Art is...

Creating a singular definition of Art is as complicated as describing salt to someone who has never tasted it. Art is multifaceted; traditionally art has operated within the realm of religious ritual. Art is also a powerful means of storytelling. Art may also serve as a commemoration of an important event. The event may be of major historical importance, or it may be more personal such as the depiction of a wedding, birth, baptism, or social achievement. Art may also be a means of recording of visual data-- depicting what we see in a particular moment of time. The expressive power of art can be seen in literal ways in the capturing of facial expression and body language. Art can convey intense emotion. Art has often served as a vehicle for propaganda or social commentary, which attempts to persuade one toward a particular viewpoints or action promoted by public or private institutions such as political parties, governments, or religious groups. The artist as social commentator may simply make us more aware of the human condition.
Art can also be seen as pleasing the eye- creating beauty. Yet this idea of beauty, like that of truth, has been challenged in the modern era. At one time, the artist was expected to portray perfection-- lofty and noble ideals of beauty. Yet as society has become more diverse, educated, and industrialized many people began to broaden their notion of what could be beautiful.

In any case, one of the primary functions of art is to interpret the subject matter at hand. Although new subject matter has evolved, the human condition, nature, and events still continue to capture the attention of artists. The media used have changed relatively little; though new materials have appeared in this century, the conventional media continue to be used. Nor can we say that the quality or artistic merit of art works has increased or lessened with time. However, throughout the course of history as society has changed, so also has the interpretation of specific subject matter. A portrait executed by Matisse in 1907 should not be confused with one done by van Dyck in the 1630s. Even landscape is reinterpreted in the context of a changing world. Each work is an expression of the subject in the context of the values, culture, and events of its specific era.