What is Art?

A Form of Expression
Art can be thought of as your thoughts and ideas and can be portrayed through the materials you use and the way you create the piece. As well as expressing your thoughts through experimentation, we could argue that art is culture. African culture has progressively integrated art into their culture as a means to depict their beliefs, rites, spiritual world and ancestors' worship.
     Art can also be highly subjective, there is not a right answer on what makes good art, as everyone has completely different opinions and interests.

Art Changes
As the years have progressed, art has become less about skills and become more conceptual. In modern society, even objects have been perceived as art. An example of this is Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain 1917'. This piece was so controversial and groundbreaking it in fact helped shape Western art and the way in which we think. Traditional paintings are sometimes perceived as outdated, and even seen as boring and repetitive, where likened styled can be seen through some traditional paintings.
     Nowadays people want the shock factor. Instead of appreciating the skill of traditional paintings, we are more likely to notice art if it's shocking and controversial, such as Damien Hirst.


Art is Propaganda
For many years symbols have been used to relate to a particular belief, for example the Swastika, something which could have been considered artwork before its relation to the Nazis. Art is revolutionary, it was almost always used in political posters to keep morale high in times of need such as war.

Art is Money
Does money define art? In modern society, the quality of artwork is often defined by the amount it sells for. Money has almost taken over the art industry, where when we create or view a piece of work there is always that voice in your mind wondering about the price. The name of the Artist is almost more important than the work itself.