A basic human instinct for harmony, balance and rhythm – art at its simplest level reflects this. This beauty is not a product of utility but an intrinsic aspect of being human, and it is a common element shared across all cultures.
Often, a work of art will inspire creativity and innovation, challenging perceptions and assumptions and encouraging experimentation. This is vital for progress in many industries, including technology, medicine, business, and beyond. It is also an important part of education, helping to develop lateral thinking and critical analysis skills.
Art can teach us about other cultures and traditions around the world, giving a greater appreciation of our own. It can help people to understand each other better, reducing racism and unjust forms of segregation, and encourages cultural understanding and tolerance.
The power of art is its ability to evoke emotion. This can range from positive and cheerful to serious or even sad and melancholic. It can create awareness about issues and bring people together, or it can cause controversy and debate – for example, when artists depict the suffering of children in war zones in their work.
As the world becomes increasingly global, it is important to appreciate each other’s differences and learn from them. Art is a valuable tool in this fight, providing a window into other societies and cultures that may seem strange or different to us. Art can also encourage foreigners to accept their home countries and cultures, promoting global understanding and acceptance.
For thousands of years, art has been a vehicle for expressing ideas and values. From the first hand-painted pigs on cave walls to the modernist revolution, artistic techniques and styles have evolved to keep pace with changing social attitudes. For example, in the Middle Ages, art was mainly a craft, where artists excelled at painting scenes and figures that illustrated Biblical themes. By the Renaissance, wealthy patrons replaced the Church as the main sponsors of art and encouraged painters to master realistic portraits. With the advent of Modernism, the search for originality led artists to redefine what art could represent.
Art is unique in the way that it can influence society, moving people to act. It can draw the heartstrings of the powerful and influential, instigating action and influencing policymakers. It is an essential part of any democracy, as it allows citizens to be inspired by new questions and ideas, inspiring them to join campaigns and create a more equitable and compassionate society.
The answer to what is art will always be evolving, but we can be sure that it will continue to play an integral role in our lives. After all, it predates philosophy, which is only 3,000 years old, and science, which is only 500 years. Its pedigree is long and varied, and it deserves more attention from philosophers. It has a much more important role to play than we might think. It is crucial to maintaining broad standards of civilisation and to preserving history, culture, and tradition.