What is Art: Definition and 184 Discussions

Art is a diverse range of (products of) human activities involving creative imagination to express technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas.There is no generally agreed definition of what constitutes art, and ideas have changed over time. The three classical branches of visual art are painting, sculpture, and architecture. Theatre, dance, and other performing arts, as well as literature, music, film and other media such as interactive media, are included in a broader definition of the arts. Until the 17th century, art referred to any skill or mastery and was not differentiated from crafts or sciences. In modern usage after the 17th century, where aesthetic considerations are paramount, the fine arts are separated and distinguished from acquired skills in general, such as the decorative or applied arts.
The nature of art and related concepts, such as creativity and interpretation, are explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics. The resulting artworks are studied in the professional fields of art criticism and the history of art.

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  1. B

    [Funny Math Art] Guess what's inside?

    The surface in above image is a portion of the graph of some mathematical equation. Let's do some brainstorming: Can you guess what's inside the surface? . .
  2. B

    Wave/particle duality in art and the world as a general pattern

    As a professional novelist, I see wave particle duality in all things including arts. For instance a book written in the first person (I) is the particle viewpoint just as the 3rd person represents one bifurcation of the wave function viewpoint. I see wave particle duality everywhere. Take...
  3. Ivan Seeking

    Is This Modern Art Worth $30,000?

    I am glad to concede that the definition of art is elusive. I can also understand the value in collectable modern art. But there comes a point where stuff is just ridiculous. Ejaculate in Trajectory http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5236674 $30,000...
  4. T

    Programs Major Advice (Potentially Double in Art and Physics)

    Hi! I'm a college student majoring in physics. I had a very terrible freshman year (during which I thought I would be pre-med). I switched to being an art major my sophomore year and took lots of art classes. Then I freaked out and decided that if I was going to go to school it should be...
  5. P

    Add Album Art to iTunes: A How-To Guide

    This is a pretty specific question, but I figure someone here might know something about it... I'm a few weeks away from releasing an album (not here to self advertise, but PM me if you're into mashups/mixes and I can send you a link to my demo (it's free of course) :P), and my friend is...
  6. P

    What forces are at play when a sculptor's punch is used to carve stone?

    It is not often that artists need to deal with physics questions, but here's a good one (more than one actually). I hope someone out there will be in the mood for addressing this. It has to do with stone-carving techniques. If anyone wants to know more context, I'll be glad to fill it in, but...
  7. A

    The Art of Wondering: Realism, Measurements & Becoming Gods

    Hi GeorgeCantor; I read and re-read your post #30 in the other thread and wondered a lot about it. It seems the main issue is realism. Realism; (Wordweb) - The attribute of accepting the facts of life and favouring practicality and literal truth - The state of being actual or real -...
  8. Evo

    Is My Daughter's Artwork Truly Handmade or Digitally Enhanced?

    I will combine this with the other art thread, but wanted to share a couple of pictures that Spawn of Evo has done recently. I always say that she is an artist, but have never posted her work. http://a.imageshack.us/img709/3827/spawnfriend.jpg...
  9. F

    Some favorite pieces of art, film, etc.

    Just off the top of my head: I'm rather partial to this portrait of Napoleon... [PLAIN]http://www.nmm.ac.uk/tserver.php?f=NAN0120.jpg&h=650&legacyResize Somehow, I just don't think I could ever execute red velor pants as well (really more of a blue jeans or brown slacks kind of guy)...
  10. C

    Any software that can do automated line art?

    there's none in photoshop is there any software out here that can perform automatic line art?
  11. fuzzyfelt

    Medical Synaesthesia or cross-modality in art

    Following from the “Number Form” thread in GD, and also related to the “Synesthesia” thread in Medical Sciences, here- https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=400140 https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=393977 there was a post with a link about a book named “Synesthesia in...
  12. G

    Amazing Sand Art | Unbelievable Artistry

    It speaks for itself
  13. Ivan Seeking

    Be a part of the interactive art lighting the Olympic skies

    http://www.vectorialvancouver.net/home.html Ou, en français http://www.vectorialvancouver.net/home_fr.html
  14. A

    How do you make a website and who likes art here

    How do you make a website and who likes art here (or is good at designing)?
  15. L

    Showcase Your Artworks: Post Paintings, Drawings & Sculptures

    I drew a picture of Leonardo Dicaprio. Here's one I drew of Jackie Chan.
  16. Loren Booda

    What type of art do you believe requires the most talent?

    What type of art do you believe requires the most talent?
  17. B

    (The Art Of?) Asking Profs about Assigned Homework

    How does it reflect upon your quality as a physicist if you ask a professor questions about homework they assigned that you are stuck on? Obviously, a good (theoretical) physicist cannot be walked through a problem to its solution, but a good theoretical physicist also does not act too stubborn...
  18. C

    Computing Sciences - An Art or a Science?

    Hello! I'm a few weeks away from being a high school senior, and I'm looking at going into Computing Sciences after high school. But when I checked out the website of the University I plan to attend, it listed Computing Science as both an Arts and a Sciences course. Why is this? Are there two...
  19. J

    Exploring the Power of Sanskrit Chanting in Art of Living

    Someone posted the following in a mailing list on Art of Living yoga invitation message. Most of the audience of this mailing list are people highly educated and working in hi-tech jobs. Wonder how low we can stretch placebo to play people's mind. --------------------- Yoga of Sound...
  20. rcgldr

    Did you ever use punched cards for art or programming in the past?

    All I have is this one I used for the front of a drawer for punched cards back in the days. Multilayer, white card sandwiched between two blue cards: Looks better if I invert the image of the white card:
  21. Borek

    Is Accuracy Sacrificed in the Art of Drawing Animals?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5zlf2cxj98
  22. D

    How Can I Calculate the Range of Values for Vector Math in 3D Art?

    Hi! I am a software developer and at the moment I am working on media art projects dealing with generative art algorithms in 3D spaces. I have been stuck for a few hours with a little problem dealing with vector math and I can't reach a conclusion. If someone here could give me a little...
  23. Cyrus

    Penmanship: A Lost Art of the Old-Timers

    I was looking at Kelly Johnsons flight log photos online: I've also noticed professor Anderson (of the Anderson Aeroynamic Book series), also has amazing Penmanship. So does my grandmother. Pretty much all the old timmers do. Meanwhile, I scribble mess unless I'm turning in...
  24. 3

    Exploring Art of Acid Etching Steel Knife Blades

    hi , i am newbie here and reading through i find it ... stimulating.. now as to what brought me here.. i have wanted to look into art form of acid etching different knids of tempered steel used in stainless knife blades.. does anyone there know what mask coating will take a fine line...
  25. E

    Any art historians, art theorists, art critics around?

    Hello, I'd like to know if anyone studying art history related subjects or analytic philosophy in academic sense in the forum. Drop in if you are interested. ej
  26. hagopbul

    Manga why it is not called drawing art

    what is Manga why it is not called drawing art ...or art or anim-art ? any one knows
  27. C

    The Science and Art of Perception

    Me n Art: The Science of Art I am a retired engineer with much formal education. Also I have five children and seven grandchildren. Thus, I speak with some extensive first-hand experience with the educational system in the United States. Until a few months ago, when I began studying...
  28. P

    Art and Mathematics/Physics.

    Greetings...i am an Independent Artist and my greatest inspiration has come from maths/geometry...i also have an interest in revolutionary scientific ideas such as "free energy" as proposed by Nikola Tesla..."biological transmutation" as proposed by Dr. Kervran and..."morphic resonance" as...
  29. R

    What is the Thread of Arts in Everyday Life?

    Every once in a while, a thread comes up that has 'something' to do with the 'Arts'. Past ones had the 'chicken' on the roadside, discussions about Pollock, avatars, etc. So, I thought this may be interesting. From paintings to film to dance to your or your child's art, whether a...
  30. fuzzyfelt

    Reader in Neuroscience: Exploring Art & Bee Matrix

    He is a Reader in Neuroscience, but has also exhibited at the Hayward and Serpentine Galleries, and I like this Bee Matrix.
  31. M

    Exploring Career Options for Kids Who Love Both Physics and Art

    Is there a way for a kid to blend physics and art into a career? She can't make up her mind which way to go, so I thought I would see if there are any suggestions out there that use both.
  32. P

    The Art and Craft of Problem Solving, 1.3.4

    The Art and Craft of Problem Solving, 2nd Edition By: Paul Zeitz Homework Statement 1.3.4 In the xy-plane, what is the length of the shortest path from (0,0) to (12, 16) that does not go inside the circle {{(x - 6)}^{2}} + {{(y - 8)}^{2}} = {25}. Homework Equations Standard form...
  33. D

    Art and Craft of Problem Solving

    I've recently gotten hold of this book, "The Art and Craft of Problem Solving", by Paul Zeitz. I have heard many recommondations for it, and think it is fantastic. I want to read it the most effective way. Have any of you read it? How did you do it, or do you have any tips on how to read...
  34. M

    Art Exhibit Controversy in Alingsås, Sweden

    http://www.thelocal.se/9824/20080130/ I'm always so surprised how far from the political climate Sweden is from the United States. Besides the neo-Nazis, the only party opposing it was the far-right Christian Democrats (6.6% in latest elections). Most others where thrilled. Do you think...
  35. H

    The art to become special and a bounce

    The art to become special and the bounce. Roger Penrose in his book “The Road to Reality” showed us a road/trajectory from a super special low entropy state, at the Big bang, to nowadays’ less special and higher entropy state. Nothing wrong with symmetric physical laws valid during that...
  36. Q

    Math & Fine Arts: Texts & Materials for High School Curriculum

    Hello, I am a High School math teacher in the US, and our district is writing a curriculum for a new math class that will include a section on Math and the Fine Arts. I have found many websites that deal with this from a Fine Arts perspective, but we need some mathematical rigor in the...
  37. F

    Art of Electronics for christmas?

    hey guys, I want a book on electronics for christmas as ill be studying electrical engineering next year (ETH Zurich), so through amazon i found Art of Electronics, which has some great reviews. Anyways I am wondering if any of you guys has any experience with this book and can tell me how...
  38. T

    High concept /sophisticated mathy art, and your other mathy gift ideas please

    Hi :) I was referred here from the xkcd math forums... Basically, I'm looking for a gift for my mathematician boyfriend. He's a voracious reader and has pretty much devoured every single math book in print, so a book is out. I was thinking of some math-based art would be cool, however...
  39. E

    Is Modern Art Pushing Boundaries Or Just Trying To Shock Us?

    even in this time, when nothing really shocks us, we see more and more artists, who give the name "art" to abstract pieces, in which i (personally) can t see any meaning. i attended an exhibition and for example, there was a video, that showed a man throwing up. i don t know.. i am not...
  40. zoobyshoe

    Thoughts on Jackson Pollock and Modern Art

    <<Note from Moonbear: I've separated this from the urinal thread since it seems to have become a discussion all it's own. I couldn't resist the title. :redface:>> Jackson Pollock's work was brilliant. Art from that era looks inexplicable to people like Evo, but there is method in the...
  41. C

    Can Quantum Mechanics and Art Coexist?

    Hello readers, googling to qm and painting I found the name of Egbert Rijke as painter and scientist (space-time etc.). At this moment imposseble to mail him I introduce myself as not-dr(s)-HTS-scolared believer of the QM and...painter. I suppose that some aspects of qm / world / reality...
  42. A

    Evil, and the art of architecture

    Sorry, I lost it. I really thought there was a connention somewhere, though. :frown:
  43. honestrosewater

    Music Josh Bell: Can Music Stop Rush Hour Commuters?

    (There are video clips embedded in the article.) I might have missed it, but did it even occur to the authors that some people don't like this music? Anyway, someone showed me this article, and I thought it was interesting enough to pass along. I don't have any insightful comments at the...
  44. G01

    So I want to learn a martial art.

    I'm probably not going to have time this summer to learn a martial art, but I've been considering it for a while. The next time I have a chance, I think I am going to take one up. Does anyone have any suggestions for a particular martial art. I want one that will be able to increase my...
  45. P

    Mass Art: Value, Interpretation & Reality

    I think so, it's the value that anyone person puts on it, there own interpretation and reality is the only thing that really counts even tho people will naturally disagree. Unless each mass produced sculpture, painting...etc is hand made by the artist it doesn't even have a chance of fitting...
  46. J

    Create Animated Poster: Art Homework Help

    Can someone try and make me a poster please that looks like it is animated although it is still. (Just sort of like a fancy font) Example of somehting i tried, really crap and I am sure someone could do better and i hope they will. All it has to have is the word "Animation" or "Movement", and...
  47. R

    Determine Bulb Position for Parabolic Reflector of Headlight

    . ...|...B . ...| . ...| . ...| ----|---------D . ...|A . ...| . ...| . ...|...C Remember its a parabola connect the dots. This is what i have done x^2/a^2 - y^2/b^2 = 1 then i substituted a as 0 and b as 16 and it got me nowhere I'm guessing it has to be located at 0 but i...
  48. JasonJo

    Art Gallery Theorem with Holes

    Hey guys, my professor recently posed the problem of finding a simple Fisk like proof for the Art Gallery Theorem with holes: it says that's to guard a polygon with n vertices and h holes, we will always need at most floor[(n+h)/3] where floor represents the floor function. now i saw some...
  49. W

    What could have happened to Art Bell's wife, Ramona?

    This is too soon. I predict he'll be happy he didn't sell his Nevada ranch. Is she even 18?
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