Art according to Amadeo Perez: a look from experience

Let me introduce myself: I am Amadeo Pérez, a common guy who had the good fortune (or misfortune, depending on how you look at it) to live with art throughout his life. And no, I do not mean that I am a famous painter, far from it. I am one of those who have seen everything in this world of art. From majestic works to doodles that have made me wonder: is this really art?

But let's get to the point, because this is not a grandparents' tale. Today I want to talk to you, from my experience, about what art is, in all its forms, colors and flavors. Yes, flavors, because when art touches you, you don't just see it, you feel it in every corner of your being.

What is art really? And why does it fascinate us all?

Art is like love: you don't understand it, you feel it. That's the short definition. But like everything in life, it has its nuances. Art encompasses visual, literary, performing and applied forms. That means that when you think of art, you don't just get the idea of a painting hanging in a gallery (although that's where a lot of it starts). There is art in words, in movements, in everyday objects. It's everywhere.

The 7 main forms of art

Over the centuries, art has evolved, transformed, taken different forms. But, in essence, it can be classified into seven major categories:

1. The visual arts: what you see, what strikes you

When we talk about visual art, this is where painting, sculpture, photography and even cinema come in. These are the ones that catch you with their sight, strike you with their beauty or their ugliness, but either way, they do not leave you indifferent. Works like those of Picasso or the revolutionary paintings of Jackson Pollock, are clear examples of how something can be incomprehensible and, even so, genius.

Photography has also earned a place of honor in this category. From the ancient images captured by the pioneering Nicéphore Niépce to the complex digital montages of today. The key here is that they provoke you, make you feel and think.

2. Sculpture: art you can touch (or almost)

Nothing makes you feel more insignificant than seeing a giant sculpture. I've seen many. Sculpture is that three-dimensional art that you can walk around, look at from different angles and, if they let you, even touch. The key is that it uses materials like marble, stone, bronze or whatever the sculptor has on hand. Rodin, one of the great masters, said that in every stone there is a sculpture waiting to be released. Isn't that poetic?

3. Architecture: the art we inhabit

Yes, we live surrounded by art. Every building has a story to tell. From the majesty of the Empire State Building to the extravagant forms of Frank Gehry's Guggenheim in Bilbao, architecture reminds us that art can have a very practical function while remaining aesthetically captivating.

4. Literature: the art of words

From Shakespeare's tragedies to the minimalist paragraphs of Kafka, literature has a magical capacity to transport us to other worlds. It is one of the oldest arts, and although people think it is somewhat old-fashioned, it is still the space where we can pour out the most emotions.

5. The theater: when art is ephemeral

Ah, the theater. I've been lucky enough to see great plays in my life, and let me tell you something: there's nothing like witnessing a good drama live. It is an art that lives in the moment; the magic is in its fragility, in knowing that it will never be the same each time it is performed.

6. Music: the invisible art

It should be illegal to talk about art without mentioning music. There are no paintings or sculptures here, but it envelops you like no other art form. Music moves masses, awakens dormant feelings and can transform the mood of millions. From Beethoven to Bad Bunny (yes, I said it), everyone has their place in this great symphony of art.

7. Applied arts: art in everyday life

Last but not least, we have the applied arts. This includes everything that makes our life more beautiful and functional at the same time. From interior design to the everyday objects we use on a daily basis. Every time you see a designer's mug or a modern sofa, you are looking at applied art.

My personal experience with art

Throughout my life, I have had my ups and downs with art. Sometimes it has made me feel on cloud nine, and at other times, it has left me in the deepest turmoil. But that's the beauty of it. Art has no rules, or rather, it has them and breaks them whenever it feels like it. It's like that rebellious friend we all have.

I once visited the Prado Museum, where I was stunned in front of "Las Meninas" by Velázquez. I felt small, insignificant, in front of a work so colossal in its technique and depth. I understood nothing of what the painter wanted to express, but something inside me clicked. That is art, a subjective, intimate experience.

I have also had my run-ins with modern art. I confess, that in front of a work of Rothko I was left wondering if they were pulling my leg. But that's the trick! Art challenges you, questions you, and sometimes even makes you angry.

Conclusion: art is what defines us as humans

If I have learned anything in all these years, it is that art does not need to be understood to be enjoyed. It is chaos, it is order, it is whatever you want it to be. It is that way in which we express the inexpressible, it is the window we leave open so that others can peek into our soul.

So yes, art is alive, and as long as we exist, it will continue to reinvent itself, taking new forms, and leaving us all a little more confused, and at the same time, a little more human.