Art is a form of expression for an individual, group, or culture. It can express an idea, a mood, or a world view. It is an integral part of culture and often reflects economic substrates in its design. Art functions as a way to communicate cultural values over time and space. However, the definition of art is highly subjective. Its definition has been debated throughout history. Here are some basic characteristics of art. To understand the function of art, first understand what it is.
The goal of art is to represent a universal type of an individual phenomenon. Aristotle wrote that art aims to represent an inward significance in a specific object. Giorgio Vasari summed up this idea in his Lives of the Painters. Throughout history, art has sought to emulate nature. However, art can be as destructive as it is beautiful. In this way, the work of an artist may represent a moral or social ideal.
The Deweyan conception of art has influenced much of the definition of art. In a Deweyan framework, art is defined as an arrangement of conditions that allow a person to experience an aesthetic experience. An aesthetic experience, according to this theory, is controlled by the things experienced. Similarly, the traditional categories of art are discussed in depth. For example, the visual arts are considered as works of art if they are created by a human.
While art stirs our emotions, these reactions depend on the story or history behind the work. Different people can have wildly different reactions to a piece of art. One person might find it beautiful, while another will hate it. Another may not feel anything at all. So, there’s no denying the importance of art. There is no single, universal meaning of art, but it can influence social behaviour. In a global society, art can affect people’s moral values and behaviors.
Philosophers have debated the nature of art, as it is a form of community self-expression and interpretation. By sharing one’s world with another, art provides a shared understanding among people. Hegel believed that art expresses the spirit of a culture and embodies the essence of humankind. However, he put a strong emphasis on the historical development of ideas and thought. Heidegger saw artistic expression as the pinnacle of the human spirit and intuitive truth.
Kristeller’s 1951 definition of art is incomplete and arbitrary. It fails to capture the diversity of art forms, and it is inherently androcentric. While there may be a connection between different concepts of art, it is unclear how different definitions relate to each other. It would be useful to discuss how different types of art are connected to each other in some systematic way. That is, art is a complex system of cultural relations and relationships.
In the context of the art world, some artists attempt to break the hegemony of the art establishment. Andy Warhol criticized the art world for refusing to follow its unwritten rules and ultimately became an icon of pop culture. On the other hand, Damien Hirst pays people to create physical manifestations of his ideas. He does not sell his artwork in art world approved venues, but instead sells it directly to individuals. Using this approach, art may become a means of freedom.