What is Art? (part 2 of 2)

I have played around with the acronym that art might stand for. How about:

Always Reality Today;

A Reading of Time;

Appreciation Reveals Truth;

or Advanced Reading Trance.

The Webster’s definition of Art is: “A visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination.” When we use the term art, we can encompass diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative arts and photography. And then there is the age-old debate on whether we can classify a particular modern sculpture installation as art.

Linz PA Museumspark Parkbank, Creative Commons-Isiwal

There appears to be a fine line between a practical object, designed to fulfill a purpose, and something that purely has its function in aesthetics, created to shift something in our feelings or thoughts. This brings us to a sore point historically within the stereotypical artists’ community: value. Value in terms of the functional aspect of thought-provoking inspiration that an art piece carries forth through generations.

As an art therapist and coach, I experience first hand how our senses are activated through art. Art moves us right down to our core, and images speak louder than a thousand words. Have you ever stood in front of a piece of art – a painting or a sculpture for example – and felt a message reveal itself in some mysterious way? When I share a painting, people tend to see the same emotion being conveyed in the art. Art is a means of universal visual communication. It speaks the language of our subconscious world, and, as such, is connected with archetypes and nature. It helps us get in touch with cycles, seasons and the natural world around us, and reminds us of our place as part of the larger whole.