Advertising: Is It an Art, or Not?

Summary: Can advertising be considered an art? This question is a loaded one, for people have very different definitions of what is considered art. If art is defined as a skill, then maybe. If art is defined as a craft or a work, then possibly. But with so much gray space, is there a way to get a yes or no answer? Probably not, but we can take a look at several key factors to help you make a better argument for or against advertising being considered as an art. When we look at art or advertising, one thing to consider is what is being expressed. Art, as our society recognizes it, embraces self-expression. Our culture loves to see how tormented or beautiful souls translate themselves into words and images. The art we see around us helps define the values, the troubles, and the states our lives are in. Art is usually considered to be timeless, and what is being expressed doesn’t have any ulterior motive. Can that describe advertising? In most cases, no.