Defining "Art"

Defining Art

March 26, 2005

Definitions of art

Art is:

1. "all creative human endeavors, excluding actions directly related to survival and reproduction"

2. "any product of the creative impulse, out of which sprang all other human pursuits"

3. "art requires a creative and unique perception of both the artist and audience"

The above definitions were taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art.

4. "skill acquired by experience, study, or observation"

5. "a branch of learning"

6. "the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects"

The above definitions were taken from http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary.

Websites relating to dance, visual art, music, film, television, radio, folk art, and theater

1. Dance: http://www.itap2.com/ This website is dedicated to the teachings of Irish and Celtic dancing. Pat Dennis began teaching Irish dance in 1986. Her first group was called the "Lockwood Cloggers" out of Lockwood Missouri. Over the years Pat and her husband Kevin have continued to provide instruction in the art of Irish dancing to many people. Pat is also a judge at competitions and choreographs dance routines. The subject of this website, Irish dancing, is about art because definition 4 applies. Pat has acquired a skill by experience, study and observation. (To view most of the website you must click on the different links offered on the home page.)

2. Visual art: http://www.monarchrestaurant.com/ This website is the official website for the Monarch Restaurant in Maplewood Missouri. This restaurant combines international gourmet cuisine, fine wines and a "dynamic art gallery" for a visually pleasing dining experience. The subject of this website, the visual arts, is about art because definition 3, 4 and 6 all apply. The restaurant uses visual art to draw their crowd in and make their dining experience more enjoyable while subjecting them to art. The cooks must have had some training to produce such wonderful cuisine! Just look at the menu. Finally, to put art and fine food together in one building is a very creative way to open other people's minds. (I emailed this website to see if they could send me some pictures since it doesn't display any pictures. I will post an addition if I get some.)

3. Music: http://www.reasontorock.com/ This website is dedicated to the evaluation of rock as an art form. In all, it is an online book written by an English major who wants to defend rock music as an art form for the ages. Herb Bowie's book is an attempt to "focus on rock music as an independent art form". The website offers his account of what "rock" music is and why it should be considered an art form all its own. The subject of this website, rock music, is about art because definition 2 and 3 apply. Rock music "requires a creative and unique perception of both the artist and audience". It also is a product of creative impulse that inspires others to "create" their own pieces of art.

4. Film: http://www.paff.org/html/index.php This is the official website of the Pan African Film Festival or PAFF. Established in 1992, the PAFF is a non-profit organization dedicate to "the promotion of cultural and racial tolerance and understanding through the exhibition of film, art and creative expression." The PAFF presents over 100 films from various African Americans every year. They believe that art in the form of film and creative expression can bring together the hundreds of diverse cultures throughout the world. The subject of this website, film, is about art because definition 3 and 6 both apply. The PAFF uses creative expression to bring together the audience and the artist even if they are culturally diverse. They also put to use their imagination to reproduce African American films for everyone.

5. Television: http://www.pbs.org/ This is the official website of PBS. PBS was founded in 1969 and is a private, non-profit