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How to Study

The Visual Arts & the Opposites

Taught by Marcia Rackow

Looking at the art of the world in museums and galleries here and abroad — from the tomb sculptures of ancient China to the latest work in Chelsea — we study how beauty in all art is a oneness of opposites. The classes are based on Eli Siegel’s lectures and essays, including “Art as Flexibility,” “Art as Energy,” “The Drama of Hardness and Softness in Painting.” Once each semester there is a joint Art and Anthropology class.

Alternate Sundays, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Eastern Time (USA)

Registration for Spring-Summer 2025 classes via video conference: Mon, Apr  28 — Thu, May 8

SPRING-SUMMER 2025

  • May 18   Sargent & Paris – Metropolitan Museum
  • Jun 1   Wayne Thiebaud – Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco
  • Jun 15   Arresting Beauty: Julia Margaret Cameron – Morgan Library
  • Jun 29   Gauguin in the World – Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
  • Jul 13   Works of Art Discussed by Students
  • Jul 27   To be announced*
  • Aug 10   El Greco: Santo Domingo el Antiguo

*Joint class with “Anthropology Is about You & Everyone” taught by Dr. Arnold Perey

 

Fees

  • Semester (7 classes): $60
  • Audit (per class): $12

Film by Ken Kimmelman

Here we present a work of art that—more than any other we know—can bring people the true composure and strength of mind and feeling everyone is thirsting for. See the stirring film of Eli Siegel’s prize-winning poem Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana.


NOW ONLINE

Definitions, and Comment: Being a Description of the World
by Eli Siegel

These exciting definitions are philosophic, powerfully logical, and always enormously important for our lives.

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Most Viewed Posts

  • The Philosophy of Depression

  • The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known

  • “Alexander Calder: Art Answers the Questions of Our Lives”

  • Black & White: A Poem with Photographs

  • “Is Beauty the Making One of Opposites?”

  • “Books”—an Essay for Children

  • “A Good Husband: What Does That Mean?”

  • “Man and Nature in New York and Kansas”

  • “Hawthorne’s ‘The Man of Adamant’”

  • “The Beauty of Art & the Pain about Love”

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      • The Aesthetic Realism Explanation of Poetry
      • Anthropology Is about You & Everyone
      • “If It Moves, It Can Move You”: Opposites in the Cinema
      • The Visual Arts & the Opposites
      • The Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method
      • The Opposites in Music
      • Understanding Marriage!
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      • What Happens in an Aesthetic Realism Consultation?
      • Aesthetic Realism Consultation of Nancy Huntting
      • Coldness, Warmth, & Mistakes by Jaime Torres, DPM
      • What Kind of Effect on Men? by Lauren Phillips
      • My Aesthetic Realism Consultations by Richita Anderson
      • The Fight about Excitement by Dan McClung
      • The Trouble with Competition by Miriam Weiss
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      • Aesthetic Realism and Love, Introduction
      • Aesthetic Realism and Love, Part 1
      • Aesthetic Realism and Love, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Expression, Introduction by Ellen Reiss
      • Aesthetic Realism and Expression, Part 1
      • Aesthetic Realism and Expression, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Hope
      • Aesthetic Realism and Hope, Part 2
      • The Drama of Mind, Introduction
      • The Drama of Mind, Part 1
      • The Drama of Mind, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Introduction
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Part 1
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Part 2
      • Aesthetic Realism and Learning, Part 3
      • Map to Happiness, by Eli Siegel
      • Greenwich Village Is in the World
      • Mind and Intelligence, Introduction by Ellen Reiss
      • Mind and Intelligence, by Eli Siegel, Part 1
      • Mind and Intelligence, by Eli Siegel, Part 2
      • Mind and Intelligence, by Eli Siegel, Part 3
      • Mind and Schools
      • Mind and Schools by Eli Siegel, Part 1
      • Mind and Schools by Eli Siegel, Part 2
      • Mind and Schools by Eli Siegel, Part 3
      • Aesthetic Realism and People
      • Aesthetic Realism and Education
      • So, What Is Bitterness?
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To Contribute | Contact | En Español

Aesthetic Realism Foundation
141 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012
212.777.4490

Privacy Policy

Blog Comment Policy

Copyright © 1997–2025
Aesthetic Realism Foundation

MENU
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Mission Statement
    • What Is Aesthetic Realism?
    • Eli Siegel, Founder
    • Faculty
    • Some Background
  • Calendar
  • How to Study
    Aesthetic Realism
    • Classes
    • Consultations
    • Workshops for Educators
    • Outreach
  • Events
    • Public Seminars
    • Theatrical & Musical Matinees
    • Saturday Night Presentations
    • Directions
  • Periodical
  • Library
    • Online Library
    • Films & Videos
    • Blog
    • Lectures
    • News Archive
    • Related Resources
  • Book Store
  • Visual & Dramatic Arts
    • Terrain Gallery
    • Koppelman Foundation
    • Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company
  • En Español
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Directions
    • To Contribute
    • flat_facebook