Statement by Mara Bennici, Arts Administrator, retired; former student of Aesthetic Realism 1973-1981

My name is Mara Bennici. I studied Aesthetic Realism almost thirty years ago in consultations and later I had the privilege to study in classes with Eli Siegel. I also had the great fortune to have an Aesthetic Realism lesson with him. The love and gratitude I feel for the deep, good and lasting effect they had on my life is ever so large. I was a young woman who was cold to and distant from people, including my family. I did not like myself and I wasn't happy. I tried the usual therapies, but they didn't work. How I longed for something different and got it.

I comment on the lie told about Mr. Siegel wanting to be worshipped. I find it unbearable that anyone who was present in any of Mr. Siegel's classes could say that he demanded to be worshipped. This is a sick and hateful thing to say about him. Why are you lying about Eli Siegel?

Mr. Siegel loved and encouraged critical questioning of anything he said. I never felt uncomfortable to question what I heard and all these years later, I am still looking at the principles of Aesthetic Realism.   They are very much alive in my life, simply because they are true about the very heart, soul and mind of a person. I love Mr. Siegel. He and Aesthetic Realism are beautiful.

Stop lying about Eli Siegel!

Mara Bennici
New York City , NY