assignment 1
Think about your favorite object (could be a physical thing or a virtual thing) and describe its aesthetic quality based on the three levels of processing — Visceral, Behavioral, Reflective — we discussed in class. Post your writing below with a photo or a sketch/illustration of the object.Please submit your post by the evening of Sunday, February 2nd, so that we have a chance to see each other’s entries before the next class on Monday.
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The object I chose is a block of Arches Watercolor paper. It is a plain object, but that only plays into its visceral appeal. It looks so unassuming, but my mind knows what kind of great paintings can be done on it. The company that prints the paper was founded in 1492 in France. All the paper is still hand molded from 100% Cotton. As far as paper goes, it’s a beautiful creation.
I like that I feel like I become a part of the history of painting when I use this paper. I somehow join the ranks of all the famous artists when I paint on the same paper they used. I also have this disillusioned dream that someday I might be able to paint like them if I use the same paper (not likely, I’m a pretty lousy watercolor painter).
Beyond the emotions I associate with the paper, it is actually a great paper to use. It feels sturdy and solid. It doesn’t begin to shred or ball up when it’s wet for long periods of time. The paint spreads smoothly over the surface. It is better than any other paper I’ve ever used.
All these features combined make it one of my favorite objects.
Here’s a link to an image of a few of the different blocks of paper they offer:
http://www.chrisfullmer.com/mla/interface/arches%20watercolor%20paper.jpg
My beautiful object is my WACOM Intuos 2 pen tablet; It is essentially my magic wand. I love the simple design of the piece (a solid gray block with a matching pen) in a visceral way as the ergonomic curve and shape of the pen fits perfectly in my hand. It is also very behavioral as it literally gives me the ability to “communicate” with my computer on a hands on basis, I am also left handed so I can multi task with the pen and mouse pretty easily. It is also a very reflective tool due to the fact that you can customize the pressure sensitivity of the pen, so the pen is tailored perfectly for my hand and my hand only.
It gives me the ability to leap from this:
introducing Deathbot by ~abderezai on deviantART
to this:
Robot love in moonlight by ~abderezai on deviantART
After thought and consideration, I concluded that I do not have a favorite object; instead, I chose an object that I enjoy very much but which I cannot truly say I favor over all others.
This object is the Centenary Edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s the Lord of the Rings. It simultaneously pleases me on many different levels. The physical design of the book is impressive. Viscerally, the simple brown cover inlaid with beautiful gold lettering presents both a sense of age and importance. The red bookmark offers a dramatic visual contrast to the otherwise rather muted colors of the object.
On both a visceral and behavioral level, the weight of the book pleases. At over 1200 pages this object has heft. The tactile sensation of the weight, the rough cover, and the thick, crisp paper combine into a sense that this is the essence of what a book should be.
Additionally, the structure of the contents of the book fulfill its role admirably. An elegant contents table leads into a dramatic prologue. The book concludes with detailed indices, glossaries, and maps - all constructed to give reality to the imaginary world constructed by the author. The illustrations, presented on high-gloss, thick paper occur at infrequent intervals corresponding to key events and revelations within the flow of the narrative.
Reflectively, this tome is beautiful as well. It presents the entire epic tale in the spirit of the writing; that is, as one continuous tale, beginning with the history of hobbits and concluding with the end of the third age of Middle Earth. The book demonstrates the intricacies that Tolkien wove into his imaginary world, and the intense consideration he gave the whole concept over the course of 13 years of writing. Additionally, this book was given to me on my birthday, as a gift, on my birthday: January 3rd. This is also Tolkien’s birthday, and this edition was published in 1992 to commemorate 100 years of Tolkien (1892-1992). Thus, both as a birthday gift, and as a memorial to a great man who shared my birthday, this object has reflective beauty.
The Centenary Edition
http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/1088/2060158520101114711S600×600Q85.jpg
The object I would like to chare is the detail design of southern façade of Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. Designed in 1987 by Jean Novel, dedicated to the art and culture of Arab and Islamic civilizations, the Institut du Monde Arabe is simultaneously library, museum, and médiathèque. In terms of behavioral level, the southern façade is composed of hundreds of ornate diaphragms (called moucharabiehs), automatically adjusting the size of their openings depending on the degree of striking lightness (external insolation). Besides, the geometry of the details is inspired by the conventional icon of Islamic architecture. It fulfills reflective level of aesthetics. Meanwhile, when light is sticking through these metal components, it reveals the illusion of high-tech by the fusion of light reflection and variation, provoking visceral sensation of audiences. The entire object had been interwoven in terms of three levels of aesthetic qualities.
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/1.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/2.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/3.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/4.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/5.jpg
The object I would like to chare is the detail design of southern façade of Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. Designed in 1987 by Jean Novel, dedicated to the art and culture of Arab and Islamic civilizations, the Institut du Monde Arabe is simultaneously library, museum, and médiathèque. In terms of behavioral level, the southern façade is composed of hundreds of ornate diaphragms (called moucharabiehs), automatically adjusting the size of their openings depending on the degree of striking lightness (external insolation). Besides, the geometry of the details is inspired by the conventional icon of Islamic architecture. It fulfills reflective level of aesthetics. Meanwhile, when light is sticking through these metal components, it reveals the illusion of high-tech by the fusion of light reflection and variation, provoking visceral sensation of audiences. The entire object had been interwoven in terms of three levels of aesthetic qualities
Weblink for Institut du Monde Arabe http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/1.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/2.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/3.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/4.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/5.jpg
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/1.jpg
Institut du Monde Arabe
(Please go through 1~5 images from the weblink below)
http://photo.xuite.net/berkeleychiu/2293696/1.jpg
After thought and consideration, I concluded that I do not have a favorite object; instead, I chose an object that I enjoy very much but which I cannot truly say I favor over all others.
This object is the Centenary Edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s the Lord of the Rings. It simultaneously pleases me on many different levels. The physical design of the book is impressive. Viscerally, the simple brown cover inlaid with beautiful gold lettering presents both a sense of age and importance. The red bookmark offers a dramatic visual contrast to the otherwise rather muted colors of the object.
On both a visceral and behavioral level, the weight of the book pleases. At over 1200 pages this object has heft. The tactile sensation of the weight, the rough cover, and the thick, crisp paper combine into a sense that this is the essence of what a book should be.
Additionally, the structure of the contents of the book fulfill its role admirably. An elegant contents table leads into a dramatic prologue. The book concludes with detailed indices, glossaries, and maps - all constructed to give reality to the imaginary world constructed by the author. The illustrations, presented on high-gloss, thick paper occur at infrequent intervals corresponding to key events and revelations within the flow of the narrative.
Reflectively, this tome is beautiful as well. It presents the entire epic tale in the spirit of the writing; that is, as one continuous tale, beginning with the history of hobbits and concluding with the end of the third age of Middle Earth. The book demonstrates the intricacies that Tolkien wove into his imaginary world, and the intense consideration he gave the whole concept over the course of 13 years of writing. Additionally, this book was given to me on my birthday, as a gift, on my birthday: January 3rd. This is also Tolkien’s birthday, and this edition was published in 1992 to commemorate 100 years of Tolkien (1892-1992). Thus, both as a birthday gift, and as a memorial to a great man who shared my birthday, this object has reflective beauty.
The Centenary Edition
http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/1088/2060158520101114711S600×600Q85.jpg
Note: in the process of reposting my response, apparently the ‘x’ got corrupted. Go figure. The link is here: http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/1088/2060158520101114711S600×600Q85.jpg
P.S. If this is broken too, just copy the link and replace the x-like letter with an x.
My “favorite object” would have to be my room in my house in Berkeley. My room has all three modes of beauty. First of all, my room is viscerally beautiful. It’s always warm and cozy, and it gets a lot of sunlight. I have nice art on the walls and lots of green and earth tones, as well as plants. Most people have a very positive initial reaction when they walk into my room.
My room is also behaviourally beautiful, because it matches my expectations as to what a room should be. My bed is comfortable to sleep in, my desk is nice to work at. Overall, it provides a nice private space that I can go to when I want to be alone.
Reflective beauty is evident in my room in two ways: the first because various objects in my room are beautiful to me because of their meaning, and the second because some parts of my room are beautiful in what they reflect about me to other people. For purposes of this assignment, I will focus on the book shelves that run around three sides of my room, above the windows. These shelves have meaning to me because I built them myself with the help of a friend. When I look at them I remember each step in the process (painting, getting the brackets, and putting them up). I also remember stories behind each of the books on the shelf.
Additionally, I can tell others that I built the bookshelves, which is cool, and the books themselves show people not only that I’m a big reader, but also my specific interests.
To see photos, go here: http://flickr.com/photos/23254418@N07/tags/aestheticsassign1/
For my object, I selected this gate, found in north Berkeley. The column constructed of aged bricks and the gate appears to be iron. Both have ivy growing on them.
My appreciation appears first on a visceral level. The shapes involved in the column are highly natural, with the sculpture at the top incorporating round smooth shapes. The ironwork on top of the gate utilizes a vine motif, and the object is actually wreathed with ivy, an aesthetically appealing plant.
The beauty of this piece on a behavioral level is not immediate. Honestly, it makes a rather poor obstruction. The hinges are rusted and it is never closed. It must have been rather expensive. If the goal of a gate is to keep people out, there are far more efficient and cost effective ways of doing this. However, if this object is considered with the goal of making the property more beautiful, I would say that it succeeds extremely well. The house on the other side of this beautiful gate is not particularly classy. It is a faded red with a boxlike design. Truly there is little to recommend it from the outside except the gate, which lends the place a lovely elegance. Thusly I would say that it accomplishes the task of beautifying the property admirably.
I find this piece appealing in reflective aesthetics for a number of reasons. First, the use of brick and wrought iron is a rather anachronistic touch. Further these touches are also considered elegant, something at appeals to be. Also attractive is the interlinking of natural and artificial forms. Bricks weathered by their interaction with nature, iron shaped to emulate natural forms and ivy framing and decorating the structure all work to create this dynamic. This balance of natural and artificial is value I hold, and I feel is expressed by this object.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23528384@N08/?saved=1
To me, this Bodum coffee scoop is beautiful. There’s a perfect balance between the heft of the scoop and the smooth metal underneath your fingers: the curves and the weight and the thermal quality of the metal remind me of the thrill (and sense of fragility) you get when you’re using a pottery wheel, and the clay is just wet enough to throw. That feeling focuses your attention — just for a second — on the fact that something as simple as measuring coffee can be a source of deep and simple pleasure. (Apple gets a similar effect by using cool metal that warms to the touch on the back of some iPods and the iPhone.) The scoop also extends the experience of drinking a cup of coffee into a ritual: from simply drinking a warm cup of coffee to enjoying the whole process of making the coffee.
I always have a hard time when asked to name a favorite this or that, and usually come up with a list of things, neither of which is more favorite than others.
This time’s no different, but since I had to chose one object, I picked one that I actually own and carry around with me most of the time - my Opinel No.8 Folding knife (image courtesy of the manufacturer).
The design is extremely simple and is comprised of only 4 parts: 1) beechwood handle (shaped rather ergonomically), 2) carbon steel blade (shape is known as yatagan, a traditional Turkish design), 3) riveted metal band on which the blade pivots, and 4) the rotating safety collar (not present on smaller models). The latter is useful as a safety precaution to hold the blade open or closed because unlike most modern folders, Opinel does not have a built-in spring. The resulting product is relatively inexpensive (~$10 or less), light to cary, and with proper maintainance can last a long time.
The knife was invented by Joseph Opinel in the Savoie region of France in the 1890s and has been produced by the (family-owned) Opinel company to this day. The design has remained largely unchanged, except for the introduction of the above mentioned safety collar in 1955. The knives come in a variety of sizes, ranging from the No.2 model with a 3.5 cm blade to No.12 with a 12 cm blade; the handle sizes vary proportionally. The original model had a beechwood handle and a carbon steel blade. Some modern models/special editions feature stainless steel blades (less maintainance needed) and a variety of wood types for the handle.
I’m not really a “knife person,” and Opinels are certainly not as rugged and universal as many modern knifes, but that hardly matters to me. To use the terms introduced in the last class, the design carries an appeal on several levels:
Visceral: both the handle and the blade have a smooth curvy shape to them. And while both were sculpted by a human, the handle fits the palm of the hand very comfortably, which carries some “natural” overtones.
Behavioral: well, it’s supposed to be a functional object and I certainly use it daily (opening mail, cutting stuff…but not food, though it’s a fine knife in the kitchen, too), so there’s definitely a behavioral appeal to it.
Reflective: this is a big one. With a traditional/historic design like this, it is hard not to feel a connection with history. The fact that it’s still made by the original company and that design hasn’t evolved much gives it a certain old worldly charm. The Opinel knife has also been featured in several books on design as an example, as well as being exhibited by NY MOMA as a design masterpiece…this boosts the reflective part quite a bit
I can only write about one knife, but several other French designs are worth mentioning (and researching). Namely, Laguiole, Thiers and Nontron. These are more arsty (and artisanal), and as a result much more expensive.
p.s. hope html formatting works here
Assignment 1, My Favorite Object
The object I chose is Fuji Apple. I believe everyone has seen it, but in case someone does not know what it looks like, here are links to some photos.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Fuji_apple.jpg/800px-Fuji_apple.jpg
http://www.nyapplecountry.com/images/photosvarieties/fuji.jpg
http://www.zhiyuanfoods.com/pic/upload/fuji.jpg
There are ten thousands of varieties of apple being grown worldwide, but I only love Fuji Apple for the following reasons. First of all, Fuji Apple is quite affordable anywhere these days; but it was very expensive and only available in some high-end stores when I was a kid. My sisters and I had it only on special occasions, such as birthdays, Chinese New Year or when we were sick and our grandmother would bring us some. For me, eating a Fuji Apple recalls the joy of celebrating, but also reminds me the love from my grandmother, who passed away five years ago.
In terms of behavior, the experience of enjoying Fuji Apple is very complex. Its juicy and crispy texture, the crackling sound when biting it, the sweet-sour taste, and the aroma of Fuji Apple always comfort my nerves. Also, Fuji Apple contains 20% of vitamin C and is low-calories, making it a prefect food for dieting.
Fuji Apple is lovely looking. In our society, we usually associate the appearance of apples with cute things. For example, the curve shape and red-pink color is reminiscent of a baby’s face. Many accessories for teenage girls, such as ear rings and hair decoration, are based on the figure of an apple.
My apologies for posting so late. Here is my submission:
Although I cannot say this is my all-time favorite object, I chose the object because I saw one recently and was reminded of it again seeing a billboard advertisement. The object is a 2008 BMW Z4 Roadster.
The visceral quality deals with appearances.
With its bold lines and aerodynamic look, the vehicle looks strong and sporty. The advertisers go as far to call it a “land shark” due to its streamlined look and common gray paint option. The interior of the vehicle takes on the same approach and is clean, streamlined, and appealing. The car has an appealing look to it. Elegant, yet powerful.
The behavioral quality deals with pleasure and effectiveness of use.
Under its sleek exterior, the vehicle comes with a performance “M” engine, reinforced chassis, and performance suspension components. It should be easy, yet fun to drive since the company prides itself on providing the user great steering response and control. The response of the engine (sound and throttle) pushes the driver into their seat and provides an exhilarate feeling.
Finally, the reflective quality deals with the rationalization and intellectualization of a product.
The value of many products comes from the statement they make. Owning this type of vehicle give off a certain image whether it be positive or negative. Like most compact sports cars, it is not a practical vehicle in the sense that it is expensive, only fits one driver and one passenger, and does not provide much storage space. However, the owners of these vehicles are looking for something more than practicality.
Here are some photos:
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2006/01/25-bmw-z4-m-coupe/bmw-z4-m-coupe.php
A pair of sandals are my “favorite object” here in Berkeley. Appropriately named “Heaven,” their soft straps are a deep brown color that does not fade, look very delicate and are set off nicely by the light soft bottoms. Many people have noticed their visceral beauty but for me this is most likely heightened overtime by their exceptional performance.
At the behavioral level, these sandals perform better than any piece of footwear I have ever owned. Even after months of daily use my feet continue to feel as thought they are walking on tiny pillows. Despite their appearance the straps are deceptively strong and the smooth light soul is unexpectedly durable. They have never given me blisters, the straps don’t stretch and the light bottoms reflect the summers’ heat. Additionally, because I can wear them with anything and they are perfect for traveling and this is important to me. The pleasure I take in wearing these is reflected over and over again.
These shoes please me at the reflective level as well. They come from a company that is part of the Eco-Partners Network, uses only water-based adhesives in their factories and has long-term relationships with their suppliers; these practices correlate with my personal values. Other people who know about Earth Footwear may understand this when they see me using this product. They would also be able to look at this object and see how warn it is and how the used soles have had dirt ground into them over the months. Such an examination would truthfully imply my tendency to walk long distances over varying terrain. These shoes also remind me of those long walks and the new people and places I have seen on them.
http://www.earth.us/shoeDetail.asp?Gender=women&cat=2&offset=24&ID=1808
Most of my favorite objects involve cooking in one way or another, and after some deliberation I chose my red Le Creuset stockpot as the winner:
(full image: http://www.nickrabinowitz.com/images/full/stockpot.jpg)
On a visceral level, it’s a simply beautiful thing - the red/orange enamel on the outside evokes fire and warmth, the dimensions are pleasing (it has a circular footprint, of course, but with the top off, its profile is almost a perfect square), the handles are almost cute (like the arms of a stumpy anime character), its edges are rounded and smooth to the touch, and it’s pleasantly heavy when you pick it up (it’s made out of heavy-gauge stainless steel). When I first got it, the inside was cream-colored; now there’s a brown tone that rises inside in parallel with the ombre fade from red to orange on the outside.
It’s the kind of object you could love even if you never cooked with it - but on a behavioral level, it’s great for cooking. More specifically, it’s great for one particular task: making stock. The heavy steel and tall, narrow shape mean that it holds heat extremely well; you can leave it on a burner set to the lowest setting and it will eventually come to a nice simmer as the heat builds up. The raised lip and inset cover mean that little or no liquid will evaporate if the cover is fully on. It’s wonderful to cook with because you can rely on it completely, know that it won’t burn or boil over. Making stock is an almost meditative, long process of pulling flavor out of ingredients that might otherwise be discarded, and this pot makes it relatively easy.
It’s ironic that in some ways the main reflective connotation I have with this pot, given its pricey brand, is one of thrift and efficiency. I bought it as a present for myself, the first Christmas after college, which was my first Christmas on my own. I bought it for $35 (a steal! marked down from $125!) in a day-after-Christmas sale; it was one of the first pieces of good cookware I bought for myself. So owning it is wrapped up in thoughts of thrift - how cheap it was, how little money I had at the time, how well it preserves the heat applied to it, how its sole purpose is to take the carcasses and offal that most people think of as garbage and turn them into something wonderful. For me, at least, that vision of perfect economy is beautiful.
Sorry about the late post. Just got my login working. Here it is.
“It was love at first sight. The first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him” - that’s how the book began. I was browsing random books on display at a street sale and those words seemed to have a captivating effect on me. The book was Catch-22 and I bought it. I had heard the term being used in common parlance, but never heard of the book itself. Over the next few days, I read the whole book cover-to-cover blown away by its brilliance, and only to start all over again.
The book speaks to me on so many levels. It is, though usually contested by whoever I’m arguing with, the funniest book written and a masterpiece of satire. The numerous characters in the book are beautifully sketched, with unmatchable style and consistency. Halfway through the book, when it seems like it is heading for a tragic end, the ending in itself instils so much hope. Though it is often pigeonholed as another anti-war book, I think it satirizes many contemporary dilemmas equally well.
Thinking about it, my liking towards the book is mainly reflective. I was probably 18 when I first read it, and quite impressionable. One thing that attracted me to it was that I identified myself with the pacifist tone of the book. The complex, non-chronological storyline, with lot of parallel and intertwined proceedings woven together so perfectly is another quality of the book that attracted me to it.
On a behavioral level, the book gets better every time I read it. Because of the complex narrative, there are bound to be things like inside jokes and allusions that weren’t caught in a previous reading. It is one of those books that you can open on any page and start reading and you’ll be immediately engrossed in it.
After weighing for a while about what my favorite object was, I decided that I have too many of them. This book is one that had a great impact on me, and one that I’ll always cherish. Here’s a poster of catch-22 that was used for marketing it when it was released.
Also had trouble logging in, sorry for the tardiness.
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My favorite object is my #34 Hakeem Olajuwon jersey, a relic my mom bought as a birthday present when I was in the 5th grade, the year the Houston Rockets won their first NBA Championship. At $39.95 from Champ Sports, I thought this was an immensely expensive, rare, and exquisite item — not for its visceral qualities, though some may appreciate the bright red hues and decade-old lettering, nor did I plan on using it functionally as exercise wear, unlike the professional basketball players who wear these breathable mesh uniforms daily — but on the reflective level, owning an exact replica of clothing that Hakeem Olajuwon wore for almost his entire career, was an incredible prize and privilege.
I became a fan of the Houston Rockets four years prior, and from the moment I saw Hakeem spinning, dancing, diving in the lane, blocking every shot, I was hooked. As a 2nd-grader, my readership of the Houston Chronicle was exclusive to the sports section, much to the chagrin of my father and brother. The off-seasons were torturous, when the only NBA action could be found in “transactions.” I never missed a game, whether they were shown on TV, or the clock-radio in my bedroom at night. And after heartbreaking double-overtime playoff losses to the Seattle Supersonics, the Rockets finally overcame underdog status to achieve their first championship. Ironically, these were the only games I did not see live, as I was in Korea for the summer (my mother’s idea), and the O.J. Simpson chase served to dominate NBC’s airtime.
Though others may find an NBA jersey to be aesthetically pleasing on the visceral level, especially when draped on a body with ~5% body fat, it is at the reflective level that this object holds value for me. I still wear my Olajuwon jersey to every Rockets game I attend, bringing along the old “Believe It! Again!” placard hailing back from 1995, the year of the Rockets’ second championship. My fanaticism for the Rockets goes far beyond what many can comprehend, but this 12-year-old #34 Hakeem Olajuwon jersey is an easy manifestation of all the years, sweat, tears, blood, and pain that has gone into following the same team through turmoil, disappointment, triumph and victory.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8693/gorocketsvv5.jpg
I have a hard time choosing all-time favorites, the one above all others. Putting it in context, one object I would be extremely sad to lose is a pair of diamond and opal studs I have that I wear all of the time.
(http://flickr.com/photos/37019106@N00/2240956021/)
Visceral
The earrings are high on their visceral aesthetic beauty. They are small and smooth and not at all gaudy. When the light catches them, you can see the glint of the diamonds and the varying greenish sparkle of the opal. They’re simple yet beautiful. Anyone can appreciate them on a visceral level. They’re shiny and eye-catching, especially when I wear a shirt which brings out the color in them (just like how the right shirt can bring out the blue in someone’s eyes).
Behavioral
On the behavioral level, an object with high aesthetic quality would function well. In the case of earrings, the main function is for them to stay in your ears. I’ve had many occasions where an earring with french hooks slips out of my ears, leaving me with only one, useless without it’s twin. These earrings, however, are studs with backings so they stay in my ears very snugly. I’m never paranoid that they have fallen out and, unlike with my other pairs, I do not constantly feel my earlobes to make sure that they’re still there.
Reflective
I have a lot of jewelry, it’s the one accessory I really love. For some people it’s shoes, for others it’s purses. For me, it’s jewelry (mainly earrings and necklaces/pendants). What really makes these earrings a favorite object of mine is the reflective processing that takes place, how they makes me feel and the meaning behind them. One of my closest friends (we’ve known each other for almost 10 years now) gave them to me as a birthday present. She specifically looked for a beautiful pair that had both of our birthstones, the diamond (for me - April) and the opal (for her - October) so we would always be connected. Now, even though we’re so far apart (over 2,000 miles separates us), I feel a little bit closer to her just by wearing them. What I love most about them is the thought she put into finding the perfect pair that had both of our birthstones. I never would have thought of that. Ever since I got them, they’ve become the pair I wear the most. My favorite pair. The one that I will pass on to my daughter (you know, hopefully) when the time is right (hey, wouldn’t it be great if she was born in October, now that would be fate).
On a visceral level, I wouldn’t say that cashews are very beautiful objects. Moreover, while they are a nutritious food (high in essential fatty acids, B vitamins, fiber, protein, iron, zinc, and carbohydrate potassium), they are also high in saturated fat. In other words, from a behavioral perspective they are tasty and provide a plethora of health benefits, though only when enjoyed in moderate quantities. Despite this, I have chosen them to be my favored item (though I don’t claim them to be my favorite item)!
Picking out a favorite object is a very difficult task. My approach was to think about things that I value, so it makes sense that my item of choice appeals to me on a very reflective level.
When I think of cashews, I think of my grandpa in Taiwan who absolutely loves them. In the past when he’d come to stay with my family and me for long periods of time, our home would naturally be well-stocked with them. Furthermore, whenever any of my family living in the U.S. or I fly back to Taiwan, we always make a point to bring cashews with us.
Another tie that I have with cashews is that I can somewhat identify with the nut (not as in, my personality per se, though I guess it is occasionally apt). My brother once pointed out to me that my name sort of resembles the word (Karen Hsu -> KaHsu), and so it’s sort of become a nickname for me.
Now, I’m craving cashews!
Doug and I have a favorite bookcase that sits prominently in the main room of our house. It’s an Ikea purchase that has moved with us to various locations in both Seattle and Berkeley. And while it is a nice bookcase, what makes it so special are the things that it holds: books (including handmade books from a book-making class I took in college), framed pictures and photo albums, and assorted tzchotskies (mate gourds, a Voltran action figure, childhood drawings, marathon finisher medals).
This bookcase has the behavioral qualities of holding and displaying these prized items nicely. It also has the visceral qualities of its unique shape (it’s not your ordinary rectangle but a square with square shelves) and assortment of items, items of different shapes, colors, and textures. Although the bookcase has these behavioral and visceral qualities, the bookcase is most beautiful in terms of its reflective quality; everything on its shelves has meaning. The books include some of our favorites, ranging from Irving, Didion, and Theroux novels to the Dalai Lama’s autobiography to our small running and baseball collection. The pictures are all framed (its not very often that I print and frame photos). And the various objects reveal hints of our respective travels and childhoods.
From last Monday’s “10 beautiful things” exercise and this week’s blog assignment I’ve found that I have a difficult time identifying visceral beauty. While the majority of the class’s post-its were placed in the visceral category, I placed most of mine in the reflective category. Perhaps it’s because I am not confident that these objects are of visceral quality to others. (Even though they’re of visceral quality to me). Most of these beautiful objects are personal objects: my retired running shoes, my bookcase, my mom’s cooking, my dog Sadie. And while many might be drawn to my bookcase full of special objects, I feel like they won’t find mine as beautiful as their own bookcase containing a Voltran action figure and photos of their dog named Sadie.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Parking_meter_pd_med.jpg
here is an old fashion parking meter.
The way I thought about my favorite object is ‘what object do I miss most when I’m away’.
After some deliberation, I came to realize that my black bicycle is likely my favorite. I qualify it by saying ‘black bicycle’ since I’m of the type to own a few bikes, many much ‘nicer’ or ‘prettier’ than this one. However, this is the one I most enjoy.
The most predominant response is probably a behavioral one. This bike is the one that I ride most often, have logged the most miles on, and have had the most pleasant experiences on. It’s extremely minimal (not many parts) and doesn’t require too much maintenance. As far as bikes go, it’s not terribly ‘pretty’ (just plain black components, chipped paint from lots of use) but that has the advantage of not drawing a lot of attention and letting me lock it up places without too much concern.
I thought about my other bikes and they definitely invoke a more ‘visceral’ response. My red italian or sparkly blue japanese are definitely more pleasing to the eye and much more of collectors items for those who are passionate about these things. However, none provide the same sense of security/reliability/sureness of my black bike. It’s a workhorse and I don’t have to be concerned too much about its function. I can simply just get on it and ride. Very simple and effective.
Of course, there’s also a reflective response with a bicycle as well. They can reflect that someone is active, environmentally conscious, or even ‘hip’ (specially with the fixed-gear bicycle scene). I’m sure some of the pleasure of this bike is probably reflective as well, but again, my other bikes would probably provide much more satisfaction in that regard.
The black bike is simply ‘my bike for me’. It gives me the freedom to go wherever I want to and doesn’t require much more effort than just getting on and riding. For that, I really enjoy doing so whenever I can!
One of the most aesthetically pleasing artifacts that I own is my pair of Converse All Star low top sneakers. From a visceral standpoint, the design is starkly simple. The black canvas of the shoe contrasts very well against the white rubber toe cap and soles. The unconscious movement of the eyes is invariably towards my feet whenever people see me approaching. From a behavioral standpoint, the sneakers are the most comfortable pair of shoes that I have ever owned and I count myself as a lifelong fan of the shoes.It also helps that in the realm of $200 sneakers that look like they are from the space age, these shoes are only $35 and are incredibly simple. They are primarily made of a slab of rubber and some canvas. From the reflective nature of the beauty, the shoes prompt me to think of them as symbols of anti-materialism. They also have a timeless quality to them as the design of the shoes has remained relatively unchanged since the early 20th century. These are the shoes that my grandfather and father grew up wearing, and I hope to pass on this culture to my own kids!