Lydia Kowalski - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Lydia Kowalski

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of ethnicity on personal and community development

My interviews pointed out certain concepts concerning ethnicity which were important to the ethni... more My interviews pointed out certain concepts concerning ethnicity which were important to the ethnic. These included ethnicity's relationship to a "feeling of warmth, sharing and closeness", "pride in what you are", "knowledge of your background to better understand self and others", and "concept of identity.* Case studies by Vita Sommers and Elizabeth Hartwell illustrate the cultural identity problems, differences and needs of the ethnics which could influence their participation in society and their response to various social services.

Research paper thumbnail of The art of silence

This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic b... more This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic beauty of art in a museum setting. Museums have changed their focus due to socioeconomic and financial pressures. They have changed from silent "temples" for art conservation and exhibition to places for interactive art education, entertainment, and social gathering. The results of these changes have been both positive and negative. Attendance has increased, enhancing the museum experience, engaging more diverse audiences in museum activities, and dispelling the "elitist" image of the museum. These changes, however, have resulted in the loss of a silent space to quietly experience a personal and emotional connection to art. As the world becomes more urban, noisier, and addictively connected to technology, this study argues the need to include a silent experience in the art museum. This will enhance visitors' aesthetic, emotional, and educational experience with art. This dissertation is divided into seven chapters. Chapters one, two, and three explore the role silence plays in spiritual, aesthetic, and learning engagement. Chapter four examines the singular experience of wonder and its profound influence on the appreciation of art appreciation. Chapters five and six present silence and art from two vi perspectives: how artists reflect silence in their art works, and the silence viewers see in art. The final chapter seven presents a model for a room dedicated for viewing art in silence. This experience would provide an opportunity for visitors to connect personally, deeply, and emotionally with a work of art without influence from others. Each of the chapters cites research examining how silence develops the capacity to observe art with more detail, create a more personal and emotional connection with art, and to experience the beauty of art for its own sake before looking at it from an historical and analytical perspective. Further study is needed to assess the value of a silent experience in an art museum. This study provides evidence that silence can positively affect the visitors' involvement with art. Observing art in silence increases the visitors' ability to discover more detail in a work of art and connect personal experiences with it. In an increasingly noisy world, a silent space removes outside distractions and offers visitors an opportunity to have an emotional connection with the beauty of art. vii

Research paper thumbnail of Ithe Effect of Ethnicity on Personal and Communi Ty Development

a study of the problems of identity experienced by white European immigrants and their descendent... more a study of the problems of identity experienced by white European immigrants and their descendents during the process of assimilation; the effect this has on their involvement with the community; and the implications this might have on the planning process within these communities. My data was from library research, interviews with ethnics living in ethnic communities; interviews with personnel in mental health clinics, general medical clinics, schools, libraries, and day care centers working in ethnic communities; and my experiences as a participant observer in "Summerthing", Boston City Hall Ethnic Christmas Exhibit and the ethnic curriculum development project in Lowell, Massachusetts. Using the library research data, I developed an outline of the process of identity formation. This included the relationships between the child and parents, child and peers, and child and groups during the socialization process and the establishment of the concept of the

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of ethnicity on personal and community development

Research paper thumbnail of The art of silence

This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic b... more This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic beauty of art in a museum setting. Museums have changed their focus due to socioeconomic and financial pressures. They have changed from silent "temples" for art conservation and exhibition to places for interactive art education, entertainment, and social gathering. The results of these changes have been both positive and negative. Attendance has increased, enhancing the museum experience, engaging more diverse audiences in museum activities, and dispelling the "elitist" image of the museum. These changes, however, have resulted in the loss of a silent space to quietly experience a personal and emotional connection to art. As the world becomes more urban, noisier, and addictively connected to technology, this study argues the need to include a silent experience in the art museum. This will enhance visitors' aesthetic, emotional, and educational experience with art. This dissertation is divided into seven chapters. Chapters one, two, and three explore the role silence plays in spiritual, aesthetic, and learning engagement. Chapter four examines the singular experience of wonder and its profound influence on the appreciation of art appreciation. Chapters five and six present silence and art from two vi perspectives: how artists reflect silence in their art works, and the silence viewers see in art. The final chapter seven presents a model for a room dedicated for viewing art in silence. This experience would provide an opportunity for visitors to connect personally, deeply, and emotionally with a work of art without influence from others. Each of the chapters cites research examining how silence develops the capacity to observe art with more detail, create a more personal and emotional connection with art, and to experience the beauty of art for its own sake before looking at it from an historical and analytical perspective. Further study is needed to assess the value of a silent experience in an art museum. This study provides evidence that silence can positively affect the visitors' involvement with art. Observing art in silence increases the visitors' ability to discover more detail in a work of art and connect personal experiences with it. In an increasingly noisy world, a silent space removes outside distractions and offers visitors an opportunity to have an emotional connection with the beauty of art. vii

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of ethnicity on personal and community development

My interviews pointed out certain concepts concerning ethnicity which were important to the ethni... more My interviews pointed out certain concepts concerning ethnicity which were important to the ethnic. These included ethnicity's relationship to a "feeling of warmth, sharing and closeness", "pride in what you are", "knowledge of your background to better understand self and others", and "concept of identity.* Case studies by Vita Sommers and Elizabeth Hartwell illustrate the cultural identity problems, differences and needs of the ethnics which could influence their participation in society and their response to various social services.

Research paper thumbnail of The art of silence

This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic b... more This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic beauty of art in a museum setting. Museums have changed their focus due to socioeconomic and financial pressures. They have changed from silent "temples" for art conservation and exhibition to places for interactive art education, entertainment, and social gathering. The results of these changes have been both positive and negative. Attendance has increased, enhancing the museum experience, engaging more diverse audiences in museum activities, and dispelling the "elitist" image of the museum. These changes, however, have resulted in the loss of a silent space to quietly experience a personal and emotional connection to art. As the world becomes more urban, noisier, and addictively connected to technology, this study argues the need to include a silent experience in the art museum. This will enhance visitors' aesthetic, emotional, and educational experience with art. This dissertation is divided into seven chapters. Chapters one, two, and three explore the role silence plays in spiritual, aesthetic, and learning engagement. Chapter four examines the singular experience of wonder and its profound influence on the appreciation of art appreciation. Chapters five and six present silence and art from two vi perspectives: how artists reflect silence in their art works, and the silence viewers see in art. The final chapter seven presents a model for a room dedicated for viewing art in silence. This experience would provide an opportunity for visitors to connect personally, deeply, and emotionally with a work of art without influence from others. Each of the chapters cites research examining how silence develops the capacity to observe art with more detail, create a more personal and emotional connection with art, and to experience the beauty of art for its own sake before looking at it from an historical and analytical perspective. Further study is needed to assess the value of a silent experience in an art museum. This study provides evidence that silence can positively affect the visitors' involvement with art. Observing art in silence increases the visitors' ability to discover more detail in a work of art and connect personal experiences with it. In an increasingly noisy world, a silent space removes outside distractions and offers visitors an opportunity to have an emotional connection with the beauty of art. vii

Research paper thumbnail of Ithe Effect of Ethnicity on Personal and Communi Ty Development

a study of the problems of identity experienced by white European immigrants and their descendent... more a study of the problems of identity experienced by white European immigrants and their descendents during the process of assimilation; the effect this has on their involvement with the community; and the implications this might have on the planning process within these communities. My data was from library research, interviews with ethnics living in ethnic communities; interviews with personnel in mental health clinics, general medical clinics, schools, libraries, and day care centers working in ethnic communities; and my experiences as a participant observer in "Summerthing", Boston City Hall Ethnic Christmas Exhibit and the ethnic curriculum development project in Lowell, Massachusetts. Using the library research data, I developed an outline of the process of identity formation. This included the relationships between the child and parents, child and peers, and child and groups during the socialization process and the establishment of the concept of the

Research paper thumbnail of The effect of ethnicity on personal and community development

Research paper thumbnail of The art of silence

This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic b... more This dissertation argues that the role of silence as essential to experience the full aesthetic beauty of art in a museum setting. Museums have changed their focus due to socioeconomic and financial pressures. They have changed from silent "temples" for art conservation and exhibition to places for interactive art education, entertainment, and social gathering. The results of these changes have been both positive and negative. Attendance has increased, enhancing the museum experience, engaging more diverse audiences in museum activities, and dispelling the "elitist" image of the museum. These changes, however, have resulted in the loss of a silent space to quietly experience a personal and emotional connection to art. As the world becomes more urban, noisier, and addictively connected to technology, this study argues the need to include a silent experience in the art museum. This will enhance visitors' aesthetic, emotional, and educational experience with art. This dissertation is divided into seven chapters. Chapters one, two, and three explore the role silence plays in spiritual, aesthetic, and learning engagement. Chapter four examines the singular experience of wonder and its profound influence on the appreciation of art appreciation. Chapters five and six present silence and art from two vi perspectives: how artists reflect silence in their art works, and the silence viewers see in art. The final chapter seven presents a model for a room dedicated for viewing art in silence. This experience would provide an opportunity for visitors to connect personally, deeply, and emotionally with a work of art without influence from others. Each of the chapters cites research examining how silence develops the capacity to observe art with more detail, create a more personal and emotional connection with art, and to experience the beauty of art for its own sake before looking at it from an historical and analytical perspective. Further study is needed to assess the value of a silent experience in an art museum. This study provides evidence that silence can positively affect the visitors' involvement with art. Observing art in silence increases the visitors' ability to discover more detail in a work of art and connect personal experiences with it. In an increasingly noisy world, a silent space removes outside distractions and offers visitors an opportunity to have an emotional connection with the beauty of art. vii