Art is a process by which one person expresses feelings and makes others feel the same way. For example, a boy who experiences fear will describe his encounter with a wolf. He describes the lightheartedness of the surroundings, the wolf’s appearance and movements, and the distance between him and the wolf. The boy’s expression of fear and his audience’s reactions in turn infect others with the same feelings. A good artist captures such a combination in a painting or sculpture.
The true artist expresses feelings through their work. These feelings are strong or weak, important or trivial, good or bad. They may reflect the raptures of a lover in a novel, the voluptuousness of a woman in a picture, or the courage of a marching army in a painting. In other words, feelings expressed through art are important, not only because they convey a message but because they are necessary for life and the progression of humanity.
The role of art has been defined differently by different societies. Ancient men viewed art for its aesthetic value and its utilitarian function. In the classical and Renaissance eras, art was defined according to certain rules and principles. The classical and Renaissance periods embraced both approaches, while others rejected both. Today, art has a cosmological value and is viewed as a form of expression. So, what is the meaning of art? How do artists define it and how does it affect our lives?
Moreover, art is an excellent tool for educating people about various topics. It helps in promoting cultural appreciation among a technology-obsessed generation. And, it prevents cultural loss. Art can even help people learn new things, such as how to communicate better with their surroundings. And while it may be difficult to teach children, if we teach them through art, they will grow up to be creative and intelligent people. You will be amazed at how many benefits art can provide for our lives.
While we cannot see the meanings of art without the help of speech, our senses can still be stimulated by it. For instance, a painting or sculpture that is truly sincere will be more contagious if it evokes a deep feeling in us. If we cannot understand art without speech, we would be like wild animals – isolated and hostile towards each other. Therefore, art activity is as necessary as speech. The more we feel for art, the better.
In contrast, the right side of the pyramid is composed of elites, while the masses are below it. The elites spend millions on political campaigns, while the masses are left behind. Ultimately, art is an act of the inside, and it has the power to influence policymakers. But right side ideas are hard to quantify, while “head” theory fails to make a significant contribution to policymakers. This is where art has an edge over “heads” when it comes to influencing the minds of citizens.