Session 1: What is art?
STEP ONE
Can you define ART? Make a spider-diagram of ideas and use these to write down a definition.
STEP TWO
What counts as art? Go through this PowerPoint. Decide whether or not you think each thing is art. See if you can give a reason for each one.
What do all of the ones you have chosen as art have in common?
How would you define art? You can update your definition.
STEP THREE
Now you’ll see some quotes and ideas about what art is. Read these and, this time, decide whether or not you agree with each one. See if you can give a reason for each decision.

Based on what you have read, would you change your definition? If you would like to change your definition, update it now.
Challenge! Can you make, or describe, a piece of art that is in the grey area – that you’re not sure whether it is or isn’t art?
STEP FOUR
What would the world be like without art? Describe what it would be like.
Do you think art is a “need” (something that is necessary that we can’t live without) or a “want” (something that’s just nice to have)?
Come up with three arguments for the “need” side of the argument and three for the “want” side.
STEP FIVE
Read this piece of information, or press play to hear it read aloud.
Does this change how you would define art? If so, this is your final chance to update your definition.
How has your definition changed during these activities? Why do you think this is?
Over to you!
Head to the comments section below to share some of your answers and discuss these activities with people from different schools.
Comments (39)
01 Jun 2020
Art to most people is just a lesson which is talk to you at school,when to some people is a way of releasing there anxiety and stress occurring in there life.Some people have it as a profession, but when you think of it art is all around you.
By serious_signature
01 Jun 2020
This might be one of my favourite topics in the would I am so excited 😆!
It's my favourite too! I LOVE art, because it's really relaxing ( even if I'm not that good at drawing! )
What is your favourite about painting 🖼 eg
I LOVE ALL OF IT💜💜💜💜💜💜❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤣🤣😀😀😃😃😄😄😁😁😆😆😊😊☺️☺️🙂🙂🙃🙃😉😉😌😌😙😙😗😋😛😛😝😜I am just so over the moon!
I agree, it is also my favourite topic!
Thanks 😊
I HATE art I'm so bad but I do like P.E. and maths
We hope you'll like talking about art in this Issue though!
Of course I will!
Why?
01 Jun 2020
Art is a creation. The source of the creation can be a multitude. From satisfying viewers' desires with nimble artwork to composing an exquisite masterpiece that you'd see in an art gallery. Art can be complete opposites! For example, verbal and non-verbal. You can find these in dance performances and also in poetry. However, they would be clarified as the same thing: Art. Art is everywhere, even what you are currently wearing is art. It is more or less something that is used for an entertaining, beneficial or educational purpose. In conclusion, this is my personal definition of art and I have supported it by giving examples such as humans!
Thank you for reading.
Memorable_orchard.
01 Jun 2020
``Art is a way to unite men, joining them together in the same feelings.``
I disagree with this quote and I do not think it is the definition of art. First of all, there are a range of genders on this Earth. Therefore, you can't specify everyone as 'men'. Art may be a way to attract people. However, that does not mean they have the same opinions about it. For example, a famous artwork like 'The Last Supper' would unite a lot of tourists. However, a christian person may be attracted as it reveals more to them about their religion whereas a novice artist likes it because it may support them in their profession. Therefore, I do not think this is the correct definition of art in my opinion.
Thank you for reading.
Memorable_orchard.
I agree with the one about art uniting men. I think that lots of people have different opinions about art, so it also might not unite people.
Can you give an example of how it unites people?
01 Jun 2020
``Art is good, bad, boring, ugly useful to us or not.``
His definition of art can vary as the way I see it, it's in his opinion. Art may not seem ugly for all of us. For example, Pablo Picasso is an abstract painter meaning his paintings are in a unique form. For some, his art is ugly and for other his art is exquisite, mesmerizing and beautiful. Art may not be Jerry Saltz's definition of art for everyone. Therefore, I think that instead of him saying art IS he could change it with art can or may be.
Thank you for reading.
Memorable_orchard.
02 Jun 2020
This also might be my favourite topic all of it is brilliant!
I love it!
04 Jun 2020
"Art isn't only a painting. Art is everything that is creative, passionate, and personal". I agree with this statement since art can be created anywhere and can be a use of relaxation and tranquillity. For me, art is very exhilarating when it goes right, but it can also be frustrating when it doesn't go to plan. In my opinion, Anything that can be use d to entertain people, is a form of art, whether it's: a video game, pictures, a piece of clothing, music, a series / show - anything that makes people feel happy or relaxed is what art is to me.
That's interesting. What if the artist doesn't want you to feel happy or relaxed looking at it? What if they have made the art to make you think, or make you angry? Is it still art?
I believe that anything that needs effort to be put in and something that you can be proud of is art too. I also think that anything that has some sort of fan base, especially things like songs, could be considered work of arts aswell.
04 Jun 2020
I think art is a way of expressing yourself, wether that be through fashion, paintings or making dance videos. Art often needs creativity to be created but can sometimes be created on accident. I think art is a way of showing our uniqueness from each other, everyone expresses themselves differently and art makes that very apparent.
05 Jun 2020
Art is a way of expressing yourself and showing your feelings. Whether your angry, happy or sad whatever you paint or draw shows how your feeling and what your thinking along with it.
05 Jun 2020
The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,typically in a visual from such as painting or sculpture,producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power,
Involved watermelon.
05 Jun 2020
I agree with "No human masterpiece has ever been created without great labour (work)".
Because if we think of masterpieces like Michaelangelo's sistine chapel ceiling,he created that masterpiece about 4 years to complete the cornerstone of high renaissance art.
08 Jun 2020
I think that art is a form of creativity and life which everyone can do in their own way like food that’s art in a way,paintings,and dancing.
I disagree with 'No human masterpiece is made without hard labour(work)' because someone can dip a paintbrush in paint and just flick paint onto the canvas and create art,they can also make abstract paintings which don’t need that much hard work because you can draw a couple lines and shapes and say it’s an abstract painting
08 Jun 2020
Art can be a number of things , to me art is a master piece created by an artist or a drawing or sculpture made or designed by an armature , art is many things but not everyone will agree the art piece is good as everyone has their own opinions on the subject. some people like to creat art with food like a Chef will produce a art work on a plate before serving to his customers to consume. A dancer ballerina for instance they dance float around swaying andd jumping in to swirls they see their dance moves ( preforming art) to be creative active art, me personally i see art as a drawing painting or even models made of pottery sand or wooden sculptures.
Great examples used to support your reasons. Well done!
09 Jun 2020
i think this was a great idea because it helps alot of people who might not know alot about art and i love art i enjoy it but i learnt a bit more from this i think art is a master peace created by artist no mater how it is performed because people have there own style of art like i like drawing animals and people so it is cool how it can be performed.It calms me down no matter what i am going through and it is just fun and creative . It spreads all sourts of emotions .
09 Jun 2020
My definition of art: Art is a way that someone or something expresses themselves. Art is creative and is different for everyone. Art isn’t right or wrong. Art makes different people feel different things. Art brings hope and freedom and makes people feel found.
I think art is a need, without it how would we express our feelings?
3 Want arguments: 1.There are many more important things that we need in life like food and water. Art is not essential. 2. Art does make people happy however, there are many other things that make people happy like food and going on walks. 3. Art isn’t as important as the health services and it can’t cure people.
3 Need arguments: 1. Art can’t cure people physically however it can mentally.2. Without art life would be very dull and this would have an affect on people’s mental health. 3. Art gives people a sense of belonging and gives people hope. It is a shared thing that everyone can relate to in one way or another.
Which ones are art? I think they are all art because they are all ways of people expressing there selves and even if people don’t like a form of art, it may still be important to someone else.
Great responses to this first session! Can you develop your need argument - number 3? I would like to hear more about this and how it gives people belonging and hope. Can you explain more?
10 Jun 2020
In my opinion, I think that the world would be better without SOME art. For example, factories and spray paints are part of the many things that kill the earth day by day. In fact, factories emit 6,511 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents and water may run out by simply 2040. Therefore, if art wasn't here it would be quite beneficial for us as things will last longer. However, it was art that brought us up. Throughout history, it was simple cave doodles that made us develop into explicit artists and famous creators. Also, art like diagrams is the things that helped me type my content. Without art, we would be mindless souls who are at risk. We would be oblivious of the dangers around us. Also, we would not be aware that the Earth is dying because we would not be able to communicate with each other as writing would not be invented either. Therefore, art is vile and vital at the same time.
Thank you for reading.
Memorable_orchard.
Thank you for contributing your ideas memorable_orchard! You say that we may run out of water by 2040 - this doesn't sound quite right. Could you try checking the source of your information? What you said about us being oblivious to danger without art is interesting. Could you explain more about how it would turn us into mindless souls who are at risk?
I got my information of this source: https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/planet-earth.
In my opinion, without art, we would be more or less walking corpses. Art may not be the classic piece of paper but it can be technology as well. Art is more or less everything. Without it, there would be nothing. Meaning, there is nothing to learn off from which will mean there is nothing to create. In addition to my recent remark, we would be mindless souls who are at risk because we would be oblivious of this covid-19 pandemic which puts us at a large risk of getting infected and dying. Therefore, without art, we would basically have the body of a 24-year-old but the mind of a 2-year-old. (This is just an example.)
Thank you for reading.
Memorable_orchard.
22 Jun 2020
In my opinion, art can be a lot of things. You can make, cook, draw, paint, act out (etc.) art in many different ways, but the main idea of art is representing yourself. You can express art in millions of ways, all of which show who you are. it expresses you're passion, and your feelings all in one single drawing. Maybe, if it is a portrait, it expresses you and how you feel, despite it being a totally different person. When you write, you think about what you're writing, and the main character may have certain characteristics that can be found in you. Making art is probably one of the best ways of being yourself. It also can help give you an idea for a future career. Many people consider street-art a serious act of vandalism, but if the artists did it somewhere else, no-one will be affected! Plus you may be able to convince them to give up street art and be a doodler or to draw different portraits! There is no such thing as bad art or good art. It is only art being put to use in a bad way or good way. Art in itself has its own beauty. You can make from even the most inexpensive materials, you don't have to buy lavish items just because they look good. You can make art good by even putting the most foul materials in it. And that, in my opinion one of the best and most good causes of art.
25 Jun 2020
Art is everything! With art you can let you imagination run wild, there is no mistake in art. You can express you feelings to someone through art! My favourite type of are is graffiti, where I live it is all around us and gives colour to our homes! When I walk past graffiti it puts a smile on my face because someone has gave art a go and have really enjoyed it. It is important you use art responsibly because you might make someone sad or might use it illegally. It is like the saying ' think before you speak ' but instead ' think before you do. ' Art can be expressed in many ways, paint, dancing, real life! The thing with art is that it is yours and you make it amazing and you inspire lots of people. Art is GREAT!!!
A very well-explained definition. You say is everything. Does that mean everything is art
26 Jun 2020
Thank you! Art is everything but you have to be careful how you use it. I am glad you liked it! 😀
28 Jun 2020
Art is a subject where creativity comes in use. Art sometimes can be in different styles like painting, sculpture and architecture and many more. Its significant power to express your feelings from you mind, it creates a picture there then you use it to make Art. So always remember one key feature is creativity and the messiest ideas may be a whole new masterpiece.
from jolly cricket
14 Jul 2020
Art is everything to me! Art is one way that I can express my self . My favorite art is graffiti but majority I doodle or draw faces. Art can
have things that can make a deep understanding .Most artists make something that may not look aesthetically pleasing but in actual factually it maybe a part of their life that was sad or even really happy. One way my friends see what mood I am is the way I draw. If I am happy I will draw lightly and have lots of bright light but whenever I am sad or upset I always draw hard and blunt. Art is one subject where you can never make a mistake, it is wild and adventures. Even if you are bad at art people hate it. However there is no reason to do that. In other subject or sports if you cant do something, you practice(like a test) you will be soon be good at it. willing_flight, there is no need of hating it, maybe you like some other type of art you may have not known of. One reason I like graffiti is because I see it often it it looks so wild and bubbly. One warning everyone should take heed is 'Think before you speak' because if you make a drawing someone may take it really offensive and very mean, so try not to be to extra with your drawings! Art is literally everything, people may disagree but this is what I think) different types of hand writing can be called art and even science is art because you were born in such a beautiful way. Most in importantly our surroundings are art. Why? Because it is all unique each thing is different and it is all made differently. Art can happen by anything, you may even be doing it right now!
You must be logged in to post a comment