Art of all varieties, from pai aanting, to architecture, to dance, are uniquely human forms of expression. While humans are not the only creatures that can create art, humans seem to be the only ones capable of connecting through it.
John Aurelius, a journalist on the Medium, describes art as anything that is “created by a human being with aesthetics, communication, and meaning in mind”. That meaning is what brings all people, no matter where they are from, together.
Art was used throughout history to observe and interact with the world around them, as well as to communicate before the written word.
Even after language became the most common way to communicate, art still holds its prestige in the expression of emotions and ideas. The idiom, “A picture’s worth a thousand words,” describes one of the reasons for the continued use of these creative expressions.
While words can explain a person’s thoughts, art can help another to feel both what the artist is depicting as well as their own thoughts. Art work helps to connect the artist to those who view their work.
There are many different mediums of artistic expression, some of which are seen as functional. Others have a strong meaning whether that is cultural, religious, political, or a more personal symbolism.
Architecture is often seen as the most functional form of artwork. It has varying styles and uses, depending on the location and desire of those creating it. Part of the reason that different regions need different types of construction is due to the climate.
In places that are commonly hot and dry, the architecture is built to withstand the heat. When they are in tropical climates, the buildings have to be able to handle immense moisture without getting damaged. Different types of structure are necessary to accommodate the needs of its people and the environment around them.
One example of both the environmental and cultural impacts on architectural creation is the structural designs of ancient China. These buildings feature square foundations and round, curved roofs. This building style has a cultural significance in the shapes of the structure, the square of the base representing the Earth and the round roof representing the heavens.
However, this style of architecture has an environmental reasoning as well since much of the terrain in China that these buildings use can be found in the south and the east: the tropics of the country.
These areas get a lot of rain and the curve of the roofs helps to direct the rain water off rather than pooling on the building. Structures that have flat roofs allow the water to collect and have the potential to collapse.
Along with a cultural impact, countries use art as a form of religious expression or rituals. Peru’s history of music began during the Incan Empire, which featured many ritualistic dances. One of these dances is called the Marinera. As opposed to being a ritual for love and fluidity throughout life, the Marinera tells a story.
Many types of artistic expression are created to tell a story relating to religion, culture, morals, or to entertain an audience; and every culture tells their stories in a unique way.
Ancient Greece is well known for its use of theatrical performance to tell stories. Actors performed for hundreds of people in order to tell their story. This art form has been used and adapted in every culture throughout the years and pioneered a beautiful way of expression.
In Indonesia, Wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) is a popular medium to present cultural tales. Many performances were known to feature characters made to represent Indonesian spirits. However, these tales are less frequently performed in the modern day.
Art has been, in many ways, used to directly communicate on a plane akin to speaking. The styles that Black people would wear in their hairOne of examples was hair styling of Black people during the slave trade, maps and food would be hidden in cornrows in order to help them to escape the southern United States is one example.
Cultural and functional purposes in artwork continue through many other forms of art, pottery and fashion are two that are often seen as functional while mediums such as painting tend to be conceptually meaningful.
Whether the work serves a practical purpose or expresses emotion, art always has a communicative impact; whether the artist intends it or not.
Whether that is cave paintings to tell others what they can find in the area or political artwork created to protect a threatened community. Even a child’s drawing will cause an idea or feeling depending on who sees it and what they identify with when they do.
In every community, on every continent, there is art. The use of creative expression connects all humans as well as being undeniable proof that all people have something in common with one another.
