The Diversification of Environmental Aesthetics and the Rise of Everyday Aesthetics† - Theoretical Agendas and Issues of Yuriko Saito’s Everyday Aesthetics -

This paper explores the recent development of environmental aesthetics and critically examines main agendas, claims, issues, implications everyday aesthetics, which is emerging as an important branch aesthetics. Environmental began in context cultural change environmentalism 1960s expanded second half 20th century with a solid theoretical foundation. At beginning 21st century, it entered process diversification objects subjects. Having reached academic maturity, has into territory considering urban environment human environment, providing practical coordinates discourse for planning designing environments landscapes. The most notable achievement since mid-2000s establishment ‘everyday aesthetics’. Yuriko Saito, who leading research on scope aesthetic theory to objects, events, activities, environments. She excavates microscopic sensory aspects life, have been overlooked by conventional art-centered through lens reinterprets various layers phenomena contemporary landscapes analyzes how ‘power aesthetic’ hidden life profoundly affects quality state world. Saito appreciation distinctive characteristics ambiance inherent proposes ‘moral-aesthetic judgment’ alert citizens environmental, social, political consequences response. identifies issues first, expansion ambiguous everyday, second, moral-aesthetic judgment care, third, regeneration literacy. In particular, moral virtues that proposes, such thoughtfulness, sensitivity, respect, provide critical reference practice ‘aesthetic literacy’ key concept demonstrating why perspective necessary interpret