Since the 20th century, the representative theory, game theory and expressionism mentioned above have all been regarded as outdated theories, and the theory that art originated from witchcraft has become more and more popular in western academic circles.

The theory that art originated from witchcraft is mainly based on anthropologists' research on primitive social culture.

Edward tylor, a famous British anthropologist, put forward the witchcraft theory for the first time in his Primitive Culture and Art.

He believes that primitive people's thinking belongs to animism, that is, people can sympathize with mountains, rivers, plants and various animals and plants. Through a series of etiquette and witchcraft, the human spirit can fit in with the mysterious spirit in nature, and even have the power to control nature.

Archaeological findings show that early art is indeed related to witchcraft. Many cave murals have obvious witchcraft motives. The murals made by primitive people in caves are more to help them catch prey and even control prey.

Although the theory of witchcraft origin is indeed closely related to the initial state of art, it is not very accurate.

Because witchcraft activities in primitive society are closely related to their productive labor, it can be seen that the origin of art ultimately comes down to human social practice.

Since the founding of New China, the viewpoint of the origin of labor has always occupied a dominant position in the theoretical circle of literature and art in China.

The origin of art is closely related to the origin of mankind. Only humans have art, so exploring the origin of art is actually exploring why and how early humans created art.

It is labor that separates man from nature and forms a different way of life from animals.

Material productive labor is the most basic practical activity. Through millions of years of labor practice, human beings have gradually developed dexterous hands and developed brains, and gradually formed a language that can express thoughts and feelings.

While labor creates people, it also provides a premise for the emergence of art.

In the manufacturing process of primitive labor tools, in addition to practical purposes, there will also be decorative purposes. Finally, these artistic labor products with decorative, exquisite processing and exquisite modeling gradually have independent significance and become independent artistic varieties.

At the same time, various senses and sensory abilities of human beings have been developing continuously in productive labor, and aesthetic elements have also appeared in human cultural and psychological structures.

Of course, although material production labor is the fundamental reason for the emergence of art, the emergence of art cannot be simply attributed to labor.

Because from labor to art, it has gone through the intermediate stages of witchcraft, etiquette, totem, song and dance, which is a long historical process and finally produces pure aesthetic art.

There is no doubt that the origin of art from labor is fundamental, but the origin of art is a very complicated issue, and its origin must be diversified, not single, complex and not simple.

note:

But even if we know the exact origin of art, it is a bit inappropriate to define the essence of art with origin.

In particular, it is not appropriate to use the origin of art to define the current artistic characteristics and nature.

Because today's art must be a combination of the current background of the times and the achievements of the current process of science, technology, culture and civilization.

The origin of ancient art can only explain part of the nature of art, but not all the characteristics and essence of art?