WOTA #279 - The Function of Beauty

What makes something truly beautiful? Is beauty something we create, or is it something we discover? In this episode, we dive deep into the essence of beauty—its role in art, creativity, and life itself. We explore how beauty can be designed but also how it often emerges unpredictably, striking us in ways we never expected. True beauty isn’t just about surface appeal; it has depth, meaning, and a life of its own. But when we try too hard to manufacture beauty from the wrong place, we risk creating something hollow, something that looks perfect at first glance but falls apart upon closer inspection.

Real beauty includes the mess, the rawness, the imperfections—it’s in the thorn as much as it’s in the rose. When artists embrace this, they have the power to shift perspectives, showing us how even something "ugly" can be breathtaking in the right light. This conversation will challenge the way you think about beauty and inspire you to explore your art in ways that might just change everything.

 

  Key Themes & Takeaways:

 

• Beauty is real, but we don’t fully control it.

  • Some of it can be designed, but much of it is wild, chaotic, and surprising.
  • The most powerful beauty is often discovered, not manufactured.

 

• Depth vs. Surface-Level Beauty:

  • Authentic beauty runs deep and has substance beyond its presentation.
  • Fake beauty may look impressive but can feel empty, lifeless, or even ugly upon closer examination.

 

• The Role of the Artist in Revealing Beauty:

  • True beauty includes the full picture—the flaws, the heartbreak, the unexpected elements.
  • Great artists help us see the world differently, finding beauty in what others overlook.

 

• The Risk of Creating from the Wrong Place:

  • Trying to force beauty can lead to something that feels artificial and disconnected.
  • Instead of chasing perfection, embrace the raw, real, and unfiltered.

 

• A New Way to See & Create:

  • Beauty is not just in what is obviously "pretty"—it’s in the contrast, the complexity, the truth.
  • This shift in perspective can revolutionize the way you approach your own creativity.

 

  Why Listen?

This episode is for artists, creatives, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of beauty—what it is, how it functions, and why it matters. If you’ve ever struggled with making your work feel authentic or questioned why some things resonate more deeply than others, this conversation will offer powerful insights.

Join us as we uncover the real function of beauty and explore how embracing its unpredictability can elevate your art, your perspective, and your creative process.

   

-- (Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash)

 

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