Tolstoy

As I was reading Chapter 8, Tolstoy's thoughts and definitions of art and the art world, one word came to mind: inclusive. This is in no way a bad thing. Leo Tolstoy's definition of art is one of the most, in my opinion, accurate and well put definitions we have read or talked about so far. His idea that art is a language in some ways that speaks in only emotion is absolutely interesting. Before, with Plato's condemnation of art, we were told that art is too emotional and detrimental to society. Now, Tolstoy sings the praises of art. He believes art creates a communion between humans and connects us through the one thing that makes us humans: our emotions, our compassion, and our deep hearts. Art is like spoken word except it communicates emotion instead of thoughts and this is where the word inclusive comes in. Tolstoy believed that anything that can convey an emotion is art. The setting sun, the crashing waves, a book, a painting, a joke, a speech, are all examples of art because they “call up” a feeling the creator once had and convey it to the receiving end. This is, to me, absolutely beautiful. It reminds us that there is beauty and emotion all around us. That in each sun beam and each well told story or joke; there is an art form and a special kind of feeling. This all inclusive definition of art reminds us that art is something that makes us feel something and it shows us the reason we are human; that we can look at an art piece and feel something, feel an emotion and find pleasure in it. We are the only animals that can do this. We do not only see the sun and water as necessary simple objects in our animalistic lives as a mean of survival, we see the art in them, we see beyond necessity and instinctual want. To cast aside these art forms would cause a downfall to our society of humans, a society partly based on emotion, compassion, and human hearts.

What do you think the greatest contribution is that art has given to our society?