Lesson 1 What is Art?
DEFINITION OF ART
- is a form of communication
- it means whatever the artist intends it to
mean
- meaning is shaped by the materials,
techniques, and forms
- as well as the ideas and feelings it creates
in its viewers.
- Art is an act of expressing feelings,
thoughts, and observations.
- valued on the basis of how faithfully it
WAYS OF DEFINING ART
- There is no one universal definition of art
through there is a conscious creation of
something beautiful and meaningful using
skill and imagination.
- The definition and perceived value of
works of art have changed throughout
history in different cultures.
ETYMOLOGY
- “art” is related to the Latin word “ars”
meaning art, skill or craft
- The first known use of the word comes
from 13thcentury manuscripts. century
manuscripts.
- the word “art” and its existed since the
founding of Rome.
Philosophy of Art
- Definition of art has been debated for
centuries among philosophers
- Aesthetics basic question in philosophy of
art
Two (2) subtexts in art
 essential nature of art
 social importance
The definition of art has generally fallen into 3
categories:
representation, expression, and form
Art as Representation: Mimesis
- Plato first developed the idea of art as
"mimesis” which in Greece, means copying or
imitation
- Primary meaning of art was, for centuries,
defined as the representation or replication of
something that is beautiful or meaningful.
 End of 18thcentury, a work of art was
replicated the subject-definition of good
art
 Impact on modern & contemporary artists
 Gordon Graham writes “it leads people to
place a high value on very lifelike portraits
such those by the great masters-
Michelangelo, Rubens, Velasquez
Art as Expression of Emotional Content
- Expression became important during
the Romantic Movement (1830-1900)
- Artwork expressing a definite feeling –
sublime or dramatic
- Audience response was important for
the artwork to evoke an emotional
response
- This definition hold true today, as artist
look to connect with and evoke
responses from their viewers.
Art as Form
 Art should not have a concept but should
be judged only on its formal qualities
because the content of a work of art is not
of aesthetic interest.
 Formal qualities became particularly when
art became more abstract in the 20th
century
 Principles of art (balance, rhythm,
harmony, unity) were used to define and
assess art.
 Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was one of art, performance art, conceptual art,
the most influential theorists toward the environmental art, electronic art, etc
end of the 18thcentury who came out with
the idea.

 Today three 3 modes of definition come

into play in determining what is art and its
value depending on the artwork being
assessed

History of How Art is Defined

- H.W. Janson classic art textbook The
History of Art…” we cannot escape viewing
works of art in the context of time and
circumstance, whether past or present.
- How indeed could it be otherwise, so long
as art is still being created all around us,
opening our eyes almost daily to new
experience and thus forcing us to adjust our
sights?”

 11th-17th century, the definition of art

was anything done with skill as the
result of knowledge and practice

 18th century Romantic Period emphasis

on science, empirical evidence and
rational thought, created in the pursuit
of beauty and expression of emotions

 18th century Romantic Period emphasis

on science, empirical evidence and
rational thought, created in the pursuit
of beauty and expression of emotions

 1850, the Avant-garde art movement

began, artist pushed the boundaries of
ideas and creativity and represented
innovative approaches to artmaking
and definition of what is art expanded
to include the idea of originality of
vision.

 the idea of originality in art persists,

leading to ever more genres and
manifestations of art, such as digital