Finding the definition of art
I consider myself an artist because of the things I enjoy, which include actually creating art and thinking about the fluctuating definition of art and how it affects people everywhere, as pretentious as that sounds. In high school I did a school research project on my opinion of the definition of art and if it even exists. And honestly, after measurable research and a headache-inducing amount of thought, I still don’t have an answer to my question. But that’s ok. I think the important part is not the actual answer, but the process of getting there. The journey if you would. Throughout this project, I was able to do a lot of inspired deeper thinking on the subject, and if I'm being honest a lot of it didn’t make much sense. But, through this constant and undeniably confusing process, sometimes new ideas and inspirations appear which can allow for a deeper understanding.
Art: Picasso, Monet, Degas, Hemingway, Austen, Pattinson, Hathaway, Ocean, Joel, Tarantino, Nolan. Artists. These figures have earned their title of artist because of the impact of their creations, which are all different. Here inlies the importance of understanding the notion that art may not have a single definition. Creation can be expressed in an infinite number of forms, forms that are continuously discovered. With technological advancements and evolution comes new outlets of expression, therefore new art forms, none of which can be predicted in the present. I think this is the reason that art is so captivating to many. The possibilities are quite literally endless in the world of creation and exposition, which instills inspiration in artists and creators, pushing them to create the next best thing.
The reason for creating art is not always to be one step ahead. Sure, it's fun to put your mind into inventing a new form. But the true meaning of creating art is self-expression. This also contributes to the new forms and versions of art because each human being is so individual in their culture, personal perception, values, and so many more aspects and when an artist creates something in order to express an emotion, it can create new art forms depending on how they chose to express what they feel. This is what is so interesting to me about art: it’s essentially a look into the minds of others and oftentimes creation is the only way to properly express it. But, although the artist might intend to convey one meaning, the interpretation will be different for each individual. This is where it gets slightly complicated. Each individual is a critic in their own right– what we take from an art piece will always differ from our neighbor. So essentially art generates different perceptions that can grow into new creations. Art creates art. It is its own cycle, regardless of the intention during its cultivation.
Pretty much, art is what you want to make it. Create what you feel like creating, and people will perceive it how they want.
