What Is Art?

     In What is Art?, Tolstoy argues that the meaning of art lies in its ability to express and convey universal human emotions. His theory is relevant but does not accommodate all art.  While I do agree with Tolstoy in his statement about art, that is a matter of opinion. Individual views of art range and that’s why art is so unique. What I believe to be art does not make it correct just as Tolstoy’s theory may be true to himself and for many others, it cannot be universal for everyone. 

    My Bed, By Tracy Emin, expresses her emotion of depression after a bad breakup. Breakups are common, and many people struggle with them, often resulting in depressive episodes. This piece is relatable for both the emotion Emin expresses and the viewers’ own emotions they bring into the piece.  While this piece does not look like society's standard of “aesthetic beauty”, there is beauty in bringing awareness to a tough situation and relating to those who may feel alone. 

    While Emins piece is “beautiful”, it does not make it any more of a piece of art than perfectly rendered painting of a flower with no emotional expression behind it. I do not think Tolstoy’s theory holds grounds for how we think about art today, because the “definition’ of art cannot be defined and many artists have begun accepting that.

Tolstoy, L. (2021). What Is Art? (A. Maude, Trans.; T. Lindell & D. King, Producers). Project Gutenberg. (Original work published before 2021)