Resisting Body Oppression: Is Aesthetic Exploration a Preferable Strategy?

In this essay, I discuss engaging in aesthetic practices when looking at bodies and strategies to resist body oppression. I evaluate Sherri Irvin’s argument of aesthetic exploration as an alternative aesthetic practice aimed at resisting body oppression. First, I discuss the ethical benefits and reasons why one should adopt aesthetic exploration. I evaluate its plausibility, how exactly the practice is possible to adopt and to what extent. Second, I discuss Matteo Ravasio’s counterargument which argues that aesthetic exploration involves a loss of value of our notion of beauty. Furthermore, I discuss Xinkan Zhao’s and Irvin’s response to Ravasio. Third, I put forward an argument of how the way we engage with contemporary art is arguing for the plausibility and preferability of aesthetic exploration. To support my argument, I will refer to research results by Anne-Marie Émond on how adults experience contemporary art. Finally, I claim that aesthetic exploration has the possibility to contribute to resisting body oppression, and therefore is a preferable practice to pursue.