What is art? Art is the expression of feelings. Feelings are powerful or weak, important or insignificant, bad or good. A novelist may express the raptures of lovers; a painter might depict the voluptuous form of a woman. The artist’s actions may express his or her feelings in a marble sculpture or on a canvas. Art can convey any of these emotions and more. It can be a beautiful work of art or a painful experience.
While art has become more subjective over time, some people still strive for commercial success as a gauge of the quality of an artwork. They equate a great work of art with its sale, number of views, and downloads. In the rush to gain immediate approval, personal sensibilities are often tossed to the side. Fortunately, there are many other ways to measure art’s quality. Here are some ways to gauge art’s value:
Art begins when the author expresses a feeling. It involves a personal experience that evokes a feeling in the audience. An example of this is when a boy experiences fear and relates it to an audience. The boy describes his surroundings, the wolf’s appearance and movements, and the distance he had to move between himself and the animal. The artist’s words elicit similar feelings in those who listen to his or her words.
The definition of art is also important. It refers to a way in which people perceive and evaluate a work of art. Many different kinds of art exist, but most people agree that art is an expression of personal experience. Whether it is religious, secular, or anything in between, art is important. When you are considering art, it helps to keep in mind the various theories of art. In general, art is defined by its content and significance.
A community’s culture is visible evidence of its involvement in the arts. Monuments, murals, and icons are visual guides of its participation in a community. Art also reflects a community’s values, and serves as a catalyst for change. The human condition is shaped by culture and art. Without the context of culture, art can be irrelevant. Art teaches us to appreciate the universe, ourselves, and the world around us. Moreover, art has the capacity to transcend language and time, making it universal and relevant to a wider audience.
The definition of art in Tolstoy’s novel is flawed, primarily because it does not include the concept of pleasure. In other words, art does not entail the creation of pleasure, and therefore cannot be equated with feelings. This definition of art is unhelpful, because no one could confirm the meaning of the work without seeing it. The author identifies the two types of art, and contrasts them. A good example of the latter is the use of the word “pleasure” by the Russian writer.
Modern definitions of art place an emphasis on originality, creativity, and imagination. While this is an important attribute of modern art, it is arguably not applicable to many art forms from the past. The ancient Egyptians, for instance, valued tradition. Byzantine icons, on the other hand, value the preservation of tradition. Therefore, art has a different meaning today than it did in the past. But we should not forget that it is still the highest form of art.