The Return of Beauty. Arts and Aesthetics

Beauty as a factor of the evaluation and perception of art has been frowned upon in the past decades.

A work of art is supposed to provoke agitation, break taboos and negotiate social misconceptions – but not to be beautiful. It then could be labelled as a kitsch-piece or as favourable straightaway and therefore becomes irrelevant.

However, aesthetics were considered as one of the prevailing assessment categories of art in the 19th century, not surprisingly speaking of the beautiful arts - les beaux arts. Now, some artists are perceiving a comeback of beauty. But is this even true?

The documentary is searching for evidence in Rome and Florence where philosopher Konrad Paul Liessmann and art-star Ólafur Elíasson get the chance to speak.

Duration 40 minutes
Production year 2018
Director Ines Mitterer
Producer WR Film for ORF in association with ORF-Enterprise