What Is Art?

Art is a broad spectrum of human actions which involve an intention to express beauty, technical skill, emotional strength, beauty, or other perceived aesthetic concepts, and creative imagination. It can be visual or a verbal art as in literature or theater, but it usually involves some type of interaction between people. Many people agree that there are different types of art, but no one can really agree on what exactly it is.

The most commonly known categories of art include visual forms such as paintings, sculptures, and photographic works. However, art forms can also include performance art, installation art, music, multimedia, dance, and literature. Visual art often derives its elements from nature, culture, technology, and language. There are various definitions of art that attempt to categorize art forms, but they all generally agree on the fact that art is a form of self-expression.

The visual arts are those arts that are made primarily by humans and that reflect their human culture, experience, and emotions. Art historians often debate which types of visual arts predominate throughout time, but most agree that the most significant art periods in history are the Pre-Raphaelites, which included painters like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Pablo Picasso; the Art Nouveau movement, which was dominated by painters such as Giacometti, Paul Gauguin, and Gustave Caillebotte; and the Post-Raphaelites, which were mostly either supporters of art or artists who were closely associated with one or several famous artists. Most modern artists trace their roots back to one or more of these movements. Today, contemporary fine art continues to evolve, grow, and change. Many new artists are discovering new ways to display their thoughts and feelings on canvas.

One type of art that is becoming more popular among contemporary artists is called abstract art. Some of the more popular abstract art pieces include the Seurat piece by painter Georges Braque, which represents a bouquet of wildflowers; Jim Shore’s geometric art piece entitled “Building,” which is based on the repeating patterns found in building materials; and artist Frank Pietronigro’s painting entitled “The Clergy,” which represents the religious elements seen throughout the artwork. Many other non-objective artists include works such as those by Mark Twain and Mark Wingate. Twain has created multiple versions of an oil painting entitled “The Flowers in the Window,” which portrays a family sitting on a couch and enjoying the company of a few roses. Wingate has created an abstract work entitled “The Naked Face,” which focuses on human figures while they are in a semi-nude pose.

Performance art is any artistic act made on a stage, within a building, or elsewhere. The term can apply to any artistic production, whether it be music, dance, painting, photography, sculpture, motion graphics, or any other artistic production. Many performers use these forms of art to create a spectacle, to entertain, or to gain attention. The most famous performance artists are still popular today, including Andy Warhol, David Bowie, and Prince.

Sculpture is any type of physical creation that is made by a living or non-living being. It includes art paintings, stone sculptures, stone carving, and figurative art. Many famous artists who have produced work using these forms have become well known for their work. Pop artist Banksy has produced a number of his unique paintings using his own painting techniques.