Is Aesthetics Always the Opposite of Authenticity?
Yesterday, while I was hanging out with some of my friends, I was thinking about how rare it is for someone to do something truly organic anymore; simply doing an activity for the enjoyment of it instead of the performance. From the way they decorate their homes to the flowers they choose at the florist, everything feels like it is done for aesthetic purposes. While most of my friends were browsing a vintage store renting outfits to get a picture snapped in at the dinner they were attending that night, I was sitting outside with one of them discussing our childhoods. I sat there thinking, “How much longer will they take?” and “Can anything just be natural anymore?” Is taking a coffee outside to have a smoke still a survival tactic, or is it just for the idea of being seen? When discussing survival, the term refers to what is necessary for my overall well-being.
Aesthetic Versus Functionality
Walking through my typical day, I tried to decipher what is done for aesthetics and what is for survival. These are survival rituals, including taking my probiotic, having coffee, and brushing my teeth. But my mug collection and clothing are, in fact, curated. I get dressed, normally in jeans, Converse, and a sweater, plus extra layers for warmth. Outfits are typically curated, but in a more practical way, depending on the weather. The “aesthetic” outfit will be thrown out the second I get cold.
Once my morning is complete, I either take the metro to go to school or spend the day with friends. I tend to feed myself with a survival tactic. I will eat whatever is available and the cheapest option. I will always spend the money on grabbing a pint with friends. This can also be argued to be considered survival. Or maybe I’ll go home, knock out some of the boring house chores, like grocery shopping or vacuuming — also survival. If I don’t have school that day, I tend to walk around the Marais with friends, though the way depends greatly on which friends I am with.
If I am with one group, everything we do that day revolves around looks. The other friends... not so much. If I am with the looks group, we end up sitting at whatever cafe is trending at the moment, and I think to myself, “Why are we here?” Or, that I probably look like such a loser sitting next to these perfectly curated people. Though I tend to push those thoughts to the side by telling myself that, no, it is thinking that way that actually makes me the loser.
Performance Versus Convenience
I have “curated” my closet to just items that I like. It's a very thoughtful process. The majority of the things I have bought — bedding, mugs, beauty products — have all been because I like the look of as well as how they function. Take my bright pink “Madame Princess” hairbrush, for example. The look of the hairbrush makes me feel happy, and a hairbrush is something I need, ergo, survival and aesthetic.
To some extent, even the people you surround yourself with can be curated by aesthetic. Naturally, we are all attracted to people who dress like us and have similar interests, the same way we are drawn to things that make us feel happy and fulfilled. In terms of that, I think most of us are really surviving. Many of the things that are relevant to us we pull from social media, but then they stick with us, becoming core and survivalistic.
Anyone on social media knows people are watching them in some way or another, but some curate and live their lives for those viewers, while others choose to just live their lives for themselves. Do not get me wrong, much of my own life has been for aesthetic purposes, as I’m sure is true for all of us. I try to view it more as “I like it in my life,” instead of “Will others like it in my life?” Not caring or putting thought into how others perceive you is basically a superpower these days.
