For my Media Criticism RTV4403 course, I was asked to define art. When classifying something as art, immediately minds imagine the complex painting style of Vincent Van Gogh, Michael Jackson's famous moves, or the legendary photographs of Ansel Adams. These forms of artistic expression achieved the title of "art" because of their unique style and bold display. This painting is claimed to be an artistic form of expressionism. When did strokes of color against a cloth become artistic? Who decides when art is art?
For the longest time, I viewed art as something that another person could create with its own diverse makeup, that caused others to view a subject in an uncommon way. However, in my years at Florida State College of Jacksonville, I'm learning that art does not lie only in its completion. In my opinion, art greatly includes the constructing process just as much as, if not more than, the finished product. For example, Albert Einstein is famous for his intellectual accomplishments. There is no doubt he viewed the world differently and greatly impacted mathematics as a whole. At the same time, he turned down an offer to become the second president of Israel because he claimed to lack the ability to deal with people. A mind that could solve universal problems on an extraordinary level could not effectively deal with and lead others.
As a result, it is my belief that leadership is an art. It is something that requires unique style, bold display, creativity, and for the leader to view situations on a different level than the common mind. A child can tell you what he/she likes, how he/she wants things done, and pitch a fit if it does not turn out as planned. This is neither art, nor is it true leadership. A good leader can apply critical thinking to problem solving for the sake of others. Leadership requires patience as one must endure the roller coaster of human emotion, passion, and failure. Then again, leadership cannot be displayed in a museum or put up for auction.
In like manner, I view graphic design as art. The formation of binary code to create digital compositions is absolutely astounding. It takes intellectual comprehension of computational linguistics and an out-of-the-box creative mindset. Inventors who take the time to master this art can then produce complex video games, advertisements, movies, and more. Rather than repeating the same techniques, modern games grant players the ability to create, build, transform, and increase within the virtual realm.
All things considered, I no longer can limit art to creative paintings and pictures. I am unable to see how capturing a photograph of something that exists somewhere is art. The human mind itself is a work of art that has yet to be understood. Its ability to form thoughts and ideas and to implement said thoughts and ideas is a work of art. I view art as a proficiency and capability that many can recognize, but few can achieve.