Art is a way of grasping the world. Not just the physical world (that’s what science tries to do), but the whole world of culture, society and spiritual experience.
This means that artists are the cultural creators – they develop the languages, symbols and traditions of their societies and help to shape society’s values and morality. It also allows them to express their own views, ideas and emotions. Art is the expression of a person, group or society and can be anything from a painting or photograph to a dance or performance. It can challenge the status quo, provoke discussion or even be used as propaganda.
The arts can be a vehicle for political activism, evoking strong feelings like love or patriotism. They can also be used to rouse a sense of social awareness or disgust for injustice and oppression, as demonstrated by many artists whose works were created during the time of the Russian Revolution and the Civil Rights movement.
In addition, the arts can also be a form of healing for people. For example, music and paintings have been used in healthcare settings to help alleviate pain, reduce anxiety and enhance general wellbeing.
People have long recognised the benefits of engaging with art and have been creating it for thousands of years. This is evidenced by the plethora of archaeological finds of artefacts like pottery, beads, jewellery and carvings. Some of these have even been found to contain medicinal properties.
Art is vital to the development of a civilisation, ensuring broad standards are maintained in society and helping to keep morality at a high level. It is one of the oldest forms of human activity, and it predates philosophy by 3,000 years. It deserves to be given more attention by philosophers.
It’s important to consider the original purpose of an artwork – did it have a utilitarian value or serve any specific functional purposes (i.e. ceremonial, decorative, commemorative)? If so, how did this influence the artistic choices made and what effect have these had on the artwork as a whole?
Alternatively, it could be an artistic interpretation of an historical or cultural event or celebration. In this case, the artwork would evoke a particular feeling or memory and would be appreciated for its ability to do this.
The organisational structure of an artwork is also worth exploring – how are the elements of the piece arranged within the composition? Does it follow a formal system of arrangement such as a geometric grid format or a rule of thirds? Or does it use a more informal arrangement such as a dominance triangle, a circular composition or a meandering or chaotic style?
Finally, it’s worth examining the types of linear mark-making used in an artwork. Is the mark-making fluid or mechanical? Is it expressive or abstract? How does this contribute to the atmosphere and mood of the work? Can you see any patterns or repetition in the mark-making that might suggest serial vision or a particular rhythm?