The Arboretum

            A beautiful haven for the natural world, The Arboretum at Penn State opened my eyes to all the good that nature gives to us. Although it was a chilly day, the place was full of life: plants, flowers, trees, bushes, and pumpkins filled the grounds giving off various aromas and great sights for the onlooker. As I walked along the pathways, made me feel calm and appreciative and awe-struck at nature and its beauty even at the end of a year of life (It is autumn time). It was the perfect place to immerse myself, to help trigger some ideas about what the definition of “art” is.

            One of the first things that came to my mind at the Arboretum was the use of all five senses. To look at the beautiful view I used my eyes, autumn smells filled the air, the touch of the pumpkins made my skin tingle, and the sound of the wind and birds was a soft hum in my ears. I realized that any type of art I could think of made use of at least one of the five senses.

            The overwhelming awe that washed over me at this natural haven was the basis for my next criteria. Art evoked emotion in a person. Whether it is joy, peace, or even sadness and anger, it caused a person to use their mind and feel something. Just like a beautiful song gives you chills or the taste of a delicious food makes you smile, the Arboretum made me feel at peace.

            As I struggled for a third piece of criteria for art, I realized that anything that was art started as a pure and simple idea. From that idea, it was made into something that could be observed with the senses, for humans everywhere to appreciate. Whether it is the beginning of creation, when God made the earth, or da Vinci’s “The Mona Lisa”, or the Arboretum at Penn State, someone took those ideas from their minds and made them real.

            As I have grown older, my appreciation for Art has grown fonder. I love listening to music that makes me feel deeply, and I could stroll in a park for hours and think about the beauty of view around me. Creating criteria for art has helped to realize why I find certain things so interesting and thought provoking. I like the emotions that artful things evoke in me and the different senses I use. Thankfully, art will never die, as long as they continue to fit the criteria.