Aiyana’s Dictionary

Aiyana’s dictionary is a list of words that one may not know but further describes what I want my artwork to show. To create an understanding for the uncomfortable and intriguingly beautiful. While also defining contradicting feelings and ideas. The list also includes words from other languages that the English language doesn’t have a word to describe it.

Ambivalence (noun) the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

Anfractuosity (noun) something twisting and turning; something mazelike and confusing

Antithetical (adjective) directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible

Befuddlement (noun) the state of being confused or unable to think clearly

Defamiliarization or Ostranenie(Russian) (noun) 1. is the artistic technique or presenting to audiences common things in an unfamiliar or strange way so they could gain new perspectives and see the world differently 2. encouraging people to see common things as strange, wild, or unfamiliar; defamiliarizing what is known in order to know it differently or more deeply

Diametric (adjective) characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed

Duende (noun) 1. the mysterious power of art to deeply move a person 2. a quality of passion and inspiration

Erlebnisse(German) (noun) the experiences, positive or negative, that we feel most deeply, and through which we truly live; not mere experiences. but Experiences

Ferly (noun) something unusual, strange, or causing wonder or terror. astonishment; wonder. unexpected; strange; unusual

Hathos (noun) feelings of pleasure derived from hating someone or something. A blend of hate and pathos (a quality that evokes pity or sadness)

Kalopsia (noun) the delusion of things being more beautiful than they really are

Numinous (adjective) a powerful feeling of both fear and fascination, of being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you

Orphic (adjective) mysterious and entrancing; beyond ordinary understanding

Paradoxical (adjective) strange because of being the opposite of what you expect; consisting of two parts that seem to mean the opposite of each other; seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true

Puzzling (adjective) causing one to be puzzled; perplexing

Ramé(Balinese) (adjective) something that’s both chaotic and joyful at the same time

Selcouth (adjective) unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvelous

Tragicomedy (noun) a play or novel containing elements of both comedy and tragedy

Vacillation (noun) the inability to decide between different opinions or actions; indecision