My Paper Suggestion: Sean Hulse

     I'd like to begin discussing affect theory through a meditative procedure. Starting with Descartes' principles of "mind and body", which are essentially the separation of "pure understanding" (the notion of epiphany or complete comprehension of an idea) and "imagination" (the derivation of ideas we gather through our senses), respectively. Thus, I am utilizing Descartes' foundation of knowledge in order to begin my studies of affect, and possibly discuss my own affect: the affect of pure understanding.
     I have also been tying in the ideas of art into my research. I am inclined to use pure understanding and imagination to dissect art. Specifically speaking, I will utilize abstract art because it is so "fundamental", that it seems to produce affects as opposed to emotion. Such research has brought about articles discussing the idea of mimesis in art. Clement Greenberg began a comparative study of abstract art and -- essentially -- realism, claiming that if art (and music) is produced for an effect (to produce an affect) it is kitsch. Kitsch is considered low-brow, mass produced, art or design. Thus, abstract art is not produced for the reader but it is intended to be read. So, I will borrow from his notions and attempt to grow the idea that abstract art is part of the imagination and pure understanding and by reading art and having a reaction to art, one is having the affect of pure understanding. 
   Furthermore, studies of Descartes discuss that he believed affect was partially a "the perceptions, feeling or emotions of the soul which we relate specially to it [the soul], and which are caused, maintained and fortified by some movement of the spirit" (Descartes, 21). So, here we have a connection to the imagination and pure understanding through affect. Thus, it partially solves a major issue in Descartes' meditations about how the mind and body connect.

  So, these are the ideas I am playing around with for my paper: the affect of pure understanding, the way abstract art becomes a perfect example of affect, and the way affect is defined through art forms and memisis. I want to discuss the validity of affect and possibly my own affect mentioned above. Please help me work through some of my ideas or ask my to explain something better so I can work through my ideas more meticulously! (P.S. Hannah, I mentioned this in class for help on your own project so if any of these ideas are overlapping too heavily, I'll certainly revise my main points to be more original).