So, ungentle reader, (as you and I value what we should ashamed-after witnessing a few minor circus-marvels-to call our 'lives,') let us never be fooled into taking seriously that perfectly superficial distinction which is vulgarly drawn between the circus-show and 'art' or 'the arts.' Let us not forget that every authentic 'work of art' is in and of itself alive and that, however 'the arts' may differ among themselves, their common function is the expression of that supreme alive-ness which is known as 'beauty.' This being so, our three ring circus is art-for to contend that the spectacle in question is not an authentic manifestation of 'beauty' is as childish, as to dismiss the circus on the ground that it is 'childish,' is idiotic.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True art is alive and beautiful, whether in high culture or popular spectacle like a circus.
- In plain terms
- Don't separate art from fun; if it's alive and beautiful, it's art.
- What can you take from it?
- Find beauty in all authentic expressions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What counts as art to you?
- Can spectacle be art?
Another view
It assumes all authentic work is automatically beautiful.
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