Definitions of art

You always need a place to start. In this instance a place to start could be what is art. This is a place that has been explored time and time again by millions of people, but if we are to reach any kind of conclusions then it is important to define our own boundaries and definitions.

These days when people talk about art and what art is the starting point seems to be that art is something that is made by an artist.

Of itself, this isn't actually very helpful. It prompts two further questions immediately:

1. How do you define (an) 'artist'.
2. Is everything that an artist makes art.

I think the 2nd point is easier to answer: No not everything an artist makes is art, I may as artist build some shelves in my house. No matter how much artistry goes into these shelves they are not art.

Easy, at least on first glance - but what happens if I am making the shelves as a piece of art - stranger things have happened. We could perhaps tentatively define an axiom:

1. Art is made by an artist with the intention of producing an artwork.

To be continued...