Favorite thing 1: "The Sublime"
Favorite thing 2: J.M.W. Turner
I am a major word-nerd, and one of my most favorite words/concepts is "Sublime." It is so hard to explain, but I see it as being 1) the beauty of terror, horror, pain, and sadness and 2) a moment of unreal comprehension of the incomprehensible. I have one professor who says that it is "pleasure in pain," but I like to see it more as "beauty of pain." Have you ever seen something so terrible that you thought it was magnificent? Or have you seen something extremely awkward and marveled at its beauty? Just as exquisite joy can be revolting, I think that ultimate darkness can be enriching.
Turner, who is one of my favorite artists, is really the person who introduced me to the Sublime, and I have been a follower ever since. Most of his works display something extremely tragic, but awestruckingly beautiful.
Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps, 1812.
JMW Turner The Burning of the Houses of Parliament 1834
JMW Turner, Snow Storm- Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth
I know that my artistic tastes may be different from many of you, but I think that there are many examples of the Sublime in art, music, and movies. I have been trying to decide which movies have the most Sublime moments, but I am having a hard time deciding. What do you guys think?
3 comments:
Wahoo! I just found your blog through Natalie's--it's been a while since freshman year! I have a lot of blog reading to do! I can't wait to catch up and hear what you've been up to for the past...five years.
I think Billy Madison is quite sublime.... ha! Sweeney Tod is pretty sublime- but really, not to sound like a nerd or anything, but I truly think the movies that are the most beautiful and artistic, but yet have those terrifyingly-sublime moments have to be the Lord of the Rings. :)
Yeah, so guess what. You've been tagged. I'm making threats to those on my list of tagged peoples, so you best be for doing it. HAHA!!! There are instructions on my blog. Have fun!
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