Some people say art or beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But studies show otherwise. If something strikes you emotionally it could be just nostalgia. Hence the term "nostalgia". Definitions are important, otherwise what is the use of having different words for things?? The question you must ask is, "Why does it strike me?" If it reminds you of something in the past, that does not mean it i s art. If it strikes you and words are hard to come by, then it is probably art and most other people would tend to agree with you.
2006-07-16 06:45:57 · 15 answers · asked by jeff m 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
I believe the "beauty relates to symmetry" theory comes from a study that showed people are attracted to faces & bodies which are symmetrical. This probably has more to do with our hormones than our awe of beauty...
When it comes to art, symmetry can create a block in a painting... what's more important is BALANCE - and you can take that to a deeper level if you like, because it's all related... balance in our nature, in our diets, in our routines, in our relationships...
You can take a bag of chaos and shake it up, and still find balance within it. That's what keeps up moving forward at a steady pace, and that's what feeds our souls.
2006-07-17 02:14:40 · answer #1 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If beauty isn't in the eye of the beholder, then where is it? If a painting strikes me and I feel compelled to look at it more, I don't give a damn whether or not it comforms to an absolute standard of beauty. Definitions don't matter. It's not about how you "define" what's beautiful; it's about whether it appeals to your eye. Everyone has a different idea of what appeals to him/her, so there's no point in trying to derive a formula for beauty.
But on the question of symmetry, I agree that a bit of symmetry can help (also needs some asymmetry for balance). But that's just the way I see it....
2006-07-16 13:50:47 · answer #2 · answered by I Know Nuttin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The studies you're refering to about symmetry, I believe have more to do with peoples' attraction to each other and not other visual experiences such as a painting or sculpture. But what is of more concern in this question is the idea that art is beauty of something beautiful must be art. It is really just mental masturbation to try and define what is art and what it is not. Art can serve many purposes like getting people to think in another context.
2006-07-16 20:40:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beauty has a flow, wheter or not it is symmetric, that each individuals eyes are drawn to. What creates that flow is different for each individual. It is my opinion that the what a person perceives as beautiful comes from their early years...babyhood. An infant surrounded with bright bold colors will find beauty in bright bold color and contasts. Impressionism, Abstract art, Modern Art. An infant surrounded with dull mute colors will find beauty in subdued art. Renaissance, Pastels. Of course I could be way off base on that opinion...but then again that is why they call it an opinion.
2006-07-16 13:55:35 · answer #4 · answered by ruthbeckersc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you are limited in your language. There are words in other languages that can describe a feeling that the English language just does not have. Try learning some Italian, Spanish, and French. For edifying exclamations, that just feel very good in the mouth comming from the heart, try German, Polish and Greek.
2006-07-16 13:52:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps this is why I am drawn to paint mandala art. Symmetry is very important in Mandalas, revolving around a center. They are beautiful and alluring, and people are very drawn to them, take comfort in them, and they are used as a tool to meditate. Symmetry is perfect balance, it represents centeredness, a place we all yearn to be.
2006-07-16 13:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by Mandalawind 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you don't really believe in inner beauty. Most of the time when you look at people of the opposite sex, you know immediately what you think about their looks. But sometimes, when you get to no them, or even just when you see how they act, they look better.
2006-07-16 13:50:29 · answer #7 · answered by AmiJames 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tend to find beauty in things that lack symmetry. I am drawn to chaos and find great beauty there. Try it. There is much loveliness in the unexpected and unusual.
2006-07-16 13:49:21 · answer #8 · answered by fotojunkie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Mona lisa Beautiful?? the painting is not in symmetry, yet it is a beauty on its own.
2006-07-16 13:49:48 · answer #9 · answered by ag15.rm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What an interesting question. I agree, especially about symmetry.
2006-07-16 13:47:19 · answer #10 · answered by Andr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋