Everyday Green Aesthetics

The aim of the paper is to discuss the idea of everyday green aesthetics conceived of as an approach that combines everyday aesthetics with environmental aesthetics. I contend that discovering the aesthetic values of everyday nature is important because it may positively influence people’s wellbeing. I believe that it may broaden the array of things they find aesthetically rewarding and foster a more respectful attitude toward nature. The basic issue of green everyday aesthetics is then to show how to aesthetically enjoy nature, so ubiquitous that people do not notice it or treat it as a nuisance. There are, however, places where everyday nature is intentionally brought to the foreground in order to make it an object of aesthetic experience. These spaces are gardens, therefore garden aesthetics, especially its version offered by Rosario Assunto, is discussed as an example of how everyday green aesthetics may be developed.