JAN Mikuni

Aesthetic Experience

The psychology of Art and Aesthetics is a rapidly emerging field that is now drawing increasing attention. At the University of Vienna, I work alongside pioneers in this discipline, conducting cutting-edge research to integrate aesthetic experience into society and explore its potential to address social challenges. Aesthetic Experience—it arrives in fleeting moments. When you notice a small flower by the roadside and feel a spark of beauty. When a simple meal tastes just a little more delicious than usual. When music, art, or nature stirs your heart—softly, unexpectedly. It is the experience of becoming aware of aesthetics in everyday life—a moment when perception awakens into fresh emotion. Through seeing, hearing, touching, and tasting, these experiences can evoke joy, delight, sadness, or even sorrow—touching both our hearts and bodies in profound ways.
My research seeks to uncover how these experiences are perceived and constructed, how they nurture mental and physical well-being, strengthen social connections, and bring color and richness to our daily lives. My mission is to share the transformative power of aesthetic experience—so that it may plant seeds of hope, meaning, and strength to move forward in life.