Two centuries ago , John Keats suggested that a thing of beauty was a joy forever that would never pass into nothingness . In our contemporary world , the possibility that so much which is beautiful has been destroyed tragically probably haunts many of us . Luckily , H . Peter Steeves ’ s phenomenological examination of art ( and aesthetic beauty ) reassures us that our ability to find beauty in art exists as a living and breathing process that comes from both within and without in a simultaneously complex and implacably simple manner , for no matter what differences of soil and climate , of culture and experience might separate us , the existence of the sublime and beautiful cuts through human existence with a blade so fine it could slice an atom .
While his book portrays an erudite examination of phenomenology and metaphysics that never oversimplifies , Steeves ’ strength as a thinker and writer includes making complex philosophical distinctions , from Husserl to Derrida , accessible and “ alive ” to his readers . Anyone who reads his introduction and takes in the ambitious scope of his project might experience a sense of apprehension that the book might be too intellectual and abstract for enjoyment . Luckily , the final goal is not to imagine a remote and impregnable ideal aesthetic accessible only to the elite , but to bring an examination of beauty and to stress the vitality of art for all walks of life . From Arshile Gorky ’ s paintings to Disney ’ s Beauty and the Beast , from the films of Michael Haneke to Romero ’ s zombies , from Andy Kaufman to hot dogs , and almost everything in between , Steeves guides us through an enlightening , entertaining , accessible , and intelligent study of the life of art that never leaves behind the human element that each of us brings to the banquet . In the end , he does not suggest that beauty is a simple thing that can be summed up in one equation , but his exploration of all manner of art through a phenomenological lens reassures us that even if we can never precisely define what speaks to us so strongly , beauty is vital and alive , and it will endure as long as there are observers to behold it . H . Peter Steeves , too , has produced an objectively beautiful and fascinating book , every bit as artistic as the objects we see through its bright and illuminating lens .
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