What is Art?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. Art resides in the realms of beauty, imagination, and expression, transcending the boundaries of culture, time, and language. But what exactly is art? Is it a tangible masterpiece captured by paint on canvas, an ethereal melody that stirs the soul, or the profound emotions evoked by a captivating performance?

Art is Sustenance
It is a general belief that most people want to offer the world something of quality, something that the world will consider good or important. This thought process, however, is a very problematic one because it’s not up to any of us to decide whether something is good or bad, and if history has taught us anything is that the world is an extremely unreliable critic. Well so you have to ask yourself, why do we need art?

Most people don’t spend most of their time thinking about art until their loved one dies. They become heartbroken, and suddenly you’re desperate to make sense of the situation, trying to figure out “Has anyone ever felt this way before?” And if so how did they get out of this cloud?

Or the inverse happens: you meet someone you love so much your heart could explode and you can’t even see straight, “Has anyone felt like this before? what is happening to me?” And that’s when art evolves past just being just a commodity. Art is sustenance. We need it. From the earliest cave paintings to the modern masterpieces adorning gallery walls, art has woven itself into the fabric of human existence, offering a nourishing banquet that feeds our souls, fuels our passions, and ultimately reminds us of what it truly means to be alive.

Art is Luxury
Luxury is synonymous with exclusivity and symbolic sophistication. Luxury brands add creative and emotional value to the client’s purchase of a product or service, granting them a new level of experience that allows them to forge connections with pieces that supersede that of the average consumer relationship.

. Similarly, art forms an emotional connection with the viewer, with every client appreciating art from their perspective. With that logic, art could be termed as a luxury that one does need. Perhaps, you want something on your wall that makes you smile and feel happy every time you look at it. That’s a painting. You don’t eat, wear, or live inside, so it’s technically a luxury, but if it makes you happy, you should have it. And if you are an artist who creates beautiful paintings, sculptures, watercolors, drawings, and the like, then be proud of what you offer the world around you: a luxury, but a necessary one.

Art is Creativity
Creativity is the driving force behind art, fueling an artist’s ability to conceptualize, innovate, and transform abstract ideas into tangible formats. “To express yourself, first you have to know yourself.” this quote from Ethan Hawke elaborates that through the lens of creativity, art becomes a powerful tool for self-expression, cultural commentary, and the exploration of new possibilities. Art and creativity are intrinsically intertwined. Art serves as a vessel through which the boundless potential of human imagination is unleashed, and fosters innovation, inspiration, and personal growth in its creators and its audience alike.

. When engaging in artistic endeavors, individuals tap into their reservoirs of imagination to explore, experiment, and innovate. They draw upon their unique perspectives, life experiences, and emotions, taking that which is intangible and corporealizing it into tangible expressions that resonate with others. Through painting, sculpture, music, dance, or any other form, artists infuse their work with the essence of their creative spirit, allowing their imagination to take flight.

In contemplating the question of what art truly is — whether it is sustenance, luxury, or creativity — we are led to embrace the interconnectedness of these concepts. Ultimately, Art serves as sustenance, nourishing our spirits and providing a refuge from the chaos of daily life. It possesses a touch of luxury, with its association with opulence and the ability to evoke a sense of indulgence and exclusivity. Yet, at its core, art finds its essence in creativity. It is the product of human imagination and serves as a profound form of self-expression, cultural commentary, and exploration of new frontiers. In the end, art transcends simplistic categorizations, intertwining sustenance, luxury, and creativity into a rich tapestry that reflects the depths of our human experience and the boundless potential of artistic expression.

Evander Smith

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