Art, a term that encompasses a vast array of creative expressions, has undergone significant transformations in its definition and perception over the course of history. The concept of art as we understand it today is a far cry from its humble beginnings. In this article, we will delve into the origins of the word "art" and explore how it evolved from denoting mere craftsmanship to embracing artistic expression.

The earliest recorded use of the word "art" can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE. However, it was not until the Renaissance period in Europe that art began to take on a life of its own as an independent discipline with its own set of principles and techniques.

One major factor contributing to this shift was the emergence of humanism during this time. Humanist philosophers such as Petrarch and Boccaccio emphasized individualism and self-expression over traditional religious dogma. This led artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to explore new ways to represent reality through their works.

Another significant influence came from classical Greek philosophy, particularly Plato's ideas about beauty and truth. For Plato, beauty was not just physical but also moral; he believed that true art should reflect both these aspects simultaneously. This idea resonated with many artists who sought not only aesthetic appeal but also deeper meaning in their creations.

As societies became more complex so too did our understanding of what constitutes "art." By the Industrial Revolution era (18th-19th centuries), industrialization had brought mass production techniques which challenged traditional notions about handcrafted goods being inherently superior or artistic by default.

In response to these changes artists turned towards creating unique pieces using non-industrial materials like woodblock prints or sculptures made by hand rather than machine-made objects for sale at department stores or marketplaces where everything seemed interchangeable due largely because they could no longer rely solely on manual labor alone anymore since now machines were capable performing tasks previously reserved for humans thus rendering handmade items less valuable compared before when people would pay extra premium price simply based off whether something looked pretty enough regardless if done manually via hammer & chisel versus printed out quickly using inkjet printer technology advancements allowed them faster turnaround times plus lower costs overall leading us closer towards acceptance that there exists other forms besides painting paintings after all!

This transformation culminated in modern definitions like contemporary artist Marina Abramovic once said: “I am interested in exploring different levels within myself – physical level mental level spiritual level emotional level etcetera… I believe everyone has potentiality inside themselves waiting discovery.”

So here’s how we went full circle - started with craftmanship then embraced industrial revolution/technological advancement later gave birth again through various disciplines spanning centuries finally arriving at point where even most ordinary person feels empowered express themselves creatively without fear judgment!