Moral beauty is an ancient concept. One we have reflected on a lot. We read an article recently that suggested how philosophers and stoics defined moral beauty as goodness and virtue, or humanity’s “better nature”. These might be the qualities of generosity, humility, kindness, pure intention, and courageous action. Acts of courage and generosity move us; they create a shared sense of victory, inspiring us to be braver and more giving in our own lives.
Artists display this kind of bravery on the daily. It’s awe inspiring.
When we celebrated our new location this spring, now situated in the heart of downtown Mill Valley at 6 Miller Avenue, we also toasted to our 10 year milestone of being an Art and Design Gallery, and being awarded Most Innovative Business in Mill Valley, the previous month. There was a ribbon cutting with our Mayor, Vice Mayor and one of our city councilmen. And 50 or 60+ of you came out and joined us in this joyful acknowledgment of supporting emerging an independent art and design.
Honestly it was overwhelming! The goodness and generosity of so many who showed up. Cheered us. Drove from afar. On a Friday night! …It’s also about you acknowledging the courageous action of us as entrepreneurs, giving so much of ourselves to this thing we believe so much in. (Thank you!!)
In that article we read, it discussed how modern day philosophers describe moral beauty slightly differently than what we mentioned above. It’s not just the virtues themselves, but the way those virtues are viewed in the eye of the beholder.
It’s not just the moral act, but the way observing the act affects the viewer. Witnessing acts of moral beauty alters your interiority and puts you into a state of humility, empathy and oneness. For example, kindness acts as an active expression of moral beauty, creating a ripple effect that uplifts observers and inspires prosocial action. The brain's response? Releasing neurochemicals like oxytocin and dopamine. This in turn creates a moral "reset", breaking through cynicism and motivating people to perform acts of small, everyday gestures of kindness.
The celebration of our Poet and the Bench milestones gave us both ancient and modern feels around moral beauty. Where community, connection and craft were both celebrated and witnessed. The beauty of nature (both mother earth and the humanity), the beauty of kindness, the beauty of artisanal handmade objects of appreciation.
How compelling it is to see, seek, savor and bring beauty and goodness, and thus, light, into the world!!
And that together we all become stronger for it.
We look forward to continuing our discoveries so that we can all savor beauty in its many alchemies.
… “Binge beauty, baby. Binge beauty.”*
*from our artist Rachel Hébert’s The Book of Thanks and the new 8 ft artwork we debuted outside our new location.