Art is a form of expression that allows us to express our ideas, values and beliefs. It’s an integral component of our culture. It transmits the cultural substrates that define human civilizations over space and time. Art also gives us an opportunity to examine and enjoy the beauty of our world.
The concept of art has a long history that predates philosophy by thousands of years and science by several hundred more. It’s a subject that deserves much more attention from philosophers.
It’s difficult to define what makes something art, since the definition changes over time and across cultures. The three classical branches of visual art are painting, sculpture and architecture, but other forms include music, dance and theater, as well as writing, film and interactive media. In modern usage, the term art has come to be distinguished from any skill or mastery and focuses on aesthetic considerations.
Historically, much early art was religious. People carved images of the gods and goddesses, sculpted religious figures and painted biblical or mythological scenes. This probably because at this stage much of art was primarily symbolic, and religion provided a rich index of easily referenced symbols. However, as the artistic process became more specialized, it’s likely that secular art began to emerge along with religious art. Sculptures of rulers, for example, could be carved in the style of Zeus or Poseidon, and portraits and classical busts were often painted with religious themes.
In the ancient world, each of the nine muses had a particular field of human creation. Poetry and music were considered to be artistic, while painting and sculpting were more like manual labor. In the Middle Ages, artists were called artisanes and were apprenticed under guilds that ensured quality and compliance with certain standards.
In the twentieth century, many new styles of art were developed. The most famous examples are perhaps those associated with Modernism, with geometric patterns and bold colors; Art Deco, with its stylized motifs of luxury and exuberance; and Surrealism, which aims to channel the unconscious.
While modern computers and digital technology have impacted the physical execution of art, it’s not clear that they’ve changed its essence or its importance in human life. The hours spent staring at the blankness of a canvas, page or screen may appear useless from the outside, but they’re an essential part of the creative process and allow the artist to connect with their inner self.
The next time you see a beautiful painting, sculpture or building, consider what role it plays in your life and the lives of those around you. If not for the arts, we’d be living in a very ugly, dark and cold place indeed. This article was originally published in the October 2011 issue of The Philosopher magazine. It is republished here with permission.