What is art…?

Art; the use of the imagination to express ideas or feelings, particularly in painting, drawing or sculpture (Oxford Dictionary)

Yes…exactly…but not good enough…it is like giving a definition for the color blue. It is not what I had in mind…

Many people through time have tried to define, to say what is art; artists, authors, historians, critics. Perhaps the first one was Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) an artist himself, with his work “Le Vite”. But what do we really call art.

Art puts in motion, awakens, all those suppressed and forsaken feelings and desires…

Art since the ancient times was considered as a divine gift to men. As such, it was generally used by men to praise the gods by making sculptures and paintings, raising temples, composing poems and songs… that to a certain degree resulted to the fact that artists felt controlled and used by both church and state. They didn’t have the necessary freedom, as they were censored and their creations aimed to fulfill others needs and objectives. So artists declared that art is for art’s sake only. It cannot be utilitarian and its purpose is not to satisfy any practical means. According to this idea, which was formed mainly in the 19^th century, art is something to be accepted as whole in itself, complete and autonomous. Moreover many artists felt that art is impossible to have practical meanings or objectives, because, all practical things are base, common, prose… for them it is independent, of higher values. That, one can say is maybe the half-truth. The idea of art for art’s sake might sound alienating, distant or even arrogant. Art can also be for life’s sake. It helps us feel and understand the world, plays a significant and meaningful role in life. Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica” that represents the massacre of the Spanish town has become a world symbol, signifying the cruelty and madness of war and absolutism.

Art’s role in our lives is of such importance and impact that lead Oscar Wilde to write that it is not art that imitates life, but it is “life that imitates art”… how true this is… does not everyone want to feel important, significant or even tragic…life just can’t be black and white, plain, tasteless. People need drama, need to color the power of what is called fate in their existence. Like in a play, a painting or a poem.

Art is not made by a person just because he or she is good at it, or talented.

Art is a creation made by an inner need to do so, an inspiration…

This is the most beautiful and down to the essence thing I have ever heard. And it is that inner need, that inspiration, which has led us to create galleristas. A web world meeting point of people who create art or who just love it and it is part of their lives.

But let’s not rattle away… We’ll have plenty of time to discuss all that…

Allow me to close this article with the following quote…

"My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all."
John Lennon

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