What is art society? Types of art and their classification

From Masterweb

In its simplest sense, art is a person’s ability to bring something beautiful into reality and receive aesthetic pleasure from such objects. It can also be one of the ways of knowledge, called skill, but one thing is certain: without art, our world would be insipid, boring and not at all exciting.

Terminological stop

In the broadest sense, art is a kind of skill, the products of which bring aesthetic pleasure. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the main criterion of art is its ability to evoke a response in other people. In turn, the Great Soviet Encyclopedia says that art is one of the forms of social consciousness, which is the main component of human culture.

No matter what anyone says, the debate around the term “art” has been going on for a very long time. For example, in the era of romanticism, art was considered a feature of the human mind. That is, they understood this term in the same way as religion and science.

Special craft

In the very first and most widespread sense, the concept of art was deciphered as “craft” or “composition” (aka creation). Simply put, art could be called everything that was created by man in the process of inventing and comprehending a certain composition.

Until the 19th century, art was the ability of an artist or singer to express his talent, captivate an audience and make them feel.

The concept of “art” can be used in a variety of spheres of human activity:

• the process of expressing vocal, choreographic or acting talent;
• works, physical objects created by masters of their craft;
• the process of consumption of works of art by the audience.

To summarize, we can say the following: art is a unique subsystem of the spiritual sphere of life, which is a creative reproduction of reality in artistic images. This is a unique skill that can inspire admiration among the public.

A little history

In world culture, people began to talk about art back in ancient times. Primitive art(namely, visual creativity, also known as rock painting) appeared along with man in the Middle Paleolithic era. The first objects that can be identified with art as such appeared in the Upper Paleolithic. The oldest works of art, for example, shell necklaces, date back to 75 thousand years BC.

In the Stone Age, primitive rituals, music, dancing, and decoration were called art. In general, modern art originates from ancient rituals, traditions, games, which were determined by mythological and magical ideas and beliefs.

From primitive man

In world art it is customary to distinguish several eras of its development. Each of them adopted something from their ancestors, added something of their own and left it to their descendants. From century to century art acquired an increasingly complex form.

Art primitive society consisted of music, songs, rituals, dances and images that were applied to animal skins, earth and other natural objects. In the ancient world, art took on a more complex form. It developed in Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, Indian, Chinese and other civilizations. Each of these centers arose its own unique style of art, which has survived more than one millennium and even today influences culture. By the way, ancient Greek artists were considered the best (even better modern masters) in the image of the human body. Only they managed, in some incredible way, to thoroughly depict muscles, posture, choose the right proportions and convey the natural beauty of nature.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, religions had a significant influence on the development of art. This is especially true in Europe. Gothic and Byzantine art based on spiritual truths and biblical stories. At this time, in the east and in Islamic countries, it was believed that the drawing of a person was nothing more than the creation of an idol, which was prohibited. Therefore, in the fine arts there was architecture and ornaments, but there was no person. Calligraphy and jewelry making developed. In India and Tibet, the main art form was religious dance, followed by sculpture.

A wide variety of arts flourished in China, without any influence or pressure from any religion. Each era had its own masters, each of them had their own style, which they perfected. Therefore, each work of art bears the name of the era in which it was created. For example, a vase from the Ming era or a painting from the Tang era. The situation in Japan is the same as in China. The development of culture and art in these countries was quite original.

Renaissance

During the Renaissance, art again returned to material values ​​and humanism. Human figures acquire their lost physicality, perspective appears in space, and artists strive to reflect physical and rational certainty.

In the era of Romanticism, emotions appeared in art. Masters try to show human individuality and the depth of experience. Multiple ones begin to appear art styles, such as academicism, symbolism, fauvism, etc. True, their life was short-lived, and the previous trends, spurred on by the horror of the wars they had experienced, could be said to have been reborn from the ashes.

On the way to modernity

In the 20th century, masters were looking for new artistic possibilities and standards of beauty. Due to ever-increasing globalization, cultures have begun to interpenetrate and influence each other. For example, the Impressionists were inspired by Japanese prints; Picasso’s work was significantly influenced by the fine arts of India. In the second half of the 20th century, the development different areas art was influenced by modernism with its relentless idealistic search for truth and rigid norms. The period of modern art began when it was decided that values ​​are relative.

Functions and properties

At all times, theorists of art history and cultural studies have said that for art, like for any other social phenomenon, characterized by different functions and properties. All functions of art are conventionally divided into motivated and unmotivated.

Unmotivated functions are properties that are an integral part of human nature. Simply put, art is what a person's instincts drive him towards and what goes beyond the practical and useful. Such functions include:

• Basic instinct of harmony, rhythm and balance. Here art is not manifested in material form, but in a sensual, internal striving for harmony and beauty.
• Feeling of mystery. It is believed that art is one of the ways to feel connected to the Universe. This feeling arises unexpectedly when contemplating paintings, listening to music, etc.
• Imagination. Thanks to art, a person has the opportunity to use his imagination without restrictions.
• Appeal to many. Art allows the creator to address the whole world.
• Rituals and symbols. Some modern cultures have colorful rituals, dances and performances. They are original symbols, and sometimes just ways to diversify the event. By themselves, they do not pursue any goal, but anthropologists see in each movement the meaning inherent in the process of development of national culture.

Motivated Features

Motivated functions of art are the goals that the creator consciously sets for himself when starting to create a work of art.

In this case, art can be:

• A means of communication. In its simplest form, art is a way of communication between people, through which information can be conveyed.
• Entertainment. Art can create the appropriate mood, help you relax and take your mind off problems.
• For the sake of change. At the beginning of the twentieth century, many works were created that provoked political change.
• For the sake of psychotherapy. Psychologists often use art for therapeutic purposes. A technique based on pattern analysis makes it possible to make a more accurate diagnosis.
• For the sake of protest. Art was often used to protest against something or someone.
• Propaganda. Art can also be a way of disseminating propaganda, through which one can subtly influence the formation of new tastes and attitudes among the public.

As can be seen from the functions, art plays an important role in the life of society, influencing all spheres of human life.

Types and forms

Initially, art was considered undivided, that is, general complex creative activity. For primitive man There were no separate examples of art such as theater, music or literature. Everything was merged together. Only after a while did different types of art begin to appear. This is the name given to historically established forms of artistic reflection of the world, which are created using different means.

Depending on the means used, the following art forms are distinguished:

• Literature. Uses verbal and written means to create examples of art. There are three main types here - drama, epic and lyric.
• Music. It is divided into vocal and instrumental; sound means are used to create examples of art.
• Dance. Plastic movements are used to create new patterns. There are ballet, ritual, ballroom, modern and folk art dance.
• Painting. With the help of color, reality is displayed on a plane.
• Architecture. Art manifests itself in transformation spatial environment structures and buildings.
• Sculpture. It represents works of art that have volume and three-dimensional shape.
• Decorative and applied arts. This form is directly related to applied needs; these are artistic objects that can be used in everyday life. For example, painted dishes, furniture, etc.
• Theater. With help acting a stage action of a specific theme and character is played out on stage.
• Circus. A kind of spectacular and entertaining action with funny, unusual and risky numbers.
• Movie. We can say that this is the evolution of theatrical action, when modern audiovisual means are still used.
• Photo. It involves capturing visual images using technical means.

To the listed forms you can also add such genres of art as pop, graphics, radio, etc.

The role of art in human life

It’s strange, but for some reason it is believed that art is intended only for upper strata population, the so-called elite. Such a concept is supposedly alien to other people.

Art is usually identified with wealth, influence and power. After all, these are the people who can afford to buy beautiful, obscenely expensive and absurdly useless things. Take, for example, the Hermitage or the Palace of Versailles, which preserve rich collections of monarchs of the past. Today, such collections can be afforded by governments, some private organizations and very rich people.

Sometimes it seems that the main role of art in a person’s life is to show others social status. In many cultures, expensive and elegant things show a person's position in society. On the other hand, two centuries ago there were attempts to make high art more accessible to the general public. For example, in 1793 the Louvre was opened to everyone (until that time it was the property of the French kings). Over time, this idea was picked up in Russia (Tretyakov Gallery), the USA (Metropolitan Museum) and other European countries. And yet, people who have their own art collection will always be considered more influential.

Synthetic or real

IN modern world there is a wide variety of art. They take on different types, forms, and means of creation. The only thing that has remained unchanged is folk art, in its primitive form.

Today, even a simple idea is considered art. It is thanks to the ideas public opinion and critical acclaim, works such as Black Square, a tea set covered in real fur, or a photograph of the Rhine River, which sold for $4 million, have enjoyed enduring success. It is difficult to call these and similar objects real art.

So what is real art? By and large, these are works that make you think, ask questions, and look for answers. Real art attracts, you want to get your hands on this item at any cost. Even in literature, Russian classics wrote about this attractive force. Thus, in Gogol’s story “Portrait,” the main character spends his last savings on purchasing a portrait.

True art always makes a person kinder, stronger and wiser. Possessing invaluable knowledge and experience that has been collected over many generations, and is now available in an understandable form, a person has the opportunity to develop and improve.

Real art is always made from the heart. It doesn’t matter what it will be - a book, a painting, music, a play. The viewer will feel it. You will definitely feel what the creator wanted to convey. She will feel his emotions, understand his thoughts, and go with him in search of answers. Real art is an inaudible conversation between the author and a person, after which the listener/reader/viewer will no longer be the same. This is what real art is. A real concentrated bundle of feelings. As Pushkin wrote, it should burn the hearts of people, and no matter what - a verb, a brush or a musical instrument. Such art should serve people and inspire them to change, entertain them when they are sad, and instill hope, especially when it seems that there is no way out. This is the only way it can be, it can’t be any other way.

Today there are many strange, sometimes even ridiculous objects that are called works of art. But if they are not able to “hit the nerve,” then they cannot relate to art a priori.

Kievyan Street, 16 0016 Armenia, Yerevan +374 11 233 255

Based on the creative reproduction of the surrounding world in artistic images. In addition, in a broad sense, art can mean the highest level of skill in any field of activity, even not directly related to creativity (for example, in cooking, construction, martial arts, sports, etc.).

Object(or subject) art is the world in general and man in particular, and the form of existence is a work of art as a result of creative activity. Piece of art - highest form result of creativity.

Purposes of art:

• distribution of spiritual benefits;
• author's self-expression.

Functions of art.

1. Cognitive. Art acts as a source of information about the world or a person.
2. Educational. Art influences moral and ideological development individual.
3. Aesthetic. Reflects a person’s spiritual need for harmony and beauty. Forms the concept of beauty.
4. Hedonistic. Close to the aesthetic function, but does not form the concept of aesthetics, but provides the opportunity for aesthetic pleasure.
5. Prognostic. The function of trying to predict the future.
6. Compensatory. Serves to restore psychological balance; often used by psychologists and psychotherapists (fans of the program “Dom-2” by watching it compensate for the lack of their own personal life and emotions; although I would not classify this show as art).
7. Social. It can simply provide communication between people (communicative), or it can call for something (propaganda).
8. Entertaining(for example, popular culture).

Kinds of art.

Kinds of art are different - it all depends on what criterion to classify them by. The generally accepted classification considers three types of art.

1. art:
   • static (sculpture, painting, photography, decorative, etc.);
   • dynamic (for example, silent films, pantomime).

1. Expressive arts(or non-figurative):
   • static (architecture and literature);
   • dynamic (music, dance art, choreography).
2. Spectacular art (theater, cinema, opera, circus).

According to the degree of application in Everyday life art can be:

• applied (decorative and applied);
• graceful (music).

By creation time:

• traditional (sculpture, literature);
• new (cinema, television, photography).

According to the time-space relationship:

• spatial (architecture);
• temporary (music);
• spatio-temporal (cinema, theater).

By the number of components used:

• simple (music, sculpture);
• complex (also synthetic: cinema, theater).

There are many classifications, and the definition and role of art is still a reason for constant debate and discussion. The main thing is different. Art can destroy human psyche or to treat, corrupt or educate, oppress or give impetus to development. The task of human society is to develop and encourage precisely the “light” types of art.

Each person understands the meaning of art differently: some elevate and extol it, while others vomit it into the abyss of emotions. A person can do without works of art in everyday life, but emotional hunger requires knowledge of real art, which gives a feeling of happiness, joy and peace of mind. It can transport a person to the world of dreams and fantasies, which everyone expresses in various forms of art. We will look at them below.

Plastic or spatial arts

art

This type of creativity aims to reproduce the surrounding world and sense it visually. For the sake of this type of art, many artists abandoned a calm, well-fed life and burned at the altar of art. The works of masters became the causes of political clashes and wars. Collectors were ready to incur a curse on themselves. This is what people are willing to do for the sake of art.

• Painting. The art of depicting reality with colors. It consists of objects depicted in a multi-colored palette on the surface. An artist can express his inner world and emotions on canvas, easel and cardboard. This genre is divided into several types: easel, monumental, miniature.
• . The art of depicting objects with strokes and lines. On the one hand, both adults and children can do this, having only a sheet of paper, paints, and pencils. But not everything is so simple, and those who believe that graphics are publicly available are mistaken. This complex look which you need to learn if you want to become masters of this business. The artist applies strokes, lines and spots on a plane (wood, metal, buildings, cardboard, etc.), using one or two color schemes(in some cases, you can use more). This genre is divided into several types: easel, computer, magazine and newspaper, book, applied and industrial.
• Sculpture. The artist expresses his works from solid and plastic materials that have a three-dimensional form. The works captured in materials are capable of conveying the vital appearance of the objects of creation. This type is divided into several types: sculpture of small forms, monumental, easel, small plastic and monumental - decorative.

Constructive art

The master expresses his creativity in reproduction of artistic buildings that organize the spatial-objective environment around us , without depicting anything. Divided into two genres:

• . Based on the life, views and ideology of society and easily adapts to changing styles in different historical periods life. This genre is divided into several types: urban planning, landscape and architecture of volumetric structures.
• Design. It is an aesthetic symbol of the modern world. By creating masterpieces, the designer consolidates the style of the era with his creativity. It is divided into several genres: exhibition, subject, landscape, interior design, clothing and books.

Arts and crafts

Creative works of this art have practical use in everyday life . The basis of this art is various industries creative activities aimed at creating artistic products with utilitarian and artistic functions. Divided into several types:

• ceramics;
• forging;
• glass;
• tapestry;
• clay toy;
• sewing;
• applique;
• quilts;
• artistic treatment skin;
• weaving;
• stained glass and much more.

Temporary arts

The composer expresses his spiritual beauty and a picture of the world through sound tones and rhythms, meaningful and organized in an orderly manner. This is the spiritual language of the material world, reproduced using musical instruments (their basis is a resonator), unconsciously grasped by the ear. Types of music can be divided according to different criteria, for example, according to the nature of performance, it is divided into types such as vocal, instrumental, chamber, solo, electronic, vocal-instrumental, choral and piano. By habitat - military, church, religious, dance and theater. But basically it is divided into two types:

• vocal;
• instrumental.

Most often, this type of art means only fiction, but not everything is so simple. In addition, this includes scientific, philosophical and other works that reflect the views of people. Here works are created using words and writing. They reflect the totality of branches of knowledge of a particular science or specialty. Literature is divided into such types as educational, technical, scientific, artistic, reference, memoir and documentary prose. Created in several genres:

• folklore;
• prose;
• poetry.

Space-time arts

This is a combination of several types of art, such as literature, choreography, music, poetry and so on. The theater has its own views and views on displaying reality and does this with the help of dramatic action . This is a collective art, expressing its ideas with the help of actors, directors, screenwriters, stage managers, composers, costume designers and make-up artists. It consists of several types, such as drama theatre, puppet theatre, opera, ballet and pantomime.

View artistic creativity, based on various technical methods of recording and reproducing images in motion accompanied by sound. There are several types of this art - these are feature films, documentaries and short films.

Expression of emotions and inner experiences through body movements arranged in specific work, accompanied by music. People have the opportunity to express their feelings, themes, ideas through pantomime, scenery and costume. Has its own directions and styles: ballroom dance, historical, ritual, folk, acrobatic, pop and club.

Art is the activity of an individual. With the help of it, he explores the world, relaxes and creates something new. The role and importance of art in human life cannot be underestimated. Without him it would be almost impossible. This is a kind of foundation for further discoveries.

What is art

This is a creative activity that allows a person to realize his inner world. You can create using sounds, dances, drawings, words, colors, various natural materials and so on. Art is one of the many forms of consciousness of intelligent beings. It arises thanks to the creativity of specific individuals who touch on topics that are interesting not only to the author, but also to other people. Many people ask: “Do people need art?” The answer is definitely yes, because it is a way of understanding the world. Science is also one of the types of acquiring knowledge from the surrounding reality. Art can be:

• Craft. Any type of human activity is considered a creative process. Mastery in some field: sewing, beadwork, furniture making, etc. is considered an art. After all, a person tries to convey his vision of the world into reality.
• Cultural activities. People have always strived for something beautiful. By creating something good, a person emphasizes his love and peacefulness.
• Any expressive forms. With the development of society and aesthetic knowledge, absolutely any activity that expresses some meaning with the help of special means can be called art.

This term is quite broad. If it is interpreted on the scale of the entire human society, then this is a special means for cognition or reflection of the surrounding world, spirituality and consciousness of the individual. There is practically no person who could not give an explanation for it. Listen to your inner world and determine what art is for you. After all, it is valuable both for a specific author and for all people in general. During the existence of mankind, many works of art have already been created that you can admire and which can inspire you to your own creative ideas.

The history of art

According to one theory, man first began to engage in creativity during primitive society. Rock inscriptions are witnesses to this. These were the first mass species art. They were applied mainly for practical application. About 40 thousand years ago, art became an independent way to understand the world. It was represented by various rituals, musical compositions, choreography, body jewelry, images on rocks, trees and the skins of killed animals.

IN primitive world art performed the function of transmitting information. People could not communicate using language, so they transmitted information through creativity. Therefore, art for the people of those times was an integral part of existence. To apply images, objects from the surrounding world and various colors from them were used.

Art in the ancient world

It was in ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, India, Rome and so on, that the foundations of the creative process were laid. Even then, people began to think about whether people need art. Each developed center of civilization had its own unique style, which survived many centuries and did not change. At this time, the first works of artists began to be created. The ancient Greeks depicted the human body better than anyone else. They could correctly depict muscles, posture and respect the proportions of the body.

Art in the Middle Ages

The people of these times focused their attention on biblical stories and spiritual truths. In the Middle Ages, they no longer asked themselves whether people needed art, because the answer was obvious. Paintings or mosaics used a gold background and depicted people with perfect proportions and body shapes. Art of various kinds penetrated into the sphere of architecture, beautiful statues were built. People were not interested in what real art was, they simply created their own beautiful works. Some Islamic countries attributed divine power to such creations. People from India used art for religious dances and sculpture. The Chinese preferred bronze sculptures, wood carvings, poetry, calligraphy, music and pictorial drawings. The style of this people changed every era and bore the names of the ruling dynasties. In the 17th century, it spread in Japan. By this time, people already knew what real art was. After all, it has already seriously influenced the education of a useful personality for society. It also served as good rest and relaxation.

Renaissance and modern world

Humanity has returned to humanism and material values. This influenced the development of art. Human figures have lost their idealized forms. During these eras, artists tried to show the Universe and various ideas of that time. There have already been a lot of interpretations of “what art is”. Creative people perceived it as a way to convey human individuality. Already by the 19th century, many styles had formed, such as symbolism or fauvism. However, already in the 20th century a lot happened scientific discoveries and developing technologies. In this period creative personalities were looking for new ways to display their inner world and reflect modern beauty.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the modernism movement joined art. People tried to find the truth and followed strict standards. During this period, many critics of painting appeared who assumed that it had come to an end.

What is art like?

In modern world creative process reached unprecedented development. With the help of the World Wide Web, various types of skills are spreading at high speed. Art is as follows:

• Spectacular art. This includes theaters, operas, circuses, cinema, and so on. Using visual perception, the authors convey their vision of the world and various events. Directors create films that reflect the existing problems of the world. Many branches of art serve as entertainment for people, for example the circus.
• Art. This field includes photography, painting, comics, sculpture and silent films. The authors, using static pictures, convey nature, the life of a people, and the problems of humanity. Silent cinema is a dynamic art form. In the modern world, this phenomenon has already lost its popularity.
• Expressive art. People reflect their views in literature and create beautiful buildings. They also express their inner world in music and choreography. Most works raise global problems and vices of humanity. Thanks to this, people improve and move away from evil and self-flagellation.

Man has invented a lot of materials for creative self-expression. Artists use paint, canvases, ink, and so on. Architects - clay, iron, plaster and so on. Thanks to modern methods storing information, a person can transfer his creations to an electronic version. There are already many musicians, artists, directors and writers who use the computer to create works of art.

Modern world and art

The creative sphere of life educates the individual true beauty, makes you more merciful and kinder. Art also teaches you to look at simple things from a different perspective, most often positive. In all creations there is not one certain meaning, each person is looking for something different in them. Also, everyone individually chooses the type of activity for themselves. It could be painting, ballet, or even classic literature. People, through creativity, learn compassion, sensitivity and emotionality. Everyday life can depress a person, but art reminds us how beautiful the world around us can be. Many people simply feed on positive energy from various works of authorship.

From an early age, an individual is instilled with a love of creativity. Introducing children to art allows them to learn to understand literature, painting, architecture, music and much more. It cultivates personality. However, there are times when a person does not understand why art is needed. This behavior is one of the stages of personality development, after which people have an involuntary craving for something new and unknown. This allows you to expand your horizons, improve yourself and form individual moral values. The most important thing is that creativity makes a person better.

How art influences personality development

A person is a being that is formed with the help of the events around him and other opinions. Art occupies a special place in this process; it influences both a specific individual and society as a whole. Thanks to it, a person develops pleasant feelings, interesting thoughts, and moral principles, and the development of modern art helps him in this. Life without this industry is almost impossible. It would be dry, and for individuals with a rich inner world it would appear only in black and white. Occupies a special place in existence fiction like art. She can fill a person like a jug with water, life principles and looks. Leo Tolstoy believed that spiritual beauty can save humanity. By studying the works of various authors, people become internally attractive.

In fine art, a person tries to convey his point of view on the world, sometimes from your imagination. After all, he cannot recreate something that does not exist. Each image conveys a specific thought or feeling of the creator. Man feeds on these works of art. If the message was good, then the person will radiate positive emotions. Aggressive creativity gives rise to negative feelings in a person. In life, people must have positive thoughts and deeds, otherwise humanity faces extinction. After all, if everyone wishes harm to those around them, then mass acts of violence and murder may begin.

Introducing children to art

Parents begin to engage in the cultural education of their child almost from birth. Introducing children to art is an important part of raising a positive personality. School age is considered the most favorable for development cultured person. At this stage, schools instill in the child a sympathy for classical works. In the lessons they look at great artists, writers, musicians and their significant contribution to the culture of mankind. In the future, they will better perceive the work of various authors and not ask why art is needed. However, when children enter middle school, teachers do not pay due attention to creativity. In this case, many parents send them to special art schools. Children develop the ability to learn something new, an interest in art, the ability to create and be a kind person. After all, artistic creations play a significant role in the development of a mature personality.

Arts and literature

The word is an integral part of creativity. Thanks to it, you can very accurately convey information, events, feelings, and so on. is able to convey to a person a wide range of emotions and outlook on life. Imagination also helps to convey pictures of indescribable beauty. Thanks to the word, people can experience joy, worries, condolences, sadness, and so on. The text in the book is somewhat reminiscent of an alternative reality.

Writers also talk about their assumptions that relate to the future of humanity. There are many popular dystopias that reflect a far from bright future, for example: “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, “1984” by George Orwell. They serve as a warning to a person so that he does not forget to love and try to appreciate everything he has. This fact shows why the art of negative literature is needed. After all, such books ridicule people’s problems: insane consumption, love of money, power, and so on. After all, these things do not bring happiness at all, and you only need to do noble deeds and have honor.

Why do we need the art of photographs and paintings?

Almost every person loves to decorate the walls of their home with the work of artists or photographers. However, not everyone thought about why they were hanging there and how they affected their mood. Psychologists believe that images on walls can affect a person. The picture primarily affects the subconscious, and it is very important what color it is. Impact of image coloring:

• Orange color. It is capable of creating a warm feeling in a person. However, some works can, on the contrary, irritate.
• Red paintings. This is one of the most influential colors on people. He can feed healthy people with passion and warmth. Patients with psychological disorders may develop aggression.
• Green. This is the color of the entire plant world, which creates a feeling of security and freshness in a person.
• Blue images. They are able to give people peace and some coolness. All light colors have a positive effect on a person’s emotional state.

Experts have long found out that different colors of paintings and photographs can improve mood, put emotions in order and, in some cases, heal. However, some people may still have questions about why imagery is needed. They can be observed in schools, kindergartens, educational institutions and in some workplaces. They are often peaceful landscapes, forests and portraits of some beautiful people.

All generations. In science, art is called the creative activity itself. artistic activity, and its result is a work of art.

Definition of the term

In the most in a general sense art is craftsmanship whose product gives aesthetic pleasure. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines it as: “The use of skill or imagination to create aesthetic objects, settings, or activities that can be shared with others.” Thus, the criterion of art is the ability to evoke a response in other people. TSB defines art as one of the forms of social consciousness, the most important component of human culture.

The definition and evaluation of art as a phenomenon is a subject of ongoing debate.

Primitive art was syncretic. According to some authors, it originates in pre-speech skills and techniques for transmitting, perceiving and storing linguistic information in memory. Communicative utilitarianism of primitive creativity, along with the development aesthetic aspect, is clearly observed in the pre-printing folklore period of cultures of all peoples. There are also theories about art as biological function(artistic instinct).

Primitive art

Primitive art, prehistoric art- art of the era of primitive society.

It was represented by primitive music, dances, songs and rituals, as well as geoglyphs - images on the surface of the earth, dendroglyphs - images on the bark of trees and images on animal skins, various decorations bodies with the help of colored pigments and all kinds of natural objects, such as beads, which are still popular today.

Arts in the ancient world

Portrait of baker Terence Neon and his wife. Pompeii (House of Terence Neon, VII, 2, 6). Inv. No. 9058. Naples, National Archaeological Museum.

The foundations of art in the modern sense of the word were laid by ancient civilizations: Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Persian, Indian, Chinese, Greek, Roman, as well as Arabian (ancient Yemen and Oman) and others. Each of the mentioned centers of early civilizations created its own unique style in art, which survived centuries and influenced later cultures. They also left the first descriptions of the artists’ work. For example, ancient Greek masters in many ways surpassed others in depicting the human body and were able to show muscles, posture, correct proportions and the beauty of nature.

Arts in the Middle Ages

However, their century was short-lived, and the end of previous directions was brought closer not only by new discoveries of relativity by Einstein and Freud's subconscious, but also by the unprecedented development of technology, spurred by the nightmare of two world wars. The history of art of the 20th century is full of searches for new artistic possibilities and new standards of beauty, each of which conflicted with the previous ones. The norms of impressionism, fauvism, expressionism, cubism, dadaism, surrealism, etc. did not survive their creators. Growing globalization has led to the interpenetration and mutual influence of cultures. Thus, the work of Matisse and Pablo Picasso was greatly influenced by African art, and Japanese prints(themselves influenced by the Western Renaissance) served as a source of inspiration for the Impressionists. The ideas of communism and postmodernism, Western in origin, also had a colossal influence on art.

Modernism with its cult of rigid norms and idealistic search for truth in the second half of the 20th century. paved the way for the realization of his own unattainability. The relativity of values ​​was accepted as an immutable truth, which marked the advent of the period of modern art and postmodern criticism, giving rise to discussions about the end of art. World culture history and art also began to be considered relative and transitory categories, which began to be treated with irony, and the blurring of the boundaries of regional cultures led to their understanding as parts of a single global culture.

Classification

The arts can be classified according to different criteria. Subject of display fine art art is external reality, non-figurative the same types of art embody the inner world. Non-fine arts according to the type of expression and perception are divided into musical, dance And literary, mixed types are also possible. Various types Art is characterized by genre differentiation.

By form of development arts are distinguished in space(in a specific geographic area) and in time(in a certain era).

According to the utility of art, they are divided into applied(performing, in addition to aesthetic, some household function) and graceful(“pure”, not performing any function other than aesthetic).

By materials art can be divided into types that use

• traditional and modern materials(paints, canvas, clay, wood, metal, granite, marble, gypsum, chemical materials, mass-produced products, etc.)
• modern methods of storing and reproducing information ( modern means human-machine interface, visualization, including computer graphics, volumetric 3D)

• sound (audible air vibrations)

• word (unit of language)

• human intermediary (performer: actor, singer, clown, etc.)

Depending on the subject, object And way of presentation or some stable, ideologically based combination, art can be divided into genres(drama, still life, suite, etc.) and on styles(classicism, impressionism, jazz, etc.).

By criteria intentional aesthetic impact or mastery of performance under certain conditions, any type of activity can be called art. - For this, it is enough that the actor considers the result of his activity as a special, difficult-to-repeat experience, wishes to manifest it through his actions and contact other people exclusively about this experience. So, for example, we talk about the art of wood carving, the art of dressing, the art of creating bouquets, martial arts, the art of entrepreneurship, etc.

It must be remembered that the criteria for being classified as art, like the content of the term “art” itself, are not given once and for all. In an ever-changing world, it is possible to revise certain established values ​​and change the perception of certain forms of expression. Art may turn out to be outdated or even lost. On the other hand, new types of activity that did not exist before can also lay claim to the title of new art. the arts are unlikely to ever cease.

Sometimes instead of a word art in complex words a synonym of foreign origin is used art: pixel art, ORFO art, art pedagogy, art therapy, body art (one of the types of avant-garde art), video art, sound art, net art.

Art and criticism

Art theories

Since antiquity, art has been the subject of study as a practice of philosophy. In the 19th century, art was seen primarily as a product of the interaction between truth and beauty. For example, aesthetic theorist John Ruskin, analyzing the work of Turner, noted that the meaning of art is to create artistic methods access to the esoteric truth contained in nature.

Motivated Art Features

Those goals that the author or creator intentionally and consciously sets for himself while working on a work are hereinafter referred to as motivated. This could be some kind of political purpose, comment social status, creating a certain mood or emotion, psychological impact, illustration of something, promoting a product (in the case of advertising) or simply conveying a certain message.

The functions of art described above are not mutually exclusive and may overlap. For example, art for entertainment may be combined with hidden advertising for a product, movie, or video game. One of characteristic features art of the postmodern era (after the 1970s) - the growth of utilitarianism, functionality, and a focus on commercialization, while unmotivated art or its use for symbolic and ritual purposes is becoming increasingly rare.

Art, social structure and values

Art is often viewed as an attribute of selected social strata, alien to other segments of the population. In this sense, the practice of art is usually considered characteristic of the upper classes, associated with wealth, the ability to buy beautiful but useless things and a penchant for luxury. As an example, supporters of such views can cite the Palace of Versailles or the Hermitage in St. Petersburg with their extensive collections collected by the richest monarchs in Europe. Only very rich people, governments or organizations can afford such collections.

The past decades have shown that new trends have not been able to put a barrier to the commercialization of art: DVDs with video recordings of actionist performances, invitations to exclusive performances, as well as objects left by conceptualists at their exhibitions have entered the market. Many performances were actions whose meaning was understandable only to educated intellectuals, a different kind of elite. Understanding art has become a new symbol of belonging to the elite instead of owning the works themselves, and since knowledge of the history and theory of art requires high level education, art is still a sign of belonging to the upper class. "With the rise of DVD technology in the 2000s, artists and galleries that derive income from art sales and exhibitions have gained control of the market for video and computer-generated images that are available to collectors in limited quantities."

Discussions about classification

The history of art knows many discussions about the significance of a particular work. Over the past century, this question has become directly related to understanding the meaning of the term art itself.

Ancient Greek philosophers debated whether ethics was the “art of virtuous living.” In the 20th century, discussions about belonging to art often arose around the works of the Cubists and Impressionists, Marcel Duchamp's Fountain, cinema, blown-up images of banknotes, propaganda, and even a crucifix immersed in urine. Within the framework of conceptual art, works are often deliberately created that are on the edge of what is understood as art. New media, such as video games, are gradually being included in the category of art by artists and critics, although these advances in classification are not recognized everywhere or by everyone.

Philosopher David Nowitz believed that disagreements over the definition of art are generally not significant. Rather, “the partisan opinions and interests of people in their social lives form a significant part of all discussions about the classification of art” (Novitz, 1996). According to Nowitz, they are usually discussions about our values ​​and ways of developing society, rather than about theories. For example, when the Daily Mail criticizes the work of Hirst and Emin: “For a thousand years art has been one of the driving forces of civilization. Today, pickled sheep and a salty bed can make us all barbarians,” this does not provide a definition or theory of art, but merely questions the artistic value of a particular work. In 1998, Arthur Danto proposed a thought experiment showing that “an artifact's status as a work of art depends on society's views of art rather than on its own physical or sensory features. Interpretation within the framework of a given culture (in a way, the theory of art), therefore, determines whether an object belongs to art.”

Art and Science

Art and its individual aspects are the subject of scientific research. The science that studies art in general and related phenomena is art criticism. The branch of philosophy that deals with the study of art is aesthetics. Phenomena related to art are also studied by other social and human sciences, such as cultural studies, sociology, psychology, poetics and semiotics.

For the first time, Aristotle (384-322 BC) turned to the systematic study of art in his work “Poetics”. Interestingly, in other works, Aristotle also initiated the systematization of scientific knowledge and the scientific method.

Nowadays, semiotics plays a special role in the study of art. This science, which emerged at the end of the 19th century, examines a wide range of problems from the point of view of communication and sign systems. Yuri Lotman (1922-1993), an outstanding Soviet culturologist and semiotician, proposed in his works semiotic approach to culture and described a communication model for the study of literary text. With this approach, art is viewed as a language, that is, a communication system that uses signs ordered in a special way.

There is a hypothesis that art arose before science, and for a long time absorbed it into itself. Both art and science are symbolic systems for man to understand nature and himself, and for this they use experiments, analysis and synthesis.

Differences between art and science:

• science and technology have a greater influence on things, and art has a greater influence on psychology;
• science strives for objectivity, while the authors of works of art put themselves and their feelings into them;
• the scientific method is strictly rational, but in art there is always a place for intuitiveness and inconsistency;
• each work of art is unified and complete, each treatise- only a link in the chain of predecessors and followers;

It must be borne in mind that these differences are true only upon a superficial examination of their essence. Each point represents a separate topic for discussion.

Art and religion

It is impossible to separate the origin of art from the origin of religion. From the point of view of an established religion, art is only a symbolic way of conveying the highest truths preached by a given religion. For a long time From the rise of Christianity to the Renaissance in the European world, art mainly fulfilled the order of the church.

see also

• Craft (contrasted with art)

Notes

1. Art, in the etymological dictionary of the Russian language by Max Vasmer.
2. Art (History of words. Part 3) V. V. Vinogradova.
3. Robin Collingwood - Principles of Art V. § 2.
4. “What is generally interesting in life,” wrote Chernyshevsky, “that is the content of art.”
5. Arkhipkin V. G., Timofeev V. P. Natural scientific picture of the world (unavailable link)
6. (inaccessible link - story) Ushakov's Dictionary
7. // Small Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 4 volumes - St. Petersburg. , 1907-1909.
8. (inaccessible link - story) // Encyclopedia of Sociology
9. (inaccessible link - story) Dictionary by social sciences
10. (inaccessible link - story) // Around the world
11. Art // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978.
12. Britannica Online
13. Vvedensky B.A. . Great Soviet Encyclopedia Volume 18 - Great Soviet Encyclopedia Second Edition. Retrieved March 12, 2013. Archived March 15, 2013.
14. Gombrich, Ernst. "Press statement on The Story of Art". The Gombrich Archive, 2005. Retrieved on January 18, 2008.
15. Wollheim 1980, op. cit. Essay VI. pp. 231-39.
16. Aliev, Alex. (2009). The Intentional-Attributive Definition of Art. Consciousness, Literature and the Arts 10(2).
17. M. G. Balonova - Art and its role in the life of society (unavailable link) (unavailable link since 05/22/2013)
18. Eremeev A.F. Origin of art. M., 1970. P. 272.
19. Radford, Tim. "