Imagine a Venn diagram. A large box to represent the universe, and a circle to represent Art. Barring inquiries as to what lies outside of the universe... what should be included in that circle that is Art?
Tolstoy would argue that Art is a human activity that is meant to convey emotion in such a way that the viewer/observer shares in the emotion and feels it, too. Under this definition, not only would Art include what we traditionally think of Art - paintings, novels, etc - but also those activities that are a part of our everyday lives - telling a joke, home decoration, etc.
So my question: why DON'T we consider telling a joke, or home decoration, or what have you, "Art?" Should we consider these everyday things Art? And if we do, what then do we exclude from the circle in the aforementioned Venn diagram?
My answer is simple: erase the circle. Let the universe equal Art. Art is all around us. To me, to try to separate Art from the rest of the Universe... is a mere exercise in futility. Life is Art. Art is Life. The two are inseparable.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
A more deeper question to this would be 'what is beautiful about art' or even 'what is beauty'. Tolstoy goes on about what Art can be and should be but does not extend to what beauty is or what is fully beautiful about art. Do humans enjoy art because it is beautiful or because of the meanings behind it?
Post a Comment