Formal Objects: On Beauty and Sustainability

A bold invitation to learn sustainability from the aesthetic forms that pattern our world.

If we are to survive the ecological crisis, we must develop a new orientation to the world that draws us into better relationships with nature and one another. Robert Hariman believes that, as a first step, we must cultivate a renewed appreciation for the beauty at the center of reality. We must learn again, he argues, to see forms: the rhythms, shapes, and textures that evoke connection and pleasure. To that end, Formal Objects applies literary, philosophical, and art historical concepts to revive an often-derided theory called formalism. This perspective is developed through visual motifs that are found in nature and the decorative arts, and it invites us to become attuned to rich patterns of reciprocity. Once we recognize the beauty in the world, we can move in step with its abundance to design more just and sustainable communities.