what is art

            Art is something I never really thought of as definable in one concrete and single definition. To me it’s like asking what love is or what is the meaning of life? It’s a difficult question that can challenge an individual’s brain because it makes you think hard and gives you many theories to consider. Over time art has evolved and many new topics have been brought to light about it. One such topic is that of the beauty of art or the aesthetics. 

            Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the beauty of art, its nature and its expression. In terms of art though beauty refers to the interactions in a work between line, color, texture, sound, shape, motion, and size that is pleasing to an individual’s senses. Aesthetics can be hard to narrow down because not all people will have the same view on what the beauty of art is. For example, what makes an artwork aesthetically beautiful for me is color. Color is what usually affects the viewer right away and what usually catches their attention. An example of art that is appealing to me and that I think is aesthetically beautiful is the art from Leonid Afremov. Out of the many pieces he has made, three artworks that I chose for examples are under the rain, Paris of my dreams, and alley by the lake. His art caught my attention instantly because he uses color to its fullest. As well the scenes he depicts are enhanced by the mood and atmosphere he sets with his kaleidoscope choice of colors.

Afremov, Leonid. Dance Under the Rain. Pallette Knife Oil Painting on Canvas. Private Collection

Afremov, Leonid. Paris of my Dreams. Pallette Knife Oil Painting on Canvas. Private Collection

Afremov, Leonid. Alley by the Lake. Pallette Knife Oil Painting on Canvas. Private Collection