Modern aesthetic theory does not yet have a definitive view on the number of distinctive art forms. Obviously, this point of view will never be reached, since this system is open and constantly evolving. It is necessary to analyze those types of art that are most often distinguished in the modern literature.
Decorative and applied art is a special branch of artistic activity, in the products of which the purpose of achieving a practical goal organically merges with a formal solution that has aesthetic value.
Intraspecific classification in decorative and applied art is carried out according to different principles: material, manufacturing technology, function. Depending on the chosen criterion, it is divided into specialized branches: ceramics, textiles, furniture, dishes, etc.
This kind of art is one of the oldest types of artistic creativity, which is still developing. It exists in everyday objects that are created according to the laws of beauty. These things are not only useful, but also beautiful, they have their own style and artistic image, which reproduces their purpose and carries a generalized characteristic of the type of life and outlook of the people and the era.
Decorative and applied art is national in nature, it is born from the customs, skills, beliefs of the people and is directly related to its production activities, its life.
Vertical lines and forms of architecture begin to be transferred to clothes, furniture and other works of household art, things become more and more ornamented. During the Renaissance, the unity of function and beauty becomes important. Things for a long time have attractiveness, individual uniqueness. These are rare works that retain the charm of talent and all the uniqueness of their creator – an artist-artisan. The development of production in our time increasingly eliminates traces of the artist’s individuality from things produced in industry. But the rapid development of design begins with the arrival of the artist in the industry.
The top of decorative and household art is jewelry, which retains its independence even now.
A special contribution to the development of genres and schools of decorative and applied arts is made by folk crafts (for example, Khokhloma and Zhostivka painting, Gzhel porcelain, Vologda lace, Orenburg shawls, Georgian copper and silver coinage, Turkmen carpets, etc.)
Architecture. Every person lives in a certain object environment. One of the oldest forms of art – architecture – plays an important role in creating his/her image, character, moreover, in creating mood, maintaining mental and emotional health. N.V. Gogol called architecture music frozen in stone. Poet A. Voznesensky, an architect by profession, said that architecture is a conversation with descendants. Indeed, works of architecture, architectural monuments can tell a lot about the life, habits, culture of the past, when and by whom they were created. Let us recall, for example, cozy buildings of the era of mature classicism and pompous buildings of the 40-50s of the XX century in our country. Architecture, unlike many other forms of art, in addition to decorative and domestic purposes, also performs aesthetic and practical functions in human life.
As a kind of art, architecture is static, spatial, the artistic image here is created by a non-figurative means, reproducing certain ideas, moods and aspirations by correlation of scales, masses, shapes, colors, connection with the surrounding landscape, that is, with the help of specific expressive means.
Architecture is an art form whose works are monuments of material and spiritual culture of mankind. Architecture is called the art of roof construction, because the main architectural types and styles differ in the nature of roofs, for example, dome or riser-beam systems. The prominent architect of the XX century Corbusier called architecture “the art of inscribing lines in the sky”. The ancient Greeks created their architectural exterior space, leaving the interior dark and austere.
Sculpture. One of the genius sculptors and architects of Italy of the XVII century Lorenzo Bernini said: “Perhaps God himself is a sculptor, he created man not by magic, but piece by piece, like a carver”. This statement emphasizes that sculpture as an art creates a spatial image of a person since ancient times. The name of this art form originated from the Latin sculpo – I cut; often sculpture is also called plastics (Greek plaste – sculpt). These two names of one art form indicate the existence of different techniques of creating sculptural images. Sculpture is simple, clear and convincing, at all times it embodies ideal ideas about the beauty of the human figure and the peculiarities of the moral qualities of the era.