Art can be defined as something that is created to evoke an emotional response, whether it’s a piece of street art or an expensive sculpture. It can also be described as something that makes people think differently about the world around them and provokes new ideas or questions.
Art is a form of expression that has been used to communicate ideas, stories and emotions for thousands of years. It can be found in many different mediums, including painting, sculpture, drawing and writing. Throughout history, art has been used as a way to share culture, celebrate events and capture the human experience.
In the past, art was often seen as a craft that could be learned and mastered through practise and hard work. However, with the rise of Romanticism and Modernism, art came to be viewed more as an idea or concept rather than just a skill. Artists began to search for their own style or ‘voice’, and this led to the idea that art should be unique, original and never-before-heard-of.
This was an incredibly important period in the evolution of art, as it marked a shift from religious themes and idealized spiritual and mythical figures to real people and everyday life. This paved the way for realistic portraits, classical busts and monumental sculptures that were more grounded in reality.
It’s also possible that, instead of asking “is it art?”, we should be looking at whether or not something is culturally significant, historically important or socially or politically relevant. This approach has the potential to open up new and exciting areas of discussion and debate.
The question of what is and isn’t art can be difficult to answer, especially when it comes to contemporary works. A lot of art is produced in styles that are already widely accepted as such, which means that only the most open-minded art critics will ask if it is or not. This is why it can be frustrating for artists working in unpopular styles, and why they often feel that the only way they can get their work taken seriously is to try and force a change in definition.
One of the most controversial and complex arguments about the definition of art is known as ‘Wittgensteinianism’. This argument suggests that the concepts that are used to define art are prime examples of language gone on a conceptual holiday, and as such, they may be indefinable.
Another common argument against a strict definition of art is that it would prevent creativity. This argument, which has been popularised by the German philosopher Gilles Deleuze, argues that all forms of creation are inherently creative, and that limiting the term to just those which are traditionally regarded as art would restrict creativity. This is a powerful argument, as it implies that any creation can be considered to be art if it is sufficiently creative or original. This has the potential to broaden the art world considerably, and may help us to see more of the’real’ world in our artworks.