What is real art?

The question of what constitutes “real art” has been debated by philosophers, critics, and creators for centuries. Art, in all its forms, serves as a profound mode of expression, connection, and transformation.

Yet, defining “real art” is complex, as it intersects personal, cultural, and historical perspectives. Below, we explore the dimensions that contribute to the concept of real art and why it continues to captivate our imagination.

1. Real Art as Authentic Expression

At its core, real art is often seen as an authentic extension of the artist’s inner world. This view emphasizes sincerity, where art becomes a vehicle for conveying emotions, ideas, and personal truths. Unlike commercial or derivative works, authentic art strives to capture a unique essence that resonates deeply.

• Example: Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits, such as The Two Fridas, reveal her pain, resilience, and identity, offering viewers a window into her personal struggles and triumphs.

Authenticity doesn’t demand perfection. Even imperfect works can evoke profound responses when they are honest reflections of the creator’s intent.

2. Real Art as Universality

Art that taps into universal human experiences often earns the label of “real.” This perspective aligns with Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious, where certain symbols, emotions, and archetypes resonate across cultures and eras.

• Example: Shakespeare’s plays, like Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet, explore timeless themes of love, betrayal, and identity, making them perpetually relevant.

Universal art transcends its time and place, allowing individuals from different backgrounds to find meaning and connection.

3. Real Art as Innovation and Provocation

True art often challenges conventions and pushes boundaries. It introduces new ways of seeing, thinking, or feeling, acting as a catalyst for change. This perspective aligns with the avant-garde tradition, where innovation and defiance of norms define artistic value.

• Example: Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain, a readymade urinal, questioned the very definition of art and paved the way for conceptualism.

Innovation isn’t about novelty for its own sake but about provoking thought and expanding horizons.

4. Real Art as Skill and Mastery

Art that demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship is often regarded as “real.” From intricate brushstrokes to poetic meter, technical proficiency has historically been a key measure of artistic merit.

• Example: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling is celebrated not only for its scale and beauty but also for the immense skill required to create it.

However, while skill enhances art’s impact, its absence doesn’t always negate a work’s authenticity or emotional power.

5. Real Art as Evoking Transformation

Real art has the power to transform. Whether by challenging perspectives, eliciting deep emotions, or inspiring action, transformative art leaves a lasting imprint.

• Example: Picasso’s Guernica confronts viewers with the horrors of war, serving as a powerful anti-war statement.

Such works transcend aesthetics, serving as catalysts for personal or societal reflection and change.

Where would impressionists fall into this framework ?

Impressionists, as an artistic movement, would most naturally fall into the category of art as emotional resonance and art as perception and experience within the framework of the article. Here’s why:

Art as Emotional Resonance

Impressionists sought to evoke feelings and capture fleeting emotions rather than focus on precise realism. Their works often conveyed the mood or atmosphere of a moment—whether the warmth of sunlight, the serenity of a quiet countryside, or the liveliness of urban scenes. For example, Claude Monet’s Impression, Sunrise evokes the tranquil yet vibrant mood of dawn with loose brushwork and light play. This approach aligns with art that emphasizes emotional depth and human connection.

Art as Perception and Experience

Impressionism revolutionized the way art depicted reality by focusing on the impression rather than exact details. Artists like Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro sought to portray how scenes were experienced in the moment, often experimenting with light, color, and movement. The viewer’s perception—rather than the subject itself—became central. This aligns with the idea of art as an exploration of how we see and interpret the world around us.

Blurring Categories

Impressionists also nudged toward art as uncovering the unconscious. Though not as overtly introspective as movements like Surrealism, their focus on fleeting impressions and personal interpretations of reality hinted at deeper, subjective truths about human perception and consciousness.

In summary, Impressionists would largely represent art as a blend of emotion and perception, emphasizing the viewer’s experience while subtly opening a window into the artist’s internal world. Their contributions reshaped the trajectory of modern art by bridging external reality and subjective interpretation.

Can cinema be consider real art ?

Movies, as a medium of artistic expression, can be mapped onto the framework of “real art” described earlier in the following ways:

1. Authenticity

Movies often derive their power from authentic storytelling. Whether it’s capturing the raw human condition in dramas like Schindler’s Listor using personal experiences to inspire fiction like Roma, authenticity in movies resonates with audiences and elevates the medium to “real art.”

2. Universality

Films have the unique ability to transcend cultures and borders, sharing universal human emotions and themes. Consider Parasite (2019), which explores class struggle in a way that resonates globally. Through universally relatable stories, movies can embody the shared human experience.

3. Innovation

Innovation in film comes through both storytelling and technical advancement. The groundbreaking visual effects in Avatar (2009) or the nonlinear narrative of Pulp Fiction exemplify the medium’s capacity to push artistic boundaries.

4. Mastery

Directors like Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, or Christopher Nolan showcase mastery of the craft through meticulous attention to cinematography, editing, and direction. Their films often serve as benchmarks of cinematic excellence.

5. Transformation

Films can profoundly influence viewers by altering perceptions or inspiring action. Documentaries like An Inconvenient Truth have sparked global movements, while powerful dramas like 12 Years a Slave challenge historical and cultural narratives, prompting critical reflection.

How Movies Fit Overall

Movies, like other forms of art, blend elements of the personal and the collective. They require collaboration between writers, directors, actors, and crew, each bringing individual creativity to produce a unified piece. Films balance entertainment and artistry, catering to broad audiences while offering the depth and substance to be considered “real art.”

In essence, cinema is a modern manifestation of “real art,” capable of achieving enduring relevance, resonance, and impact on par with more traditional forms of artistic expression.

Challenges in Defining Real Art

1. Subjectivity: Art is deeply personal. What resonates as “real” for one person might not hold the same significance for another.

2. Cultural Context: Societies have varying criteria for artistic value. What one culture sees as groundbreaking, another might dismiss.

3. Evolving Standards: Over time, the definition of art evolves. Modern and conceptual works, like Banksy’s graffiti, challenge traditional notions of what “real art” can be.

Why Does Defining Real Art Matter?

Understanding “real art” isn’t just an academic exercise—it helps us appreciate creativity in all its forms. By engaging with the many interpretations of art’s essence, we can:

• Broaden our perspectives and embrace diverse artistic expressions.
• Foster deeper connections between creators and audiences.
• Recognize the role of art in reflecting and shaping society.

Conclusion

Real art defies a single, rigid definition because it embodies the vast spectrum of human creativity and experience. Its essence lies in elements of authenticity, universality, innovation, mastery, and transformation, each contributing to a work’s ability to connect deeply with individuals and societies.

At its core, real art bridges the internal and external worlds—the deeply personal emotions and ideas of the creator with the shared experiences and values of the audience. This duality allows art to serve as both a mirror reflecting individual perspectives and a lens offering insight into the collective human condition.

Real art is timeless; it resonates across eras and cultures. Whether a classical masterpiece like Michelangelo’s David or a contemporary installation like Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms, its impact is not solely in the work’s physical form but in its power to evoke, challenge, and inspire. Art achieves greatness when it transcends the immediate moment, offering new meanings or emotional depth with every encounter.

Moreover, real art is transformative. It changes the viewer’s understanding, provokes thought, or stirs the soul. Its universality ensures that, despite the diversity of artistic styles, genres, and mediums, art can evoke a profound connection—be it joy, sorrow, curiosity, or awe.

Ultimately, real art endures. Its ability to influence, innovate, and endure speaks to its authenticity and relevance. As society evolves, the boundaries of art shift, but the fundamental traits of what makes art “real” remain steadfast—resonance, inspiration, and a timeless dialogue between creator and audience.