Chapter 479 Strange Oddities
Why not start from a purely aesthetic activity to think about art, and temporarily suspend the various social, political, and other “external” functions of art? Because we believe that the essential thinking about art should first start from the aesthetic nature, so that we can get closer to the true form of art. Aesthetic, first of all, is a kind of perceptual pleasure, or to borrow Kant’s view, aesthetic is “a pleasure that is not accompanied by any self-interest.” The source of human pleasure is extremely complex, and the pleasure created by art is based first on form, then on emotion, and finally on philosophical thinking. These three intertwine and blend to form the highest realm and enjoyment that human spiritual activities can achieve. The aesthetic acceptance of art by people is precisely based on this spiritual pleasure. When people are appreciating a work of art, if they can achieve spiritual satisfaction, then they and the work of art form a noble spiritual exchange. This kind of exchange is a high-level form of aesthetic activity, and it has a role that cannot be ignored in the healthy development of the aesthetic subject’s mind.
Secondly, artistic aesthetics is also the expression of human nature and the embodiment of high-level aesthetics. Artistic aesthetics needs to be completed through the emotional investment of the subject. In the process of art appreciation, the aesthetic subject interprets the work of art with his own emotions, life experience, and value system. This process is both the display and release of individual emotions and the expression of high-level aesthetics. This kind of aesthetics transcends the general sensory enjoyment of life; it can evoke the noble sense of truth, goodness, and beauty in people’s hearts and their yearning for a better life.
To the aesthetic subject, artistic aesthetics is also a spiritual activity that can inspire philosophical thinking. When people appreciate works of art and understand the value and meaning they carry, their ideological realm is also sublimated. This philosophical thinking can guide people to better understand life, society, and the universe, making life more fulfilling and meaningful.
From this, it can be seen that the aesthetic nature of art is the core manifestation of its existence value. It not only brings spiritual pleasure to people but also elevates their ideological realm, making their spiritual life richer and nobler.
Of course, we do not deny that art has other social functions. Art can be used as a tool for social criticism, exposing social injustice and arousing people’s attention to social problems; art can also be used as an educational means, imparting knowledge and inspiring wisdom; art can also be used as a way of cultural inheritance, passing down history and traditions from generation to generation. However, what we emphasize is that in the essential thinking about art, aesthetic nature is its core element and the cornerstone of other social functions. If art loses its aesthetic character, then its social functions will be greatly discounted, or even difficult to establish. For example, a socially critical work of art, if it lacks artistic beauty and formal charm, will greatly weaken its social influence. Similarly, an educational work of art, if it cannot satisfy people’s aesthetic needs, will also find it difficult to achieve its educational goals. Only when a work of art has a high aesthetic value can it truly play its multifaceted role.
Therefore, we reiterate that when discussing the essence of art, we should think about art in a “de-functionalized” way, taking the aesthetic nature as our starting point for thinking about art. In this way, we can more clearly recognize the independent value of art and more profoundly understand art’s unique contribution to human spiritual life. This kind of thinking does not mean separating art from other social fields, but rather focusing on art’s own aesthetic characteristics, thereby providing a solid foundation and correct direction for art’s other functions. This exploration of the essence of art also provides us with a new perspective on the relationship between art and other disciplines. Art is an independent discipline with its own laws and values, and it cannot be simply reduced to a subordinate of sociology, political science, or psychology. It is precisely based on the aesthetic nature of art that we can find its own unique position in the complex modern society.
Through this “de-functionalized” thinking, we can come to a conclusion: the core value of art is its aesthetic value. This value is an eternal beauty that transcends time and space, and it is an important way for the human spirit to be sublimated. The social functions of art, no matter how important, should be based on its aesthetic nature. Only by truly understanding and cherishing the aesthetic value of art can we better protect and develop art and make it contribute more to human society.
Let us re-examine, appreciate, and enjoy art with this concise and profound understanding, let the beauty of art fill our lives, and let its aesthetic light guide us towards a better spiritual world. Art, first of all, is an aesthetic activity, and then a social activity. This order is the key to understanding the essence of art. Abandoning utility and returning to aesthetics, we can find the true value of art.
“Aesthetics is pleasure, and art is life.” This view emphasizes the close connection between art and life, believing that the aesthetic beauty of art originates from life and in turn influences life. Art is the sublimation and refinement of life. However, we cannot equate art with life. Art is a special spiritual creation that transcends the mediocrity and triviality of ordinary life, displaying the deep meaning and aesthetic value of life in unique forms and methods. Aesthetics, as a high-level spiritual activity, is the bridge connecting art and life. It allows people to rise from perceptual pleasure to philosophical thinking when appreciating works of art, so as to better understand and grasp life.
The aesthetic function of art is by no means simple entertainment or recreation. It carries humanity’s eternal pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, and is an important component of human spiritual civilization. The aesthetic value of art lies in its ability to touch the deepest emotions of the human soul, inspiring awe for life and love for life. This spiritual power is irreplaceable by any other thing.
Precisely because art has this unique aesthetic value, we should cherish art, protect art, and enable it to play a greater role in modern society. While pursuing material enjoyment, we cannot ignore the need for spiritual life. Art, as the food of the human spirit, is the best way to nourish our souls and improve our taste. Through artistic aesthetics, we can break free from the constraints of reality and enter a free and beautiful spiritual world.
Therefore, the conclusion is clear: the essence of art lies in aesthetics. This aesthetics is a kind of pleasure that is free from utilitarianism and is pure, and it is humanity’s highest yearning and pursuit of a beautiful life. When understanding and appreciating art, we should prioritize aesthetics, start from perception, ascend to philosophy, and finally reach the perfect spiritual realm. Let us work together to let the aesthetic light of art illuminate our life path, and make our spiritual world more brilliant and colorful because of art. The aesthetics of art is an eternal theme and a treasure of human civilization. We should re-examine and appreciate art with a “de-functionalized” perspective. Only in this way can we truly grasp the essence of art and enjoy the noble happiness that art brings.
The aesthetic value of art is its eternal charm and its most important contribution to human society. Let us enjoy art in aesthetics, understand art in enjoyment, and let art become the most beautiful scenery line in our lives. Whether it is classical sculpture or modern painting; whether it is melodious music or moving dance, all show us a colorful and rich world with their unique aesthetic forms. What we need to do is to open our hearts and feel the beauty of art with our hearts.
“The highest realm of art is to achieve an unspoken aesthetic realm.” This realm is the perfect fusion of the aesthetic subject’s soul and the spiritual core of the work of art, and it is the ultimate embodiment of human spiritual pursuit. Only in aesthetics can art truly radiate its dazzling light and endure forever. This pursuit of the essence of art will lead us to a nobler spiritual world with more humanistic care. Art is born for aesthetics and is eternal because of aesthetics.
Aesthetics, as the beginning and end of art, is the foundation for understanding all the value of art. This return to the essence of thinking allows us to better grasp the true power and value of art. The value of art is independent and eternal, and should not be influenced by short-lived social trends. What we need to do is to maintain a reverent heart for art and examine all artistic creations and activities from a de-utilitarian aesthetic perspective. The aesthetics of art is not only sensory pleasure but also spiritual sublimation. It can guide us to see the beauty of the world and inspire us to create a better life. This power is art’s most precious treasure. Let us re-experience the charm of art in aesthetics, and let the light of art illuminate our life path. We firmly believe that only by making aesthetics the core of art can art maintain its vitality and dignity in future development and continue to contribute to human civilization. The aesthetics of art lies in its ability to bring about an extraordinary experience, allowing people to feel eternal beauty in a fleeting moment. This experience is an indispensable part of human spiritual life. Aesthetics is the life of art, and art is the carrier of aesthetics. The two are interdependent, forming a charming art world. Our thinking about the essence of art should begin with aesthetics and return to aesthetics. This is the only correct way for us to understand and enjoy art. Let us face all works of art with this pure aesthetic perspective, and feel the infinite aesthetic beauty and wisdom contained within them. The aesthetics of art will always accompany the progress and development of humanity, becoming the most beautiful scenery in our spiritual world.
