I think you've confused a fraction of art with the whole. Art comes in many forms both low and high, both utilitarian and purely expressive. Art can be made by artists, but it can also be made by artisans (craftsmen).
This used to be obvious, most of the great Renaissance artists would be perfectly familiar with this definition. Many of them served as both artist and artisan depending on the circumstances. Is the ceiling of the Sistine chapel art? Few would say otherwise, yet it is just a mural. Is St. Peter's Basilica art?
Where do you draw the line? Is architecture art? Is graphic design art? There is no chasm between practical art and expressive art, it is a continuum with extremes at either end. To refuse the label of "art" to the craftsmen is an extreme disservice to their talent and their souls and to us all.
This used to be obvious, most of the great Renaissance artists would be perfectly familiar with this definition. Many of them served as both artist and artisan depending on the circumstances. Is the ceiling of the Sistine chapel art? Few would say otherwise, yet it is just a mural. Is St. Peter's Basilica art?
Where do you draw the line? Is architecture art? Is graphic design art? There is no chasm between practical art and expressive art, it is a continuum with extremes at either end. To refuse the label of "art" to the craftsmen is an extreme disservice to their talent and their souls and to us all.