ON AESTHETIC HABIT:
A LENTEN WORKSHOP

facilitated by Professor Katie Peterson & Professor Young Suh

Date: Saturday. February 17, 2024

Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

Location: Berkeley Institute (2134 Allston Way, 2nd floor)

We know about physical habits (like running or eating greens) and moral habits (like prayer or good actions). But what about aesthetic habits? By these, we might mean habits of beauty— habits in which we place ourselves in the path of aesthetic experience for the purpose of self-investigation, healing, and even grace. In this workshop, we will share examples of artists who work with aesthetic habits, and introduce you to some rituals that might increase your relationship with beauty. We'll do writing and thinking exercises that frame aesthetic habits. And we'll talk about what the use of these habits might be. The philosopher Elaine Scarry even suggests that contemplation of beauty might lead one to justice. We are timing this workshop with the Christian liturgical season of Lent and its traditions of directing the soul toward God through daily habits. Where will your aesthetic habits lead you this Lenten season?

This workshop is open to students only. Registration is required.

  • Professor Katie Peterson

    Katie Peterson is a Professor of English at the University of California, Davis where she teaches poetry workshops and courses on contemporary literature. She is the author of seven books of poetry, including This One Tree, Permission, The Accounts, and her most recent collection, Fog and Smoke. She received a PhD in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard.

  • Professor Young Suh

    Young Suh is an Associate Professor of Art at the University of California, Davis. He is a visual artist using photography, video, words, and handmade books to tell stories about human lives and the difficulties of our existence on earth. His work has been exhibited in Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Datz Museum in South Korea, San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco.