The video I have embedded to this post is a beautiful example of art: I won’t spoil it. So watch the video before you continue reading! Although as I have stated in previous posts that in my opinion art does not have to evoke any sort of emotion to be considered a work of art, I wanted to share this one with everyone because of the meaning behind it and the overwhelming emotion I experience watching it!

To address the question of Tolstoy’s definition of art I believe in many ways the example I have provided in fact does agree to his definition. Tolstoy essentially believes that in order for something to fit the category of art, the work has to “infect” the receivers with the intended emotion of the creator. Tolstoy explains there must be a universally understood emotion “The more individual the feeling transmitted the more strongly does it act on the receiver; the more individual the state of soul into which he is transferred, the more pleasure does the receiver obtain, and therefore the more readily and strongly does he join in it.” Although I do not agree this is necessarily true, I do agree this methodology is a good way to evaluate intentionally emotional works of art.

Tolstoy’s three conditions of infectiousness:

1.On the greater or lesser individuality of the feeling transmitted.-if I am interpreting his use of the term “individuality” correctly, the example provides an overall individual emotion of happiness.

2.On the greater or lesser clearness with which the feeling is transmitted.- If you watched the video it is quite clear that the emotion given off by each volunteer is happiness. They all share laughs, and smiles in the end of the video. And I walk away from the video with a sense of happiness as well.

3.On the sincerity of the artist, i.e., on the greater or lesser force with which the artist himself feels the emotion he transmits. -comparing the question to Tolstoy’s definition of Sincerity: It is always complied with in peasant art, and this explains why such art always acts so powerfully, I can say that the work of art I provided is very sincere. It would be difficult to argue that the creator intended anything but happiness.

There really is a strong emotion obtained from the example I’ve shared. In my opinion that emotion is happiness. From the happiness in the video, I find myself smiling at the entertainment, and underlying meaning. Aside from happiness there are several underlying emotions I obtained: understanding, nervousness, excitement, lust, laughter etc.

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