I would like to ask a very general question and one to which I have never heard an adequate reply. What is art? What makes art art?
The Spanish Dictionary says: "Manifestation of human activity by means of which the real is interpreted or imagined with plastic, linguistic or sound resources". I like this point of view:
- Human activity: exclusive for the humans.
- The real is interpreted or imagined:
Imaginary and social representations come into play
- Plastic, linguistic or sound resources: Which are the basis for different types of art: painting, dance, sculpture, poetry...
To this definition we could add that, to be considered art, these human activities must provoke some feeling
Gloria (if I may),
I think the point you (and Marshall) was making may be true in some cases. I think back to my time as a student and I think that some of my fellow students were "in it for the money" and simply trying to get away with an easy life from producing as little as possible in the name of art. On the other hand, I do not think this sort of definition helps us when we are trying to understand what art is. I am not, in any way belittling your contribution, by the way!!
Dear Miguel (if I may),
Your definition, I feel, is very interesting and opens up a lot of questions as well as answering some. I am concerned with the first part of your definition in which you state that art is uniquely human an activity. I am thinking here that some species of birds adorn there nests with visually attractive materials that have an aesthetic function. An argument can be made that these non-human animals are imagining and interpreting their reality, creating, and that this activity is art? They use many resources, both those that occur naturally in the environment and human-made materials. Furthermore, it can also be argued that these activities provoke feelings in these birds. Finally, bird song may come under your definition.
Dear Esteemed Colleague Paul,
Sure call me Gloria or Glo. I was just getting the ball rolling. That definition always causes me to smile. I would add that any comprehensive definition of art is bound to fall short because creativity means *new* life in old forms or new life in startlingly new forms. That implies, doesn't it, a Catch-22 situation of always defining in a rear view mirror. Oh wait! That's art criticism and valuation for investment.
I could see this thread going on for decades. Thanks for asking. Now I'll shut up.
Gloria
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