Art is a universal human phenomenon that has many different functions, but the most important one is to bring culture and traditions into our modern lives. It also helps people understand and connect with others. Art can break social, cultural and economic barriers. It evokes a wide range of emotions and stimulates discussion among viewers. It educates people about topics that are not always taught in schools and that could otherwise be overlooked. Art is the ultimate equalizer because it allows anyone to learn about history, politics and religion through a medium that is accessible to everyone.
Throughout the ages, art has served as entertainment, memorialization, education, and expression of the imagination. It has been categorized as the highest form of creativity, and it is often seen as a symbol of human civilization. It can elicit feelings of beauty, mystery and spirituality. It can help people see the world in a new way and inspire them to think outside of the box.
It can help people remember important historical events and important figures. For example, a painting of Napoleon may be used to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. Art can also be a means of record, as in the case of the countless photographs taken during the Holocaust and other major historical events. It can also be used for advertising, as in the case of a poster featuring Marilyn Monroe or a painting of a zebra.
For centuries, art has been used as a tool for religious instruction. For example, paintings and murals have been used to illustrate Biblical texts and miracles. It can also be used to promote a religion or cause, as when a political candidate uses a famous painting of Christ to draw attention to his views. It can also serve as a memorial, as when a statue is erected to commemorate a loved one or a significant event.
Contemporary philosophers have argued over the meaning of art, with some arguing that it is an essential part of any culture and that it can change a society’s definition of truth. Martin Heidegger, a German philosopher and seminal thinker, wrote that art is the way in which a culture expresses itself. He believed that art is not a representation of what exists, but rather a tool through which that reality can be experienced and understood.
Others have argued that a work of art must have an aesthetic quality, be a symbolic memorial to a particular person or event or function as an instrument of education. These criteria are based on traditional definitions of art, and they have been extended with the addition of various media such as interactive video. Several disjunctive definitions have also been proposed, including those that include institutional properties (e.g. belonging to an established art form) and cladistic properties, such as the one offered by Stephen Davies that something is art if it meets all of the following conditions: