What makes art special is that it stands above or outside everyday things, such as ordinary food, paintwork, or sounds. It also differs from design, which is about making functional objects. Art aims to express emotions and ideas that can’t be easily conveyed in words or with technology. It is a way to communicate our deepest thoughts and emotions, often in ways that are beautiful or striking.
Philosophers have long debated what exactly art is and how it differs from other things we make. Some have argued that there is no such thing as art, while others have tried to define it and argue that it must be a particular kind of thing. For example, some people think that art is a kind of beauty, while others believe it is a particular form of skill.
Generally, art is categorized into several sectors, including visual arts which include painting and sculpture, decorative arts such as enamel work and furniture design, performing arts like music and drama, graphic arts which encompasses drawing and printing, and literature which fosters poetry, story, etc. Some artists are good at all of these things, while others specialize in one or more areas of the arts.
Many art forms are aimed at expressing ideas or emotions, such as beauty and joy, while others explore formal properties such as the hardness of stone or the vibrancy of color. Others aim to capture a moment or event, such as an ancient battle, a landscape, or a portrait of a loved one. Still others are abstract, such as mathematical sequences or patterns.
The meaning of the word ‘art’ is constantly changing, as words and concepts are organic and change as we learn more about them. In the old days, ‘art’ meant skill and perfection of craftsmanship. Then, during Romanticism and the birth of Individualism, it came to mean originality, or at least the attempt to see things in a new way. And during Modernism, the search for what could be called a ‘universal art’ was on.
A number of philosophers have argued that it is possible to define art, although it isn’t necessarily easy. Some have argued that since different uses of the concept of art aren’t connected in any meaningful way, it shouldn’t be defined. Others have argued that, while the fact that different concepts of art serve various purposes is true, that doesn’t mean that there is no meaningful unity beneath the apparent multiplicity.
Whether or not it can be defined, many people feel a connection to the art they see around them. It can make them feel more alive, happier, and more connected to the world. And this isn’t just a subjective feeling — science shows that making art has real, physical health benefits.
In a recent study, researchers found that when participants colored mandalas or drew freely on a blank piece of paper, their brain’s reward center was activated. This is the same center that activates when you’re doing something fun and enjoyable, such as playing sports or hanging out with friends.