So often we separate art from normal life. Art is something that we see in a gallery or hang in our hall. Even when it is something practical, say an artistically made bowl, we set it apart from the rest of the silverware and rarely use it.
In the Lord of the Rings, the elves are a dwindling race that are described as pure, "fair to gaze upon" and their habitations in Rivendell and Lórien are mystical and beautiful. In the first two books of the story, lumped together as the Fellowship of the Rings, the fellowship is invited to the woods of the Lady. During this experience they spend time in the beautiful woods resting from their journey which has already become so perilous. As they leave, they are given a variety of parting gifts. Among these were cloaks and hoods that the elves had made. One of the elves described the cloaks:
"...Leaf and branch, water and stone: they have the hue and beauty of all these things under the twilight of Lórien that we love; for we put the thought of all that we love into all that we make."
The elves took what they admired as beautiful and weaved these things into their daily life. Many of the elves had such cloaks themselves. They, like all artists, had put their hearts and own perceptions of beauty into their creations. However, what is unique about these artists is the purpose of their art. By treating all of their belongings, even everyday items, with such attention they were able to incorporate beauty and art into all that they did. As a result of this, they had a beautiful culture. They were artistic and beautiful by nature.
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