What is "fine art"?

Question

I need a clear cut definition.

Answer 1

fine art (fn) KEY

NOUN:


Art produced or intended primarily for beauty rather than utility.
Any of the art forms, such as sculpture, painting, or music, used to create such art. Often used in the plural.
Something requiring highly developed techniques and skills: the fine art of teaching.

Answer 2

In the art world "art" is a very generalized term. But as you advance, you learn that there is a difference between art and "craft." Crafts have a utility, like painted purses, mugs, T-shirts, etc. "Fine Art" is, by definition, useless. Meaning it cannot be used for anything other than appreciation and discussion. For example, fiber art, creating art with fibers of various sorts, can only be art if the piece cannot be used for anything. So, no matter how avant garde or beautiful an afghan or sweater may be, it is craft, not art. I hope I have helped a bit. It's pretty blurry in the undergrad world and much of the world of folks who are not trained in the arts.

Answer 3

Actually, there is still a lot of debate within the arts community as to the line between craft and art. So just because it's used for something doesn't mean it's not art, and just because it is hung on the wall or in a gallery doesn't mean it's not craft.

Artists in ceramics, fibers, glass, wood, metal, and other disciplines are still straddling the two. There is no hard definition between art and craft, even at the highest levels of education.