Art is the creation of an author, working in a medium, communicating a message.
People find it difficult to define art. I find it simple. I have ever since I attended an introductory college course on poetry where I learned that poetry is simply a microcosm of all communication and that all communication is poetry, that is the use of literary devices in text, so I suppose I must credit my professor for this definition:
Art is compressed meaning, in a given medium, and using that medium’s communication devices.
The question is often asked, “Is this art?” Video games, for example, are often critiqued in this way. But of course they are, given a proper, objective definition. The real question is often really, “Is this good art?”
Literature has literary devices to compress meaning, such as contrast and comparison, imagery and symbolism, metaphor and conceit. Other media, such as painting, or music, or sculpting, have their “language”, too. They have their devices or methods used to figuratively communicate meaning.
Painting may use perspective, texture, or stroke to indicate meaning. Music may use notes, rhythm, pitch, or volume to convey meaning. Sculpting may use material, edge, or orientation to communicate meaning.
All media have their devices of communication and when they are used to communicate a message then they become art.