There are several definitions of artworks. Some of the most widely accepted definitions are based on the idea that art is an object with the intention to be regarded. Other definitions are circular or even conflicting and attempt to describe art in terms of its function. For instance, an artwork may have aesthetic value but also be functional, as it must serve its purpose. In other words, it must be beautiful. Here is a brief discussion of the different definitions of art.
One definition of an artwork was offered by Monroe Beardsley, who defined it as an arrangement of conditions that affords an aesthetic experience. The list contains seven elements intended to capture the essence of art, but is not sufficient to define it. Rather, Beardsley asserts that art is a complete and intense experience governed by its objects and circumstances. It relates to what people believe, feel, and think. These are not necessarily the same as the things we experience.
Another way art can help is by educating people. Artworks help to create awareness, create empathy, and inspire foreigners to accept different cultures. While art cannot solve poverty or promote social justice, it can help to level the playing field by stimulating cultural appreciation. Artists’ photographs and paintings of war zones and suffering can pull at the heartstrings of society’s elite. Hence, it is important to understand the power of art in promoting social justice.
In this light, the ambiguity of artworks can be considered as a key factor for its aesthetic value. The more ambiguous an artwork is, the more viewers rate it positively. Their appreciation for the artwork depends on their ability to solve perceptual problems or gain insight into its meanings. As a result, ambiguous artworks are thought to be more important and meaningful than their unambiguous counterparts. These perceptions may help us understand the meaning of art better.
Ultimately, this definition of art is incomplete and underplays the univocal unity of artworks. It also leaves open the question of why art is important in our society and how it can be judged. As we can see, there is more to art than meets the eye. The question of what constitutes art is a fundamental issue that must be addressed in a philosophical framework. A definition of art must account for facts and constraints that influence its meaning.
The nature of art is institutional and socio-cultural. However, Davies’ definition may be contested on the grounds of pictorial symbolism. Pictures are highly symbolic, semantically dense, and replete, and they exemplify their respective properties. In this way, art is not a mere product of a creative individual or a piece of art. Therefore, its meaning is more complex than its aesthetic value. It is also the most complex kind of art.
In other words, an artwork is a work of art with certain characteristics. Its properties are similar to the properties of an accepted artwork. Its creator must have made the artwork in an artistic context and it must resemble it. But an elaborated historical narrative would be necessary to establish the relationship between two works of art. The narrative would have to be accepted by relevant experts. So, what is the best definition of artworks? It depends on what kind of context you’re looking for.