Art is...

A. any process with the intention of producing "art"
-But isn't this definition inherently flawed? How can one word define itself? That is like saying, "When I build this chair, I want to be be furniture. It must embody these completely abstract qualities of furnitureness. And, why do I want to be considered furniture? Well..."

and,

B. often, though not necessarily, made to communicate, from the artist outward and/or from the piece to the audience
-Does this mean outsider art, notebook doodles, elephant paintings, and hallucinogen-inspired wall drawings may not be "art?" Those "artists" probably were not trying to convey a specific message. But, if even one viewer receives a message from those pieces, they are considered art? How valid is a message unto a viewer when the artist did not intend one? Doesn't that say more about the viewer than the art piece?

and,

C. something designed to be aesthetically, emotionally, and/or intellectually striking
-Again, doesn't this vary by the viewer? Does this mean that whether or not something is art depends on who is looking at it? It's not a universal yes or no? By this clause, couldn't I disagree with the universally accepted definition as Starry Night as being artwork?





FYI Merriam-Webster defines "art" as:

Main Entry:

¹art

Pronunciation:

\ˈärt, ərt\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English eart; akin to Old Norse est, ert (thou) art, Old English is is

archaic present 2d singular of be

Main Entry:

²art

Pronunciation:

\ˈärt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars — more at arm

Date:

13th century

1: skill acquired by experience, study, or observation art of making friends>2 a: a branch of learning: (1): one of the humanities (2)plural : liberal arts barchaic : learning , scholarship3: an occupation requiring knowledge or skill art of organ building>4 a: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects ; also : works so produced b (1): fine arts (2): one of the fine arts (3): a graphic art5 aarchaic : a skillful plan b: the quality or state of being artful6: decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter