Aesthetics

“I am not an artist”

A common belief, but the truth depends on the definition of art, and what it means to make art.

If we go back to the original definition of the word in ancient Greece, we find that art refers to anything that humans make. Anybody who creates an artifact (which can be literally any thing) is an artist. In this sense, everybody on the planet is an artist.

In a more modern sense, any thing created with vision and intent can be considered art. In this way, any act can be raised to the level of art. Mundane or careless activities, done without creativity, do not rise to this level.

Where does this idea, this definition come from?