In this episode, three students take a close look at The Studio in Avignon, checking out what it felt like when Picasso worked there back in 1907. Instead of just listing facts, they dig into how the messy attic, jammed with drawings and carvings inspired by African art, fueled the raw vibe of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. While one focuses on why it shocked people and the fear, another ties it to influence and exploitation, whereas the third links it to the depiction of the women. Because each sees things differently, their chat blends old records, outside influences, and gut reactions to show how the artwork shook up its time. Since the space was so packed with ideas and objects, it ended up sparking a total shift in how artists approached work during the 1900s.
In today’s podcast, we travel back in time to explore the concept of the picturesque and how its meaning has evolved across generations. We look at how different viewers- artists, writers, and tourists have perceived certain landscapes and artworks as “picture-worthy.” Lake George serves as our central case study, a place celebrated for its natural beauty but interpreted differently depending on who viewed it and how they framed the scene. By examining these shifting perspectives, we uncover why the picturesque is not just about what we see in nature, but also how we imagine and interpret it.
In this episode, we discuss one of Pablo Picasso's most controversial pieces: Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. We go over the painting's history and the meaning we each understood from it. We also question whether beauty can be found in such a "vulgar" piece like this one. Join us as we explore an artwork that has changed art into what we know today!
For this week's episode, we will be dissecting the beauty, hope, and horror found within The Raft of the Medusa. We will discuss the fate of the ill-fated Meduse and the artist of this piece, Theodore Gericault, and his disturbing artistic decisions. Why did he create such a beautiful artwork out of human suffering? Why do so many find this painting beautiful when it depicts such catastrophic imagery of death and horror? We'll be tackling these questions and more in this episode on the aesthetics of one the most transgressive works of the Romanticism Era.
In this episode, we go into a deep dive on Jacques‑Louis David’s The Death of Marat. Our group discusses how Jean‑Paul Marat’s ideals and Charlotte Corday’s defiance turned into one of the French Revolution’s most dramatic moments. It explains how David turned an assassination into an image of a vulnerability. Join us for a conversation of exploring beauty, propaganda, and ethics in art!
Nathaniel Parker Willis’s The Picturesque: Lake George is a 19th-century American travelogue that blends the elements of nature, the artist's reflection, and a subtle romantic drama to lure the audience into one of the most talked-about landscapes of the century. Willis sees the Lake George not only as a lovely spot but as the "picturesque" living example - a measure between the still somewhat wild nature and a nature-like art piece. His writing is all about how the light plays on the water, the wild rocky shore, and the peaceful little valleys, and it's all showing how the whole thing looks like a very lucky and yet very carefully planned event at the same time. We are looking at how Willis made the Lake George a sight for the eyes through his words and why his view changed the way people in America started to see the importance of nature as a source of delight in this episode.
In this episode, we throw our hats into the ring on what the true essence of Picturesque is. Together with Perla and myself, Dantae, we will explore this vast concept and try to find an answer on what the definition of this broad concept truly is. We'll aslo give our own stances on the topic and see what new perspectives we can bring to the conversation. Join today to find unique perspectives on this never-ending debate, you might learn something new!
In this episode, we dive into the emotional power and deeper purpose of black and white film, focusing on the work of Peter Ustinov and Ivor Montagu. Our group discusses the differences between black and white films, and colorful films. Using Billy Budd as a central example, we discuss how the different imagery can affect the feeling of moral tension and how illusion can sometimes feel real. We offer different perspectives and insights as well as share personal experiences that relate to the mysteries of these films and the illusions they project in today's society.
This episode explores the political chaos of the French Revolution and how
it shaped the assassination of Jean-Pual Marat. We break down Marat’s role
in radical politics, Charlotte Corday’s motives, and the shocking way she
carried out the murder. We also analyze Jacques-Louis David’s iconic
painting and how it turned Marat into a marty-like symbol, The team and I
will discuss how art can manipulate politics, emotions and public memory
This episode explores the hidden politics behind The Death of Marat. We examine how Jacques-Louis David turned a violent murder into a beautiful symbol of revolutionary sacrifice — and what that means for truth, propaganda, and the power of art.
Andrew, Kenzo, and Lay dive into the depths of the film Billy Budd and its powerful tension between illusion and reality. We explore how the film’s co-writers debated whether it should be shot in black-and-white or color—and what that choice reveals about storytelling, perception, and truth. Together, we break down the psychological differences between black-and-white and color films, examining how each shapes emotion, expectation, and the illusions we experience on screen. Through real-world examples and everyday perceptual cues, we highlight how visual style alters the way we understand a story. Join us for a conversation filled with insight, creativity, and a deep appreciation of how art shapes the way we see the world.
In this episode, we explore the delicate balance of of beauty and horror in art through Fransisco Goya's, "Saturn Devouring His Son", and other works. We explore the historical impact and significance of art, debate how social conditions can effect artistic output, and the emotional impact of art on society. Furthermore, we discuss Fransisco Goya's mental and social state aswell as his mental fortitude as he aged, and what it meant for his art. Join us to learn about the intricicies of arts emotional impact and the history of Fransico Goya's art.
In this episode, we take a closer look at Francisco Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son and why a painting so disturbing can still be considered beautiful. We explore Goya’s late life, the private world of the Black Paintings, and how his personal fears shaped this haunting image. The episode also breaks down the myth of Cronus and how its themes of time, power, and generational fear connect to Goya’s own experiences. We analyze the painting’s dramatic lighting, distorted anatomy, and intense emotional impact. Through psychology and philosophy, we ask whether horror can be aesthetically moving and why certain images stay with us long after we look away. The conversation highlights the tension between brutality and beauty, and what the painting might reveal about the darker sides of human nature. If you’ve ever wondered why some artworks disturb us while others inspire awe, this episode offers a compelling look into that intersection.
Poetic rhythm of concentration - Bossa Nova Jazz
In this episode, we talk about Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and why it shocked so many people when it was created. We explore how the painting breaks old ideas of beauty, uses new shapes and angles, and helped inspire the style we call Cubism. Our group also discusses Picasso’s interest in African masks and the cultural question that come with that influence. Join us as we look at why this paining stills feels bold, powerful, and ahead of time.
In this episode we explore Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, We discuss its radical style, cultural influences, and the tension between distortion and aesthetic truth. we also will examine the artist’s intentions and the reactions of his contemporaries among other things, Join us for a thoughtful conversation about art, culture, and the power of perspective.
In this conversation, we explore why black-and-white film often feels more emotionally ‘real’ than the colorful world we live in. We discuss Peter Ustinov’s choice to film Billy Budd without color and examine how moral tension, contrast, and simplicity shape the viewer’s perception. By comparing audience reactions, film theory, and examples from cinema history, we analyze why certain illusions can feel more truthful than literal reality. We also connect these ideas to aesthetic concepts from our course, including subjective beauty and the power of emotional focus. Join us as we break down the fascinating relationship between perception, realism, and the visual language of film.
In this episode, we explore Théodore Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa, a dramatic and controversial painting born from a real political disaster. We discuss the tragic shipwreck and its political impact. We also examines Géricault’s artistic choices, and debate whether the work is an honest tribute or a romanticized spectacle of suffering. Join us as we explore how beauty, horror, and truth collide in one of the most powerful paintings of the Romantic era.
In this episode, we explore the idea of the picturesque through the story of Lake George and the artists and writers who were moved by its dramatic landscape. Jasheena and Daniella examine whether beauty is something that exists naturally in the world or something that viewers create through imagination and framing. Our conversation looks closely at how perception, culture, and artistic traditions influence the way people judge a landscape as beautiful. By discussing the difference between seeing nature as a picture and seeing it through the mind of a painter, we invite listeners to question how much of beauty comes from the eye and how much comes from the mind. Join us as we unpack this timeless debate and encourage a deeper way of looking at the world.
In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most controversial paintings in modern art and uncovering questions about sexuality and beauty. Our group explores the history of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and the scandal that kept it hidden for over a decade. Along the way, we question Picasso's use of African aesthetics and the cultural influence. Join us for a conversation full of discussion and curiosity.
Piano Concerto no. 2 - Mvt. 3, Intermezzo by Sergei Prokofiev
Monroe Beardsley is an American philosopher known for his aesthetics, known for new criticism which is developing the concept of aesthetic experience. Monroe Beardsley theory of aesthetic experience is unity, intensity, and complexity. This relates to emotional balance or psychology because Beardsley believes emotions can become organized, clarified and harmonized. These limits come from the nature of aesthetic attention, the psychology of distress, and what art can and cannot do for a suffering mind.