Somaesthetics of Atmosphere‍

The Center for Body, Mind, and Culture
Florida Atlantic University  

https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/bodymindculture/uconfern/

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Atmosphere is a topic that commands increasing attention not only with respect to climate change but also in the humanities, particularly in philosophy, design, and the arts. Besides its climatological meaning, atmosphere indicates the pervading tone, mood, or ambience of a place, situation, or work of art. Because atmospheres somatically envelop us, they are a crucially influential factor in our experience, affecting our feelings, perceptions, and actions. Although the soma is immersed in atmospheres and experiences them directly, there is often difficulty in clearly discerning and defining them because atmospheres are difficult to individuate. Like the soma, they do not fit neatly into our common binaries of object and subject, physical and mental. Atmospheres are an elusive in-between that challenge those rigid dualisms, as does somaesthetics. Given their importance, their elusiveness, and their variety, atmospheres deserve extended study to improve our understanding of what they are, how they function, and how they may be protected, modified, or designed to improve our lives and world. By focusing on better understanding atmosphere in its multiple senses, our conference will explore how such improved understanding could benefit health, quality of life, social welfare, and aesthetic experience. Richard Shusterman

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