Art is a way for human beings to express themselves

Despite being performed in the most varied media, languages and techniques, artists generally share the desire to convey feelings and emotions.

Questioning the concept of art is complex and divides many opinions. This variety of responses also makes the topic very interesting. After all, for you, what is art?
Definition of what art is

First of all, we must clarify that there is no single definition of what art is. It is difficult to weave an absolute meaning into an activity that brings together such a vast and diverse production.

But even so, it is possible to say that it is related to the need for human communication and, for the most part, to the expression of emotions and questions, whether existential, social, or purely aesthetic.

Thus, artistic manifestations can be carried out through a series of different platforms, such as painting, sculpture, engraving, dance, architecture, literature, music, cinema, photography, performance, etc.

About the word Art

The word art derives from the Latin word "ars" which means skill, technique.

According to the dictionary of Latin terms, "ars" means:

     Way of being or proceeding, quality.
     Skill (acquired by study or practice), technical knowledge.
     Talent, art, skill.
     Artifice, cunning.
     Craft, profession.
     Work, work, treaty.

In terms of vocabulary itself, according to the dictionary, the word "art" is defined as:

     the capacity that human beings have to create beauty, as a product of individual action, of the artist's genius and sensitivity, making use of his faculty of inspiration; exteriorization of the feelings of an exceptional genius, capable of dominating matter and thought, regardless of a utilitarian purpose.

Collective importance of art

We can say that artists, for the most part, intend to provoke society, debate, question situations that are often little discussed and stimulate collective and individual awareness.
Art is closely linked to the historical time in which it is produced, being considered by some as a reflection or record of its time. In the words of the English art critic Ruskin:

     Great nations write their autobiography in three volumes: the book of their actions, the book of their words and the book of their art (...) None of these three books can be understood without having read the other two, but of these three, the only one you can trust is the last one.