Unit 3: Influences of Beauty and Art

Aesthetic sense

An overall feeling of beauty in something (not just appearance, but also mood, atmosphere, and artistic effect).

Aesthetic view (aesthetic standards)

A person’s or group’s ideas about what counts as “beautiful,” shaped by culture and the times.

Style (artistic style)

The overall characteristics of a work or person (e.g., minimalist, vintage, realistic, abstract).

Temperament

An inner quality or overall vibe someone gives off (e.g., elegant, calm, confident), not just facial features.

Symbolism

Using a color, pattern, object, or image to suggest a deeper meaning (e.g., bamboo symbolizing resilience).

To embody / to reflect

To show or express an abstract value or idea through an artwork, performance, design, or behavior.

Standpoint marker (“In my view / for …”)

A language device used to introduce perspective or position, especially useful in cultural comparison.

Causal structure (“The reason … is because …”)

A sentence pattern used to give a complete, logical explanation instead of vague opinions.

Additive emphasis (“Not only … but also …”)

A sentence pattern used to show beauty or value has multiple dimensions.

Suggestion contrast (“Rather than … it’s better to …”)

A sentence pattern used to offer advice or make a value judgment by comparing two options.

Trend expression (“increasingly / becoming more …”)

Language used to describe changes over time, especially in media, consumer behavior, or popular culture.

Cause-and-effect connector (“be influenced by / bring pressure”)

Phrases that link reasons to results (e.g., media influence leading to appearance pressure).

Visual elements

What you can see in a work: color, lines, composition, layout, lighting, and overall visual design.

Auditory elements

What you can hear in a performance: rhythm, melody, instruments, vocal style, and pacing.

Mainstream aesthetic

The dominant beauty standard that most people accept and that media often promotes.

Aesthetic diversity

The idea that different types of beauty and styles can all be appreciated; no single “correct” standard.

Social media exposure effect

The process where repeated exposure to certain looks makes them feel “normal” or expected.

Comparison psychology

The tendency to judge yourself by comparing to highly curated images, which can increase dissatisfaction.

Engagement-based feedback loop (likes/comments)

A reward system where likes and comments reinforce certain appearances or self-presentation choices.

Filter (social media)

A digital effect that alters appearance, often creating unrealistic expectations of “normal” looks.

Photo retouching

Editing images to look more “perfect” (skin, shape, lighting), which can distort beauty standards.

“Influencer face” (internet celebrity look)

A standardized, trendy facial look popular online, often leading to aesthetic uniformity.

Body anxiety

Stress or insecurity about body shape/size due to social comparison or beauty expectations.

Appearance anxiety

Worry or stress about one’s looks and how others evaluate them, often intensified by media.

Herd mentality (following trends)

Copying popular looks or behaviors simply because many others are doing it.

Consumerism

A mindset that ties happiness, status, or self-worth to buying and upgrading products.

“Problem–solution” advertising strategy

A marketing tactic: create an insecurity, offer a product as the fix, then link it to confidence/success.

Self-improvement vs. self-denial

A healthy distinction: improving for health/self-expression vs. rejecting yourself to please others.

Media literacy

The ability to recognize that online images and messages are curated and may not reflect real life.

Identity (self-identification)

How a person understands themselves and wants to be seen; aesthetics can shape and signal identity.

First impression

An initial judgment people form quickly; it can affect social interactions even if it’s not fair.

Image management

Deliberately managing how you look or present yourself, often in school, social media, or work settings.

Social expectations

Society’s assumptions about how certain people “should” look or behave.

Gender roles (aesthetic expectations)

Different appearance pressures placed on women and men based on cultural ideas about gender.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified labels that reduce complex individuals to fixed categories (often unfairly).

Generational gap (intergenerational differences)

Differences between age groups in tastes and values, often shaped by media access and life experience.

Calligraphy

The art of writing Chinese characters as visual art, emphasizing line quality, rhythm, and layout.

Brushwork (calligraphy strokes)

The expressive quality of strokes (thickness, speed, force), which creates rhythm and “energy.”

Artistic conception (yijing)

A poetic mood/atmosphere a work creates; often valued over realistic detail in traditional art.

Guohua (traditional Chinese painting)

Traditional Chinese painting, often using brush and ink, emphasizing mood, symbolism, and spirit.

Ink wash (shuimo)

A technique using ink’s浓淡/ dryness-wetness to create layers and depth, especially in landscapes.

Negative space (liubai)

Intentional blank space in a painting; it invites imagination and creates calmness and balance.

Xieyi (freehand brushwork)

A style focusing on spirit and overall impression rather than precise detail.

Gongbi (meticulous painting)

A detailed, precise style with careful lines and refined coloring.

Peking Opera (Jingju)

A traditional Chinese stage art combining singing, speech, acting, and acrobatics in stylized forms.

“Chang, Nian, Zuo, Da”

A common way to summarize Peking Opera skills: singing, recitation/dialogue, acting/movement, and fighting/acrobatics.

Borrowed scenery (jiejing)

A Chinese garden technique that visually “borrows” distant views to make a space feel larger and layered.

Public art

Art placed in shared spaces (murals, sculptures, subway art) that can shape city identity and quality of life.

Street art

Public, often informal art (graffiti, murals, installations) that can express social views and spark debate.

Globalization (cultural exchange in aesthetics)

Cross-cultural flow of styles and ideas; often discussed through borrowing, fusion, and respectful understanding of origins.