Mary Smith - Plato's Theory of Aesthetics (Outside Reading #1)

Plato's theory of aesthetics that art is imitation talks about how when you are viewing art, you are viewing something that has already been done by someone else. For example, a painting of a tree isn't really original by that artist because God has already created that scenery. It is virtually impossible to create an idea or artwork that hasn't already previously been discovered by someone. This is what Plato is trying to interpret, that an artist can paint a picture that looks so realistic you would think it is actuality. For example, Julian Beever paints sidewalk art that looks realistic, whether it be from a pipeline uncovered from a sidewalk or a giant crater that hit the sidewalk in New York. His theory discusses how artists try and trick the mind and imagination into thinking we are seeing something when it is merely an illusion.