An understanding of the term “arts” implies a wide variety of experiences and endeavors that have spanned time and place. The term, as applied to art, can mean art history, creative drama, physical or written arts, music, visual arts, dance, cuisine, architecture, and other specialized fields. Art is a broad spectrum or complete product of human action with particular reference to the creative imagination to express intellectual, aesthetic, emotional, physical, or societal strength. An understanding of the breadth of the definition of the term art leads to the realization that not all human activities that we observe are art forms. The word “art” can also be used to refer to any work of visual or performing arts that serves a human purpose, whether that purpose is to produce an aesthetic experience or to amuse, encourage, or reflect upon the experience of the creator.
The most common types of art produced by humans include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and music. Each type of art differs in its purpose, the medium it is created on, the artists who create it, and the quality of the final output. Paintings, for example, are normally used to beautify a space; therefore, they usually have a specific subject and a specific style. In some cases, paintings are used as functional art items to decorate a home or office, but they are not considered to be true works of art.
Drawing and painting have both historically and continuously served different purposes. In ancient times, people depended on drawing and painting to communicate information and express emotions. However, today, drawing and painting are used to create an aesthetic and emotional reaction in order to enhance one’s surroundings. Aesthetic appreciation and emotion are often considered to be the most important characteristics of any form of art, even if the final product does not necessarily communicate any specific message or intention. In addition, the creation of art depends on the ability to use one’s physical senses to the fullest, including the sense of touch, taste, and smell. Therefore, contemporary fine art includes visual and performing arts such as dance, music, visual art, film, and sculpture.
