Artworks are physical objects with aesthetic and/or conceptual value, such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, installations, etc. The term can also refer to a particular style of artistic creation, such as abstract art or surrealist art. The creation of artworks is known as artmaking and it is a significant part of the human experience. Art has a variety of social impacts, from raising awareness of environmental issues to connecting people from different cultures. The arts are often controversial and can provoke healthy debate, which contributes to the evolution of a society.
Generally, the social function of art is to convey a message or idea, but this concept can vary over time and from culture to culture. In some cases, art is used as a form of propaganda or political expression, while in others it serves more of a decorative function. In some cultures, art is even used to communicate ideas about the nature of reality itself.
A lot of debate surrounds the definition of art and what makes a work of art. Classical definitions, such as the one provided by Kristeller in his book “The Five Arts,” describe art as a class of objects that are characterized by their possession of certain properties: representational properties, expressive properties, and formal properties.
There are also non-classical definitions that attempt to capture the concept of art in a more holistic manner. One such approach, known as the family resemblance view of art, defines something as an artwork if it resembles paradigm works that are recognized to be artworks by some group of people. The family resemblance view has the advantage of not being constrained by a set of constitutive properties and therefore can accommodate a wide variety of different art forms.
Another definition of art that attempts to avoid the issue of a set of constituent properties is the phenomenological one, which describes an object as an artwork based on the subjective experiences that the viewer has while viewing it. The phenomenological approach can account for a more broad range of art forms than the other two approaches.
Creating visual art has been found to improve the quality of life for people with chronic health conditions. For example, patients suffering from dementia can benefit from participating in art activities because it stimulates cognitive abilities and promotes cell growth in the brain. Moreover, it helps them focus on positive life experiences and enhances their self-esteem.
Art can bring together people from different backgrounds and cultures, thereby fostering understanding and compassion. It can also help people work through sensitive issues that are often taboo in society. For instance, some art pieces have been created to raise awareness of topics such as mental health, autism, and cancer. Art can also inspire social activism and lead to positive changes in a community. For example, artists like Marina DeBris have used her craft to create pieces that advocate for the rights of minorities and women. These pieces have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.