A few days ago I was sent a link by one of my Facebook friends, it connected to a six part BBC special narrated by British philosopher Roger Scruton. The subject was “Why Beauty Matters”.
After watching the entire series I thought it would be an excellent catalyst for further conversations around defining art and what it is that we do when we create something. While Scruton isn’t positing a new language he does uncover some of the keys to why beauty/art matters and the place it plays in anchoring a culture’s values and beliefs.
Over the next six or so weeks I’ll be posting one of the segments supplemented with commentary from me and you. This series along with the current Monday series on The Art of Going Pro compliment each other, presenting us with challenges to the way we value our creative process and offer it up for others to experience.
Beauty as value
Scruton’s central claim is that, beginning with the early Twentieth Century we started moving away from the classical definition of beauty and in turn losing touch with the important role beauty plays in our lives. This first segment begins his examination of where we have been and where we are, raising the question of where we might be heading.
I cannot over stress the importance of this conversation and, like it or not, it will be going on whether we take part in it or not. So for the sake of our futures as creatives and the future of what we create, please join in, there are no right or wrong answers there is only thoughtful and heartfelt conversation, and I stress heartfelt. Without heart, the context of art will remain the domain of intellectual definitions leaving both us and those who long for our voices still confused and devalued.
Talking points
- Do you think art is a critical value to a healthy society?
- Is there a connection between art as a key value to society and how society views our role as artists?
- What do you think of Scruton’s view that we are in fact losing touch with beauty?
