A Research into Meaning Making Strategies in Encounters with Artworks

Abstract

What takes place when we undergo what is referred to as aesthetic experience? What is the educational value of such an experience? How does aesthetic experience prompt meaning making? Our article addresses these questions based on the analysis of data collected from an ongoing research project involving 24 Portuguese participants (12 artists and 12 non-artists), each of whom interacted with one artwork from an art museum in Lisbon through the use of mediation tools. Analysis of the results showed a subtle influence of academic training on the way participants made meaning out of their interactions with the artwork. The quality of their final written records clearly demonstrated that learning took place as a result of the use of mediation tools.