Summer Independent Study – Kyungmin's blog

Secondary Research

In contemporary society, characterised by rapid technological advancements, environmental shifts, political instability, and social transformations, uncertainty and confusion have become increasingly pervasive. In these changing times, people often struggle with feeling unsure about who they are and their place in the world. The numerous theories and arguments put forth by philosophers may sometimes fall short in allowing us to fully experience our own existence amidst the confusion of reality. This is where the significance of exploring how art can enable individuals to actively experience and affirm their existence comes into play.

Martin Heidegger, a prominent 20^th-century philosopher, introduced the concept of Dasein (meaning “being-there”) in his influential work Being and Time (Sein und Zeit). The term Dasein is left untranslated in English texts. Heidegger argues that existence is fundamentally intertwined with others, suggesting that even what no longer exists is still considered a form of ‘being.’ He clarifies that the ability of one Dasein to be represented by another Dasein is essential to the realm of ‘being-with-one-another.’ This concept highlights the inherent interconnectedness and interdependence of human existence, indicating that our sense of self is inseparably linked to our relationships with others in the world.

Hippocrates’ aphorism “Life is short; art is long,” (Vita brevis, ars longa) is often interpreted today as meaning that artworks outlast their creators. However, the full context suggests a reinterpretation of ‘ars.’

“Life is short; art is long; opportunity fugitive; experience delusive; judgment difficult. It is the duty of the physician not only to do that which immediately belongs to him, but likewise to secure the co-operation of the sick, of those who are in attendance, and of all the external agents.”

Hippocrates, writing in Greek, used the term technē, translated into Latin as ars. Given that Hippocrates was a physician and his text mentions both physician and sick, it is more appropriate to translate ‘ars’ as ‘medical practice’ rather than ‘art’ in the modern sense.

Cho Hong-jun (2018) connects the thoughts of Hippocrates and Heidegger by interpreting technē as “the knowledge that enables a being to manifest its inherent state (health) from disease.” In Hippocrates’ time, technē encompassed both artistic and craft skills. Heidegger reinterprets this notion, suggesting that technē denotes not merely art, craft, or technology, but “a way of knowing.” He asserts that the essence of knowledge is rooted in the Greek concept of aletheia (truth), where knowledge involves revealing a being in its authentic state. When applied to art, this transforms into the “act of uncovering the truth of existence.”

Art has likely been considered an act of discovering or revealing the truth of being for a long time. When mere ‘being-with-one-another’ fails to unveil one’s own existence or express the inner self, art can offer temporary relief. Just as Heidegger elucidates existence through relationships with others, it can be argued that our engagement with art profoundly influences our sense of self. Art serves as a means of expressing the self and exploring the truth of existence, playing a crucial role in our experience of being.

Art exists in various forms, but this text will focus on three major art disciplines: photography, painting, and music, examining how each explores the truth of existence and express the self. Each field delves into the complexity and depth of human existence in unique ways, illuminating the relationship between the self and the world.

Photography captures moments and visually represents the essence of existence, offering objectivity through direct representation. Painting explores individual perceptions of the world through colour and form, embodying subjective experiences. Music transcends spatial limitations through sound, emphasising internal feelings and consciousness, conveying deep emotion.

Through this analysis, the text aims to highlight how each art discipline explores the truth of existence and expresses the self, underscoring the significant role of art in shaping our experience of being.

Photography

Before delving into the discussion of photography, it is important to clarify that the term “camera” in this text refers to both analogue and digital cameras before 2000s. Photography, as an art form, is relatively recent compared to other artistic disciplines and is intricately linked to technological advancements. Unlike painting or sculpture, photography utilises technological devices, such as cameras, to directly capture the moment, thereby enabling a more realistic and objective representation.

Roland Barthes, in his book Camera Lucida, refers to the subject of a photography as a ‘spectrum’ and defines the essence of photography as ‘death.’ Barthes describes the sound of the camera’s shutter as an “abrupt click breaking through the mortiferous layer of the pose.” The distinctive feature of photography, in contrast to other art form, is its ability to affirm the ‘presence’ of the subject – that it was “that-has-been” in the past. Barthes introduces the concept of “noeme” to describe this phenomenon, elaborating with the Latin term “interfuit.” He explains:

The name of Photography’s noeme will therefore be: “That-has-been,’ or again: the Intractable. In Latin (a pedantry necessary because it illuminates certain nuances), this would doubtless be said: interfuit: what I see has been here, in this place which extends between infinity and the subject (operator or spectator); it has been here, and yet immediately separated; it has been absolutely, irrefutably present, and yet already deferred. It is all this which the verb intersum means.

Thus, “interfuit” signifies that the subject’s past existence is certain, but the act of pressing the shutter captures the spectrum, thereby invoking the theme of death.

Additionally, Barthes describes the emotional response of the observer to a photograph with the terms “punctum” and “studium.” These Latin terms refer to “application to a thing, taste for someone” and “sting, speck, cut,” respectively. These concepts apply not only to the observer but also to the photographer. The moment when a photographer carefully decides what to include in the viewfinder, holding their breath, and presses the shutter can be seen as a desperate attempt to capture the moment. This effort resonates with Barthes’ notion of “punctum” as a form of ‘love.’ This love is not mere affection but a profound desire to capture reality. This desire fosters a sense of connection with the world, offering an opportunity to experience existence.

Thus, photography captures and visually represents moments of existence, unequivocally proving that the subject existed in the past. By rendering moments that we cannot directly observe, photography reveals the essence of existence and serves as a powerful tool to affirming human presence in the world. Through photography, we engage with past moments and confirm their actual existence, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of both our own existence and the world.

Painting

Painting reveals how the world manifests to the artist, allowing the expression of the artist’s unique perspective and inner self. Phenomenology is a philosophical methodology that investigates how individuals perceive and interpret their experiences, focusing on the subjective aspects of consciousness and the essence of phenomena as they appear to the observer. This perspective is closely linked to the process by which an artist observes the world and translates it onto the canvas.

When painting, an artist analyses objects or subjects not only in terms of colour but also in terms of form and structure. This approach parallels the phenomenological method of exploring ‘phenomena,’ reflecting an effort to deeply understand the various aspects of objects and their interrelations. Husserl explained,

There is still more to see here, turn me so you can see all my sides, let your gaze run through me, draw closer to me, open me up, divide me up; keep on looking me over again and again, turning me to see all sides. You will get to know me like this, all that I am, all my surface qualities, all my inner sensible qualities.

This is similar to the process by which an artist deeply analyses and understands the essence of a subject, indicating that painting is an important method for revealing the artist’s inner self and perspective.

Painting reflects the subjective perspective of the artist, which connects to Husserl’s concept of subjectivity. As the artist’s emotions and inner experiences are expressed on the canvas, painting reveals a subjective gaze towards the subject. Husserl’s concept of phenomenological reduction, which involves suspending everyday judgements to focus on pure experience, aligns with the process by which the artist views the subject anew and explores its essence. Consequently, painting acts as a crucial means of revealing the essence of the subject, serving as a tool to actualise Husserl’s philosophical approach into experience, concretises Husserl’s phenomenological perspective and plays an essential role in understanding the subject.

Music

Hegel classifies music as a romantic form of art, describing it as “The content of this form, on account of its free spirituality, demands more than what representation in the external world and the bodily can supply; in romantic art the shape is externally more or less indifferent.” This description emphasises the inherent subjectivity of the relationship with oneself found within the characteristics of sound in music.

Music is an art of time. Music, unlike other art forms, does not rely on spatial externality and transcends physical limitations to convey emotional and mental states. The sonic qualities and rhythms of music stimulate emotions and sensations, playing a crucial role in concretising and revealing the individual’s inner state. The flow and structure of emotions experienced through music are deeply connected to how individuals express their unique emotions and identity.

Schopenhauer describes music as the “copy of the will itself” (Abbild des Willens selbst), suggesting that music directly touches the realm of the thing-in-itself, making it resistant to scientific analysis or logical proof. He acknowledges, “However, proving this explanation, I concede, is fundamentally impossible.” Abendroth further compresses Schopenhauer’s philosophy of art to highlight the distinctive status of music:

“… All these arts share the same content, namely, the essence of art is the direct material embodiment of ideas (unmittelbarer stofflicher Verkörperung der Ideen). However, music stands as a significant exception among these arts. It occupies an entirely unique status among them because, unlike other arts that find their archetype in nature – where the pure subject of knowledge, detached from individual phenomena, contemplates the idea, and the artist’s imagination makes it sensibly perceptible – music lacks and archetype in nature. Therefore, music is unrelated to the appearance of ideas.”

Thus, music allows one to experience existence beyond spatial limitations. Because music is not confined to physical forms or specific spaces, it can directly reveal human emotions and mental states. This unique characteristic of music enables a deep exploration of the essence of feelings and will, offering an experience that other art forms cannot provide. Therefore, music plays a crucial role in helping individuals understand and express their own presence more profoundly.

Bibliography

Hippocrates, Aphorism
M. Heidegger, Holzwege
M. Heidegger, Being and Time
G. W. F. Hegel, Aesthetics LEcture
G. W. F. Hegel, Vorlesungen über Äesthetik
E. Husserl 2001a
Dan Zahavi, Phenomenology: The Basics
A. Schopenhauer, Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung (WWV)
Dong Ju Yoon, Schopenhauer’s Metaphysics of Music – Music as the Understanding of Being by Human-Dasein
Changjoon Kim, Hegel’s Thoughts on Music and Its Aesthetic Significance
Hong-Joon Jo, The “sense” of the time in Heidegger’s artistic theory: focusing on Being and Time, “Time and Being” and “The origin of the work of art”

In my secondary research, I explored philosophical ideas from philosophers like Heidegger and Barthes, who discuss how art can help people understand their being. Heidegger’s concept of Dasein and Barthes’ ideas about photography highlight the deep connection between our sense of self and how we interact with the world. These concepts influenced the design of my interventions, where I encouraged participants to use photography, painting, and music to explore their own presence. By allowing participants to choose their subjects and activities, the interventions aimed to make the experience more personal and meaningful. This approach aligns with the idea that art can serve as a powerful tool for self-reflection and understanding, helping people connect more deeply with their own existence. The secondary research provided a theoretical foundation that guided how the interventions were structured, ensuring they were not just activities but also meaningful experiences that promote self-discovery.

Survey – Revealing the Unique Self: Exploring Experiences of Existence in the Contemporary Era

Have you ever questioned your own existence?

Do you occasionally or frequently feel that you are revealing your unique self and manifesting your inherent state?

Blue – Yes, frequently
Red – Yes, occasionally
Orange – No, rarely
Green – Not at all
Purple – Other (please specify)

If you selected ‘Other,’ please specify and provide details.

I feel like I can’t even understand what my true self really is.
I feel a sense of purpose and usefulness in society when I am teaching something.
In my case, I feel my authentic self when I am involved in something related to religion.
I feel that I do exist in this era, but I am always full of doubt about whether I am truly a “unique” being. I question whether I can exist as a completely independent entity because, although I can be classified as a human or an individual, it seems impossible to form everything that makes me who I am purely from my own experiences. This is likely because my parents gave birth to me and raised me, which leads me to this thought. Therefore, thinking of myself as a unique being makes me feel a sense of betrayal or even guilt.
Experiences gained from traveling have greatly contributed to shaping my sense of self.

If you chose ‘occasionally’ or ‘rarely,’ please explain why you think that way.

That’s because I only feel that way momentarily when I am enjoying moments that make me feel truly alive.
I am not even sure what my own unique, essential qualities are.
I try my best, but I find it extremely difficult to exist outside the confines of the current era. Although people claim that fragmentation leads to stronger individuality, I feel like we are actually being categorized into more precisely predicted groups. Despite this, I continue to strive to establish a sense of relative uniqueness.
I don’t think I’ve had the opportunity, and I still don’t know exactly who I am.

Because I believe that my unique existence is revealed when I express my deep, inner self to others in social situations.
I feel like I am living as my authentic self when I am engaged in activities where there is no need to be false or pretentious, such as when I am alone and praying or participating in religious practices. I also feel this way when performing tasks where deceit or pretense would severely hinder my work, like meeting with clients as a counselor. Additionally, I feel this sense of authenticity when encountering someone who reveals their true self, such as feeling the soul of a dancer during a dance performance.
Even when I feel unique, I am not given enough time to fully realise it.
Because I live hiding my true self, there are moments when my authentic self unintentionally comes out. I’m still young, so I’m not sure why this happens.
I believe that this world does not naturally allow for the suppression of individual uniqueness or the development of a person’s authentic self.

Lack of self-reflection or inner dialogue.
I more often feel like the ‘me’ as defined by my roles in society rather than the ‘me’ I perceive myself to be. I often find myself questioning whether the things I do are unique to me or if anyone else could do them just as well. However, the happiness I feel when I am with people who truly love and accept me for who I am helps me recognise my unique self again.
I work in a professional field related to my major, and there are definitely aspects of my job that I genuinely enjoy. But when I’m actually doing the work, it sometimes feels like I’m just a cog in a machine, which can make me lose my sense of self. Yet, when I’m engaged in tasks that truly interest me, I can feel my brain come alive again, reminding me that I am thinking and that I exist.

If you have experienced moments where you felt that you were revealing your unique self and manifesting your inherent state, please describe those experiences in detail.

When I am alone, reflecting.
When I feel loved.
I feel my uniqueness when my own distinctive or creative thoughts, which differ from the established norms of the world, come to light.
I feel a sense of pride in myself when I excel at what I do best and demonstrate leadership in that field, which leads to recognition from others, and this feeling of ‘This is who I am’ gradually evolves into a realisation of ‘Oh, so this is me.’
While I am made up of many different elements and cannot be defined by just one aspect, I notice that when I read books or watch movies, I become so immersed in those worlds that I experience a sense of ‘disappearing.’ In contrast, when my abilities and convictions are acknowledged by others, I feel as though ‘I emerge.’ It is exhilarating to act as the agent of my inner strength manifesting into reality and to simultaneously witness the outcome. I often feel that I truly exist when I have an impact on others.

As a student studying conceptual art, I often find myself in situations where I introduce my work to others. I feel that my unique self is revealed when people genuinely listen to my stories about my artwork, show interest, and empathise with it.
I feel that my unique existence truly emerges when I engage in deep prayer to God and hold the belief that I am a creation before an omnipotent being. Other actions are often just things I do without a clear reason for living, similar to everyone else, because the question of why I should live remains unanswered. However, believing in God feels different.

In my case, I have often found that I can only be truly honest through expressive mediums like poetry or essays. Literature is a realm where words that can’t be spoken elsewhere are allowed, and even encouraged. However, recently, I’ve felt the limitations of such indirect expressions and have ventured into contemporary dance, specifically a genre called contact improvisation, to explore nonverbal and instinctual expression. Through this process, I have discovered aspects of myself that I was previously unaware of, and by directly interacting with others, I’ve become more comfortable revealing my unique self.

I am an artist, and when I create, there are artworks that come together naturally and doesn’t feel difficult. Sometimes, people who view my artwork can accurately perceive the underlying feelings, intentions, or atmosphere embedded in it. When this happens, I feel that my past experiences and preferences are being understood and that I am communicating through my work. In these moments, I believe my unique self is being expressed. It allows for communication based solely on my inner experiences and thoughts, without any external judgments about who I am as a person.
When I am drawing or deeply focused.
I am a landscape architecture student currently working on a garden design competition. To design a garden that aligns with the competition theme, I have to engage in constant brainstorming sessions about various concepts, themes, and designs. During this process, I find that when I come up with original ideas and either document them or share them with others, I often feel that my unique aesthetic values and subconscious world are being concentrated and revealed. Therefore, I believe my uniqueness can be found in my one-of-a-kind artistic sensibility.

I tend to be very conscious of how others perceive me and have often struggled with fully expressing myself while building social relationships with various people. In fact, I have been confused about how to define my own ‘unique self.’ However, I am different when it comes to music. When I am listening to music alone or discussing it and engaging in musical activities with others, all those concerns completely disappear, and pure passion takes over. Looking back on these moments, I feel that I encountered my true, unique self.
Recently, I have been preparing to express through my artwork how our current society is not functioning properly. After completing the preparation and filming, I am now in the post-production stage. Throughout this entire process, from the beginning of the project until the final piece is complete, I feel that the version of myself that emerges is my unfiltered, true self. I also believe that this act allows me to experience and recognize my unique self once again.
I’m not sure if this is the right answer, but I feel it when I am in love. When I love someone, I tend to reveal my unique self to them.

Why do so many people today ask themselves questions about their existence? Based on the survey and interview I gathered, it is clear that many people are looking for ways to understand their existence and feel unique.

The survey shows that 96.7% of respondents have questioned their being at some point. Many of these people find a sense of their unique self through artistic activities. One person said, “When I create art, there are artworks that come together naturally and doesn’t feel difficult,” suggesting that art allows them to connect with their inner thoughts and experiences. In these moments, they feel their true self come out, free from outside judgment. Another person, studying landscape architecture, talked about feeling a sense of self while designing a garden. The person explained that when he/she is developing creative ideas and designs, he/she feels unique artistic vision and unconscious world coming through. These examples show that art is more than just a hobby or job – it’s a way for people to confirm their being and discover who they really are.

Faith and love took an important part of finding oneself for many people. Interestingly, some people said they feel most like themselves when they are alone or in a quiet space. This suggest that in our busy world, people often find their real selves when they are away from others and social pressures.

These findings help me to understand why people today are always thinking about their existence and who they are. People today are always thinking about their existence and who they are. This shows that the desire to understand oneself is very strong and is connected to deep, personal experiences rather than what others say or think. What matters most for people today is finding their unique self and using that to make their lives feel more meaningful.

Reflections on the learning process

From the secondary research, I learned a lot about theories of self-expression and how art can help people understand themselves better. But it wasn’t until I saw the participants in action that I really understood how powerful this process could be. The theories made sense on paper, but seeing people actually feel something while creating or experiencing art made the research come alive. It showed me that practical application is just as important as theoretical knowledge, if not more.

Also, practical experience was another key thing that I learned. For example, in the photography session, participants chose their own locations and set up their shorts. I noticed that when they had the freedom to explore their own ideas, they were much more engaged. This taught me that people often learn and express themselves best when they are allowed to follow their own interests. The same was true for painting and music, when participants selected what they wanted to paint or the music they wanted to listen to, their engagement and emotional connection were stronger.

On a personal level, patience and observation seem very important, too. I realised that sometimes the best learning happens when I step back and watch how people interact with the process and with their own creativity.

Analysis/Reflections on data gathered from interventions

The interventions aimed to explore the idea of “presence” using different forms of art. The activities were designed to help participants understand presence by being creative. First, participants take 24 photos that capture moments and they are encouraged to focus on personal emotions that evoke a sense of presence. Next, they will create a painting or drawing from the photo that evokes their emotions and sense of presence captured in the photo. Finally, they will choose a piece of music that resonates most strongly with them emotionally and reflect on how they music enhances or shifts their perception of presence in their painting while listening. From the data collected, many participants said they became more aware of their surroundings and felt more connected to themselves. For example, taking photos made them notice little details they usually miss, like light and textures around them. Painting helped them express their feelings and connect with their inner thoughts, while listening to music added another layer of emotional depth to their experience.

Emotional connection in feeling present was the key thing to find from the data. Participants often mentioned that painting and listening to music made them feel more in touch with their emotions. These activities gave them a change to release feelings they hadn’t fully dealt with, which helped them feel more grounded and aware of the moment. The reflection time after each activity also helped participants understand presence better. By thinking about what they had just experienced, they could process their emotions made deeply and gain new insights about themselves and their connection to the world around them.

Another interesting observation from the data is how photography, painting, and music worked together to help participants explore presence. Photography helped them to capture a moment and become more aware of their environment and surroundings. Painting allowed them to interpret these moments more personally, adding emotional and subjective expression. Music then helped them dive deeper into their emotion and connect more deeply with their visual art. Many participants felt that each art form influenced the others. For example, painting based on their photos made them photos differently, adding emotional depth. Listening to music after painting often changed their mood, which influenced how they view their earlier art. This cycle shoed that presence is not a fixed state but rather a continuous process of engaging and reflecting.

The data from the interventions offers valuable insights into how art can help individuals explore and experience presence. As I continue to improve these activities, I hope to create even more meaningful experiences that help connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them.

The expert made some suggestions for improvement:

Clear Methods: It’s important to clearly explain how each art activity helps people feel and understand their presence. This makes the research more reliable.
Diverse Experiences: Include more examples of what participants learned about themselves through these activities. Talk about their challenges and moments of realization.
Philosophical Ideas: You’ve used ideas from Heidegger and Barthes well, but the expert suggests exploring how these ideas could apply to other art forms too.
Structured Activities: The expert likes that the activities were structured, as it helps compare the results. However, they also wonder if this might limit natural expression.

Ms. Sung gave me helpful feedback on how to make the research better. She suggested to clearly explain how each art activity helps people explore their sense of self. She also recommended sharing more specific stories about what participants learned about themselves and the challenges they faced. The expert appreciated the use of ideas from philosophers like Heidegger and Barthes and suggested thinking about how these ideas might apply to other forms of art too. Lastly, she pointed out that while having structured activities is good for comparing data, it might also limit natural creativity. This advice was really useful in making my research stronger and more meaningful.

The email provides feedback on your research about how artistic activities like photography, painting, and music help people understand their sense of existence. The expert thinks your approach is unique and effective but suggests a few improvements:

Structured Activities: It’s good that you tried to collect consistent data by structuring the activities. However, the expert suggests also allowing more freedom in how participants express their feelings and experiences to capture natural responses.
Detailed Examples: The expert recommends adding more specific examples of how participants’ emotions and feelings changed through these activities. This would make the research deeper and more meaningful.
Philosophical Background: They appreciate your use of philosophical ideas, especially from Heidegger and Barthes. The expert suggests exploring even more how these ideas work together with practical artistic activities.

Dr. Ku noted that my approach of using structured activities was effective in gathering consistent data but also encouraged me to allow participants more freedom in expressing their feelings to capture more natural responses. He also suggested including more specific examples of how participants’ emotions and understandings changed through the activities to give the study more depth. Additionally, Dr. Ku appreciated my use of philosophical ideas, like those from Heidegger and Barthes, and encouraged me to explore even further how these ideas relate to practical art activities. This feedback has been crucial in improving my research and ensuring it provides a richer understanding of how art helps people explore their sense of existence.