Art is a medium through which humans express the imagination. Its purpose is to communicate a message, share an experience or simply delight the viewer with its beauty. Art also has a deeper function as it reflects and drives the development of culture.
While it may seem that art is only as significant as the meaning or significance ascribed to it by its cultural context, there are several theories that attempt to explain what defines art as an end-in-itself, beyond just being a pretty picture. Art is a fundamental human instinct for balance and harmony, a part of our existence that goes beyond utility. Art is also a way to communicate the human condition that can bridge different cultures, connecting people across time and space.
For example, the ancient Mesoamerican temples that are now in ruins were built with monumental sculptures depicting gods and their stories. These sculptures helped the community externalize their beliefs and create a sense of unity. Art has also been used to memorialize important people, events and even battles throughout history. It can be an expression of love, patriotism or simply a way to record a moment in time.
A major goal of many artists is to inspire viewers. It is not uncommon for an artist to create a work of art with the hope that it will connect with a viewer on a personal level. In some cases, this connection can be so strong that it becomes a catalyst for change or discussion. Art can be as simple as a landscape, or it can be a portrait of a loved one, a splatter painting of political injustice or a photograph of a natural disaster.
Philosophers have attempted to define what art is by using a series of rules. These rules often depend on the cultural context of a piece and its historical evolution. Some definitions have emphasized those facts that are contingent to the art’s cultural and historical context while others have given priority to explaining its more abiding features.
For example, art can be defined as that which the art world regards as art, and which is made available to the public through institutions such as galleries. This definition was influenced by the various artistic movements throughout history, including the Renaissance, Baroque and the different -isms, but it remains a broad brushstroke that leaves a lot of room for interpretation.