Defining what types of existing art are has always been a recurring debate throughout history. And it is that art is quite subjective, something that makes each of us have our own conception of what can or cannot be classified as such.
However, there are a number of disciplines that, due to their importance throughout the centuries, have earned the right to be considered and treated as art. We are referring to the traditional concept of 'Fine Arts,' which emerged in the 18th century and remains valid today . This concept includes the following manifestations:
Architecture
Belonging to the so-called 'Major Arts' and with a presence since the beginning of our own existence. Man always had the need to build, in those early years, above all, to protect himself from his own environment.
Over the centuries, this discipline was refined, and aesthetics played a fundamental role in making buildings more beautiful and adapting them to the tastes of each era. The influence of architecture on contemporary art can be seen in various styles that have emerged throughout history, including Japanese art.
This marked evolution through the passage of time can be seen from primitive megalithic architecture, with the dolmens, to modernist constructions such as the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, ​​passing through such emblematic works as the Parthenon in Athens or the pyramids in Egypt.
Sculpture
Without a doubt, sculpture is another art form that has accompanied humankind since the earliest times. The ability to shape certain materials originated as pure entertainment and also as an important part of rituals and beliefs.
It was in the Egyptian and Greek cultures that we began to see a shift in perception, with pieces beginning to be considered highly valuable and decorative. This art continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary trends, similar to what we can observe in Japanese art, which has influenced many contemporary works.
Painting
Sister to sculpture and with very similar purposes in its beginnings, it has served us to leave our mark through generations , as can be seen with the cave paintings of France and Spain, which are the oldest that are preserved.
Unlike sculpture, its great evolution comes from the Italian Renaissance and it is there when it gains an importance that is still maintained today. And it is that of the so-called 'Major Arts', it is the one that has the most followers or fans.
Its relevance remains such that not only do museums display paintings visited by millions of people annually, but even the most remote homes offer a wealth of appreciation. Painting has found its way into various movements and styles, contributing immense cultural value to society.
Music
It is truly difficult to define an art as expressive and ever-changing as music, that ability to play with sounds produced by objects and give them rhythm and harmony for the enjoyment of our ears.
Although this discipline is probably most valued today, it has been widely used since ancient times. In cultures like the Vikings, for example, it was a fundamental part of their rituals, celebrations, and even travel. Music has also evolved into a global phenomenon that connects people from different cultures.
Today, in addition to being continuously present in our lives through such daily activities as turning on the TV or getting in the car, it is one of the industries that manages the most money in the world.
Dance
Inseparable from music. That human need we have to make harmonious movements with our body , which sometimes arises almost unconsciously.
Dance has always played an important role in society. In fact, if you belonged to important social classes in times like Victorian England, knowing how to dance was practically mandatory to maintain a good social reputation. Today, dance is presented in a variety of forms, exploring different styles and techniques that reflect cultural diversity.
Literature
If dance and music allow us to express ourselves with our bodies, literature allows us to do the same with our minds and thoughts. Literature is that human art capable of transmitting meaning through words.
Particularly important in history from the 15th century onward, when the invention of the printing press made it possible to make copies of writings and make them more accessible to the population. The development of different literary genres has further enriched humanity's cultural and artistic experience.
Filmmaking
You've probably heard cinema referred to as the "seventh art" many times, and there are indeed many people who include it on this illustrious list, despite not being on it for obvious reasons.
And we say this for obvious reasons, because we have to go back to the end of the XNUMXth century to appreciate, in the city of Paris, the first manifestations of this art that today can even surpass the others in popularity.
This ability to tell stories (real or fictional) or to transport us to places (existing or imagined) has, in a way, made it an evolution of literature and, like music, an industry that generates billions of dollars every year. Therefore, cinema has revolutionized not only the way stories are told, but also how other art forms are perceived in the 21st century.
