The World’s Oldest Unanswered Question
To most people, art has a distinct and unique meaning. For some, the artwork’s historical and cultural background can reveal the true significance and intention of the piece. And for others the slightest of details, minuscule patterns and brushstrokes, can have the most poignant effect on one’s perception. I define art, most simply based upon individual interpretation, and due to the infinite number of interpretations pertaining to the meaning of an artwork, it represents something different to everyone. Art is also heavily influenced by the culture and themes of the time it was produced, and the interests, views, and creativity of the artist.
Art is a subjective experience based upon what the viewer can discern. A seemingly insignificant picture has a plethora of meanings depending on who you ask. A critic theoretically can make strong connections with a mosaic depicting merely a pile of sticks. It could signal something to him or her, just as how a ready-made, found object like a urinal can be significant to someone else. Art does not have to be outlandish and full of detail. Some famous artworks such as Mondrian’s compositions made of red, blue, yellow, and white squares are incredibly simplistic and almost childlike. However, the placement of the squares is aesthetically pleasing and evokes strong reactions from certain people. This point signals that anything can be art. All that matters is who is interpreting it.
At its core, art is the act of a human being expressing themselves in a unique way to others in an attempt to make them feel a similar type of emotion by deliberately placing various elements that appeal to the senses or human emotion. For example, if an artist draws a picture of a bear that he is afraid of and is able to evoke this same fear in others who view the artwork, then he or she has successfully engaged others emotions in a form of art. This is best explained in Tolstoy’s essay, “What is Art?” when he claims, “Art begins when one person, with the object of joining another or others to himself in one and the same feeling, expresses that feeling by certain external indications.” Although art is still open to interpretation and highly subjective, individuals agreeing on the purpose, significance, and expression of a work bring us the closest definition of art possible.
Another way to begin to define art is to study culture and themes of the time the artwork is produced, as they can have a significant influence on the artist. Art is a reflection of the cultural phenomena present during its production; major events in history have a large impact on the artist. An example is “The School of Athens” by Raphael. This fresco is representative of the High Renaissance culture because of its use of depth and discernable faces. Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates are depicted to show the cultural impact of Greco-Roman philosophies during the renaissance, another telltale sign the painting was influenced by the culture around Raphael. Therefore art is partially a reflection of culture because, in many cases, the artist and his or her work was influenced by societal change and events at the time.
In conclusion, the subjective nature of art makes what is perceived as art difficult to classify. Although an individual’s perception and interpretation of a work ultimately defines it as art, culture and the expression or intended message of the artist are major factors that contribute to the ever changing, subjective definition of art.
To most people, art has a distinct and unique meaning. For some, the artwork’s historical and cultural background can reveal the true significance and intention of the piece. And for others the slightest of details, minuscule patterns and brushstrokes, can have the most poignant effect on one’s perception. I define art, most simply based upon individual interpretation, and due to the infinite number of interpretations pertaining to the meaning of an artwork, it represents something different to everyone. Art is also heavily influenced by the culture and themes of the time it was produced, and the interests, views, and creativity of the artist.
Art is a subjective experience based upon what the viewer can discern. A seemingly insignificant picture has a plethora of meanings depending on who you ask. A critic theoretically can make strong connections with a mosaic depicting merely a pile of sticks. It could signal something to him or her, just as how a ready-made, found object like a urinal can be significant to someone else. Art does not have to be outlandish and full of detail. Some famous artworks such as Mondrian’s compositions made of red, blue, yellow, and white squares are incredibly simplistic and almost childlike. However, the placement of the squares is aesthetically pleasing and evokes strong reactions from certain people. This point signals that anything can be art. All that matters is who is interpreting it.
At its core, art is the act of a human being expressing themselves in a unique way to others in an attempt to make them feel a similar type of emotion by deliberately placing various elements that appeal to the senses or human emotion. For example, if an artist draws a picture of a bear that he is afraid of and is able to evoke this same fear in others who view the artwork, then he or she has successfully engaged others emotions in a form of art. This is best explained in Tolstoy’s essay, “What is Art?” when he claims, “Art begins when one person, with the object of joining another or others to himself in one and the same feeling, expresses that feeling by certain external indications.” Although art is still open to interpretation and highly subjective, individuals agreeing on the purpose, significance, and expression of a work bring us the closest definition of art possible.
Another way to begin to define art is to study culture and themes of the time the artwork is produced, as they can have a significant influence on the artist. Art is a reflection of the cultural phenomena present during its production; major events in history have a large impact on the artist. An example is “The School of Athens” by Raphael. This fresco is representative of the High Renaissance culture because of its use of depth and discernable faces. Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates are depicted to show the cultural impact of Greco-Roman philosophies during the renaissance, another telltale sign the painting was influenced by the culture around Raphael. Therefore art is partially a reflection of culture because, in many cases, the artist and his or her work was influenced by societal change and events at the time.
In conclusion, the subjective nature of art makes what is perceived as art difficult to classify. Although an individual’s perception and interpretation of a work ultimately defines it as art, culture and the expression or intended message of the artist are major factors that contribute to the ever changing, subjective definition of art.
