Thought provoking as always, Tom! Have you read “Divine Beauty” by John O’Donohue? It’s an insightful book about this very topic, and takes the idea of beauty to a deep level, talking about art, music and life. It does have a basis in Christianity but don’t let that put you off – it isn’t heavy handed, more of a spiritual element than religious and easy to read beyond that aspect.
One can always find what he or she is looking for if one is good at searching. And the more one looks for it, the easier it becomes to be discovered. The problem is, however, with our personal definition of beauty. For some there is only Beauty with capital B, for others - leaves rustling in the wind are beautiful enough. If you look for The Grand Beauty, you risk failing to find it and become desperate. But if you are able to see it in simple things, you soon realise that it is everywhere.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", they say.
Сontrast plays important role in defining and finding beauty. Let's imagine two polar situations. The first is when you are surrounded by gloomy ugliness (dystopian beauty). Beauty is scarce and is seemingly hard to find something beautiful, but in fact, it's easier than you think, because it stands out. The opposite situation occurs when you are surrounded by a fabulous splendour (utopian beauty). Beauty is abundant and you know nothing but beauty and therefore the essence of it dies and it's taken for granted.
Paradoxically, in both cases, you'll end up finding true beauty in small simple things that nearly nobody pays attention to.
Wonderful article. Thanks for bringing us the ugliest place in Britain, a war cry for galleries and Roger Scruton all in the same piece.
Madeleinejust now
Thought provoking as always, Tom! Have you read “Divine Beauty” by John O’Donohue? It’s an insightful book about this very topic, and takes the idea of beauty to a deep level, talking about art, music and life. It does have a basis in Christianity but don’t let that put you off – it isn’t heavy handed, more of a spiritual element than religious and easy to read beyond that aspect.
This is beautiful.
Thanks for the essay, Tom!
One can always find what he or she is looking for if one is good at searching. And the more one looks for it, the easier it becomes to be discovered. The problem is, however, with our personal definition of beauty. For some there is only Beauty with capital B, for others - leaves rustling in the wind are beautiful enough. If you look for The Grand Beauty, you risk failing to find it and become desperate. But if you are able to see it in simple things, you soon realise that it is everywhere.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", they say.
Сontrast plays important role in defining and finding beauty. Let's imagine two polar situations. The first is when you are surrounded by gloomy ugliness (dystopian beauty). Beauty is scarce and is seemingly hard to find something beautiful, but in fact, it's easier than you think, because it stands out. The opposite situation occurs when you are surrounded by a fabulous splendour (utopian beauty). Beauty is abundant and you know nothing but beauty and therefore the essence of it dies and it's taken for granted.
Paradoxically, in both cases, you'll end up finding true beauty in small simple things that nearly nobody pays attention to.