Art

Art is a wide and varied subject that refers mostly to the deliberate manipulation of materials to create something that appeals to the visual senses. Art often has an emotional appeal to it, which, more often than not is to be interpreted by the beholder in what ever way he wants. For example a piece of art may not trigger the same response in one person as it does another. ‘The arts’ refers to a wider range of mediums, including music, literature and theatre.

Colins dictionary defines art as ‘the creation of works of beauty or other special significance’ and other than that it is hard to define. A computer could be programmed to paint a picture but as it would have no emotional content, would it be art? It is said that anything can be art as long as an artist says so, which can be seen most prolifically in the work of turner prize winners. The turner prize winner for 2007 was a man in a bear suit. Other people have won with works that include a soiled bed, a room with the lights going on and off and a urinal.

There are many different mediums of art itself including sculpting, painting and carving. Different styles of art include still life, landscape and portrait, while genres include impressionism, cubism and modern art. Some of the more well known artists include rembrant, Escher, Salvadore Dali, Vincent Van Gogh and H.R. Giger.