The power of art can have positive social and political consequences. It can make our lives more meaningful and manageable. Some examples of art in our daily lives are the iPhone, Fort Worth Water Gardens, and Call of Duty: Black Ops. Others include Gucci’s Spring line, Versace furniture, and Calatrava bridges. Art is an expression of the human spirit. It doesn’t require a sophisticated education to understand its significance. In fact, anyone can appreciate art and become a passionate collector.
While there is no unified definition of art, different forms of art may represent different meanings to different people. In the classical definition, art encompasses painting, architecture, and sculpture, though performing arts are included within it. Until the 17th century, art was a general term for any skill or mastery and was not distinguished from crafts. Today, however, art and craft are regarded as two separate categories. Art may be an expression of a particular culture or time, but it is more than just a form of communication.
Art is a measure of a civilization’s sophistication. Artifacts left behind by human civilizations leave permanent marks on the earth. The Greek Parthenon and Roman Colosseum are two prime examples. Other examples include the Blue Mosque, the Taj Mahal, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Many of these are works of art and represent the diversity of human culture. This list of examples demonstrates the influence of art on the world around us.
Fine arts, such as painting, are often the result of creative inspiration. Compared with decorative arts, fine artists typically enjoy a higher social status and more fame. Historically, the term fine art has been applied to older art, such as paintings and sculptures. “Old Masters” of the Renaissance and early 1800s are considered fine artists. In recent decades, artists in contemporary art have become fine artists as well. Some modern artists may even fall under this category.
Today, many people measure the quality of art by its commercial success. Some may consider it great if it has thousands of sales or downloads, while others may prefer a more personal experience. Nevertheless, a significant percentage of people define quality art by other means. The latter group tends to be more akin to a commercial practice that is more abstract. As a result, people may be more open to a work’s value if it reflects their own sensibilities.
Whether or not a work of art is “good” is an issue that is difficult to resolve. However, it is important to remember that art – and beauty – are both subjective and objective. That means that art is an expression of a human’s emotions. Often, this means that it is intended to provoke an audience’s emotions. The purpose of performance art is not to entertain or please the audience, but to engage the audience and provoke conversation.
While the Romantic period of art was a reaction to the Enlightenment, the emphasis on science and empirical evidence shifted in favor of aesthetics. This shift in focus led to a broadening of the meaning of art. Art was increasingly seen as a means of making people feel better. Some works of art are so revolutionary that they challenge the very meaning of the word “art”.