Art by Any Other Name

​Dictionary.com defines art as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.”  This leads to believe that whatever someone creates that they, or someone else finds beautiful would be considered art.  That is, of course, so long as it is in accordance with the principles of aesthetics.  So what exactly is aesthetics? Dictionary.com would have the answer to this question as well.  Aesthetics would be considered “the branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic, etc., as applicable to the fine arts, with a view to establishing the meaning and validity of critical judgments concerning works of art, and the principles underlying or justifying such judgments; the study of the mind and emotions in relation to the sense of beauty.”  So as long as the topic in question can be judged in favor of these philosophical elements, then you have a work of art.   ​In my personal opinion, philosophy can’t be studied accurately.  Not everyone will react the same to the same impulses or urges.  To say that something is art just because it fits a dictionary’s definition of beauty is the same for the world to side with Hitler’s views on the Jews just because he voiced them.  We would rob ourselves of the chance to experience so many beautiful works; dance, paintings, sculptures, architecture, cooking, interior and graphic design, etc. ​My view on art is simple; it’s whatever moves your soul.  It can’t be defined; it has to be lived.  No one person can tell me that the ballet I witness is any less considered art just as I can’t tell someone that their favorite painting is not beautiful. What I may call art, or aesthetically pleasing, can possibly be on the other side of the spectrum of your idea of fine art; but if it sparks something in either of our souls, then it should be held in the regard of art.  In my eyes, art can be anything that makes you appreciate living.