Aesthetics Exploration – Post 1 Dirt Theory

The paper Dirt Theory and Material Ecocriticism [1] by Heather I. Sullivan “speaks for dirty aesthetics. Although aesthetic landscapes readily inspire environmental thinking, a case can be made for grappling with the truly local dirty matter right at hand. Dirt, soil, earth, and dust surround us at all scales: we find them on our shoes, bodies, and computer screens, in fields and forests, and floating in the air. They are the stuff of geological structures, of the rocky Earth itself, and are mobile like our bodies.”

This essay supports the importance of “dirty aesthetics” and postulates “dirt theory” as a perspective for addressing environmental thinking in terms of much-missed presence and importance of dirt, soil, and dust in everyday life, rather than idealizing a “pure” and “clean” nature by promoting knowledge about the interactive inter-relationship between humankind and the Earth in a manner that puts dirt as part of the vibrant ecological processes. Being an aggregate of organic and inorganic matter, dirt transitions from microscopic organisms in soil to industrial pollutants; hence, in this sense, it sustains life and at times harms.

The essay critiques “green thinking” for its failure to take into account the less glamorous aspects of the environment and warns against perpetuating a false dichotomy between pristine nature and polluted human spaces. In embracing dirt’s material and symbolic roles, it challenges the idea of nature as separate from humanity and promotes a grounded understanding of our planetary interdependence.

Ultimately, the theory of dirt is a bridge of scientific knowledge to cultural interpretation in fostering a holistic view of the environment that reconciles reverence for nature with practical ecological insight.

This essay supports the importance of “dirty aesthetics” and postulates “dirt theory” as a perspective for addressing environmental thinking in terms of much-missed presence and importance of dirt, soil, and dust in everyday life, rather than idealizing a “pure” and “clean” nature by promoting knowledge about the interactive inter-relationship between humankind and the Earth in a manner that puts dirt as part of the vibrant ecological processes. Being an aggregate of organic and inorganic matter, dirt transitions from microscopic organisms in soil to industrial pollutants; hence, in this sense, it sustains life and at times harms.

The essay critiques “green thinking” for its failure to take into account the less glamorous aspects of the environment and warns against perpetuating a false dichotomy between pristine nature and polluted human spaces. In embracing dirt’s material and symbolic roles, it challenges the idea of nature as separate from humanity and promotes a grounded understanding of our planetary interdependence, although I am not bringing importance to the space technological side of this.

Scientific and other studies, books, and culture narratives all purport the dual functionality of dirt by being a fostering and a destructive tool. It considers such soil quality factors in the civilization rise and fall and explains how the utilization of soil reflects to depend on larger ecological functions. For example Karen Duve’s Taxi book explains the strong presence of dirt in urban activities with symbolic implications.

Ultimately, the theory of dirt is a bridge of scientific knowledge to cultural interpretation in fostering a holistic view of the environment that reconciles reverence for nature with practical ecological insight. At the center of such an understanding is a recognition of our need to work in our enmeshment with dirt.

Bringing Nature Indoors: Revamp Your Bedroom with the Earthy Aesthetic ♡ | Room Decor Tips | Ever Lasting Blog
[2] https://everlastingfabric.com/blogs/ever-lasting-blog/bringing-nature-indoors-revamp-your-bedroom-with-the-earthy-aesthetic
Now this is the only kind of document I found that kind went into a dirty aesthetic, however I don’t believe it was Ms. Sullivan who created it, but rather one of few who seemed to incapsulate the idea. Dirt has been around far before the earth and will likely be there far after. Nobody has dictated that dirt is cool, but rather humans and all forms of life have an attraction to it. In recent times there has been more glorification towards green nature and that sort of life rather than the ground from which it stems so that is why I thought it could be a fun aesthetic to explore.

To Live And Die With Soil
[6] Symbolic use of Dirt https://www.venusjasper.earth/dripstone/to-live-and-die-with-soil
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purity_and_Danger#:~:text=The%20line%20of%20inquiry%20in,but%20did%20not%20chew%20cud.
It seems that the “dirt aesthetic” stems from dirt theory which was first brought up in the 1966 book Purity and Danger [3]. I have not read this book, but it seems to use dirt more for the symbolism than the physical thing itself. Since this book I think people have definitely more connected themselves with the outdoors and getting down and dirty. What comes to mind initially is early rock climbers in the 60s and 70s who would just live in the woods minimally and just climb and re-embrace themselves with nature. I find this different to the nature of green trees and plants, but more so the ruggedness and earthly feel of things like rock and dirt. 

Soil Insect Royalty-Free Images, Stock Photos & Pictures | Shutterstock
[5] https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lots-pill-bugs-moving-on-wet-2019668054
Fall aesthetic muddy puddle. Good for backgrounds.
[4] https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fall-aesthetic-muddy-puddle-good-backgrounds-1188190303
 

These kind of images is what I am hoping to incapsulate in my project. Some sort of method of combing the use of dirt and the rawness of it with both the recycled use of some sort of material. Pictured below is something that I am interested in doing.

Large lidded jars make ideal terrariums for small tropical plants
[7] https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/houseplants/bottle-gardens-and-terrariums

 

[1] Sullivan, H.I. (2012). Dirt theory and material ecocriticism. Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and the Environment, 19(3), 515-531. doi:10.1093/isle/iss067

[2] https://everlastingfabric.com/blogs/ever-lasting-blog/bringing-nature-indoors-revamp-your-bedroom-with-the-earthy-aesthetic

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purity_and_Danger#:~:text=The%20line%20of%20inquiry%20in,but%20did%20not%20chew%20cud.

[4] https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fall-aesthetic-muddy-puddle-good-backgrounds-1188190303

[5] https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lots-pill-bugs-moving-on-wet-2019668054

[6] https://www.venusjasper.earth/dripstone/to-live-and-die-with-soil

[7] https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/types/houseplants/bottle-gardens-and-terrariums

2 Comments. Leave new

  • Grant Thompson
    January 29, 2025 6:14 pm

    I think that the aesthetic you chose is very interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed the interpretation of this aesthetic into the greater picture of eco-consciousness and our relationship with our surroundings. I was impressed by the depth of the discussion of the importance, message, and origin of this aesthetic. I think that it would also have been interesting to delve into individuals artists or pieces that follow this aesthetic but I also appreciate the literary exploration of this topic.

  • Ariana Ramirez
    January 27, 2025 7:17 pm

    Your choice to explore the “dirty” aesthetic is unique and very interesting. You describe dirt’s role in life as both helpful and harmful and I thought this was clear and influential. Also, connecting it to ideas like Heather I. Sullivan’s “Dirt Theory” adds depth to your post.

    I really enjoyed the pictures you added. However, some of the images were a bit blurry. To make your post look even better, you could replace those with clearer pictures that better highlight the ‘dirty’ aesthetic. Additionally, it might help to expand on dirt’s role in ecological processes or its cultural symbolism. For example, are there other examples in art or culture that reflect this aesthetic?

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