The definition of art has been debated among scholars for centuries. Many different definitions of art have been proposed, each with its strengths and weaknesses. This critical review will explore some of the most prominent definitions of art and examine their merits and limitations.
The various definitions of artOne of the earliest and most influential definitions of art comes from Aristotle, who argued that art is an imitation of nature. According to this view, art is a form of representation that seeks to capture the essential features of the natural world. While this definition has been criticised for being too narrow, it remains an important starting point for discussions of art. Another clear description of art comes from Immanuel Kant, who argued that art is a form of aesthetic expression. According to Kant, art is valuable not because it represents reality but because it elicits specific emotional responses in the viewer. This definition has been criticised for being too subjective and failing to account for the social and political dimensions of art. A more recent and popular explanation of art comes from Arthur Danto, who argues that art is anything designated as art by the art world. This point of view asserts that rather than its inherent qualities, art is defined by the social and cultural context in which it is consumed.
While this definition has been criticised for being too relativistic, it is widely used in contemporary discussions of art. Feminist scholars have also proposed their definitions of art, emphasising its social and political dimensions. For example, Lucy Lippard argues that art is a form of communication that can challenge dominant cultural norms and empower marginalised communities. This definition highlights the importance of representation and how art can shape our understanding of social and political issues.
"Art is an activity in which a human being, through externalisation and symbolic representation, expresses his ideas, emotions, and imaginations" (Tolstoy, 1899). on the other hand, Gombrich (1961) defined "Art is the deliberate creation of a sensory experience through aesthetic forms that express ideas and emotions, often in a beautiful or thought-provoking way." Similarly, Gaut (2010) defined "Art is the making or doing of something that is intended to be beautiful or emotionally expressive, often with some kind of cultural or social significance." - Gaut, B. (2010)—the philosophy of creativity: new essays. "Art is the manifestation of the human spirit in perceptible form, and its value is measured by the quality of that manifestation." (Bell, 1914). Art. "Art is the imagination, skill, and creativity of human beings, which has the power to provoke emotions, generate new ideas, and bring about social change." UNESCO. (2013)- Creative economy report, 2013: Widening local development pathways.
Overall, the different definitions of art reflect the diverse perspectives and values of the scholars who propose them. While no single definition can capture the full complexity of art, each contributes to our understanding of this essential and multifaceted phenomenon.
Expressivism in artExpressivism in art is a theory that emphasises the expression of emotions and personal experiences through artistic creation. It is often associated with the modernist movement, particularly in the early 20th century, and is considered a reaction against traditional modes of representation.
One of the primary aspects of expressivism is the belief that art can communicate emotional states or experiences to the viewer. As philosopher John Dewey wrote, "Art is not merely an object to be admired or a thing to be experienced, but a means of expressing and communicating human experience." However, the concept of expressivism in art has been criticised from many different perspectives. Some have argued that the emphasis on subjective experience and individual expression can lead to a lack of social or political engagement in art. Furthermore, there are concerns that the focus on personal expression can result in a lack of attention to the formal qualities of art, such as composition, colour, and form. Some critics have therefore argued that expressivism is a limited and potentially solipsistic approach to art.
This book by Dewey (1934) is a classic in art theory and aesthetics and provides a strong foundation for the concept of expressivism in art. Dewey argues that art is a means of communicating and expressing human experience and emphasises the importance of subjective emotional responses to art. Bell, C. (1914), in this influential book, art critic Clive Bell argues for the concept of "significant form" in art, which emphasises the formal qualities of art over its representational content. While Bell's approach is somewhat at odds with the expressivist perspective, his ideas have been influential in discussions of the role of form in art. Krauss, R.'s (1984) book critically analyses the modernist movement and its emphasis on originality and individual expression. Krauss argues that the modernist idea of the artist as a solitary genius is a myth and that art is always situated within broader social and historical contexts. Langer's (1953) book explores the relationship between emotion and form in art. Like Dewey, Langer emphasises the importance of subjective emotional experiences in art and strongly emphasises the formal qualities of art and how they contribute to emotional expression. Berger (1972) is an Art critic John Berger's book is a seminal work in visual culture studies. In it, he argues that the way we see and interpret art is deeply influenced by social and cultural factors and that our understanding of art is always situated within larger power structures. This perspective is particularly relevant to discussions of the potential limitations of expressivism in art.
According to Tolstoy, art is a means of communication that enables artists to convey their emotions to others. Tolstoy believed that the purpose of art is to evoke a particular feeling in the viewer and that this emotion can only be expressed if the artist has genuinely experienced it. In other words, the artist must be sincere in their expression. Tolstoy argued that art must be accessible to the masses, not just the elite. Conversely, Collingwood believed that art is a form of expression that allows the artist to explore and understand their own emotions. He thought that the purpose of art is not to evoke a particular feeling in the viewer but rather to provide a space for the artist to work through their own emotional experiences. Collingwood believed that art is a philosophical inquiry that enables artists to understand themselves and the world around them better. Tolstoy and Collingwood emphasised the importance of the emotional aspect of art but differed in their views on the role of the viewer and the artist. Tolstoy believed that the viewer should experience the same emotion that the artist felt, while Collingwood thought that the artist's exploration of emotion was more important than the viewer's experience.
ConclusionIn conclusion, expressivism in art is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been the subject of much debate and critique. While it emphasises the importance of personal expression and emotional communication in art, it has also been criticised for its potential limitations and lack of engagement with broader social and political issues.
Reference1.Tolstoy, L. (1899). What is Art? (trans. Aylmer Maude).
2.Gombrich, E. H. (1961). Art and illusion: a study in the psychology of pictorial representation.
3.Gaut, B. (2010). The philosophy of creativity: New essays.
4.Bell, C. (1914). Art
5.UNESCO. (2013), Creative economy report 2013: Widening local development pathways.
6.Dewey, J. (1934). Art as experience. Penguin.
7.Bell, C. (1914). Art. Chatto & Windus
8.Langer, S. K. (1953). Feeling and form: A theory of art. Routledge.
9.Krauss, R. (1984). The originality of the avant-garde and other modernist myths. MIT Press.
10.Berger, J. (1972). Ways of seeing. Penguin
11.Tolstoy, L. (1898). What is Art?
12.Collingwood, R. G. (1938). The Principles of Art.
