Irony

IRONY

Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging symbolic elements in a way that influences and affects the senses, emotions, and/or intellect. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music, literature, film, photography, sculpture and paintings. Generally, art is made with the intention of stimulating thoughts and emotions, and also a mode of expressing one’s thoughts and emotions.

Art has had a great number of different functions throughout its history, and has played very important roles, at the same time making its purpose difficult to abstract or quantify to any single concept. This does not imply that the purpose of Art is "vague", but that it has had many unique, different reasons for being created. Some of these functions of Art are provided in the following outline. The different purposes of art may be grouped according to those that are non-motivated, and those that are motivated (Levi-Strauss).

Basic human instinct for harmony, balance and rhythm: Art at this level is not an action or an object, but an internal appreciation of balance and harmony (beauty), and therefore an aspect of being human beyond utility.
It is more “from” the inside, than “for” the outside.

Communication: Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of communication have an intent or goal directed toward another individual, this is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as communication. Maps are another example. However, the content need not be scientific. Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art.

One very carefully, widely, and effectively used figure in art is irony. Irony is an implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant. Three kinds of irony:

1. Verbal irony is a statement in which the meaning that a speaker employs is sharply different from the meaning that is ostensibly expressed....