WHAT IS ART? HOW CAN ART BE DEFINED?

There's not just one way to describe art into a short paragraph; art is a visual expression, a visual of continuum that ranges from aesthetic to utilitarian purposes. Art is vastly diverse, which is why it moves everyone; be it good or bad, that it can get a reaction out of anyone.

"Art is the activity by which a person, having experienced an emotion, intentionally transmits it to others." -Leo Tolstoy

The reason I chose this quote by Russian author, Leo Tolstoy, is because he was the type of author to write based on his life experiences, one of which being his book, "War and Peace," that used most of his experiences during the Crimean War of 1853 to 1856.

His quote brings to the point that people make and look at art based on how they experience it.

HOW ELSE CAN ART BE EXPLAINED?

In simplest terms, art can also be described as a form of expressing oneself, any creative work from a human being, creating visual entertainment, a manifestation of beauty, individualism, the principles of nature transcribed onto canvas or in photography, the character of art, interior art design, decorative art design, anything that is created can be considered art.

Art is not just about museums, framed paintings, artsy people. Art isn't something that you have to, "get," to know what art is and to appreciate it.

Art is for anyone that wants to experience it and it's everywhere, much more than you realize.

Do you like music? Well...that is a form of art.

Do you like movies? That's art.

Do you buy something that was crafted by someone? That's art.

Do you appreciate photography? Hey...guess what? That's art.

Do you read books? Oh wow...look at that! Another form of art.

Sneaker obsessed? Art.

Like to do make-up or follow make-up accounts? Yup. Art.

All of this and more, is art.

But what is art exactly?

Again, art cannot be described in one short paragraph and it cannot be easily described; you're not going to get one or a straight answer. Art has been around for thousands of years and has evolved in many ways and many genres have been invented to create more individualism...more ways to express oneself.

So many genres of art have been created for a variety of reasons and why so many different types of art were created vary from person to person, that defining art is complex and has caused many a debate for centuries. It's how you experience it, which is why art will never have the simplest definition.

What art is to you, does not make it art to the next person. A handful of people could be in the museum looking at the same piece of art, and each of these individuals are experiencing it in a different way. This experience could be based on your emotions that are related to your history, your life story, and your views that essentially make up the person you are today, and through that, comes the emotion and how you view and handle art.

The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli, 1781

Let's say we are in the museum, there are three of us, looking at the oil painting, "The Nightmare," by Henry Fuseli, each of us at the same exact time are viewing and experience this painting entirely differently than the person next to us. One could think this is the most beautiful piece of art to ever exist. The next person might hate it for a few reasons (maybe it makes them feel uncomfortable). Then the third may not feel or think much of it at all, for whatever reason. And the thing is, none of these people are wrong.

You are more than entitled to have your opinions, feelings, and preferences about art. The way I feel about a certain song, could be the same feelings someone has about a piece of photography, and I may not feel that way about that particular piece of photography, that does not make that person's feelings about it any less valid on why they feel that way.

Art stirs a lot of emotion, and a lot of the focus is geared towards the negative because of the controversy that people bring to it. It's okay to feel certain ways about art. Either way you feel about it, talk, converse about these feelings with others who feel the same and even who feel the opposite.

Art also brings a lot of beautiful emotions and these are things that should also be discussed. We can learn a lot from art. We can also learn a lot about the artists and the people that feel the emotions that they do.

I have found myself in so many deep conversations with people about art, not just the, "art lovers," but also with the people that, "don't get it." It strikes up conversations that I never thought I would ever have. And it's interesting, and sometimes beautiful, to hear why people feel a certain way. So much can happen and be talked about because of a single piece of art. That is a part of life. That is part of the discovery of life. That is part of the discovery of where we have been, where are, and where we are going. Art brings vision. Art creates life.

So why not talk about it? Talk about all of the emotions it drives. Don't be scared of it. We are supposed to have feelings about it. We are supposed to learn from it. We are supposed to grow from it.

Art has given us our histories. Art has given us stories passed down from generation to generation. Art has given us so much in our lives that we either take it for granted or just don't realize what it has given us.

The word, "art," is just an identifier...a label...a name.

Art is important.

IS ART REALLY IMPORTANT?

Well...in many ways, yes, art is important. Art is important to society because art is everywhere, you can make the best effort in trying to find art nowhere, but it is everywhere we look, in almost every angle. Everything everywhere has been created by a person for one reason or another. Be it from homes that we live in, buildings that we work in, cars that we drive, schools where we learn, hospitals where we go to bring life into this world...these things were created by architects with the skill, talent, and passion...someone with a vision. These things wouldn't exist without an artist, without art.

We go out to restaurants to eat. We go to the movies and the theatre to be entertained. We go to music venues to be stimulated. We read books to learn and to escape reality for a little while. All of these things are a form of art. It is all created by an artist with love and passion to give to the world. No matter where you look, there is art. Having art is part of being human. Humans have the need, the desire to express themselves. Art is a form of expressing yourself. It's important to let that out. No matter how dark, strange, or different it may be. We, as a society, need that freedom of expression. It feeds our soul.

"Life without the collective resources of our libraries, museums, theatres, and galleries, or without the personal expression of literature, music, and art, would be static and sterile - no creative arguments about the past, no diverse, and stimulating present and no dreams of the future." -Arts Council England 2014

Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT

Emotional concert-goers. See the variety of emotions in these individuals faces? How can art not be important? This is expression. This is feeling. This is human. This is life.

Is art really important? In the U.K. in 2011, studies show that the art and culture industries made over 21.2 billion pounds (that's roughly over 25 billion in U.S. dollars) in an aggregated turnover and 4 years later in 2015, the arts and culture industry contributed around 27 billion pounds (almost 31 billion in U.S. dollars) to the economy. Yup...around/over 27 billion pounds of contribution. That also created 137, 250 jobs and over 6 billion pounds (roughly over 7 billion in U.S. dollars) in employee compensation. Not only does this art form create entertainment, but it creates jobs and helps the economy.

Is art really important?

The arts and culture industry contributes vastly to the economy globally by not just the people from the local area, but also by attracting tourists, and these tourists spend money and venture off to other areas within the town where they may be attending a show of any kind, which again, contributes to the economy. Tourists stay at hotels. That costs money. Tourists obviously have to eat. That costs money. Tourists shop. That costs money. Tourists do the tourist attractions. That costs money. That money goes into the town, that money goes into the economy. And we all know, money makes the world go round.

Art connects the culture with the basic use of goods, an artifact, a commodity, a feeling. Art connects us in ways that many things cannot. Art generates money for the economy, obviously, but it can also connect us by a significance an importance, such as a sentimental value and by connecting us to our culture and to our community. People are also getting an incredible experience that they wouldn't gain anywhere else. They're getting a memory that will live on through them for the rest of their lives. Art isn't just, "stuff." Art is life. Art is an experience. ART IS EVERYTHING.

There are multiple studies out there, especially in the last ten years, that state that people who have attended place of culture and an event in the last year, were 60% more likely report good health and happiness than those that have not in the last year. The research also shows that people that have engaged in the arts in any form, are linked to a, "higher level of subjective wellbeing."

Not just attending the arts can be important, but also taking part in the arts, such as performing (in any aspect) have been proven to improve cognitive function of all people of any age and helps treat a wide range of illnesses, such as dementia, depression (I can attest to this), and Parkinson's Disease.

The Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) discovered, during extensive research, that when being used in hospitals, arts, culture, and music have helped improve the conditions of patients of stress, anxiety, and even blood pressure.

The art community also highly makes contributions by charity events and fundraisers, and there are articles on the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research website with over 100 articles on how the art community makes impactful contributions.

Many believe that the arts and science are on the opposite sides of the spectrum, Harvard students and faculty at Harvard Medical School have embraced a convergence between these two subjects and seeing the benefits of having art in their medical careers.

"Playing music serves as a creative outlet that allows me to disengage from medicine and to relax. Given that creating music relies on collaboration between individuals, I find that it is also a wonderful way to meet new friends and to connect based on our shared art." - Harvard Medical Student, Enchi Chang, who was the current head of the Chamber Music Society during his academic studies at HMS (Instagram, Harvard Catalyst Profile, Virtual Bedside Concerts, Harvard Medical School Chamber Music Society, Longwood Symphony | Musicians, & INDIA NEW ENGLAND: Better Healing Through Music)

Read more about The Arts & Medicine @ Harvard Medical

Art therapy can also help offenders, people in prison. Through the years, experience shows that art therapy can contribute and help understand an inmate, help understand themselves. Art therapy has been in prisons for many years, through education classes, as well as individual-based activities that they can do in their own cells, if they so choose. There is art therapy and there is art activities; there is a slight difference between the two is the purpose. Art activities are more for an outer expression where an inmate can can create external projects and activities, like painting a mural or performing with a musical instrument, like doing a musical performance for their peers. Art therapy is more about the personal progress of the individual, to give them more expression and individualism, and these tend to work successfully for those that act based on being a follower and wanting to be accepted, making them typically act out on things they normally wouldn't do...landing them in prison. Art therapy sessions can produce a positive feeling for that inmate/individual, making them proud of what they have created because they were given that outlet to do so, where they likely didn't have that outside of prison. The main aspect of art therapy for the inmate is the change within themselves, to look inward, and to bring their feelings and expressions into a more positive outlet than committing crime.

Not everyone has the capability to create art or do activities in group sessions, with many others, most of the inmates that benefits from art therapy, are the ones that are more in need of individualism. Some of the benefits of art therapy for the inmates is non-verbal communication (not everyone can communicate and articulate verbally what they are thinking and feeling), can help the therapist better understand what's in their mind, a visual representation of what it is like inside their head, self-exploration and self-expression, art can help the inmate release and deal with feelings like anger and aggression in a positive and much healthier way (and not illegal...which is also incredibly important), and art can be an enjoyable experience for them, and it helps them realize that they have so much more to offer to not just themselves, but to the world, it will help them realize their capabilities and maybe help push them into a career that they probably wouldn't have realized that they could do, if it wasn't for art. It gives them social justice.

Art challenges an inmates attitude and perspective; art education has shown, through much extensive research, it can influence a personal development. An interdisciplinary research program studies have published in neurobiology, education, and in criminal justice journals show that cognitive social and personal competencies are cultivated through the practices of art. There is evidence based facts that these enhanced competencies extend to inmates involved in prison fine arts programs. These programs are designed to give an authentic learning experience that helps engage the minds, soul, and heart of these inmates. Art therapy, art education, and art activities have proven to help with writing skills, enhance greater intellectual agility and creativity, enhance motivation, and can also enhance the performance in other academic disciplines.

Other studies have shown that art benefits an inmate's life in a few other ways when given this outlet as therapy and rehabilitation, such as those that are struggling with self-worth, builds their confidence, gives them empowerment.

We do have to understand that the majority of the inmates do suffer from a mental disorder, and we do have to realize that it is not a cop-out, an excuse. A sane person would not commit the kinds of crimes and acts that a lot of these inmates have committed, so we have to treat it with some care and trying to understand where they are mentally, why they did what they did, and if there is some kind of way to help them. A lot of these inmates did not grow up in a stable environment, typically didn't have any communication with their parents for one reason or another, many were abused in many ways, they didn't have a support system, a lot of them drop out of school because of their home environment.

Many of these inmates are diagnosed with depression, anxiety, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar, along with other severe and disabling mental disorders, and most have been untreated, and that is typically due to their lives growing up for a variety reasons. If you have a mental disorder, like bipolar, you cannot say things or make comparisons like, "I have bipolar and I would never do this and this and act like that," chances are, you've had more of an opportunity to get the healthcare and treatment you needed, and likely had a support system to where you could get diagnosed, treated, and get the medication you need. When it's left undiagnosed, untreated etc., and years go on, it can make the illness worse, which can severely impair your judgement.

To better understand when a mental disorder is left undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, untreated etc., read these articles and studies:

There are other stages, other levels of the inmate's condition, that would depend on the severity of their mental illness. Not all mental disorders are equal, and not everyone can handle it the same way. It needs to be treated based on the individual alone, hence the term, "therapy."

Being an inmate, in many of the prisons all over the world, are not living in the greatest conditions either, which can contribute to the declining of their mental health. We need to remember that these inmates are still people, and it all needs to be treated case-by-case. Most people deserve a second chance. And art therapy, in all forms, can help.

Of course there are crimes that have been committed that cannot be forgiven, but if we tackle it at its main source, doing art therapy or art activities with inmates, we can have a better understanding and try to make better strides for the future...for the future of our children and having better support and outlets to treat these disorders.

Research suggests an undeniable link between the development of the right brain and art education and art practices, which leads to higher-order thinking skills and greater emotional self-regulation and awareness.

A fully, well-developed right brain correlates with focused attention capabilities, advanced creativity skills, intellectual-flexibility, which is the moral capacity to adjust ones self-lens/camera (the admittance to ones self-perceptual limitations, learn how to accept feedback, and personal life experiences - where you can accept personal mistakes as well as being able to hear and learn from other people's life experiences and insight), patience, self-discipline as well as the ability to work with others...learning social skills.

Prison art program studies have shown that encouragement, being given the opportunity to express creativity, have open communication, and self-reflection, that art teaches these inmates on how to work focused discipline. It's crucial that these inmates learn the importance of focused work because they can learn the benefits of being able to find the right words if they want to write a book, write poetry, write song lyrics. Being able to get your minds vision onto canvas, to see your vision come to life, so-to-speak, in front of you. Being able to learn a musical instrument which can also teach you mathematical skill and capabilities. Being able to remember what you just read a few seconds ago, and being able to process what you just read. These are things that many of the world do take for granted, but in hindsight, these skills are not easily possessed. And being able to be focused and learn to not give up during these difficult projects is something that can be quite rewarding. They can feel good about themselves, instead of getting frustrated and give up when they feel the slightest bit of stress, and then spiral into feeling like a failure. It gives you this satisfaction of looking at or hearing what you created. It makes them feel good about themselves. And when someone feels like that, it can be quite contagious, and they want to spread that and share it with the world.

For example: You may have been overweight and overcame so many obstacles and shared your progress and experience with everyone; do you now feel good about that? That's your art, right there. That is you sculpting yourself.

Other studies show that art is crucial to society stating that children who are involved in the arts make greater strides and achievements in their education. Children that are involved in drama or theatre class, have higher literary skills than those that do not. Children that are in musical art have greater capabilities in understanding and solving mathematical skills (math is everywhere...) as well as learning other languages, making them more successful in future careers. Children that are involved in the arts twice likely to do volunteer work, which better the community and the world around them, making them have the ability to be problem solvers, such as world economic issues, and are 20% more likely to be active in voting, getting involved in political sciences, more than your average young adult. Studies have also shown that children involved in the arts from an early age, have greater chances of finding and retaining employment up till retirement age, with having a successful retirement plan, and better understand finances, and investments. Children involved in the arts have been found to be involved, influential, and more relatable to the people in their community.

Having children involved in the arts and having the support and encouragement, to be able to express themselves in constructive ways, could help them form a healthy emotional response and logical thought process later in their life.

So again, ask the question, why is art important?

After reading and processing this lengthy article, you should have a bit more of an understanding and come to the conclusion that the arts can bring communities together, can bring people together, it reduces self-isolation, it brings a trust to the community because it helps you work together, it can make you feel safe. The arts have lifted and helped their local community by inspiring those around them to get involved, to take pride in who they are and where they come from, helps take care of those around them. It creates empathy. It creates a support system. It decreases crimes, violence, statistics.

Art is in our blood from the beginning of man where our only source of communication was cave drawings, to social awareness with war propaganda, to these breathtaking paintings of historical figures that tell a story of our history and what took place, to the beauty of nature and life.