Which art form best defines humankind?

[Pirate]

*NOTE: you can vote for more than one*

Which art form best defines humankind? What differentiates us from animals and exposes the innerworkings of our minds, hearts, and souls? Or, if alien archaeologists find Earth some day, through which artistic media will they learn the most about what it means to be human?

<edit> ok, to start the discussion.
Personally I think Architecture and Landscape Architecture (the way we shape our landscapes to change nature to resemble our ideal) show our grandest aspirations and maybe arrogance. But it shows that we look around at our environment and see more. These things exemplify the VISION of mankind and tell of our belief in an ideal.

 

[Emperor Xerxes]

I don't see war on there...

 

[Pirate]

Originally posted by Emperor Xerxes
I don't see war on there...

War as an art form? Make your case and I'll consider adding it.

I know there are many things that define us. I was limiting this discussion to the realm of what we would consider 'art'. Things that might be left behind after we are gone as 'artifacts'. War seems like an action to me, and by some the antithesis of art.

 

[Emperor Xerxes]

I was just kidding, I thought it certainly defines humankind. It can be an art as can diplomacy, both require thought and ingenuity.

I have not voted because I don't see how one art form can be pinned down as defining us, all are unique and important in their own way.

 

[Pirate]

Well, the poll does allow you to pick several (try not to pick them ALL though). What BEST defines what it means to be human? I can see that literature is a direct window to the language of thought. As I said above, landscape archtiecture shows that we affect our environment not only for physical adaptation (like a beaver building a dam) but for abstract aesthetic reasons that reflect our vision of an ideal world. Dance gets to the root of our human bodies, what it means to be in a human body, and how to express it at a basic level. Take it from there. A vote doesn't mean you totally discount the others.

 

[anarchywrksbest]

Music...

 

[Sh3kel]

Warfare.

 

[andvruss]

Music, but its not there....//

 

[Zamphyr]

Originally posted by anarchywrksbest
Music...

 

[carlosMM]

all

 

[Pirate]

Darn, I did omit music, didn't I. How do you edit a poll?

I guess I started just as physical or written arts, then threw in theater and dance. How could I forget!

 

[gael]

If you want something that has an immediate impact and crosses cultural boundries, i'd say music first then 'Sculpture/Painting/Drawing'.

 

[G-Man]

I think that all forms of art differ human from animal. Any art can show this, and what matters is the quality of the artist, not the form of the art.

 

[Pirate]

Originally posted by G-Man
I think that all forms of art differ human from animal. Any art can show this, and what matters is the quality of the artist, not the form of the art.

But are there limits to how much a certain art form can reveal about humanity? Literature seems like it has the best chance to be all inclusive, but it lacks the movement and human physical interaction that theater has. Which one goes the furthest, g-man?

 

[G-Man]

Originally posted by Pirate


But are there limits to how much a certain art form can reveal about humanity? Literature seems like it has the best chance to be all inclusive, but it lacks the movement and human physical interaction that theater has. Which one goes the furthest, g-man?

I can't really compare different art forms effectively. Which is stronger, an Am chord or a yellow spot?

Literature has its own advantages, as does any other art form. It all depends on how you use these advantages.

 

[Smaasnekje]

I would say music..

 

[Perfection]

Dadaism

 

[cgannon64]

Literature or music. Music is the greatest without words. Literature is the other greatest, because describing humankind is most accurate...

 

[Norlamand]

Music without a doubt in my opinion. Literature is nearly as good but music can be literature set to sound.

 

[cgannon64]

Poetry