually.
"Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment." —Alexander McQueen
Photo: Fabian Albert
- Smart Accessories
Even today, computers, smartphones, earphones, and other gadgets have become more than just everyday items, but essential fashion accessories. When people are searching for a new computer or smartphone, they aren't just buying an electronic device, they are also making a fashion statement by choosing the gadget's designs, colors, and even brands.
In the long run smartphones, smartwatches and glasses will become a stylish addition to our everyday outfits. Fashion will become more than just a personal expression of your alternative fashion style, taste, and personality, it will become a technology as well.
Final Thoughts...
Oscar de la Renta once said that the greatest thing about fashion is that it always looks forward. With every passing day, we approach the future closer and closer, but we can't know for sure what is coming for us. My biggest wish for future fashion is to be versatile and indulgent.
There will be no more racial, age, or gender boundaries ‒ anyone will wear the clothes they want. In the future fashion will empower people, not isolate or separate them. I'd like to see how fashion becomes an international language of communication and fashion designers become its interpreters, helping people to understand each other better.
Peculiar shapes, repetitive movements, and iridescent colors were the three main hypnotic inductions, which inspired me for this post. I couldn't pass by the Fall/Winter 2019 collection by Iris van Herpen, intriguingly called Hypnosis, and decided to share my fascination with you, ladies and gentlemen. Without any doubt, Hypnosis will quickly become one of the most iconic haute-couture collections in the late 2010s.
Inspired by the kinetic artworks of Anthony Howe, who creates the most unbelievable wind-driven sculptures, Iris van Herpen created the three-dimensional collection of cosmic dresses, made from lightweight silk organza. The weird lines and shapes, that hypnotize our eyes and minds, represent the eternal expansion of the galaxy and the infinite circle of life.
Each dress is a work of art on its own, but it is possible to dissect the whole collection into four categories, or it is better to say, elements: air, water, fire, and earth. To bring these luminescent garments to life, the couturier used thousands of laser-cut pieces of silk organza, individually dying them with a special ink-on-water Japanese technique and putting them together onto see-through tulle.
To be absolutely frank, I haven't seen anything more mesmerizing and hypnotizing in a long time! It is very hard to describe this collection with words, I guess it is better to see it one time than hear about Hypnosis again and again. I strongly recommend you take a look at Iris van Herpen's Hypnosis with your very own eyes.
Final Thoughts
Van Herpen's genius lies in her ability to transcend the confines of terrestrial fashion. Her creations aren't mere garments; they're portals to uncharted dimensions, where gravity loosens its grip and creativity soars on the wings of dreams. We've witnessed the birth of bioluminescent gowns that pulse with inner light, the metamorphosis of skin into shimmering scales, and the transformation of the human form into a breathtaking symphony of movement and light.
Ripped jeans, sad tunes, reeky cigarettes, and a world full of promises. The decade of iconic grunge style in music and fashion has passed a long time ago, but apparently, we can't get over this historical injustice, trying to refresh the memory of this romantic, slightly gloomy phase. Grunge fashion is not exactly retro yet, but it is definitely something we all missed, even though some of us are too young to remember this massive movement.
As Robert Hilburn noticed in his Los Angeles Times article: "...grunge stuck around long enough to get into the dictionary, but the excitement and early promise of the 90's rock movement draw distant indeed as the decade comes to a close." Today I'm going to trace the legacy of grunge style in fashion, recalling the most outrageous, edgy, and rebellious collections, its rise, fall, and finally, the victorious rebirth of my favorite grunge fashion.
Winona Ryder, Drew Barrymore & Angelina Jolie
- The Rise
My favorite grunge fashion first appeared in the mid-'80s together with the popularity of that time grunge music and became widely popular in the '90s. Popularized by grunge music bands and singers, this fashion style can be characterized by three words: androgynous, thrifty, and anti-glamorous. Although grunge fashion, just like grunge music and lifestyle, is supposed to be an anti-glamorous movement, that rejects everything posh and expensive, it swiftly became mainstream and made an appearance on the runway shows of that time.
Strangely enough, my thousands of grunge styles weren't understood by high-fashion critics, and the spring Ready-to-Wear collection, carried out by 29-year-old designer Marc Jacobs got him fired from Perry Ellis. But it was a legendary show and revolutionary collection that marked his career! Models wore simple loose dresses, sloppy trenches, and Dr. Martens. These "outfits looked as if it was put together with the eyes closed in a very dark room" and were completed with stretched beanies and silver jewelry.
- The Fall
In a short period, impure motives of grunge melodies, smoked voices, and budget-friendly outfits are going to be replaced with fluent recitative and weighty golden chains. The golden age of hip-hop music expanded, swallowing alternative rock together with its depressing lyrics. Flannel plaid shirts were slowly changed for cropped denim and faux fur jackets. Everyone forgot about grunge for another ten years, enjoying the brand new sounds by Britney, Destiny's Child, and other pop idols of the late 90's early 2000s.
Kylie Jenner, Rihanna & Lucy Hale
- The Rebirth
The early and mid-2010s experienced the rebirth of grunge fashion and it keeps coming back again and again with every new season up until now. In the new century, grunge fashion looks even edgier and more rebellious. The everlasting ripped jeans and jackets look even more worn out, combat boots are even more massive and lip color is even bolder than ever. Leather jackets and chokers are promised to stay forever in our wardrobes or at least until another grungy trend won't take its place.
- Popular Sub-genres of Grunge Style
The comeback of grunge fashion has marked the appearance of sub-genres like soft grunge: a casual and well-planned blend between classic grunge pieces and modern fashionable items. Soft grunge fashion is believed to be born on Tumblr and widely popularized by Tumblr girls. Apart from featuring classic grungy pieces like flannel shirts, combat boots, and denim, soft grunge allows the use of Gothic influences. Singers like Lana Del Rey and bands like Arctic Monkeys and Sky Ferreira are usually associated with this alternative fashion style.
Final Thoughts...
Although all of us have an awesome opportunity to experience the rebirth of one of the most controversial and beautiful fashion styles, there is one thing that has never returned to the world. And, I guess, you know what I'm talking about. Rusty and soiled grunge music with its screechy guitars and husky voice had not returned to our lives. But, we'll be waiting!
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