For centuries, art has been a medium that stimulates imagination and creativity. It is in part ineffable – what it represents and provokes depends on the viewer’s experience as well as the artist’s aim and presentation of their work. Nonetheless, some artworks have become cultural touchstones, transcending the eras in which they were created to remain timeless icons.
Art has the ability to break down barriers of culture, social class and age. It is universally accessible as it speaks to emotions and personal experiences, which are common to all. This can create a level playing field for discourse and discussion that is not limited to intellectual rigour.
It can be a form of education, especially in younger generations where it can promote cultural appreciation. It can also be a medium to raise awareness of issues such as environmental degradation, war, genocide and poverty. This can help instill a sense of responsibility and duty in future generations to do their part in preserving our heritage.
Despite the many definitions and interpretations of what constitutes art, there are some fundamental aspects that can be outlined. The most prominent examples are painting, sculpture and architecture but can encompass a wider range of media such as music, literature, dance, film and interactive technology.
The essence of art is its capacity to evoke an emotional response from the viewer. The emotion can be positive or negative and depends on the individual’s past experiences, personality, values and worldview. One person might find a piece of art beautiful, another might hate it and yet a third may not feel anything at all.
A work of art can also be a vehicle for symbolic meaning, using imagery to communicate abstract ideas. These can be as simple as a recurring symbol in a painting or sculpture such as a lamb for Christ, or more complex like an allegory with a variety of interconnected images conveying different meanings. This is a common device in religious art.
Art can also challenge traditional social norms and encourage intellectual solid discourse. This can be done through the use of satire, irony and ridicule or it can be more subtle. For example, Elizabeth Sirani’s “Portia Wounding Her Thigh” is a classic artwork that shows the power of a woman and her strength to disengage from gender biasedness.
Whether it is to inspire the next generation of artists, to educate people about important issues or to simply bring beauty and joy into a home or office, art has a vital role to play in society. While it may not be a solution to the world’s problems or even one’s own personal struggles, it can be an essential tool in maintaining broad standards of civilisation. Considering that art predates philosophy and science by over 3,000 years, it deserves a more substantial focus from philosophers.