Louis Dienes, poet and photographer, began to study Aesthetic Realism in 1943. He recommends Eli Siegel’s poem “Ralph Isham, 1753 and Later” and says: Human beings of all ages–including me–have puzzled over, wrestled with, and tried to make sense out of two mighty opposites, life and death. In a great free verse poem of 1925,… Read more

Steven Weiner, Computer Specialist and Aesthetic Realism associate, writes: Why do people so often feel frustrated? And what is the chief frustration in our lives? Does it come from the outside world’s constantly thwarting us, or from a cause within ourselves that we need to understand? For the answers to these questions, and so much… Read more

Carol Driscoll, Aesthetic Realism consultant to women, writes: I love what’s described in issue #1710 of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known entitled “Woman: Assertion & Yielding.” These opposites are near and dear to me and I know they affect women everywhere. In 2014 women are more assertive than ever—we’re active in every… Read more

Leila Rosen, Aesthetic Realism associate, writes about this upcoming Public Seminar: Again and again, a woman who may see herself as smart, savvy, and confident feels foolish when it comes to love. Why does reason, logic, often go out the window as one thinks about a person one hopes to care for? As the speakers… Read more

Jeffrey Carduner, Aesthetic Realism consultant, writes: Do the inner battles of a famous American author have to do with our own biggest questions?  Are these questions about how we see our relation to the whole world?  Read “Our Selves & Ernest Hemingway,” the great new issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known. The commentary by… Read more

John Stern, Aesthetic Realism consultant and former Tri-State urban and regional planner, writes: I have long been interested in New York City—its 400-year history, its people, buildings, its geology, transportation, and waterways. When I heard Eli Siegel’s lecture New York Begins Poetically, my eyes opened to the most important means of understanding the city I’ve… Read more

Barbara Kestenbaum, retired union delegate and shop steward, writes for the Unions Matter! blog. She says: I think unionists, economists, and everyone who cares about the well-being of our country should read “America—& What Unions Are About.” The commentary by Ellen Reiss in this issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known is… Read more

Ken Kimmelman, Emmy award-winning filmmaker and Aesthetic Realism consultant, says about this upcoming class in his course “If It Moves, It Can Move You”: Opposites in the Cinema: Al Capone, Dutch Schultz, John Dillinger, Baby-Face Nelson have been portrayed on the big screen. What’s the attraction of gangster films? Many of them (maybe most) exploit… Read more

Nancy Huntting, Aesthetic Realism consultant, writes: Where does racism begin? And how can it finally end? What do these urgent questions have to do with art—and with relation? Read “Art versus Racism,” the new issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to be Known!  The commentary by Ellen Reiss begins: Dear Unknown Friends: We are… Read more

Donita Ellison, art educator and sculptor, writes: I grew up in the Midwest and now live in New York City, and I once felt that I couldn’t care for what I saw as “nature” and love the city too. That changed when I read Martha Baird’s poem “Man and Nature in New York and Kansas.”… Read more