Essay on the Four Definitions of Art, Strengths and Weaknesses

The four definitions of art are in the form of mimesis, communication, significant form and the institutional theory of art. The changes in defining architectures have been considered as a step in the correcting of the earlier mistakes. Different cultures have separate definitions for art.

The first definition of art, mimesis was used by ancient Greeks and plat where they referred to art as copying. This view was supported by the real legend of the contest between Parhassios and Zeuxis. Zeuxis painted realistic grapes where birds pecked at them, but the Parhassios defeated Zeuxis after they made a paint of a curtain that fooled human beings. The main idea propagated in this definition of art is to make it offer a visual experience. Its weakness is that it is not enough to define art while its strength rests in the provision of a visual experience.

The second definition of art is in the form of communication theory. Art is defined herein as a human activity that is inclusive of the certainty of external signs. A significant advantage is that one is aware of the feelings of others and the manner in which it has affected them. The weakness of this definition is that there are chances of bias in a situation where an individual has not experienced the art object.

The definition of art in the significant form refers to the quality that offers aesthetic pleasure to people. A significant disadvantage is that joy is not existent in the art object, which gives the idea of measuring subjective art experience. Its advantage is that it pleasures individuals.

The final definition of art is in the form of the institutional theory of art. According to Georgia Dickie, art refers to a designated object by an individual(s) acting for the world. The world of art is complicated because of the many forces that define, what and what not art is. Its disadvantage is that the definition is not entirely about art but for anyone having the power of determining conditions or art objects (Sachant et al, 2016).

Examples of Works of Art or Architecture

On the one hand, the personal need for creation of art, as noted by Georgia OKeefe is painting. Moreover, it involves not doing what someone had already done in the past. A technique has also been used in the expression of politics, and Marjane Satrapi who demonstrates how different Iranian communities have been affected by the war has supported this information. Satrapi gives comparisons of the figures of dying Iranian youth in an explosion at combat zones to that of celebrations in high school dance movements. On the other hand, an example of an architecture for public need and purposes is that of the U.S Supreme court which has utilised permanence and stability of political ideas. Another structure is the Vietnam war memorial building. The icon of St. Sebastian is an image used in the guidance of religious worship, and it was painted across European hospitals during the period of renaissance and middle ages. It was believed to bring about cure by a miracle. These are examples of architectural work that have been used to define art (Sachant et al, 2016).

Work Cited

Sachant, Pamela, et al. "Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning." (2016).