WELCOME
The purpose of the not-for-profit Aesthetic Realism Foundation is to meet the urgent need for people throughout the world to see each other and reality fairly. Aesthetic Realism, the philosophy founded in 1941 by the American poet and critic, Eli Siegel, is a tremendous education in how to have that fairness.
Located in SoHo, NYC, the Foundation offers an exciting curriculum of classes—see the listing below—and individual consultations by video conference. When public events resume, there will be seminars and vibrant theatrical presentations. Through the principles of Aesthetic Realism, people of all ages understand themselves newly. Read more
Spring-Summer 2025 classes via video conference are now in session.
- The Aesthetic Realism Explanation of Poetry
- Anthropology Is about You & Everyone
- The Visual Arts & the Opposites
- The Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method
- The Opposites in Music
- “If It Moves, It Can Move You”: Opposites in the Cinema
- Understanding Marriage!
Want to audit a class? Contact the registrar at 212.777.5055, Mon–Fri, 2–6 PM (ET) or submit this brief form. Be sure to make your request at least 2 days in advance of the class.
A Letter for Our Time—& Any Time!
by Bennett Cooperman, Aesthetic Realism Consultant & Actor
I am happy and very moved to write to you about the finest, most needed education I know. The education is Aesthetic Realism, founded in 1941 by the philosopher, critic, and poet Eli Siegel. In it is the understanding that people have thirsted for throughout time, and certainly do now, when there’s so much tumult in the world….
TWEET TICKER
BLOG UPDATE
"Philosophy, the Opposites, & Our Lives”
Steve Weiner, computer specialist and Aesthetic Realism associate, writes:
Here is the new issue of TRO titled Philosophy, the Opposites, & Our Lives.” How warm and immediate is philosophy? Most writers on philosophy would say: Since it’s about such things as the nature of being and perception, of course philosophy is about people. But philosophy hasn’t felt that way—hasn’t seemed to be about one’s own intimate and dear self. Aesthetic Realism, while greatly respecting the thought of the past, is the philosophy that answers the questions we have by being alive—and as it does, we feel it’s really about us, at our center….
Terrain Gallery
A NEW EXHIBITION IS BEING PREPARED!
See Terrain Gallery website for more info, including works & comments from the recent silkscreen show.