I've read quite a bit of Russian history the last couple years. In part, it is a rebellion against the 'Boris & Natasha' silliness in the news -- not that an attempted soft coup d'etat is silly. And there were other reasons.
By now it is reasonable to ask whether all this history-reading is time well spent. Although the odds were against it, Google helped me find some Russian photographs to complement my reading.
Take a look at this photograph from Beyond Sochi: Photos Of Russia By Russians
Would you agree that this is not a trivial postcard of the type you have seen on the internet a million times?
Doesn't it make you feel like you are right there, in the babushka's shoes?
Now think of Tolstoy's essay, "What is Art?", wherein he argues against the common notion that Art is about beauty, and instead, claims that art is the transference of feelings to the observer, by means of pictures, sounds, and words.
The photograph is an excellent example of Art, by this definition. It should affect me even more if reading all those history books is good for anything. Otherwise all that reading has been a waste of time.
Think of Russia's tortured past, from backwardsness and superstition, to the climate, hunger, invasions from Mongols, Tsars, secret police, and Communists. And then take another look at the photo.
By now it is reasonable to ask whether all this history-reading is time well spent. Although the odds were against it, Google helped me find some Russian photographs to complement my reading.
Take a look at this photograph from Beyond Sochi: Photos Of Russia By Russians
Would you agree that this is not a trivial postcard of the type you have seen on the internet a million times?
Doesn't it make you feel like you are right there, in the babushka's shoes?
Now think of Tolstoy's essay, "What is Art?", wherein he argues against the common notion that Art is about beauty, and instead, claims that art is the transference of feelings to the observer, by means of pictures, sounds, and words.
The photograph is an excellent example of Art, by this definition. It should affect me even more if reading all those history books is good for anything. Otherwise all that reading has been a waste of time.
Think of Russia's tortured past, from backwardsness and superstition, to the climate, hunger, invasions from Mongols, Tsars, secret police, and Communists. And then take another look at the photo.
Comments
folk and don't care a twit for its opposite.
Perhaps Tolstoy is correct.