Introduction
It is difficult to say at what point in human history art arose. This issue is further complicated by the need to define art as a phenomenon clearly. Quite ancient examples of creative activity have come down to us, such as rock art and various decorations, but it cannot be said that they were the first objects of art. Only some of these objects are preserved as artifacts or fossils: songs, folklore, drawings in the sand – it is hard to say where the border of art lies. Indeed creative activity without a clear, practical goal has accompanied humanity throughout its history.
Discussion
Scientists attribute the emergence of the oldest fine art in the primary forms – sculpture, graphics, painting, and even music – to the most significant features of the Late Paleolithic era (Schneider & Wright, 2020). At that time, there was a belief that people, animals, plants, and even inanimate objects have souls, which exist even after death and influence their lives. This belief is called animism (from the Latin word “animus” – spirit). Based on animism, the cult of the afterlife and adoration of the dead, accompanied by various rituals, arose and became widespread. The sculpture is one of the earliest forms of art. Graphics, paintings, and music appeared later. People used animal bones to make works of art, including tusks, shoulder blades, pelvises, jaws, mammoth skulls, reindeer horns, sea shells, and others. Most often, surrounding animals were depicted, and most of the oldest works of art are realistic. They represent how primitive men showed animals as they saw them in life.
It can be asserted that art does not pursue any utilitarian goals other than satisfying the aesthetic needs of a person. In general, in the vast majority of cases, this statement is true. Discussions about what message the author put into the work can be long, but the fact is that the informational message does not always exist. People are much more likely to use other methods to convey a message. Drawings, diagrams, and photographs provide much more reliable information about the object than paintings or digital art. Scientific and journalistic articles contain more reliable knowledge than any fictional story. However, it is wrong that art is meaningless in conveying anything. The message that works of art carry is often not as informational as emotional. In essence, art can be defined as the material embodiment of the author’s feelings, which he wanted to share with others, perhaps even to evoke such feelings in them.
This does not mean that art means something solely as entertainment. It is worth starting with the fact that emotions are essential for people, not only in combating boredom. The correctness of this approach can be argued, but many people are directly guided by emotions when making their decisions. A sensual impulse can push a person to a variety of actions. It is not surprising that music, for example, has been used for centuries in military conflicts to raise morale. Art plays a significant role in terms of inspiring people to do certain things. In this sense, it is much more effective than slogans and words.
Art makes it easier for different nations to find a common language. Its subspecies, such as music or visual arts, do not have language boundaries, which makes mutual cultural penetration faster and easier (Schneider & Wright, 2020). The public knows about many cultures of antiquity primarily thanks to artifacts that are works of art. For example, many people usually imagine ancient Greece and Rome primarily through the prism of characteristic architecture, sculpture, and ceramics (Schneider & Wright, 2020). Often it is the objects of art that represent a particular culture in the eyes of humanity.
Art has always reflected the moods prevailing in society and, at the same time, directed these moods. For example, it is enough to look at the art of the Renaissance. At this time, we can observe a shift in the focus of attention from God to man – the dominance of anthropocentrism. The works of such brilliant Renaissance artists as Michelangelo demonstrate man’s courage and strength. The artist revealed his admiration for humanity with his art, affirming freedom and human beauty. Such works not only allow people to understand the worldview of contemporary society but also to form their own.
For people art is one of the ways of self-identification. As noted above, any culture is characterized primarily by examples of art. Poets, writers, artists, and musicians significantly influence the formation of national identity. Even outside the national or cultural aspect, art largely determines a person’s worldview and the construction of his personality. The films people watch from childhood, the books they read, and the music they listen to certainly affects what values they develop in the future.
Conclusion
Art makes a person’s life happier: it would not exist if the population did not need to satisfy their aesthetic needs. It is unlikely that this or that artist can answer why he creates his work. The desire to create is an internal impulse, and it is often challenging to find rational reasons. However, it is not a reason to deny its existence.
Ultimately, art is an integral part of human beings as all known groups of modern people have it in one form or another (Schneider & Wright, 2020). Art, which probably appeared as a side effect of a developed brain, has become a hallmark of human as a species. The preservation and enhancement of the cultural heritage, which includes objects of art, is an essential task of mankind.
Reference
Schneider, A., & Wright, C. (Eds.). (2020). Contemporary art and anthropology. Routledge.