What is Art?

I think art can be anything that moves us, whether that is physically, emotionally, spiritually, or otherwise. Art touches us unlike anything else. It opens us up to experiences, textures, sounds, colors, and even ways of thinking that we might not otherwise have noticed.

An artist is an individual who strives to create something as individualistic as he/she is. I don’t believe this should be an exclusive title, except to distinguish what type of art the artist creates. Titles are merely a way of distinguishing between people who have some kind of artistic ability and those who don’t. I believe they are necessary, not to determine whether or not the person’s art is widely favored, but to distinguish the field in which the person is practicing.

Art is an expression of thought and feeling, movement and gesture, voice and sound. It is the way that many communicate what cannot be said. Art touches us in a way that nothing else can, helping us to not only experience the particular piece of art, but occasionally finding a piece of ourselves along the way.

Art is extremely individualistic. What makes art good or bad is how it is received by its audience. That’s not saying there is “bad” art just that if no one likes the piece it won’t be technically considered “art” by anyone but the artist.  I think the key to understanding art is to know what the artist is trying to say, if anything, and be open to a different way of thinking. I think there is a distinction between “High Brow” and “Low Brow” art, but I believe it to be based more on our social structures than the art itself.