Keywords
performing arts, artistic experience, sensory perception
Abstract
What would life be like if there were no fine or performing arts? If music could not be heard in public, if great paintings of famous artists of the past and present could not be seen—in other words, how would we adjust in an esthetically deprived existence? In truth, we could continue to see and hear; nature would still be around us, but the interpretative acuity of our senses would be dulled. Opportunities to witness works of art would not be readily available. Our creative images would be internalized and not reflective of visual or auditory models. It would be in effect the Hellen Keller syndrome; what did she “see” or “hear” other than feel physical contours and vibrations? Her concept of reality was completely different from that of the average sighted-hearing person. In her case beauty would be purely tactile without color or perspective.
Recommended Citation
Hines, Thomas M.
(2024)
"When the Muses went silent and almost died:,"
Journal of the Jussi Björling Societies of the USA & UK: Vol. 32:
No.
1, Article 10.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jussibjorlingsociety/vol32/iss1/10