To answer the philosophical question, “What is art?” Noel Carroll authored the essay “Art, Practice, and Narrative.” Art is an application of a society’s habits, beliefs, and customs that are fluidly produced to either repeat something, add detail and depth or deny validity from past works. These classifications are valuable tools to use with all forms when assessing if something is art.
As people on our journey through life, we change, evolve, and grow. Why should art be any different? Although change occurs, there still needs to be something recognizable within it, a predictable attribute that is familiar and allows acceptance from the audience. Just as all living things need to reproduce and replicate to live on, so does art. Some have said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it can be considered an inspiration and an honor. All art falls under categorical umbrellas based on similarities or repetitions found throughout the works.
Over time, evolution allows something to evolve and change for the better. It is difficult for change to happen in the same mindset an idea originated. However, a superior transformation can occur over time and through new eyes. Art amplification permits the expansion of thoughts and creativity to add to and make something unique.
Going against the grain is admired since it involves breaking apart from popular opinion. While cultivating a new view or perspective, remnants of tradition must remain. Repudiation of art can result from a contrasting view. In this sense, it will have ties to the work of art its rivals in the audience’s mind, much like yin and yang. Although rebellious, the result can be progressive and inspiring for artists and audiences alike. The shift can set trends and be influential to all of society.
A commonality must always exist for something to be considered art, whether it mimics, grows from, or against an existing art form. A unifying tie must link past, present, and future art in a meaningful way. Coming full circle to understand contemporary art, we look to the past, and to understand the history, we look to the present. Like bloodlines can trace a family tree, the same connections apply to art history. While it is unpredictable to determine the future of art, it will reflect the culture and contain a loud or faint heartbeat of the past.
Repudiation in art is the most radical. Dadaism art was against capitalism after World War I, and mainly black and white, followed by Pop art, which was colorful and pro-capitalism. All forms of art, whether fashion, theatre, cinema, graphic design, illustration, architecture, painting, literature, sculpture, or music, are immortal and have lasting effects on all of humanity. Neoclassical architecture has columns and block designs, while Gothic Revival consists of elaborate detail, stained glass windows, and gargoyles. Most art remains relevant throughout time, such as literature, cinema, music, or paintings. In comparison, fashion or architecture have waves of apropos that flow in and out over the years. However, all art forms reflect their origin’s cultural practice or flair. This internal method of determining if something is art is a valid and valuable system to follow.
Carroll’s response to “What is Art?” outlines what I feel to be an excellent way to classify art. Past works inspire many artists interested in a particular genre, so connecting it back to art history makes sense. From that inspiration, the creator will repeat some of the styles, enhance an idea, or oppose it to create something new and all their own. Cultures vary throughout the world and time, and art reflects that. The framework outlined in the essay made perfect sense and could work for any artform.
Leo Tolstoy wrote, “What is Art?” to ascertain his thoughts on the topic. Art emerges from imagination or experience expressed with uniqueness, lucidity, and genuineness, infecting the audience to invoke the same emotions. The stronger the feelings, the superior the art. However, emotions are subjective, and people tend to see the world as they are. The artist makes art to transmit feelings that mirror his own, and if those fail to materialize, the work is not art.
Originality is an important attribute when considering if something is art. It will have a more significant impact if it is unlike anything a person has ever experienced. The novelty of newness attracts most people. It forces the artist to use this as a creative outlet for trauma or past events that arouse deep emotion — resulting in a mutually beneficial experience for both the artist and the audience.
The artist must convey their passion distinctly to the audience. They invoke feelings, sadness, happiness, fear, love, or pain only if the intention is clear. The artist must be self-aware and feel intensely; they must also accurately depict the sentiment. However, if the message gets misconstrued, the effectiveness of the artwork will diminish, and it may not be art at all.
Authenticity is the most important of the three conditions. When an artist is true to themself and feels from the depth of their soul, it radiates outward. The sincere artist who creates their art out of love will always be better than the one motivated only by money. Instead of striving for perfection, which can lead to madness, just let it flow. If an artist gets consumed with themself rather than the meaning of the art itself, the recipient will notice, and the art will suffer. The best thing an artist can be is themself, not whom they think others want them to be.
These elements are needed to portray the originator’s feelings and desires effectively. The varying degree that they are present does not matter, and if they are, the work is considered art. Contrarily, if any are missing, the work would be regarded as an imitation. The goal of art is to make the audience feel the emotions buried deep inside but now have come to light. These are shared conditions by both artist and audience and are considered during creation and viewing equally. Great art is the unity of consciousness between the artist and the audience.
Ideally, art should spark a fire within the viewer if reading a suspenseful novel or watching a horror film, but this is the same for all types of art. Tolstoy thinks that the same emotions should be equal between creator and viewer, but art surpasses death, and in many instances, it may be challenging to know what they felt and to what degree about every piece created. If the artist feels nothing or does not exist during the entire creative process, would that be conveyed to the audience? Also, many cultures interpret things differently. We all see the world through our own eyes, and our opinions and emotions are subjective. It would be nearly impossible for all people to have the same reaction. How would this feedback be gauged? Surveys or measuring participants’ heart rates could be away, but that would involve much work. If something like this existed, it would completely change how we experience art, and some would object to participating. Unfortunately, there is no indication of how this would be quantified, and as a result, this is not an effective way to determine if something is art.
When I experience art, I want it to make me feel something, so it is easy to understand Tolstoy’s thinking. However, he lacks an explanation on rating the emotions felt by the artist and audience. It would be nearly impossible to know what every artist felt, especially since many are dead. Everyone is different and has their likes and gripes. Many will not like landscape paintings, but that does not necessarily mean they are bad art. I agree that unity of consciousness on a work of art results in a positive reaction. It creates a desire for an individual to purchase it and experience it repeatedly. Authenticity is crucial in art, and those who are the most successful are. Tolstoy made some valid points, but emotion alone is not a good way to determine if something is art.
“The Art World,” written by Arthur C. Danto, explains that art theory can justify art when two objects seem commonplace and identical. Art forms allow for an honest depiction of truth in the world and within ourselves. Experts in the art world are well-versed in theory and are responsible for deciding what art is, keeping it alive. These theories are crucial, informative tools to use when experiencing a form of creativity.
Socrates claims that imitation is not art or relevant since it does not entice thoughts and enhance the human condition. Artists get inspiration from everything surrounding them and indelible moments from their lives. Danto disagrees with Socrates and points out that with the invention of photography, an art form produces an exact replication of a moment. Art’s immense value exhibits a glimpse of what life was like in the past.
To distinguish an actual object from art, Danto uses artistic identification. It is crucial to identify the portrayal in the artwork and recognize its magic. When looking at a painting rather than seeing just a vase of flowers, instead admire the vibrant colors or the shading from the sunlight shining through the window. Appreciate that this is not the actual thing but that it did exist in the artist’s realm who decided to give it immortality.
The most important way to determine if something is art is to study it; by learning about art history, genres, artists, and cultures. The past can supply valuable insight into the current and future works to come. A comprehensive understanding of art theory is beneficial in identifying art as well. Objects cannot just be art, and the theory is the basis for this reasoning.
An imitation is art, but it must be valued and seen as such. The ability to see something through another’s eyes can allow for a deeper understanding or new perspective. In the past, travel was rare, and art was a way to experience other countries and cultures. Portraits were a snapshot of a person at a time when cameras did not exist. Art consists of creativity, time, effort, skill, and emotion. Both history and art theory are essential knowledge for creators and observers alike.
Gallery owners and curators give a platform to artists with a passion for creating a unique gift to share with the world and should be available to all people regardless of status. Art theory allows art to survive and redefine and recreate itself repeatedly. Although some criticize art selections and standards, it is impossible to please everyone all the time. The art world is responsible for the perpetuity of art, which deserves great admiration.
I agree with Danto’s theory that the art world determines art. Subject matter experts are masters of their field and should be the ones who set the rules that we follow. The art world should be no different. The history of art tells us about the past, and since we can not time travel, the pieces give us an insight into life then. There is beauty in all things, and as Danto pointed out, you have to see it: otherwise, all you will see is a replication. Those that love art make it their life, and they are the ones that are keeping it alive. I am grateful I get to enjoy it.
