What is art? What's the function and value of art?

[wanchain]

I've recently taken a more artistic approach on life, and started to notice some overlap between art and spirituality. Then I realize, art means different things to different people. So I want to ask, what's your definition of art? Is it

A) an expression of emotions or thoughts?
B) a representation of beauty?
C) a product of the energy/consciousness flowing into and out of the artist?
D) a distillation or magnification of certain subjects for appreciation or contemplation?
E) or ...?

Then I start to wonder, what's the purpose/value of art? Is it correct to say that human is the only species that produces art?

[dream jo]

well mu my nxt 1 imgoan im gona be a man
bean a women 2 mush iv had u cud say lol

[Frederick33]

oh what a cool topic

i been thinking and exploring this for ages

and yes making the art that goes with the thoughts or ideas

1st I make images , images embed certain feelings or ideas

in certain ways that artist is than the person who is able to do that

I both make stuff that does a push pull hurtful/ beauty expression

but also beauty alone but again usually with at wist

so you could say art for me is embedding several ideas in work

but also exploring concepts or ideas

in case any one wonders ,some can be seen here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127362729@N08/albums

also i found if you are a spiritual artist the embeds energies and more

by creating them in 3D you ground the reality in the 3D reality

so the concept becomes real for all in 3D :-)

and over the years it worked amazing

as spiritual advancement tool , supported by the angels

to create realities where beauty is seen in ugly things

opens new grounds and fields for many

[Tanemon]

Rather than starting by looking at your list, I just thought about the question in your subject line.

Off the top of my head, I thought along these lines: Art is a skillful representation either of something the artist wishes to express or of the artist's personal impressions. Often the artist makes art for him- or herself, for self-satisfaction or enjoyment. When the work of art is put out for people to see - such as in a gallery, or on a café wall, or in a performance hall or auditorium, or in an outdoor public space - it's intended to be (possibly) meaningful to other people, and therefore to communicate something (or include other people within it).

The personal impressions may be drawn from the outside world or from the inner life of the artist, and personal expression will always bring something of the artist's own out for others to experience.

[wanchain]

Originally Posted by Frederick33

oh what a cool topic

i been thinking and exploring this for ages

and yes making the art that goes with the thoughts or ideas

1st I make images , images embed certain feelings or ideas

in certain ways that artist is than the person who is able to do that

I both make stuff that does a push pull hurtful/ beauty expression

but also beauty alone but again usually with at wist

so you could say art for me is embedding several ideas in work

but also exploring concepts or ideas

in case any one wonders ,some can be seen here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127362729@N08/albums

also i found if you are a spiritual artist the embeds energies and more

by creating them in 3D you ground the reality in the 3D reality

so the concept becomes real for all in 3D :-)

and over the years it worked amazing

as spiritual advancement tool , supported by the angels

to create realities where beauty is seen in ugly things

opens new grounds and fields for many

Fascinating answer!

Feeling the energy, converting the non physical part of life into the physical. Yes, artists spend a lot of their time immersed in those energies.

Thanks for sharing your pictures! It is nice for me to see how an artist views the world. Your perspectives are very refreshing for me. I am more left-brained dominant. I like how you shoot point blank close-up shots; the impressions are very raw and intense. I tend to shoot from an angle.

I have taken pictures of garbage before. In and of itself, it is not ugly or bad. It just is. ^_^

I like your last comment: opening new grounds for all who is receptive to it. Yes, art does have that power!

[wanchain]

Originally Posted by Tanemon

Off the top of my head, I thought along these lines: Art is a skillful representation either of something the artist wishes to express or of the artist's personal impressions. Often the artist makes art for him- or herself, for self-satisfaction or enjoyment. When the work of art is put out for people to see - such as in a gallery, or on a café wall, or in a performance hall or auditorium, or in an outdoor public space - it's intended to be (possibly) meaningful to other people, and therefore to communicate something (or include other people within it).

The personal impressions may be drawn from the outside world or from the inner life of the artist, and personal expression will always bring something of the artist's own out for others to experience.

Thanks for pointing that out! Yes, it's a form of exchange or communication. I remember going to art galleries to stare at paintings, and not understanding what the artists wanted to say. I was more analytical than intuitive, so I couldn't hear the message.

We are each unique individual with our unique life experiences. The artist lets us experience life from his perspective, which is often refreshing, and enriches our own lives.

[Miss Hepburn]

Being a retired artist..except someone building a new house really wants
2 -4x8ft long copper pieces now for a 16' wall!...oh brother...she did warn me, haha,
last year and has all my art in her restaurant so...ok..one last time.

Art is inspiration for the spirit...in whatever way... the whimsy of it,
the exquisiteness of it, the awe of it, the depth of it and where
your imagination goes with it...that it wouldn't have
before seeing.

That sounded pretty good...I should put that on my website!!!

To express a feeling and to invoke feelings

[dream jo]

its grt 2 panet on canv mix colors or crayons indin ink on top u get a grt efect wen u skrtch idnin ink off wens its dry
paper masha is grt coz u can mak all sorts u can





fottos is art
loook in sky its art

[MIND POWER]

Attention.