WELCOME
The purpose of the not-for-profit Aesthetic Realism Foundation is to meet the urgent need for people throughout America and the world to see each other and reality fairly. The means to that fairness is Aesthetic Realism, the philosophy founded in 1941 by Eli Siegel, American poet, critic, and educator. Located in SoHo, NYC, the foundation is a center for culture and kindness. It offers classes in the visual arts, poetry, music, anthropology, and more. There are public seminars, individual consultations, workshops for teachers, and thrilling dramatic and musical events. People of all ages understand themselves newly through the principles of Aesthetic Realism. Read more
Men, Women, & Love
Dramatic Presentation
“It Is Difficult to Love & Difficult to Stop” by Eli Siegel; “Léger’s Le Grand Déjeuner: Dignity & Liveliness in Women” by Devorah Tarrow—and more!
Saturday, June 16, 8:00 PM
We Want to Feel Truly Expressed—but What in Us Interferes?
Public Seminar
Thursday, June 7 · 6:30 PM
TWEET TICKER
Tweets by TheARFdn BLOG UPDATE
Richita Anderson, Aesthetic Realism associate, writes:
I love the chapter on “Work” in Eli Siegel’s book Children’s Guide to Parents and Other Matters. As a New York State employment interviewer for many years, I’ve spoken to hundreds of people, including factory laborers, office clerks, bridge builders, engineers, zoo keepers, truck drivers, and others. Through them I found out a great deal about the diversity of work, the tremendous variety in the activities, materials, machines that go into getting a job done.
TERRAIN GALLERY
CURRENT EXHIBITION
The Value of Objects
Double Prints by Dorothy & Chaim Koppelman
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Spring-Summer semester of classes is now in session. For information about auditing classes, call the Registrar at 212.777.4490.
It is with great feeling that we say: On October 25, 2017 Dorothy Koppelman–artist, Aesthetic Realism consultant, founding director of the Terrain Gallery, and one of the most important women in cultural history–died at the age of 97. We thank her profoundly and with love, as will people everywhere in all the years to come.
Keen original perception, courage, strength of mind, and deep human sympathy characterized both her life and her art. Studying Aesthetic Realism with its founder, Eli Siegel, beginning in 1942, she saw its truth and tremendous value,…more
Read what architect Dale Laurin writes about the value of Aesthetic Realism, including for people’s individual lives!
“What teaching method can enable the young people of America to learn successfully—and become kinder? Is there an ethical, beautiful, utterly practical way of seeing economics in America—a way that’s just to all people? Is there a means for men and women really to know themselves and feel one’s life has a purpose that strengthens one, makes one happy and proud?…” more
See this stirring film of Eli Siegel’s Nation prize-winning poem “Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana.” Historian Howard Zinn said of it:
“Ken Kimmelman’s reproduction, on film, of Eli Siegel’s magisterial poem, is an extraordinary achievement. It matches, in its visual beauty, the elegance of Siegel’s words, and adds the dimension of stunning imagery to an already profound work of art.”