At Art and Science Academy every student is required to take at least one art class during the year. We are an art school, but our art doesn’t just consist of visual art. Art at ASA encompasses much more than just paintings and sculptures.
Art’s definition can vary depending on the person and their point of view. To one person, it may be a way to express themselves, and to someone else it can simply be an elective they got stuck with.
The literal definition of art is “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power” according to the Oxford Dictionary. A simpler way to put this is that art is a way we can express our skills and feelings through visual objects, so others can see its beauty or how it feels.
Art is dated back to thousands of years, and has always been a way for people to connect and express themselves. The earliest piece of art scientists have found was European Cave paintings, made about 30,000 years ago. This was during the Paleolithic Age. The literal meaning of paleolithic is old stone. Which is fitting, seeing as the first art pieces were made of stone. According to LibreTexts, “Humans created art as a means of socialization and identity formation, it was a way for early humans to express their individuality, creativity, and connection to their community.” (All historic information may vary depending on the source).
The definition of art is mostly up to the person. They might hear the literal meaning and take it to heart, or they could make up their own. So the question is, what does art mean to you? How does it make you feel? Then you’ll find your definition.
