Art In Action: What Is Art?
By DARLA McCAMMON
Lakeland Art Association
We discuss art on a regular basis in this column but do you realize how many different ways it can be defined? Our column focuses primarily on the visual arts and thus we talk about the creation of objects within several disciplines such as painting, 3-D sculpture, printmaking, and photography. Each of these fields contains multiple areas of creation. Painting, for example may include work in oil, acrylic, water color, ink, colored pencil, chalk, pencil, crayon, charcoal and several more.
Others, when discussing art may be talking about the performing arts such as ballet or dance, theatre, film, orchestral works and music, and so forth. Others include literature and even interactive media as forms of art. Thus we have several broad definitions of art in general. Getting confused yet? You are not alone. Scholars have tried to categorize art in such a way as to erase the confusion, but so many areas overlap, architecture for example, it becomes quite a challenge.
Another problem in defining art is that until the 17th century the word “art” also included crafts and science, and indeed any skill that was mastered by a skilled craftsman. Today, more credit is placed on the aesthetics of each piece and thus fine art work is separated from that of say, a fine woodworker who makes lovely furniture. Art was raised on a pedestal during the Romantic Period when it was said to be “a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science.” That’s a rather lofty place to be classified.
Over time, the definition of art has gone through many changes and scholarly disputes. There now exists a branch of philosophy called aesthetics in which the nature of art is evaluated and an attempt is made to define it.
But if we look at the history of humans, do you remember the cave drawings, the drawings in Egyptian tombs, or the paintings done in differing Chinese dynasties such as the one above? So, artistic works have existed since many first expressed himself with physical markings rather than verbally. The word art has Latin roots which mean “craft” or “skill.” Words derived from this Latin word include artifact and artificial.
We are going to have a little fun, a competition, dear reader. Please send me your definition of what constitutes art and we will talk about these definitions and perhaps even vote on them. You are welcome to give me your name, or you are free to remain anonymous. Humor or serious answers are both welcome. Email me at [email protected]. I have reserved a small original painting I plan to give to the best response. Please put in the subject line: Art Defined .
Meantime, get ready for the Lori Biggs exhibit at Warsaw City Hall opening Sunday, March 9. You will love her work. We will do her biography next week for you. The Honeywell Center competition is also coming up with the subject of Trees. Lakeland Art is also reopening for the spring. Check out the Lakeland Web site at www.lakelandartassociation.org