EXPLORING ART

Episode 2190 | Disfigured Beauty: Exploring Identity Through Mohassess 23.04.2026 22min

In this episode, we explore the world of Iranian artist Bahman Mohassess and his unusual, sometimes unsettling art. How will we determine what makes art beautiful? Our group discusses how Mohassess’ twisted figures challenge traditional ideas of beauty and what they reveal about identity and the human experience. Join us as we delve into what makes art beautiful, and how a regime can influence art.

Episode 2178 | “Painting a Revolution: The Aesthetic Power of Marat’s Death” 14.04.2026 20min

In this episode, our group explores Jacques Louis David’s The Death of Marat and the complex relationship between beauty, violence, and political power. We discuss how Marat’s assassination during the French Revolution was transformed into a serene and almost sacred image, raising questions about whether the painting is a tribute or a form of propaganda. By examining the roles of Marat, Charlotte Corday, and David himself, we uncover how art can reshape public memory and influence political narratives. Our conversation also connects to ideas of beauty and ugliness from the course readings, especially how aesthetics can soften or distort historical truth. Join us as we analyze how a single painting can turn a moment of brutality into a symbol of revolutionary martyrdom.

Episode 2175 | Cure-Art: Can Art Actually Help You Feel Better? 04.04.2026 20min

In this episode, we explore how art has any healing component to help an individual's overall health. Our group discusses philosophical perspectives, real-world applications, and art’s impact during a therapeutic environment. Our conversation highlights how people interact with art more often than they realize, even in simple ways. Join us for a conversation full of insight, research, and maybe a little controversy.

Episode 2157 | How can art bring us back? 03.04.2026 20min

In this episode we discuss what the best way of art can work for Glady's mental health.

Episode 2163 | The Illusion of Reality 03.04.2026 25min

In this podcast, we talked about the illusion of reality and how our brain can sometimes trick us into thinking something is real when it’s not. We went over examples like optical illusions, art, and even movies with CGI to show how what we see isn’t always true. We also explained how the brain fills in missing information and uses past experiences to make sense of things. We connected this idea to real life too, like how running or effort can feel different depending on your mindset. Overall, the podcast shows that reality isn’t always exactly what it seems and that our brain plays a big role in how we see the world.

Episode 2162 | Beautifully Distorted 03.04.2026 20min

In this episode, we look at Bahman Mohassess's controversial work and question what people usually think is beautiful in art. We look at how "ugliness" can be a powerful form of expression rather than a flaw by talking about distorted figures, hybrid forms, and frightening images. In our talk, we connect Mohassess's work to modern art movements and the cultural background of Iranian modernism. This shows how identity, politics, and philosophical themes shape the meaning of art. Also, we wonder if art that makes us feel uncomfortable can help us understand things better and be more honest with ourselves. Join us as we consider what it means for art to be beautiful and whether being honest is more important than being perfect.

Episode 2171 | Beauty in the Grotesque: Understanding Goya’s Darkest Painting 03.04.2026 21min

In this episode of the Exploring Art Podcast we dive into Francisco Goya’s haunting painting Saturn Devouring His Son. We unpacked the historical moment in which Goya created his Black Paintings, exploring how illness, isolation, and political turmoil shaped his darkest work. We also examine the myth behind Saturn and discuss how fear, power, and human behavior intersect in both ancient stories and modern society. Finally, the conversation turns to the idea of beauty, questioning why disturbing images can still captivate audiences and hold artistic value.

Episode 2188 | The deep meaning behind “Saturn Devours his Son” 02.04.2026 21min

FIU students conduct a deep dive on Francisco Goya’s painting “Saturn Devours his Son”. These students present research that delves into the history of the folklore this artwork is based on. Each member of the group did their own research blindly without collaboration, and is meeting up for the podcast to have their discussion. The painting appears gruesome, and some may turn their heads, but there is deep history and story behind it, that they should turn there heads back at the painting and take in its essence.

Episode 2182 | The Art Behind the View 02.04.2026 20min

In this episode, we dive into the term “picturesque” and how it ties in with Nathaniel Willis and his views of Lake George. We ask each other philosophical questions as to what really is art when it comes to “natural beauty”. In this episode, our group discusses the way we view art and what can potentially “count” as art. Together, let’s dive into this powerful term and what it can mean for you and the way you view your world.

Episode 2174 | Can art heal you? A psychological perspective 02.04.2026 22min

In this episode, we explore the case of a college student experiencing burnout and emotional disconnection, raising the question of whether art can truly support psychological healing. Through a thoughtful discussion, we examine how engaging with music, visual art, and performance may influence emotional well-being and personal reflection. Drawing on ideas from Chapter 2 of The Joy of Art, we consider the role of aesthetic experience in shaping how individuals feel and respond to the world around them. Our conversation also challenges the assumption that art must be beautiful to be meaningful, highlighting its potential to express complex and difficult emotions. Join us as we analyze whether art serves as a form of therapy or simply a temporary escape from everyday life.

Episode 2185 | A Dive into The Scream by Edvard Munch 02.04.2026 23min

In this episode of the podcast we will be talking about Edvard munch his life and mental health the situation the led to him creating the scream as well as how he had a major role in expressionism the fin-de-siecle era and how his themes and ideas of expressing psychological themes have reappeared in modern art

Episode 2179 | Pablo Picasso: Abandoning Western Beauty 01.04.2026 19min

In this episode, the rejection of Western Aesthetic Canon in Pablo Picasso's painting Les Demoiselles de Avignon is detailed and explained. We look into Pablo Picassos history and life, attempting to understand him as both a man and a painter. Then we attempt to understand his painting and the places from where he draws his inspiration for this Post-Impressionist style. This includes both non-Western culture and other artists of the time who also seemed to be adopting a post-Impressionist style. Finally, we give our own opinions on the piece. Join us in understanding from where post-Impressionism and Early-Cubism stem and in understanding this abstract and 'ugly' painting.

Episode 2176 | Silence in the Bath: How Revolution Became Art 01.04.2026 21min

One of the things that our group will be looking at in more detail in episode 2176 is the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat and the painting that made him into an icon of the revolutionaries. We look at how Jacques Louis David made a violent act look serene and beautiful and what that might say about the nature of truth. Another thing that is looked at is who exactly Jean-Paul Marat and Charlotte Corday are and what their conflict is all about and how it could have affected French history. The last thing that is looked at is what David’s artistic decisions say about the way in which we understand what we are seeing. Also, the fact that the conflict between beauty and brutality, especially in an art piece meant to influence politics is touched on.

Episode 2187 | Ugliness being Beautiful, but at the Wrong Time 01.04.2026 27min

In this podcast episode, we go over one of Picasso's masterpieces, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. In this great and interesting episode we tackle on personal curiosities in the form of question. We elaborate on topics such as the perspective ugliness and distortion and their changes through time. We truly make ugliness known for beauty wherever the time that may be, watch it if you truly are curious.

Episode 2177 | Is There Beauty in Ugly? Confronting Grief Through Art 01.04.2026 38min

In today’s episode, we will be learning about Käthe Kollwitz’s art in relation to how she uses her grief in creating truths in artwork “A Woman With a Dead Child”. We will be talking about Kollwitz’s art in relation to how it challenges beauty. We will also be talking about how, despite the fact that her art is ugly at first sight, it is still beautiful in its own way. We will also be learning about Kollwitz’s art and how it makes people see truths in relation to her honest depiction of suffering. Join us in this video as we learn more about the truth behind Käthe Kollwitz’s art.

Episode 2181 | Digging into Art 01.04.2026 20min

In this episode, we explore why Peter Ustinov chose to film Billy Budd in black and white and how that choice affects how audiences experience the story. We discuss how visual style shapes perception, emotion, and the sense of “realness” in film. Our conversation also looks at moral themes, cultural expectations, and how films can feel more truthful than reality itself. Join us as we examine the power of art to create meaning beyond what we literally see.

Episode 2180 | Billy Budd: Black and White as an Artistic Tool 01.04.2026 31min

In this episode, we examine the concept of realism in film through the case of Billy Budd and director Peter Ustinov’s decision to use black-and-white cinematography. We explore the tension between visual accuracy and emotional truth, questioning why something less realistic can often feel more authentic. Through discussion of film theory, psychology, and historical context, we analyze how audiences perceive reality in art. We also consider the perspective of Ivor Montagu and his challenge to conventional ideas of realism. Join us as we unpack how illusion, perception, and artistic choices shape what we believe to be true.

Episode 2186 | The Raft of Choice 01.04.2026 27min

The Raft of the Medusa — Politics, Survival, and "What Would You Do?" Théodore Géricault's The Raft of the Medusa isn't just a painting — it's a political scandal frozen on canvas. In this episode, we break down the 1819 masterpiece: the real shipwreck that inspired it, the government incompetence that caused it, and why Géricault turned human suffering into a direct attack on those in power. We explore how its themes — failed leadership, abandoned citizens, class privilege during crisis — hit just as hard in today's political landscape. Plus, we put ourselves on the raft: what would we actually do if survival meant impossible choices?

Episode 2161 | The Perception of Color in Film, or Lack There of. 31.03.2026 21min

In this episode, we go into the nature of black and white versus colored films and Peter Ustinov’s film in Black and White. The interesting part is when the audience collectively agrees Black and White feels more real. What does this mean for realism? How do individual viewpoints affect the way people view reality? And how does color impact the way we perceive things? All of those questions will be answered in this podcast, so stay tuned.

Episodes 2160 | A Beautiful Lie? Art, Truth, and the Death of Marat 31.03.2026 23min

In this episode of Exploring Art Podcast, we discuss Jacques-Louis David’s famous painting The Death of Marat and the powerful connection between art, politics, and beauty. We explore the historical context of the French Revolution and examine how David transformed a violent assassination into a calm and almost sacred image. Our conversation considers whether the painting is an honest tribute to a revolutionary figure or a form of political propaganda designed to influence public opinion.We also analyze how artistic choices like lighting, composition, and symbolism shape the way viewers interpret violence and martyrdom.