Art must always stand guard against stirring emotions that lie outside the aesthetic: sexual arousal, terror, disgust, shock.

Milan Kundera
About This Quote

When you look at art, you should be able to see what the artist was trying to depict. You should be able to understand the emotions that the artist was trying to portray. Art is a powerful tool that can be used to change how we view life and people. If art is only about the aesthetic, it will only last a short while.

Art must always stand guard against stirring emotions that lie outside the aesthetic: sexual arousal, terror, disgust, shock. It must always be tempered with truth and beauty. Art is not an escape from reality; it is something you can use to make our lives better.

Source: Encounter

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