John Armstrong’s statement, “To regard beauty as a luxury adornment or a social signifier was to miss the true potential of the experience” describes that things that we find beautiful should be because it touches our hearts and souls, not for selfish, materialistic reasons. He also states, “many loathsome people own beautiful things, and the possession of these objects does not seem to make them more humane or especially gracious.” I believe society feels that beauty is tangible and luxurious. It is competitive and everyone is trying to one up the other with the beautiful things they have. These social standards are not something we should continue to follow. I believe that each individual in society should have their own opinion on what they find beautiful. They should judge it based on what gives them emotion and makes them stop in awe. I view beauty as something that takes my breath away in a shocking, yet inspirational way. However, I do not always view beauty beauty as something that always looks pleasing and pretty. Oftentimes, I find something truly beautiful if it evokes some sort of emotion to my soul. I agree with Armstrong as he says, “Rather, we should seek to realize in ourselves the fusion of the drives embodied by the sculpture.” When we view art and beauty, we find ways to connect it to ourselves and find meaning within it. I think that this allows for us to grow as individuals and to be down-to-earth.
Your sentences regarding the sometimes competitive side of achieving beauty or obtaining beautiful things has me wondering if you think the people that obtain beauty this way feel satiated or experience the beauty as a way to become a better person. Do you think it’s possible to transform one’s experience with material things (like jewelry, clothes, etc.) in order to have a more satisfying experience?
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