Art is the most effective mode of communications that exists because it is unique in its capacity both to, on the one hand, convey composed meaning and on the other to simultaneously evoke emotional and intellectual responses. Indeed, although it is a fallacy to assume that the two modes of communication (composition and communication) are opposite in their capacity or means, nevertheless it can be said that it is a combination of the two that results in art as a uniquely effective mode of communications. But what then is art? Art is an arrangement of either a physical object (sculpture, painting etc.) or a non-physical object (music, dance etc.) that has no other function than for it to be a work of art. Art may also be the arrangement of a meaning that has the potential to cause a reader to have or experience a reaction or a didactic purpose. However, this is not true of all art.
In its purest form, art is the arrangement of objects that are in themselves of no intrinsic value but are arranged in such a way that they are able to communicate a certain message. For example, a painting that simply contains a number of different colours that are arranged in a certain way so as to convey a certain message. Although, painting is not the only art form that is capable of communicating a message without the presence of physical form, it is a popular art form that is able to be used as an example. Ideas, emotions, and feelings can be communicated without the presence of physical form. A book can be art, a song can be art, a movie can be art, a painting can be art. Any number of non-physical objects or events can be arranged in such a way so as to convey a certain message or emotional impact. This can be said to be true of physical objects as well. For example, a wall can be painted in such a way that it is perceived as art. But how can ideas be conveyed in the absence of non-physical form? Communication is possible through the arrangement of words. However, the arrangement of words to have a certain effect is not an art form. The arrangement of words in such a way so as to evoke an emotional response or demonstrate a certain message is however an art form. Indeed, literature is an art form. Similarly, music, dance and film can all be considered art forms.
But how is it that art is able to communicate in such a way so as to be considered the most effective mode of communications that exists? The answer lies in the fact that no matter what the subject matter is, no matter the form that the work takes, it is the evocation or communication of feeling or reaction that is sought by the artist. It is the communication of ideas that is sought by the author. It is the communication of emotions and or feelings that is sought by the singer or actor. By being able to cause or convey an emotional or mental response in the audience, art is able to create a commonality of understanding between the artist and the audience for the time that the art is available for inspection. In this way, the artist is able to communicate without the possibility of mis-communication. No matter what art is being able to evoke emotion or feeling from the audience, it is able to communicate.
