When it comes to defining art, there is much debate and no one truly agrees. While there are some general definitions which fit rather well, these are all so vague as to be of only minor use. This is a difficult subject, as what one person finds to be a great piece of art, another finds to be nothing more than a collection of junk. How can you nail down precisely what art is?

It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when it comes to art, this saying applies doubly so. Some people will pay untold millions of dollars for a work which another would haul away to the trash. Why is there so many divergent opinions as to what art is? This is because of the different definitions which are held, and they can vastly effect your view at the end of the day.

The first of these general definitions holds art to be something beautiful. Proponents of this view focus on the aesthetics of a work, and if it meets this requirement, it is classified as art. However, how can you define what is beautiful and what is not? As stated above, these types of judgments are an individual sort, so it can be difficult to agree. Yet, in general people tend to agree if something is visually pleasing or not.

Even agreeing that something is beautiful isn't enough to classify an object as art, however. Why? Well, many animals and people are beautiful to behold, yet they aren't pieces of art in the classical sense. A person with visually pleasing features may be engaging to look at, but most would not call their face a work of art. Yet, if someone captures their face on a canvas in paint, then their features suddenly become an artistic expression. With these types of confusing situations, you can see how the definition of art is a complicated subject to discuss!

A second camp holds art to be anything which speaks to you or conveys a powerful message. For example, a sculpture of broken television sets may not be visually beautiful, yet it can contain a strong sentiment against the visual fixation of modern culture. This type of intricate nuance is truly difficult to accomplish, and can be reasonably determined as art. Yet, you can see how it clashes with the first mode of thinking, as it has no innate beauty to speak of.

The debate concerning the definition of art has been raging since its inception. Perhaps one of the primary draws of art is its elusive nature which is difficult to dissect. This mystery ensures that it is always fascinating and interesting to behold, as our mind can never quite pin it down in its entirety. This constant sense of the unknown and uncharted in the world of art may be the very thing which keeps us coming back. So, with that in mind, don't be discouraged if you can't decide precisely what art is. Simply take it in, and you will know you are viewing a true piece of art when you see a piece which speaks deeply to you.

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