From Beauty to Aesthetic Commons consists in a philosophical lecture by Stefano Catucci followed by a discussion about the understanding of the word “beauty” in different cultures and about the opportunity of developing, today, a new perspective.
This is the horizon of the “aesthetic commons”, based both on the value of material culture and the evolution of digital technologies. Aesthetic commons are neither traced back to the sensible endowments of human nature, nor referred to the heritage of some cultural traditions. Instead, they respond to the fragmentation of community ties in our contemporary world and they are constructed through the production of knowledge and are also open to continuous reinvention. Therefore, aesthetic commons are creative, poetic, and they are “made” in order to build new forms of communities that can be united around specific issues without necessarily always being the same.
Kanchana Mahadevan, responds to, and expand on the arguments and ideas shared in the lecture.
“From Beauty to Aesthetic Commons” is the second lecture-seminar in the DESIGNACTS/CRITICALWORLDS series. Curated by Kaiwan Mehta, this series brings together Italian and Indian scholars, artists, designers, and philosophers to engage in critical discussions on design and contemporary thought.
Stefano Catucci is a leading philosopher and professor of Aesthetics at the University of Rome “Sapienza”. With an extensive academic background, his work engages with material philosophy and the intersection of design, architecture, and aesthetics. He is also an accomplished cultural figure in Italian radio and television.
Kanchana Mahadevan is a philosopher who was formerly with the University of Mumbai, specializing in feminist philosophy, decolonization, and critical theory. Her research and publications address the intersections of care, gender, and colonialism, particularly within the Indian context.
Kaiwan Mehta is an architect, theorist, and critic with a deep engagement in architecture, urban studies, and visual culture. He is the Dean of the Balwant Sheth School of Architecture at NMIMS University and a member of the International Committee of Architectural Critics (CICA). His work has significantly contributed to contemporary architectural discourse on a global scale.
Wednesday, 19th March |6:00 pm
Refreshments start from 5.30 pm
K.R. Cama Oriental Institute, Fort, Mumbai.
Free entry upon registration here