The Art of Art | Zipei Zhu | TEDxKeystoneAcademyBJ | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this speech, the speaker explores the concept of art and its meaning. They discuss the idea of art existing for its own beauty and not for any practical or political purposes. The speaker shares personal experiences and examples to convey the importance of appreciating seemingly useless aspects of art in our lives. They encourage the audience to view ordinary moments with a new perspective and find beauty in unexpected places.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the meaning of art?

The meaning of art can vary from person to person. Some may see it as a way to express opinions, teach lessons, or showcase techniques and skills. It can be pragmatic or idealistic, specific or general, personal or universal. However, one perspective suggests that all art is quite useless, as mentioned in the preface of a novel by Oscar Wilde.

Q: What is aestheticism?

Aestheticism is an art movement centered around the belief that art exists for the sake of its beauty alone. It rejects any political or didactic purposes. According to the philosophy of art by Drunk Hospers, aestheticism upholds aesthetic experience as the ultimate goal of humans and sees art as unaffected by external factors. Writers like Oscar Wilde display enthusiastic pursuit of beauty in their exquisite writings.

Q: Can everyday moments be considered art?

Yes, everyday moments can be viewed as art when we appreciate their intrinsic values. For example, the delicate and beautiful purple flowers with four extending petals that the speaker encounters every spring hold significance to them. The speaker suggests that by observing and cherishing seemingly mundane details, we can find beauty in ordinary moments and make our lives more lovable.

Q: Are there communities that appreciate useless art?

Yes, there is a social media group called Useless Aesthetics where people from different places gather online to share the beautiful artistic moments in their lives. They believe that beauty can exist independent of material or pragmatic use and instead provides emotional resonance and spiritual fulfillment. This group appreciates and shares objects in life that may lack practical function but possess aesthetic values.

Q: Can seemingly ordinary scenes be appreciated as art?

Yes, seemingly ordinary scenes can be appreciated as art when seen from the perspective of aestheticism. For example, a post in the Useless Aesthetics group showcases images of plastic covering plants beside the road, covered in snow and soil. The author of the post describes this scene as emerald waves of ocean cruising and swaying, seeing beauty in what might otherwise be considered insignificant.

Q: How can we appreciate and love seemingly useless art?

The speaker encourages the audience to do a simple experiment in their fast-paced lives. They suggest finding an object previously considered useless and observing it like a piece of art. By appreciating, challenging, and loving its beauty, we can make our lives more lovable. This could be a tree on the side of the road, furniture in our room, or something more intangible like a color, sound, or word.

Q: How can appreciating seemingly useless aspects of art affect our lives?

By appreciating the seemingly useless aspects of art in our lives, we can see a world, a heaven, and the loneliness of our lives, as William Blake expressed in his poem. Finding beauty in the spring of sun and wildflowers can bring moments of joy and add vibrant color to the mundane details of our lives.

Takeaways

In this speech, the speaker encourages us to appreciate and find beauty in seemingly useless aspects of art. They suggest that by looking at everyday moments from a new perspective, we can enhance our lives and see the world as a place filled with art and beauty. This new appreciation can bring joy and deepen our connection to the world around us.