What Is Art?

Art is a broad spectrum of human activities including visual art, literature, music, dance, sculpture, and visual representations. Since the beginning of recorded history, art has been an important part of culture and society. There are many categories of art such as fine arts, museum art, and contemporary art, but in general, art refers to any work of art that generates feelings in humans. Some types of art include architecture, paintings, photographs, and video, and many of these can be collected and appreciated by art enthusiasts.

Art usually refers to the visual or tangible representation of something existing in the real world. It can be created by a single person, an entire culture, or an entire country. Art usually enters the public consciousness through the aesthetic achievements of a given period or people. Examples of such achievements include Michelangelo’s David, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Jim Morrison’s Doors, and Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

Art usually involves interaction between the artist and the audience. There is a common theme running through all the great artists and many lesser known ones. This theme, called ‘the role of the audience,’ is what makes art meaningful to humanity. Art is not about creating something beautiful from nothing; it is an expression of the human condition which can only be understood on the human level. Whether you are looking at art for its aesthetic value or its subject matter, the importance of understanding this theme runs deep.