I think the best art is an expression of all the things a person likes rolled into one. If you don't like something, but you want to like it, you mix it in with things you like until it becomes indistinguishable. I think that is one of the major purposes visual art serves. Art imitates life. But I think life also imitates art as art can influence and inspire our actions and choices. Look at the pepsi vs coca cola advertisements and the influence they have on us. The only thing I can think of where art is excluded from is sports, as the playing of a sport does not influence our personal lives. Every other aspect of the media is based on art. I suppose in this post-feminist world art is no longer exclusive to women. I am amazed by the number of men who are artists. When I say art I refer to the visual form, which is the most immediately recognizable and one which was once believed to be the product of feminine thought - romanticism, surrealism, renaissance, Picasso. However, I supect modern art is not so easily defined with its mix and mingle of masculine and feminine expression. Fascinating shite.

immotation of reality/the universe in some way and or an expression from ones vision played out through our various sense system to try and express our thoughts and manifest them physically,


and its nice

peace.

I forgot about (martial) arts and dance forms. They're even more apparent than painting.

art is expression of emotion through imagery

and sound etc

peace

I think self expression in intellectual and artistic pursuits is how the male attains his sense of value, whereas women (mainly) derive their sense of self worth via their sexual potency and their social ties.
Just a theory as to the lack of great female art :)
And art for me, or rather 'good' art is a specific vision or dream made tangible by the artist. I think no matter what the art form is you can always tell when an artist is accurately interpreting his vision - i think it jumps out at you.
I think bad art is apparent when the vision isnt fully fleshed out yet and as a result cant be properly transfered into the tangible realm.
The same effect is also apparent when someone cant properly transfer their vision onto their chosen media not due to having a 'bad vision' per se, but simply a bad way of interpreting their vision.
Look at someone like Giger, i believe when you look at his paintings you can see an entire universe hes created in his head and somehow managed to make real in his art.
Fascinating shite indeed :D

I think bad art is apparent when the vision isnt fully fleshed out yet and as a result cant be properly transfered into the tangible realm.
“there is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept.”
Ansel Adams

The only thing I can think of where art is excluded from is sports, as the playing of a sport does not influence our personal lives.I'm not a sports fan, one of the few traits I inherited from my father and unfortunately not one of his better ones. Nonetheless I know sports fans will disagree with you on this. Many sports can be appreciated as a type of dance. Especially the Olympic events. Boxing, gymnastics, steeplechase, basketball...I suppose in this post-feminist world art is no longer exclusive to women. I am amazed by the number of men who are artists. When I say art I refer to the visual form, which is the most immediately recognizable and one which was once believed to be the product of feminine thought - romanticism, surrealism, renaissance, Picasso. However, I supect modern art is not so easily defined with its mix and mingle of masculine and feminine expression.I'm surprised people haven't lined up to challenge this assertion. Like most human endeavor, art is usually best when it comes from a balance of masculine and feminine energy. I find Georgia O'Keefe's vaginally shaped flowers as boring as Leroy Neiman's phallic football players.

kandinsky.
chagal.
schuken.
rembrandt.
ian curtis.
mike tyson.
dr. dre.
salman rushdie.
bill clinton.

THOSE were artists..

kandinsky.
chagal.
schuken.
rembrandt.
ian curtis.
mike tyson.
dr. dre.
salman rushdie.
bill clinton.

THOSE were artists..

You forgot chevy chase.

heh...my mistake.

Art is not just colors and style of applying them. Art is a frame of mind, a deep thought, as well as putting colors on a canvas. We see things others do, like running and jumping and we say this is sports, but it is also art. Not everyone can run a 5 minute mile or pole vault 12 feet in the air or even fly a plane or jet. Art is not just art. It can be distinquished in many different forms. Being able to site down at a table and discuss a matter of great importance and come to a relatively sane resolution is an art. Going home after a hard days work and cooking a good meal for your family is an art. Being able to restore a old car to perfection is also an art. The enterpratasion of art is also an art. It is not just a word, but way of life. Working in a cotton mill weaving is an art. So, what is art? Everything is art weither it is painted, built, or designed.