Why does beauty matter to me? From an early age, even in the least favourable situations, I would attempt to create an aesthetic with toys, placing them in a pleasing order, putting those I considered beautiful at the front while relegating others further back. I had no words for this, only an inner compulsion to create something that made me come alive. Once I was happy with my arrangement, I cared for it in a way that I didn’t care for the individual items when they were simply strewn around.
My first introduction to aesthetics was through the church. Old Catholic churches, in particular, are rich in colour, symbolism and beauty. They embody the pre-Enlightenment conflation of truth and beauty: the belief that true beauty is God-like and that it is our duty to strive for and emulate the beauty found in God. As a child, I loved the stained-glass windows, the light they cast across the floors, the gold chalice, the frescoes and the intricate carvings on the sides of the pews. Walking into a church took my breath away. It struck me with awe and allowed me to access a place beyond the mundane realities of everyday existence.
I feel something akin to this when I walk into an art gallery or a well-tended garden. Even seeing an unusual or brightly coloured bird brings with it a sensation of grace descending upon me through the simple act of witnessing beauty. It is as if my very being yearns for these aesthetic experiences so that I can feel truly alive. They remind me that there is more to life than being an economic entity whose sole role is productivity.
Listening to live music also has this effect. Last Friday, I felt elated as I listened to Salut Baroque perform a selection of pieces they had collated under the title Bohemian Rhapsody. The music reverberated through my body, making it feel lighter. A series of tingles travelled up my spine and, over the course of the concert, I entered a state of total relaxation. Transformative is the word that comes to mind to describe the effect of the music, and the feeling of wellbeing stayed with me throughout the night.
To feel whole, to thrive and to be content, I need beauty in my life. Daily encounters with beauty provide nourishment for my soul in the same way that food nourishes my body. It provides inspiration much as breath sustains life. I simply cannot imagine my life without it.
From Quill to Quote 