Inspired by Aristotle, I love the thought of the aesthetic experience containing a catharsis effect, or a purge of emotions. For me, a purifying aesthetic experience consists of layers, or phases. And of ‘comfort zone breaking’. Only when the aesthetic experience challenges you or even momentarily frightens you, can the catharsis effect occur.
In this painting, the layers symbolize the phases of the aesthetic experience: the encounter with a piece of art or vast nature, the momentary confusion or even fear, followed by a “how do I grasp this object or phenomenon?”. And finally the intuitive overwhelming, yet extremely relieving, catharsis effect. Catharsis is accompanied with a feeling of being at home in the world. Of unity.