Seeing and being seen: witnessing and aesthetic response

Yesterday, I was guiding an Expressive Arts circle, and an important part of it was witnessing - participants showing and receiving each other's work. Still inspired by the experience, I decided to write about witnessing.

Every encounter with someone's art, whether it's visual, movement, sound, storytelling, or a performance act, is always special. It's a moment when the artist enters a vulnerable but exciting place - letting it be visible. There is always some tension, a sense of anticipation, and curiosity filling up the room. In the session, witnessing happens in a supportive environment. The audience is not in a judgmental search for beauty or special meaning. Instead, we open wide our eyes, ears, skin senses, and most importantly our hearts to meet the art piece as it is. So we can discover what it is revealing to us, what's in there.

When a witness encounters an artist exploring themes, emotions, or experiences relevant to the witness's inner longings, they feel the aesthetic resonance. This encounter is transformative for both the artist and the witness. For the artist, having someone looking at their work turns that part of them into something "seen." For the witness, the art moves them, prompting reflection on their life experiences through the lens of that art piece. Everything that’s witnessed doesn’t stay the same - it transforms.

In Expressive Arts sessions, witnessing is an active process. It involves receiving and giving back. As a witness, we give an aesthetic response to the art. Unlike intellectual feedback, the response is something that we experience; it has a bodily origin. I communicate from the place where I am affected by what you just gave me. A moment of your vulnerability in exchange for a moment of my vulnerability: a word, sound, movement, or drawing.

Aesthetic response communicates to the artist that their work has been received. And, it also helps the artist to make further meaning of their work. It's a gift that the artist receives from the common field of resonance created during the session.

A fun little task. Next time you're out for a walk in the park, tune in to nature with all your senses. Let yourself be seen by the park's residents - whether it's a tree, a rock, a bug, or a bird. Be curious about this encounter and feel their presence as they notice you too.

Share in the comments your thoughts, experiences or aesthetic responses to the nature walk.

Thanks for reading. Share your thoughts or questions in the comments - what resonated with you, what didn't? Your input helps us grow together.

Considering trying out Expressive Arts? Reach out to me for one-on-one or group sessions.