As a concept, art is one of the most diverse cultural activities in the world, focusing on imagination in order to create pieces that can evoke feelings either through their technical aspects, the ideas they present, or simply as a result of their beauty. Depending on the definition, the arts include painting, sculpture, music, literature, film, dance, theatre, and architecture. In the case of some of them, there’s an overlap between the categories as well. For instance, ballet is considered both a sport and an art form as it blends athleticism, endurance, and discipline with a very particular set of aesthetics.
Architecture is another example, as it is considered an art form, but in order to create functional buildings, it is also essential to know the scientific standards and mathematical principles that make structures possible in the first place. And while for many, art is nothing more than something you find in museums, the truth is that engaging in creative activities and surrounding yourself with art in your own life is very important for your own mental and emotional well-being.
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-painting-of-people-in-a-boat-on-a-river-HEEvYhNzpEo
Becoming an artist
If you’ve never made art yourself, getting started might feel quite intimidating. However, you should know that creating your own works has proven positive benefits on your health and well-being. Creativity is sort of like a muscle in that you have to nurture and train it in order to see results. You will also become more confident in your own abilities, improve your motor skills, and manage your stress more effectively. When you go online to shop for artwork, you will most likely see a lot of photography for sale, as well as drawings and sculptures to purchase. Buying from contemporary artists allows you to support the community and ensure it can continue to thrive.
If you want to start with something more accessible, you should definitely consider photography. However, remember that while it may seem easier to begin with, it will still take you years of practice and plenty of learning in order to hone your craft. For every single kind of art you want to do, you will need different materials and equipment. For instance, pottery requires choosing a clay type such as stoneware or earthenware, sponges, needle tools, shaping aids, glazing, and access to a kiln. To make music, you’ll have to expose yourself to as many genres and styles as possible and choose an instrument you’d like to play or software. There’s also the hybrid approach that combines the two. Exploring production techniques such as mastering and mixing, as well as connecting with other musicians, can help tremendously as well.
Historical overview
Artistic works have existed for nearly as long as humankind has existed, with developments taking place throughout history as art evolved from its prehistoric roots to the contemporary displays we see in art galleries today. Even back in the earliest days of human history, art included a broad range of objects, with many paintings surviving to this day. The Venus statues, the Lion-man of Hohlenstein-Stadel, and large cave paintings that can be seen in many countries from all over the world show the talent of the ones who made them, although the true purpose of the items remains up to debate and may remain shrouded in mystery forever.
Many of the artistic objects dating back to Antiquity belong to Applied Arts, meaning that they were daily objects decorated and designed in such a way as to be aesthetically pleasing but still maintain functional use. The Standard of Ur, Hittite stag rhytons made of silver, the Neo-Assyrian winged bulls, the Egyptian pyramids, funerary masks, hypostyle halls, and incense burners from Pre-Islamic South Arabia are some of the items you can see in museums today. Medieval art was predominantly centered on religious themes and narratives, while in the Renaissance, the topics evolved to include animals, plants, and mythological stories. Artists began to study nature, the human body, and experiment with the qualities of light, space, and perspective while painting.
Baroque art appeared during a time when society was changing as a result of innovations such as the microscope and telescope. The colors were bright, and the paintings were dynamic and full of emotion. Saint-Gobain mirrors, Delftware, and Chinese porcelain became very popular in France during this period. Rococo, characterized by asymmetry and love for entertainment, was particularly noteworthy in the applied arts, where its undulating shapes were highly appreciated. Romanticism, which emerged in the late 18th century, was not just an art form but a lifestyle for the artists, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the connection between human beings and nature.
Realism and Impressionism followed in the late 19th century. The first depicted regular people and landscapes instead of grand, idealized subjects, while the latter changed the techniques painters used. Works were finished in a few hours or days instead of weeks or even months, black was used sparingly, if at all, and nuanced strokes replaced defining lines. Expressionism arrived in the early 20th century, and there is sometimes overlap between it and other movements such as Dada, futurism, cubism, and abstraction. Today, the art world is mainly characterized by diversity in form, subject, and the materials used, with no unifying ideology or style.
Learning about the history of the art form you’re interested in can also serve as a source of inspiration, helping you reach new milestones and achieve your goals.
The benefits
Recent studies have once again solidified the idea that consuming culture, whether it means going to a play, visiting an art exhibition, attending a play, or going to the movies, is good for your health and well-being. Research was conducted in the UK in order to quantify the impact of the arts on physical and mental health, as well as to determine the monetary value of the advantages it brings. Some of the human health benefits include alleviating depression and pain and improving quality of life.
Increased productivity at work and reduced costs for the NHS (England’s publicly funded healthcare system) have been noticed as well. Engaging with the arts allows people to manage their health more efficiently and proactively, as well as remain socially engaged and physically active for longer.
If you’re interested in the arts and have been thinking about creating your own pieces, there’s no better time than the present in order to get started.
Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash
