What is Art?

   I recently got into a discussion with one of my close friends who is a film maker over the following complex question; what is art and how do we define art? The answer, I still don't know. Perhaps art can not be limited by a definitive definition. Lets say art is anything unique and creative, that comes straight from that individuals own interests and ideas, making it an original piece. Now, wouldn't an invention say a microscope fit that definition? it was unique it was creative, whoever invented it made an original work. But most people would say a microscope isn't' a work of art because it was made for a scientific purpose, yet a scientist might look at a high powered microscope meet for studying stars, and call it and all its complexity of design and invention a work of art. The scientist out of love for his field could fairly view a perfected tool in his craft as a work of art, but what may be art to him may not be art to the artistic community at large. So what is art exactly? How do we decide what stays, what can fairly claim the label of being art? and what goes? Is every piece of film art? Is every piece of sculpture art? Is there a distinct difference between the qualifications that make pieces of new media art and pieces of fine art, art? And I'm not talking technique, I'm talking about that general criteria work needs to meet to become art. And does this mean you can not call yourself an artist until you create a piece of work or a series of work that is approved as being art? Are un-successful pieces of art still art?