Surname. 1 Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Course Title 18th August 2014 Definition of art There has always been a rather human-like impulse to create; one that is seen to be universal. Art is seen by many as a means of communicating varying beliefs and expression of ideas regarding various human experiences. This is a practice that has been in existence since time immemorial, being passed down through the civilization stages and in every existing region across the globe (Kapferer, P.34, 2008). Art has also been seen to have an important role of providing insight into past and existing cultures; through which man can understand how other lives have been lived and what they could have valued. One issue that has continuously been of much controversy is that of art’s definition. In fact, whether art can even be defined at all has been a matter considered to be significantly controversial in its own sense; others debating on the usefulness of its definition from a philosophical point of view. However, art is seen to have a conventionally accepted definition; one that tends to entail a conglomeration of ideas as espoused in the explanation given earlier. This paper seeks to discuss the opinion that art’s definition has shifted and changed over time and across cultures. In support of this view point, this paper gains insight on various other aspects that are directly in issue with the topic of discussion. . When it comes to contemporary definition of art, there are two mainly used sorts. One of them is distinctively modern and conventionalist sort; which emphasizes its focus of art’s definition on its institutional features, and the manner in which art transforms or changes with time. This is the one that shows just how traditional arts seem to have been broken by modern works as well as the relational properties between different artworks which have a dependency on past art history and art genres. On the other hand, there is the contemporary definition which is less conventionalist and makes a much broader use of traditional aesthetic concepts and other traditional properties. These include the more art related properties and focuses on art’s trans-historical and pan-cultural attributes. Throughout history, people of different cultures have been brought together by political ambitions, material desires and economic needs. Such cultural interrelations may at times be across great distances or communities of deep variation. Regardless of the fact that these endeavors may be cooperative or clash-related, the convergences brought about exchange of numerous knowledge and ideas (Grafton, P. 78, 2010). Taking the case of visual art for instance, it led to the rise of creative juxtapositions, innovative forms and hybrid styles; eventually having an impact on the interpretation of traditional symbols and signs. It is a rather apparent fact that art’s definition has had to change as time passes by. This is not only due to the fact that such time bring ...

1. Surname. 1
Student’s Name
Instructor’s Name
Course Title
18th August 2014
Definition of art
There has always been a rather human-like impulse to create;
one that is seen to be universal. Art is seen by many as a means
of communicating varying beliefs and expression of ideas
regarding various human experiences. This is a practice that has
been in existence since time immemorial, being passed down
through the civilization stages and in every existing region
across the globe (Kapferer, P.34, 2008). Art has also been seen
to have an important role of providing insight into past and
existing cultures; through which man can understand how other
lives have been lived and what they could have valued.
One issue that has continuously been of much controversy
is that of art’s definition. In fact, whether art can even be
defined at all has been a matter considered to be significantly
controversial in its own sense; others debating on the usefulness
of its definition from a philosophical point of view. However,
art is seen to have a conventionally accepted definition; one that
tends to entail a conglomeration of ideas as espoused in the
explanation given earlier. This paper seeks to discuss the
opinion that art’s definition has shifted and changed over time
and across cultures. In support of this view point, this paper
gains insight on various other aspects that are directly in issue
with the topic of discussion. .
When it comes to contemporary definition of art, there are
two mainly used sorts. One of them is distinctively modern and
conventionalist sort; which emphasizes its focus of art’s
definition on its institutional features, and the manner in which
art transforms or changes with time. This is the one that shows

2. just how traditional arts seem to have been broken by modern
works as well as the relational properties between different
artworks which have a dependency on past art history and art
genres. On the other hand, there is the contemporary definition
which is less conventionalist and makes a much broader use of
traditional aesthetic concepts and other traditional properties.
These include the more art related properties and focuses on
art’s trans-historical and pan-cultural attributes.
Throughout history, people of different cultures have been
brought together by political ambitions, material desires and
economic needs. Such cultural interrelations may at times be
across great distances or communities of deep variation.
Regardless of the fact that these endeavors may be cooperative
or clash-related, the convergences brought about exchange of
numerous knowledge and ideas (Grafton, P. 78, 2010). Taking
the case of visual art for instance, it led to the rise of creative
juxtapositions, innovative forms and hybrid styles; eventually
having an impact on the interpretation of traditional symbols
and signs. It is a rather apparent fact that art’s definition has
had to change as time passes by. This is not only due to the fact
that such time brings about several changes in what art means
but also what has to be offered. What was previously a
conservative form of exemplifying different attributes changed
to be a major means of communicating ideas and views. Culture
is also seen to be an issue so deeply entrenched in art as a
whole that separating the two becomes almost impossible. With
each production of a famous art work, a people’s culture
becomes more exposed. This inevitably leads to the increased
interrelation of cultural ideas between artworks, hence the
change in how such cultures understand the definition of art.
A suitable example of art’s definition changes over time and
across cultures is through the works of Michalangelo, during the
Renaissance evolution. Renaissance evolution of art occurred in
three phases: Early Renaissance, High Renaissance and Late
Renaissance or Mannerism. Several transformations in art came

3. about all throughout these periods. Primarily, this was because
of the holding up from the rich Italian families, who had
flourishing commercial ventures thereby patronized the majority
of the artists. He precisely calculated his sculptures so as to get
amazing creations. He often exaggerated where need be, for
instance the sculpture of David, where he intentionally made the
head and the hands oversized, but the image still remained
fascinating to the eye.
His works were greatly adored and still are. He was able to
bring out sculpturing at its best and seen as an art that be of
great impact. . He used his art to greatly change the region
during renaissance thus his celebration. In a time when Italy had
no raw talented artists, no well-constructed buildings or any
architectural work, he was able to bring an end to this together
with the other renaissance architectures. Living in a time where
life revolved around Christianity, such art as Michelangelo’s
was highly discouraged and rebuked, as they considered it to be
comparing one to God. The renaissance has proven to be the
essential stage that brought about much change, not only in
Italy and Europe but across the whole globe as a whole. The
works of Michelangelo and the other renaissance architects led
to the change of man’s ideologies, way of life and even skill
ability. The Renaissance art by Michelangelo demonstrates an
intellectual development kind, which happened all through those
art golden years. According to Canniffe, works of Michelangelo
have the capability and potential to make individuals discover
themselves as well as lose themselves at the same moment.
Indeed art is one of the oldest forms of human expression,
having traditional as well as modern views. Traditionally, art
was more conservative and less expressive than it is today.
Either way, it had strong underpinnings that made it one of the
most appreciated undertakings in the society (Canniffe, P.56,
2008). Historically, China has been seen as a nation that has a
rich cultural background. It is through this culture that the
nation also managed to developed its forms of art; a suitable
example being the martial arts that has traces its origin to the

4. Xia Dynasty that existed over 4000 years ago. After the nation’s
civil war, martial art becoming more spread into other cultures
across the globe. Though the martial arts practitioners started
off by only teaching their fellow Chinese on the skills, they
soon expanded their borders and accommodated even more
learners from different cultures. Through this form of art,
persons from different cultures have been able to be taught and
learn about the professed philosophical teachings of the martial
arts.
Various artists have used their artist skills to espouse
different views and comments on politics of the society all
through the centuries. One such work is that of Rowan Atkinson
in ‘Black Adder,’ where the theoretical play is used in
portraying the period of the French Revolution, the politics of
the day and how those in power related to those at the ground
level. Bran Granville was also able to showcase a number of his
works in the late 19th century, where he largely incorporated
and depicted feminist issues through his plays. Clifford Odets
also made some comments on the social scene through his
writings, offering strong views on the peoples’ right to proper
wages.
Before the 20th century, much of what Europeans and
Americans had heard about Africa was based on Africa Oral
stories and accounts from the early visitors’ perspective. This is
a notion that was carried even in the analysis and perception of
the region’s art work. During the 19th century, the collected
samples of Africa’s art works were considered as primitive and
heathen-like. By the 2oth century however, growing interest of
European artists –Such as Piccaso, in the region’s art led to a
drastic change in perspective, with more Europeans and
Americans beginning to appreciate it. Consequently, such art
works led to the development Modern Art Movements such as
Cubism and Abstract Expressionism. Today, there are set of
artistic scholars who have majored on studying the art styles in
contemporary Africa and what they could possibly imply. So
far, much has been learnt about the African form of art, the way

5. that they sculpture, the underlying reasons and specifics of the
eventual creations.
In truth, historical accounts of art in general have given sought
little insight and shed insufficient light on photography as a
form of contemporary art. However, it has been extensively
consolidated by commercial success ever since its conception
(Kapferer, P.87, 2008). Having been a resultant creation of the
fusing of science and art-through the incorporation of chemicals
and light, photography has managed to influence the art sector
to a large extent. This is mainly seen through its emergence as
an aspect of another form of art, but gradually grew to become
its own contemporary art form. After its conception in the 19th
century, photography was mainly used to ease the painting
process by taking images of the item to be drawn. Its uses
continued to increase and by the 20th century, photography was
no longer a facet of painting but its own form of artist work;
where one would capture images of people or other items in
meticulous artistic ways for exhibition and depiction of
different portrayals.
Evidently, art has undergone much change since its emergence,
and is yet to change even more. It is simply understood as an
integral part of human, and through that, is bound to
continuously change just as it is man’s nature. Art has to make
room for each progress that man makes in the society-be it
social, political or technological. The general understanding of
art four centuries ago is not the same as today’s; and neither
will today’s be the same as that of two centuries from now. This
is to affirm the point that the definition or art does indeed
change over time and across cultures.

6. Work Cited
Canniffe, Eamonn. The Politics of the Piazza: The History and
Meaning of the Italian Square. Burlington: Ashgate, 2008.
Print.
Grafton, Anthony T. The Classical Tradition. Cambridge Mass:
Harvard University Press, 2010. Print.
Kapferer, Judith. The State and the Arts: Articulating Power and
Subversion. New York: Berghahn Books, 2008. Print.
Moffett, Marian, Michael Fazio, and Lawrence Wodehouse. A
World History of Architecture. London: King, 2003. Print.