Fyodor Dostoyevsky once remarked that "beauty will save the world."
What do New Yorker's on the street think?
Will Beauty Save the World?
Will beauty save the world?
A lot of that definitely depends on what your definition of beauty is. I think having beauty in the world will be an indicator that the world in itself is saved. And I think the pursuit of beauty in itself is an admirable thing, because that would also mean saving the world as part of the task.
Yoni Miller, Math Teacher
Born: Brooklyn, New York
Lives: New York City
Will beauty save the world?
What kind of a question is that? It hasn't thus far. My personal belief, Jesus will save the world. I leave it at that.
Sparkle Veronica Taylor, Occupy Wall Street
Born: Brooklyn, New York
Lives: New York, New York
Will beauty save the world?
I think beauty is very important, but no I don't see how it's going to save anything. It doesn't seem relevant. I think that beauty is coming second to profit. And I think money is kind of ruining the world. And, when I travel around America – I take these road trips – I despair of a lot of these places where the architecture is just ugly ugly. It's just cheap. And they put a box store up that is only intended to last maybe 15 years. There seems to be very little consideration to beauty in that building; it's just cheap, its convenient. And there are miles and miles of these things that in my opinion are not beautiful. I think beauty is important and those things are important but I think they just seem to come second to people making money. No, I don't think beauty will save the world.
Rob Hann, Photographer
Born: United Kingdom
Lives: New York, New York
Will beauty save the world?
That is a very ambient question. There is like a million what if's that come to mind. But -- I think -- it just depends. The yin and yang for that one, you know what I mean? Inner beauty, or, and obviously no if external. I guess in good faith and compassion and, you know, wholeheartedly yes beauty will save the world. But, and if it depends whose beauty it is and, you know, everyone's view of normal planes that everyone exists on is different, but, as far as beauty in its entirety, inner, yes. Totally.
Owen Jones, Freelance Artist
Born: U.S.A.
Lives: New York, New York
Will beauty save the world?
I don't think that the way that we perceive beauty is kinda in any sort of line to save the world, you know. We place beauty in an unrealistic and unfair perspective and it's based solely on the superficial. No matter what field what walk of life you're in, we partake beauty as being something exceptional, but we only see it from the surface. * * * So if we perceive beauty that way, as being solely superficial, then it can't. But if we perceive beauty as being something that is manufactured from somebody's soul, then unquestionably its the only chance that the world has.
Manuel Joseph Toonkel, Artist
Born: New York, New York
Lives: New York, New York
Will beauty save the world?
I don't know if beauty will save the world. I think beauty is very subjective. People see beauty where other people don't see nothing, you know, so it's very subjective. I don't believe in beauty from outside, from what your eyes see, but instead, from that is from the inner course of the thing, so inside out. And that is the truly beaut[iful]. Like the beauty like persists. Beauty save the world? No I don't think so, unfortunately. Today is a beautiful day and I don't know if the people really appreciate that. But I am already happy. Doesn't matter if I sell or I don't sell nothing. Doesn't matter that. My life is healthy and it is a beautiful day and so I am enjoying every minute of it.
Enrique Muthuan, Jewelry Maker (and former lawyer)
Born: Argentina
Lives: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Friday, April 20, 2012 at 1:17PM