Art plays a vital role in modern life, touching upon emotional, psychological, social, and financial aspects. It is also a good opportunity to share interests and develop creativity in humans and address the issues that bother communities in their unique way. Today, it is easy to find a number of definitions of art, and each philosopher, scientist, writer, or researcher is free to introduce opinions and prove their correctness. In her article, Popova chooses the thoughts of great people from different epochs.
A famous Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy, specified what art could and could not be. He admitted that art is not “the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty,” but “a means of the union” (qtd. in Popova). Art is a way for people to join their feelings and emotions and promote progress. An American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, underlined that art should be interpreted as a transformation of natural principles into appropriate forms for people to use (qtd. in Popova). Oscar Wilde, a well-known Irish poet, explained art as a means of individualism, and Thomas Merton, an American monk, enhanced this definition as a possibility for people to find and lose themselves through the prism of art (qtd. in Popova). These statements are solid contributions to understanding the essence of art in the modern world. I think all ideas are united around the same element of creativity in art. It is important for humans to leave something for future generations, and artworks pursue this purpose.
However, in a variety of definitions chosen by Popova, I like the approach by Francis Ford Coppola the most. This film director added such a captivating characteristic as a risk that makes art exclusive and worth attention (qtd. in Popova). Instead of giving common definitions, Coppola relied on his experience and admired the possibility of taking risks in art and creating memorable projects that fascinate people across the globe.
Works Cited
Popova, Maria. “What Is Art? Favorite Famous Definitions, from Antiquity to Today.” The Marginalian, 2012.