One of My Own Works "Venus" in the style of classical works such as Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus"
Introduction
When I was younger I went through a phase where I became highly judgmental of artistic endeavours.
I think this was in part an attempt to deal with my own cognitive dissonance over being unable to pursue my artistic hobbies.
I was gearing up for University and there was less and less time to pursue "frivolous" activities.
It also seems that this is an attitude that is promoted by certain academics who are very scientifically minded but seem to have some sort of grudge against artistic endeavours.
When we are young we tend to be more impressionable and open to such influence.
Art is not frivolous though. It is just as important as any other pursuit. - Great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci understood that.
I would also argue that there is not such a clear delineation between artistic pursuits and science anyway.
Art is Hard to Define
Say the word "art" to most people and I think they would imagine a painting by an old master or some other expression of visual art.
Of course this is a very limited view of what art is. Just think of the other artistic modalities which most of us encounter on a daily basis.
There are the obvious ones like music (one of my favourites), movies and TV. There are also things we often don't think about as art - the architecture around us, the aesthetic design of the objects that inhabit our lives.
Clothes would be one obvious example but also consider your tablet computer, your phone, even your toothbrush.
-In almost all cases some kind of artistic or creative work has gone into producing its final form.
This brings me to one of my central points.
Art is not just a genre of human creativity, or indeed it's expression:
A Form of Thought?
Art is a form of thought.
-Or at least it can be.
I would go as far as saying that there is an element of art in all things. Even the most scientific of pursuits has "art" within it.
I remember when studying pure mathematics at school how I found that there was a certain beauty to mathematical expressions and equations.
One of my colleagues at school once asked our Maths teacher:
"What is the point of calculus - why should I learn that?"
The teacher answered:
"Because it's beautiful".
I think this was the perfect answer to a question many of us often ask.
There is a certain beauty to things which can strike us when we study them. In some respects one could say that art is finding the beauty in things we encounter.
Sometimes it can mean finding the beauty in that which is obviously beautiful, other times it can mean finding beauty in what others would find ugly.
Sometimes it is not clear at all where the beauty is and yet we still appreciate a piece of work because of the emotional response it triggers within us.
So perhaps art can also be about triggering an emotional response be it positive or negative.
What's the Point of Art?
It's a question that people often ask.
There are several ways of answering it. The first answer would be with a question:
Why does it need a point?
Another answer I have heard people say is:
Because it makes life better.
I would agree with this latter explanation, I think we are neurologically hard-wired to derive pleasure from that which we find beautiful but as I said art is not just about beauty.
I think the fundamental essence of art is that it places a metaphorical frame around something.
Whether that thing is beautiful, ugly or indifferent it then takes that thing and triggers some form of emotional response.
The emotional response can vary but ultimately a good piece of art makes us feel better for having experienced it (even when the initial response may be considered negative).
Truly great art not only creates an emotional response but it can also change how we think about a particular subject - it can shift our perspective.
I believe this is because it can cut through the defences of our rational minds and reach deep into our unconscious and preconscious minds.
We like to think that we are rational agents in control of our faculties but as I have said before we are just apes wearing clothes and pretending to be civilised.
Our rational minds are very much governed by our irrational and primitive (unconscious) desires.
Art can cut through all that "logical" crap that is little more than posturing by our egos.
This is why TV shows and movies can have a greater effect than actual real life events in shaping political policy and the greater societal consciousness.
I believe that art is one of the best ways of reshaping thought and bringing about change.
Conclusion
I think if you asked a hundred different people what art means to them you would probably get a hundred different answers.
To end I would like to mention some words a friend once said to me.
We were talking about science and art and he said:
"Science makes our physical lives better. Art makes our mental lives better."
It is not a perfect definition - I don't think there is a single definition that covers everything but I think this is an elegant way of looking at things.
What do you think? What does art mean to you?
Let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading
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I am not good at art,but I do really appreciate who does. To me, art is another way of expression, I always appreicate those art with hidden message, especially some applied in society. For instance, there is a workshop in my hometown focusing on doing traditional art work, to promote traditional culture and helps to develop and maintain relationship among the local residents .
Well I make art. I drew an elephant:
This elephant is a dadaist comment on the inconsistencies of the moral values in our society. ;)
That is awesome
@galactic123 Very much enjoy your craft.
"In painting, you have unlimited power. You have the ability to move mountains. You can bend rivers. But when I get home, the only thing I have power over, is the garbage".
-Bob Ross-
I used to watch his painting show all the time ::))He is so Awesome ::))
I really like how Bob Ross would never get frustrated at small mistakes he would make. Sometimes when I am working on a project I am doing for fun, I get really frustrated which then ruins the fun for me.
Bob Ross reminds me to enjoy my art.
Thank you for sharing that :)) I need to work on not letting a little mistake mess up my whole day ::))))
Mindfulness meditation helps me get less frustrated by the little mistakes I make. If you find that your day is ruined too often by frustration, I recommend you check it out.
I used to think meditation was hippy stuff but I think it is pretty cool now that I practice it.
Thank you my friend :))
Same here! I'm not an artistic person but can appreciate the way people express themselves. And to me that's what art is. An expression of the inner world of a person and I think there is also something magical on seeing a person creating art. They tend to have this immense focus and flow around them, which is quite mesmerizing to see....
Yes some of them certainly do.
Art is eye candy!
Cool. Thank you for sharing your experience. You should do a post on this workshop might inspire others to do the same in their towns.
Artist die but art never die
Picasso once wrote that "Art is the ultimate form of passion." Because, I suppose because it elicits some emotional response. Personally, I have very mixed feelings about art... I'm a fair musician (playing other people's music) and, I suppose, a fair writer (for a hack)... However, I'm more disturbed by the artist that I'm not, than the one I am. I always wanted to be a painter, or illustrator, a sculptor, something like that- unfortunately, I can't draw a stick figure (one that's recognizable at least). That bother's me more than what I can accomplish! Go figure!!!
If you really want to do it I think you should try it again. I know a few people who started doing these things later in life and despite not being good at it as kids they worked on it and they are actually very good now.
I don't know... When my kids were little they would say something like: 'Daddy, draw a kitty," so I would... Then I'd get- "That's not a kitty!" I'm still smarting from that!!!
Lol - as I was saying to Karen it is a matter of practice more than anything. I think many people think they are bad at drawing because they get put off by a comment at some point in their lives so they stop doing it.
I think I'll stick to writing (at least I get a few compliments) Drawing and singing- I stay away from!
:)
I would say do it anyway!I really believe that yes art is part skill but it is mostly about the unfiltered act of self expression.
Have you ever noticed that some artists have less technical skill than others but their art is more well known than their technical counterparts? I think it is because they more than make up for it in how they express themselves or the unique way they bring different concepts together (creation).
I say think of something creative or unique that you are interested in drawing and bring it to life. The skills will come in time.
I try to do it by focusing on writing now... I find that the most successful people are the ones that discover what they CAN do instead of focusing on what they can't.
That makes sense. Art should not feel like a chore. Good luck on your art!
I think of art as the recognition of oneself as a creative force. My favorite artists are those whose art bled into their personal lives. You can see the way they speak about themselves and the world and their actions are also full of this creative energy. There are some mediums which are commonly recognized as being artistic, but you can be an artist when you read a book, clean your room or deal with your boss.
Yes I think you are right. There is a piece of the artist in the art. The act of creation incorporates some essence of the creator whether it is intentional or not.
I also agree even that which is not considered artistic can be. Thank you!
I have been wanting to respond since yesterday! Now I have an answer. If it was created, its art. Art is creativity. It can be food, clothing, sex, mother nature even a building. Art is all around and we sometimes forget that with age.
Great definition!
Art is about love for me. The love for oilpaint and the love to capture the blossoms of a tree on a canvas. Art is like a portal to another dimension, where peace and love unite. Turn on your favorite song and feel it. Art is all about feeling. May it be confusion love or hate. Art derives from feelings stored deep inside of us. All art does is fuel the flame for your soul to burn. Have a wonderful day, WoozelWazzel
Thanks for sharing. You too:)
Thank you for your blog, I am looking forward to more stories like these.
You're welcome!
Art has the ability to change peoples thoughts and behaviors without any long debates or psychiatrist chair. To me it is an expression from within that wants to be released.
Great description:)
I can not speak for other, but art; and by art I mean the arts in general; has helped me deal with life, understand the world around me, and myself. Crying in a movie that showed the suffering of children helped me form a conscience when I was younger. Watching a movie about bullies in 3rd grade made me realize running over my ex boyfriend on the way to the bus was not very nice, even if he was flirting with my best friend. Listening to music or audiobooks while painting or doing chores inspires me and keeps me from getting bored. Art on the walls of doctors offices distracts me from the pain of my medical predicament and the horrible photography in magazines these days. (I can not even look at them any more) Art is important to our lives in many ways we take for granted. When you throw on "Stranger Things" on a Sunday night, think of all the artists who worked long hours on it, some nights not sleeping.
Great response!
This was interesting to read and gave me some senses of.. understanding? I don't know a proper word on English, as in Finnish it's "ahaa-elämys", which is kind of sensation when you understand something "oh hey now I understand this".
For a long time I thought I was rational about art. I enjoyed art which represented something very simple and clear - a forst, a bird, a person etc. and in some cases, art which had some simple metaphors. The more abstract or weird art got, the less I enjoyed it.
However, it was some years ago I noticed I actually could enjoy more abstract art. It didn't even have to be very beautiful art or anything, just as long I got a strong, good feeling or some thoughts about it. I saw a painting, with a very big looking cat (kind of like tiger, but not really) with wings of an eagle. The painting was only red and black. It gave me a very strong "wow"-feeling, when I thought it was really amazing. It wasn't a beautiful or very skillfully drawn, as it was done with a thick brush and only a very few details.
Somehow it triggered something and now I can enjoy art way more than before. I get all the time less and less pleasure about simple portraits or paintsings of forest, single animals etc. and I look for strong feelings and thoughts from art.
Or maybe I'm just growing old and turning into a weird adult - the kind I didn't understand when I was younger. Sorry for the long rant.
Lol maybe we all are. Thank you for such a great response!
I don't know how old people on STEEM are, but I've noticed myself that I'm doing so many things the same way "all the adults" were doing when I was a kid. Enjoying instrumental music, singing to old hits in the car, wanting to stop the car on trip to take a nice photo of a view, actually enjoying paintings and buying art at home - something else than posters of favourite band.
Oh how much I'm looking forward to being a grumpy grandfather with all those weird habits and still being socially acceptable.
Lol:)
"Art is pattern informed by sensibility." - Herbert Read
Cool!
Enjoyed reading this greatly! I'd say all kinds of work require creativity or, shall we say - artistry. Whether it be engineering design, theoretical physics or even accounting! You're of course spot on that what distinguishes art is it purely focuses on offering intellectual and emotional utility. Most other professions aim for a combination of intellectual and material utility.
I like to think science is a way for us to know the universe*, art is a way for us to know about ourselves.
*Or we (or any intelligent species) are a way for the universe to know itself :)
Thanks that is a great way of putting it. A kind of universal self discovery.
This is my first post on Steemit (nervous breathing) here goes...
First of all, this is the second thread I've seen on Steemit, and the amazing formatting and framing of everything kinda threw me off guard :P I really enjoyed your post and would like to add my 2 cents on the subject.
I have been thinking about a clear cut definition for art for as long as I can remember. So I'm grateful that my first comment here is on something I actually greatly care about.
I respectfully disagree with the notion that art and science straddle a thin line; to me they are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Just because you can find beauty in something, does not mean that that something is art. Then again I understand why someone would argue that, as it is a simple and elegant way of explaining things.
Why are science and art on opposite sides of the spectrum?
I would say science is all about finding the truth. It's all about cold hard facts. Whereas art allows for its observers to create their own truths and facts. And the beauty of it is: no one is wrong when interpreting art.
To me, art is what makes us human. It is anything and everything that you can express yourself by. And that something you create prompts an emotional response (however small and insignificant) in observers of said creation. I like this "definition" because it's still talking about art in wide strokes, it encompasses a lot of things (music, writing etc) whilst excluding the scientific method and everything that goes with it.
In conclusion, I want to say that - for me - creation is the greatest thing us humans have. Creating something out of nothing is just amazing to me. And then that something could affect other people's lives in ways you couldn't even imagine. And that, is art. :)
Great response. Art can be about finding truth too though.
Indeed. This goes back to the whole flimsy definition of art however. It can truly be anything and everything the observer/listener wishes it to be.
The old "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
Also I just wanna say that "truth" has been so distorted lately. This new information age we live in has given every person on the planet a platform where they can make their own truths. Can we honestly say there is objective truth anymore? A topic for another time.
But yeah, of course, art can be about finding truth if intended. In my opinion and experience however, I have found that more often than not, art is about interpretation rather than author intent. Which in itself is a beautiful thing.
@grocko I too respectfully disagree but my disagreement is with your statement that both science and art are at opposite ends of the spectrum,
case and point! a mathematician, artist or inventor starts to create something it is all complete rational art that's slowly progresses, with each pass you reduce the denominator to the point where you start to have substance for example in programming an artificial intelligence neural network, there is no set guideline other than the fundamentals you go through a trial and error phase where you set each node with different weight values and feed the network tons of data each time that database returns with a different variable and you adjust the weights accordingly now you do this till your values stabilize every AI system is different so their is definitely art in the process of programming , Now inventing is complete art because you start with this abstract idea that slowly through ones creative processes turns in to a concrete creation that started out of bits and peaces and is forged in to a calculated final product.
Art is an subconscious expression of our creativity into abstract ways.. It's the language of the spirit and our feelings.
Great post and much love from me.
-goldie
Thank you. That is a great description!
Hi @thecryptofiend, I know you may not see this but I thought your post was wonderfull! Especially as a fledging artist here on steemit, it's nice to know the community apprecates our work! For me my art is an expresssion of my reality, I have Synesthesia (hence the name hehe) and for me music and Color are one in the same, my main series Synesthesiac Paints illustrates this the best! I took song requests from people like @timcliff, @officialfuzzy, @theprophet0, @sykochica, @ausbitbank and others! I will link below to those paintings, since you yourself are helping out the art community so much I thought you deserved a painting! So if you see this just let me know what your favorite song is and I will make sure to paint for you! Here are a couple links to my previous paintings:
https://steemit.com/art/@synesthesia/synesthesiac-paints-aloah-ke-akua-minutes-1-3-requested-by-witness-ausbitbank-2017616t22526195z
https://steemit.com/art/@synesthesia/synesthesiac-paints-lil-uzi-vert-xo-tour-life-requested-by-theprophet0-2017611t145242513z
https://steemit.com/art/@synesthesia/synesthesiac-paints-the-chainsmoker-s-don-t-let-me-down-2017611t16331258z
https://steemit.com/art/@synesthesia/synesthesiac-paints-red-hot-chili-peppers-scar-tissue-requested-by-witness-aggroed-2017616t131151690z
Cool I have often wondered what it would be like to have synaesthesia! Will take a look:)
Wow! Thank you so much, that really means a lot! Also thank you for the lightning fast answer! ^_^
If you have any song requests I would be more than happy to use your requests later this week!
How about Blue Jay Way by the Beatles. It is one of my favourite songs and very strange too.
I would be more than happy to paint that for you! It will probably be done tomorrow or Tuesday! I'm working on @timcliff's right now ^_^
Cool send me the link in the chat if you have time:)
Will do :D
I'm gonna give you my honest thoughts on this post. I was so close to upvoting and resteeming this.
"Marvelous" I though, "this guy really gets it!" because you described everything so clearly and well structured. The writing was vivid, yet without hyperbole, oversimplifications or anything weird such as subjective hedonism or moral relativism. It was the post I had planned on writing myself, but didn't have the words to do!
But then like a dark cloud: you started talking about how human beings are just monkeys [Edit: You wrote "apes", which is factually correct, but also "pretending to be civilized"] in suits. What an anticlimax.
I kept reading and first it got worse, then better again. Tell you what, at least this was a very intriguing read and you seem to have an above average grasp on what art is and isn't. That alone got me very impressed.
Then there's the photography! Absolutely awe inspiring!
A warm thank you for your contribution to the arts.
/Thomas
Thanks but human beings are clothed apes. Not monkeys - that would be technically incorrect. I'll give you my honest thoughts - you don't get it but that's quite common. Most people live in this bizarre delusion that they are somehow above and separate from the animal kingdom. Ironically it is a function of the human ego that creates that delusion.
Plus your reply is pretty much a back handed insult.
My comment may seem harsh, but I'm just being honest and not at all attempting to insult you.
We certainly are not above the animal kingdom. And if you wrote "apes" and I made a mistake, then I obviously messed up there.
Even then, there were things I disagreed with, but I found most of your writing very accurate. My reaction tends to be larger when I see something I disagree with in close proximity to something I find beautiful. So while I'm criticizing, please understand that I'm not out to harm.
-The ego is me. It's the only way to know me from you. So yes, the ego can make mistakes and it has many times.
I was being honest too. Let's just draw a line under it and move on. I can be quite fiery too!
I never wanted to fight you. Will continue reading your blog. Big :thumbsup:
Not a fight just an emotional response. We are all just people and prone to emotional reactions. All the best :)
I made an edit to the comment to correct myself. You did not write "monkeys".
So I apologize for making a mistake of which I wouldn't have approved myself.
(Not that it can entirely excuse my behaviour, but I guess it's possible that my brain misfired due to a few language differences: For example, in Swedish the word for monkey and ape are the same, being "apa".)
Please note that we still disagree about some things, but I think that it ought to be perfectly tolerable on a social media network such as this.
Of course and disagreeing is fine. It just seemed like a massive insult the way you phrased it.
I do realize that now and I will consider that in the future.
Thank you.
Saw Mondrian's painting in the musem in Belgrade where it is on a regular display. So simple yet so complex art, and it does leave a great impression on a viewer even though it's not impressionism. :) Art is a definition of life.
Glad I'm not the only one who likes it!
To be completely honest: From my belief in all of this, is that art is just one of those life elements that shouldn't be over thought. It's such a wide and diverse subject that spending too much time thinking about it's own purpose and meaning can be more harmful than good. Seriously I really enjoyed this article, and thankyou for it!
Thank you:)
Lovely and wonderfully started.
I believe there is "art" in everything we do.
I once stood by a friend and watch him present a lecture to a class and just looking at him talk was so mesmerizing .
I completely became fasinated by the hand gestures he made as he spoke and how eloquently he delievered the lecture and by the time it got to my turn to speak i was still adirming his actions till i was poked to deliever.
To me that is "art"..
Very true. I agree in fact giving a good talk or a lecture is very much like acting in some respects. These days most people can't do it very well.
Great way to define and explain art in depth an indeed art is huge. Its creates a deeper expresdion of ones soul and draws the universe clooser as each artist in every category gets there idea from the unconcious mnd. Great post.love it
Thanks!
You should switch back to kitties!
I try to alternate them.
when you do all cats cry.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
For me, the greatest art is living life itself to the fullest, and expressing yourself with whatever means necessary.
Cool!
Good post man!
@aishwarya check this!
Thank you:)
I can't never get enough of traditional art work :)
Me neither:)
Great post! LA doesn't have the art culture a lot if places have, but thankfully we have The Getty, MOCA, and LACMA. I need to get to Paris and Italy to really see some art!
I suppose LA has more modern art but less of the classical stuff.
Art is beauty exposed. Nothing can be experienced if it is not shared, so a piece of beauty cannot be art unless it has been shared.
What about art that is disturbing?
Nobody has led the same life or has had the same experiences, but we are human and our experience can always be understood (to a certain point) by someone. So even if it might disturb some people, the question still has to be, "Where is the artist coming from?" We cannot claim that we know what true beauty is because (sorry for the cliche but it is true) beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So what you or I might call disturbing, someone else would call beautiful.
Great point:)
Thank you!
Art is thought indeed. I'd also like to add: when perceived, it should stir our mind to an uplifting spectrum and bestow good, positive feelings upon us. This is also the reason why I hardly consider blood and sperm stained performances as a work of art. But, on the other hand, if it makes someone feel awesome... why not :) Very good post, indeed.
Following you for a long time!
Best,
@velimir
Thank you:)
Art have an impact to human lives, that's it...
Yes a very simple way to put it but true.
The more I read, the more I realise how much you invest in this article! Congrats. Great work!
Thank you!
Very interesting post. Art is often underrated in terms of importance in our world. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
Art can be pretty subjective. It is like the famous dispute over pornography where someone said that they could not give it a definitive definition but they knew it when they saw it.
Very true. One person may consider something art whilst another may think it complete rubbish.
How much time did it take you to write this article? nice work.
Not sure as it has been in the works for a while! I tend to have several articles going at once.
Oh nice, and when did you started writing articles? You are verry good.
Thanks, about 11 months ago.
Wow. This is written so nice, good job. +1
Thank you:)
I envy those who make the art a way of living... I think theres lots of stress release through it. As well as personal growth and joy
Great post! thanks
Me too - I think you have to be quite brave to pursue it because it is hard to make a living that way.
ReSteemed. Excellent Article. Did I mention that I love art? Thanks for posting.
Cool thank you!
well written blog . Art is not only what you see , but what is the artist trying to express
Thank you:)
Hello@thecryptofiend. This one made me think a bit about what I perceive art to be. The Piet Mondrian piece you show just leaves me cold I'm afraid. Now you may look upon me as a Neanderthal for saying this, but for me, that piece is something a 10-year-old could produce. Granted not with the exactness and professional finish, but the same concept would be there. Blocks of colour with blank lines separating them. I suppose I'm more conservative in my art preferences and tend to go for the more visual work.
But wait! You said;
Damm! I suppose you could say that piece by Piet Mondrian has caused an emotional response within me and hence does qualify as art!
Ok. Maybe given enough time I may come around to it and its ilk.
Thanks for the great post.
Youtube search Brian Badonde. He's a visionary with the barts.
Thanks, @darrentarbet. I must admit to never having heard of the guy but I'll take a look and maybe get some education at the same time?
let me know what you think.
Will do.
I used to feel the same way. I think there is a lot of subjectivity in art. I can't necessarily explain why I like some modern art but hate some other pieces! The emotional response is part of it. Thank you for sharing your perspective!
You're welcome. Take care till next time. :-)
I have been thinking to write a piece about Art History for quite some time now. I think I will do it in the coming weeks. Art is main area of study and I believe central to any human's existence.
You should definitely do it.
Thank you for this great informative post!
Never realised the true beauty of art
Glad it helped you to do that.
Great interpretation and perspective. Thank you for sharing. I checked out Steemithelp.net. Excellent source of information. ☆☆☆☆☆😎
Thank you so much!
You're welcome! RESTEEMED.
Everything that gives you an emotion that speaks to your heart and head is art. For me
That is a good definition I think:)
Art is meant to signify dignity and expression of humanity, nature.
So it is also used to slander humanity. To express political, often nefarious and anti human and satanic influence. I am not much into abstract art. I like effort, artistry and beauty to form a lasting memory, enrich peoples' lives, make the world a better place.
Anything that does not fulfil these criteria, is not art, in my view.
ch @globalcop
Interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for a well written and artfully layed out article.
I am planning an article which addresses my perspective in more detail. Just hard to get to it - as it is - not pleasant. But awareness must be raised.
Thanks.
oh god I FUCKIN LOVE ART. great post! pls follow and upvote me @haleyaerith i followed you cuz i want to see more posts of you, very interesting 😃☺
Very interesting post @cryptofiend!
Thank you:)
I wish I had tried harder to draw its one thing I really would love to be able to do, there's a few good artists on here :)
Anyone can draw it is just a matter of putting the time in and keeping it up. I used to be amazing but got lazy!
I cant draw a straight line with a ruler, I'm really bad
Lol it is just a matter of exercising your hands. The more you do it the better the control gets.
I have tried, my hands don't do what I want them to do
art is like a dance
woooww
good interesting post..
Thanks!
This post is full of art. Well written with a brilliant point of views! The writer itself indeed has a talent in writing. Upvoted!
Thank you for your kind words:)
very nice and very signifity
Thanks!
thanks again
Wow! So well written article!
Regarding your question, I'm totally agree with Edgar Degas when says: “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
Always smiling!
@emag
Great quote - thank you:)
Great looking post. I would be grateful if you would share how you are right-aligning your images to that the text wraps around it.
Sure it is in the advanced formatting options:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@steemitblog/new-advanced-formatting-features
Cool thank you!