A.K. Coomaraswamy. Why exhibit works of art?

Translations

Abstract

The report by A. Coomaraswamy devoted to consideration of the fundamental differences between the traditional attitude to art and modern. Tradition in this case means not a sociological or ethnographic. For Coomaraswamy, it is the primordial spiritual tradition. Traditionally, the work of art is always subject to spiritual and not sensual side of man. It is the purpose of spiritual education of the person and not the psychological or sensual pleasure. Modern mentality is characteristic of distorted understanding not only of ancient art, but also concepts of the ancient teachings of the art. For example, the modern concept of «aesthetics» has nothing to do with ancient ideas about art. Art not may be useless, on the contrary, it is included in all the order of universal existence.