Beauty in harmony (Pt. 1)

One of the key ways to discover beauty is through harmony. Harmony is recognised by each of the elements playing a part in a grand narrative, combining into one.

Humility

Humility plays several roles in our world. Both in beauty and in societal structure. Let me explain myself.

One of the aspects of modern art, is that it is hard to look at. That is, because most modern art, and this is especially clear in the streets, does not harmonise. You walk along a road, and each building is different. Different color, size, form… The buildings do not play together and join into a greater harmony. This is mainly due to mismatch of philosophy and of lack of humility.

Each single building becomes a center of attention, but to create something greater. But to create a great flowing symphony while walking alongside a row of buildings, each of the buildings has to play a certain role. Venice would not be Venice because of the great canals and harmonious architecture. That does not mean that each of them has to look exactly the same, but they have to be variations on the same theme.

For that humility is needed, humility on the side of the architect and of the resident. Most modern people want to stand out, want to be unique. But if everyone wants to stand out, the society becomes disharmonious. People don’t fit anymore.

This problem can be solved with humility. Recognising there is something greater than you. Humility is partly making oneself smaller for the greater good. To make things fit in. If things don’t fit in, disharmony ensues.

The modern disharmony inevitably leads to individualism. Individualism on buildings in the street, and also in our own lives.

The only way is to admit you’re part of something bigger and accept that role.

Other cases

This pattern also appears in modern abstract music. Whereas classical music (baroque, classical, waltzes…) harmonise into something greater, the goal of some modern classical music is to create something as disharmonious as possible by inserting bad chords, random high notes, playing with rythm.

This is the greatness of a Mozart symphony. He tries to combine all the levels of music: rythm, melody, time.

Disharmony also places a part in stained glass windows. Modern stained glass windows often do not fit into ancient cathedrals.

read part 2