What Is Art?

Hiroko Yoshimoto

ART is an expression of human imagination, whether it is in the form of visual, musical, theatrical, literal or in the physical movement of dance. This expression born of the artist's intellectual and emotional endeavors is ideally free from ulterior motif such as monetary gain, notoriety or ego enhancement. The purity of such creative endeavor inherently is an expression of one's feeling of being alive and being unique, thus giving meaning and value to his or her life.

ART, after departing the hands of the artist, has the function of interacting with the public, moving, influencing, informing, educating and provoking thought. Each individual who comes in contact with an artwork is free to receive or reject such impact. The value of art depends on how the receiving public deems its value. However, the more positive and constructive impact it gives over the test of the passage of time, the more valuable the art becomes. These works become a valuable record and the proof of human civilization.