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What is art?  Art refers to a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts. These artworks express the author's imaginative or technical skill. Art is intended to be appreciated for its beauty or emotional power. In their most general form these activities include the production of works of art, the criticism of art, the study of the history of art, and the aesthetic dissemination of art. Functions of arts Art has had a great number of different functions throughout its history, making its purpose difficult to abstract or quantify to any single concept. This does not imply that the purpose of Art is "vague", but that it has had many unique, different reasons for being created. Art can have a personal function, it is an expression of basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm. Art at this level is not an action or an object, but an internal appreciation of balance and harmony (beauty), and therefore an aspect of being human beyond utility. Art also provides a way to experience one's self in relation to the universe. This experience may often come unmotivated, as one appreciates art, music or poetry. On the other hand art may have a social function. At its simplest, art is a form of communication. It seeks to entertain and bring about a particular emotion or mood, for the purpose of relaxing or entertaining the viewer. Art may also be an expression of social protest, seeking to question aspects of society. Types of art The oldest form of art are visual arts, which include creation of images or objects in fields including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other visual media. Architecture is often included as one of the visual arts; however, like the decorative arts, it involves the creation of objects where the practical considerations of use are essential, in a way that they usually are not in a painting, for example. Music, theater, film, dance, and other performing arts, as well as literature and other media such as interactive media, are included in a broader definition of art or the arts. History Until the 17th century, art referred to any skill or mastery and was not differentiated from crafts or sciences. In modern usage after the 17th century, where aesthetic considerations are paramount, the fine arts are separated and distinguished from acquired skills in general, such as the decorative or applied arts. Characteristics of art Art may be characterized in terms of mimesis (i.e. its representation of reality), expression, communication of emotion, or other qualities. During the Romantic period, art came to be seen as "a special faculty of the human mind to be classified with religion and science". Though the definition of what constitutes art is disputed and has changed over time, general descriptions mention an idea of imaginative or technical skill stemming from human agency and creation. Aesthetics The nature of art, and related concepts such as creativity and interpretation, are explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics.

Comprehension: Art has a limited set of functions. a.  True b.  False Architecture may be considered to be part of visual art. a.  True. b.  False. In modern usage acquired skills are not considered part of fine arts. a.  True b.  False

List of art vocabulary Visual art ceramics drawing painting sculpture printmaking design crafts photography video film-making architecture Written art literature novels drama short story biography / autobiography poetry performing art dance cinema theater ballet concert opera Painting portrait brush stroke canvas landscape still-life picture palette impressionism expressionism sketch sitter Places and events museum gallery theater cinema/ movies exhibition Collocations the sets were incredible colorful / elaborate / lavish / national / traditional / period / eighteenth-century / Victorian costumes a good cast give a fantastic performance do a performance get a rave review an exhibition by Salvador Dali to publish a book cinema is showing Steven Spielberg's latest film what's on at the cinema / theater next weekend?

Art How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?

Conversation Questions Art A Part of Conversation Questions for the ESL Classroom. Are you a good painter? Can you draw pictures well? Do you believe what art critics say? Do you consider yourself a good artist? Do you enjoy your art class at school? Do you like modern art? Do you like paintings? Do you like sketching? Do you like to visit art museums? Do you like wood carving? Do you prefer using water colors or oil paint? Do you think it is proper to call nude paintings art? Do you think music and dancing are forms of art? Do you think of cartoons and comics as art? Do you visit museums when you go to another city? Have you ever been to any famous art museums? Have you ever visited an art museum? What art form do you like best? What art museums have you visited? Which did you like the best? Why? Which did you like the least? Why? What famous painters do you know? What are they famous for? What is art? What is the longest time that you have spend on a painting? What is your favorite art web site? What would life be like without art? When was the last time you went to an art museum? Who are some famous artists in your country? Who is a famous potter in your country? Who is the most famous artist in your country? What kind of art does he do? Who is your favorite painter? Do you enjoy taking photographs? What things do you like to photograph? Do you consider photography an art form? Why do artist like to draw women's figures? Why do you enjoy art? Why is art important? Why do people become professional artists? Have you ever participated in any art competitions? Have you ever been jealous of someone else's artwork? Do you find Picasso's work astonishing or weird? Do you have a favorite painting? If so, what is it? Why do you like it? Do other people ever compliment your artwork? Do you have a sketchbook? If so, how often do you use it? What kind of sketches do you make? Do you feel proud after finishing a work of art?