What is Art?

Art is anything modified by people. For example, a wild plant is not art, but a plant that has been pruned and trellised to decorate a yard can be considered an artistic element of landscape design. Unlike design, art doesn’t have to have a set purpose, it may only have aesthetic value, and a composition may not be important to anyone except the artist.

Art is also a method to inform and communicate ideas without words. I believe this is why art was a prevalent method of communication employed by many religions and cultures throughout history, as it does not rely on literacy or fluency to communicate essential beliefs, values, or knowledge to large groups of people.

Because art is a form of communication, it has a socio-political significance. Art often increases interest in a subject more intensely than other forms of communication. An example of this would be in political or corporate advertising.

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