Gen Ed 6 • Product

ART APPRECIATION Completed work or final output

DEFINITIONS OF ARTS BY POPULAR THINKERS
UNIT I THE IMPORTANCE, MEANING, AND • Plato
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART Brings life in harmony with the beauty of the world
• John Dewey
THE IMPORTANCE OF ART An attitude of spirit, state of mind- own satisfaction and
There is no question of the assumption that arts have fulfilling, shaping of matter to new and more significant
never been more important to our society, and that they form
should be completely incorporated into our lives, our • Oscar Wilde
community and the whole of education. Most intense mode of individualism that the world has
Art is important because… known
• Elbert Hubbard
Not a thing, it is a way
• Nietzsche
Essentially the affirmation, blessing, and deification of
existence

The idea of art as a piece done with extraordinary

craftsmanship was challenged by artists in the 20 th-
Century. Today the definition of art is continually being
challenged by artists. Art is continuously expanding as
innovation by artist progresses in the 21st century.

FOUR COMMON ESSENTIALS OF ART

1. Art has to be man-made
MEANING OF ART 2. Art must be creative, not imitative
• Word art also rooted in the 13thcentury French word 3. Art must benefit and satisfy a man
art, which means “skill as a result of learning or 4. Art is expressed through a certain medium
practice,”
• Latin word ars, meaning “ability or practical skills” Art History
• In Medieval Latin, ars meant “any special form of It is a discipline of studying arts through the lens of
book learning such as grammar, logic, or astronomy history. It involves dealing with objects and works of art in
(Collingwood, 1983). their historical development and stylistic contexts. In
• 17th Century- prominence of aesthetics, the study of simple terms, the job of art historians is to study visual
beauty,art began to unfold from its previous and tangible objects humans make and map them in
connotation of craftsmanship (Caslib, Garing, and history (Pooke & Newall, 2008).
Casaul 2018).
• 18th Century, the divide between fine arts and useful The job of art historians, study visual and tangible objects
arts came to be known (Collingwood, 1983). humans make and map them in history (Pooke & Newall,
• Fine arts- found in galleries and museums: painting, 2008). Historians ask a series of questions.
sculpture, etc.
• Crafts- had everyday use: pottery, ceramics, The Meaning of Humanities
copperware, wallpapers, jewelry, etc. Study of art belongs to the discipline of humanities, what
am I? Why am I what I am? Why am I in this world? Asks
Art in three different ways about himself and about life (Ortiz, Erestain, Guillermo,
• Ability Montano & Pillar, 1976).
Skill of man to make things beautiful and stirring; it is
Imagination and creativity Humanities include literature, music and art- we learn
• Process what it is to be human. 21 st century, focus on the study of
Involves activities creating Pictures and unforgettable science and technology. Arts and humanities seem to
works belong to the past.
 either an imitation or infringement of truth and nature. It
is the expression of concepts, thoughts and feelings
The modern definition, aims to shape our subjective expressed in an intellectual and innovative way.
energies (feelings, attitudes, aspirations) in accordance 3. Art involves experience
with a particular view of the social world in which we A reflection of our experience. It is seeking participation.
dream, we act and fulfill ourselves (Ortiz et al., 1976). Has something to do with some physical content, a body
or something beyond the body; hence, the only way to
Art Appreciation find justification and affirmation is through immersion in
An attitude toward art. It allows us to understand deeply the arts. We can only appreciate art if we spend time
the purpose of an artwork and recognize the beauty it looking at it, listening to it, touching it, and feeling its
possesses (Collins & Riley, 1931). presence.

Art appreciation in the humanities is being able to look at Three major experience of art (for artist):
a work of art and form a wise opinion of the work, having a. Experience that an artist wants to communicate
the knowledge, background and understanding of the b. Experience in creating the artwork
universal and timeless qualities that comprise all works of c. Experience after creating the artwork
art.
Deals with the learning or understanding and creating Audience Experience of Art:
artworks and enjoying them. a. Sensory Response
Artist explores an individual’s humanity: physical, b. Emotional Response
emotional, psychological, sociological and economic state c. Intellectual Response
- and create art out of these explorations. Becomes the
expression of the artist’s exploration of one’s humanity. 4. Art as Expression
Art has grown out of man’s need to express himself. The
Creativity personal and social values, penetrating psychological
“Creation“ in art refers to the act of combining or insights into human reality. It uses symbols which
reordering already existing materials so that a new object organize into some comprehensible equivalent of the
is formed. Involves skill and expertness in handling experience that an artist is trying to convey. Art is an
materials and organizing them into new, structurally expression of a general vision of the age in which it was
pleasing, and significant units (Ferrer, et al., 2018). created. An artist becomes a kind of historian, recording
in his/her work the attitudes and way of life of his period.
One's life to find solutions or express one's feelings,
changing natural and social circumstances give birth to 5. Art as a form of Creation
new ideas and new methods, solution to a dream, create As a creativity activity, art involves skill or expertness
art, or trigger social change, the process of encounter handling materials and organizing them into new,
with reality. structurally pleasing and significant units. It is a planned
activity that may be produced and executed by an
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART individual or a team.

1. Art is Universal FUNCTIONS OF ART

It is not only for concert halls, museums, or galleries; not
only for those who can afford to pay; not only for critics Functional Art - Directly Useful, Architecture, weaving,
and scholars. Art is for everyone. Art is everywhere, art as furniture-making, industrial design, etc.
a language full of emotions and meaning. Art has no Non-Functional Art - Indirectly Useful
boundaries and rises above traditions, races and Painting, Sculpture, literature, music, theater, etc.
civilizations. The desire to construct to be universal, and
art as a cultural force-widespread and strong. It's eternal HOW DOES ART SERVE US?
as it goes beyond the span of our own life. Personal
1. Art educates our senses and sharpens our
2. Art is Not Nature perception of color, forms, textures, designs,
Art is man-made; development of a man- uses analytical sounds, sounds, rhythms, and harmonies in our
ability and artistry to process and plan. Art is synthetic- environment. It offers us fresh insights into nature
 and human nature so that we gain a better 4. Art as an Escape - the ritual of producing or making art
understanding of ourselves and the world around touches the deepest reaches of the mind and the
us. essential dimension of the artistic creative process. The
sacred level of art not only transforms everything into art
Social but also transforms the artist at the very center of his or
2. Art seeks to influence the collective behavior of people. her being.
Used primarily in public situations and expresses or Introduction of Arts
describes social or collective aspects of existence or
opposed to individual and personal kinds of experiences. ART STYLE AND FACTORS
Paintings, photographs, and cartoons have been used to Geographical Factors
express humanitarian concerns as well as ideological and Places where artist stay influence their work (Marble
political comment. sculpture in Romblon because of the rich supply of
 Complement of the written word- in spreading marble)
doctrine or teaching ideas, the arts have been
used. Historical Factors
 Traditional arts- play significant functions in the Historical events exert a great influence on the artist (Jose
rituals of communities. Rizal's Noli Me Tangere)
 Commercial and advertising art aims to affect the
buying behavior of people. Social Factors
 Commemorating important personages in society. English writer Ben Jonson composed "Songs to Celia"
It is also linked to rituals, public celebrations such An Italian sonneteer named Francesco Petrarch wrote
as festivals. Artworks are vital historical works for Luna
documents. They describe aspects of existence at
certain periods in certain places of certain Ideation Factors
communities. Ideas coming from various people that influence artist
(Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, said that the
Physical human body is the most beautiful thing to present in an
3. Tools and containers are objects which function to art. This soon gave birth to nudism.
make our lives physically comfortable. Designing
functional objects involves the consideration of how it will Psychological Factors
be used and its aesthetic look. Physical function Works produced by artists are affected by their
encompasses the aesthetic function through which art psychological make-up or framework ("The Sick Child" by
becomes influential for man to be aware of the beauty of Edward Munch - children experience of contracting an
nature. illness after the lost of a loved one. "The Filipino is Worth
Dying for" by Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. -written when he
BASIC PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES OF ART was still a deportee in the US.)
1. Art as Mimesis (Plato) - all artistic creation is a form of
imitation: that which really exists (in the “world of ideas”) Technical Factors
is a type created by God; the concrete things man Using different techniques, brushes and strokes
perceives in his existence are shadowy representations of
this ideal type.
Harmony, (adjacent colors on the color wheel, similar
2. Art as Representation (Aristotle) - He recognized that shapes etc.
literature is a representation of life, yet also believed that
representations intervene between the viewer and the PRINCIPLES OF ART
real. This creates worlds of illusion leading one away from It is the visually satisfying effect of combining similar,
the "real things". related elements.
3. Art for Art’s Sake (Kant) - that art needs no
justification, that it need serve no political, didactic, or Balance
other ends. Art has its own reason of being. A feeling of equality in weight, attention, or attraction of
the various visual elements within the pictorial field as a
means of accomplishing organic unity.
 After the idealism of the Renaissy (c.1400-1530), and the
Formal balance - having equal weight on equal sodes from slightly 'forced' nature of Mannerism. (c.1530-1600),
the center Baroque art above all reflected the religious tensions of
Informal balance - present when the left and right side of the age-notably the desire of the Catholic Church in Rome
the art display different objects but have the same weight (as anniciated at the Council of Trent, 1545-63) to reassert
in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Thus it is
almost synonymous with Catholic Counter-Reformation
Formal balance Art of the period.
Bilateral symmetry - present when the left and right side Graphic Art
mirror each other The term 'graphic art' (a derivation from the German
Radial symmetry - exists when the same measure occurs Graphik, originating from graphikos, the Greek for
from the central point to the end of every radius. drawing) commonly denotes those forms of visual
expression that depend for their effect on line and tone
Proportion (disegno), not color (colorito). The main classical type of
It is the comparison of dimensions or distribution of graphic art is drawing, which includes cartoons,
forms. It is the relationship in scale between one element caricature, comics strips and animation, as well as line
and another, or between a whole object and one of its drawings and sketching with pencil kr charcoal, and pen
parts. Differing proportions within a composition can and ink. Graphic art also denotes those art forma invloved
relate to different kinds of balance or symmetry, and can in printmaking, such as etching and engraving, including
help establish visual weight and dept. drypoint. Postmodern forms include the word of
Christopher Wool (b.1955) - characterized by
Rhythm monumental black stenciled letters arranged on a
A continuance, a flow, or a feeling of movement achieved geometric grid - and the conceptual graphic art of Barbara
by the repetition of regulated visual information. Kruger (b.1945)

Emphasis Abstract
It suggests that certain elements should assume more Also called non-objective, non-figurative, Non-
importance than others in the same composition. It representational, geometric abstraction, or concrete art
contributes to organic unity by emphasizing the fact that — is a rather vague umbrella term for any painting or
there is one main feature and that other elements are sculpture which does not portray recognizable objects or
subordinate to it. scenes.
Piscasso thought that there was no such things, while
GENRES OF ART some art critics take the view that all art is abstract — no
painting can hope to be more than a crude summary
Genre is used to group various types of art. It provides (abstraction) of what the painter sees.
rule bound world in which tjere are a predictable range of A similar example is Water-Lilies (1960-20, National
features and expectations. Gallery, London) by Claude Monet (1840-1926). Also,
there is a sliding scale of abstraction: from semi-abstract
Visual Arts to wholly abstract. So even though the theory is relatively
Art forms such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, clear- abstract art is detached from reality- the practical
printmaking, design, crafts, photography, video, task of separating abstract from non-abstract can be
filmmaking and architecture. Many artistic disciplines much more problematical.
(performing arts, conceptual art, textile arts) invlove
aspects of the visual arts as well as arts of other types. Plastic Arts
Derived from the word "plasticize", meaninf "to mould" -
Baroque describe any form which involves modelling or moulding
In fine art, Baroque (derived from the Portuguese word in three dimensions. The most common example of the
'borocco' meaning 'irregular pearl or stone') describes a plastic arts is sculpture. This is because sculptors chip,
fairly complex idiom, originating in Rome, which flowered carve, shape, or modulate a range of traditional materials,
during the period c.1590-1720, and which embraced such as marble, granite, sandstone, bone, ivory, wood,
painting, and sculpture as well as architecture. and terracotta, as well as contempory materials such as
concrete, aluminum, and foam rubber.
 audience to differ from ordinary prose. It may use
Another type of plastic art, in this case uring clay, is condensed or compressed form to convey emotion or
ceramic pottery, including earthenware, maiolica, raku ideas to the reader's listener's mind or ear; it may also use
and stonware, as well as Chinese porcelain and celadon devices such as assonance and repetition to achieve
ware. Yet more types of plastic art include: collage, paper musical or incantatory effects. Poems frequently rely for
art, and origami paper folding; metalworking, glass their effect on imagery, word association, and the musical
blowing and other forms of flass arr, including mosaics; qualities of the language used. The interactive layering of
wood-working, as well as contempory disciplines such as all these effects to generate meaning is what marks
ice sculpture and also, sand art. poetry.
Sculpting
The most enduring and, arguably the greatest form of fine
art known to man, sculpture has played a major role in
the evaluation of Western culture. Its history, and stylistic
development are those of Western art itself.

It is key indicator of the cultural achievements of Classical

Antiquity, and became an important influence on the
development of Renaissance art in Italy. Together with
architecture, it was the principal form of monumental
religious art which for centuries (c.400-1800) was the
driving force of European civilization. Even today,
although continuously evolving, sculpture is still the
leading method of expressing and commemorating both
historical figures and events.

AUDIO-VISUAL ART
Literary Arts
Literary works include nondramatic textual works with or
without illustrations. They may he published or
nonpublished. Computer programs and database also are
considered literary works. Plays, dramas, and screenplays
are not in the literary works category.

Drama
A mode of fictional representation through dialogue and
performance. It is one of the literary genres, which is an
imitation of some action. Drama is also a type of play
written for theaters, televisions, radios, and films.

In simple words, a drama is a composition in verse or

prose presenting a story in pantomime or dialogue,
containing conflict of characters, particularly the ones
who perform in front of audience on the stage. The
person who writes drama for stage directions is known as
a dramatist or playwright.

Poetry
Ancient Greek (poieo) = I create. An art form on which
human language is used for its aesthetic qualities in
addition to, or instead of, its notional and semantic
content. It consist largely of oral or literary works in which
language is used in a manner that is felt by its user and
 UNIT II SUBJECT OF ART

Art is represented in the artwork. The subject in art is Subject of Art may be:
basically the essence of the piece. To determine subject 1. Landscape, seascapes, cityscapes
matter in a particular piece of art, ask yourself: What is 2. Still life – inanimate objects arranged in indoor setting.
actually depicted in this artwork? What is the artist trying 3. Animals
to express to the world... what is his or her message? And 4. Portraits – the realistic likeness of a person.
how are they conveying that message?  Attire, accessories are very much expressive
because they reveal so much of the person and
It is the matter to be described or to be portrayed by the his time.
artist. This may refer to any person, object, scene or 5. Figures – nude/ clothed
event.  Greeks – physical beauty was the symbol of moral
and spiritual perfection.
TWO KINDS OF ARTS AS TO SUBJECT 6. Everyday Life – life around the artist, or the actual
setting. E.g. children playing, life at the park
Representational/ Objective Art 7. History and Legends
 Depicts objects that are commonly recognized by  History – consist of verifiable facts
most people  Legends – unverifiable but they have been
 Attempt to copy what is real or portray the accepted as true
subject as it is. 8. Religion and Mythology – use to preach and teach
 Uses “form” and are concerned with “what” is to  Art – handmaid of religion
be depicted 9. Dreams and Fantasy – mostly used by surrealist
painters
Non-Representational/Non-Objective Art
 Without any reference or recognizable objects Ways of Presenting the Subject
 Abstract; does not represent real objects
 Uses “content” and is concerned with “how” the 1. Realism
artwork is depicted This often refers to the artistic movement that
began in France in the 1850s. Realism's popularity
The Artist and His Choice of Subject increased with the advent of the photography-a new
1. Everything under the sun is raw material for the artist visual medium that generated people's desire to
to draw his subject. develop "objectively real" things. This describes what
2. The artist’s choice of subject is usually affected by his the eyes can see, what the ear can hear and what
medium. faculty of sense ca n receive. The painting by Zeuxis,
3. The piece of art depends largely upon the time in which painter of the 5th century, was an example. Grapes
he lived. was his subject. They appeared so perfect, luscious
and appealing when he displayed his painting of
SOURCES OF SUBJECT OF ART grapes that the birds flew down from the sky to peck
at them.
2. Abstraction
Its etymology derives from the Latin "abstractus"
put forward, "or from the Latin past participle"
abstrahere: "from ab(s)-" down "+ trahere" take,
"meaning" removed or isolated from material objects
or practical matters. Through abstract art, the artist
presents the subject in no way as an objective fact,
but just his idea or his feeling (exaggerated
emotionalism) about it. It's all about what the artists
are thinking and what mood they may want to reflect.
All types of visual art, no real-life pictures, scenery or
objects.
 An example is the painting of a "Bird in Space" by
Constantin Brancusi In Space. "He'd been so
impressed with the goodness of a Bird in flight, its
body sweeping as it soared over the sea. His
sculptural work doesn't seem like it a bird is intended THE CONTENT OF ART
to convey an image of a Grace and pace to the cat.  It is the meaning, message and/or feeling
3. Symbolism imparted by a work of art.
A symbol is a clear indication that anything like an  It is the mass of ideas associated with each
idea or a standard is invisible. Symbolism uses artwork and communicated through the
symbols to systematically focus or amplify meaning, following:
rendering the artwork more subjective (rather than a. The Arts’ imagery
objective) and traditional. For instance, a flag is a b. The symbolic meaning
country symbol and it represents the essence of c. Its surroundings where it is used or displayed
nationalism; a lion representing bravery, and a lamb d. The customs, beliefs and values of the culture that
representing meekness. uses it
4. Fauvism e. Writings that help explain the work
It is derived from the French "les fauves," which
means "the wild beasts." It is the last part of the Three levels of meaning according to Cleaver (1966):
19thcentury artistic movement that stressed
spontaneity and the use of excessively bright colors. 1. A Factual Meaning- literal statement or the
For example, to a fauvist a tree trunk doesn't need to narrative content in the work which can be directly
be gray. It may be bright red, purple or any other understood because the objects presented are easily
color. recognized.
5. Dadaism 2. Conventional Meaning- special meaning that
The word "dada" is a French word which means certain object or color has for a particular culture or a
“hobbyhorse”. A hobby-horse is the children's pet toy group of people.
made of a wooden horse mounted on a stick. We may 3. Subjective Meaning- any personal meaning
claim it with this etymology dadaism is a consciously or unconsciously conveyed by the artist
"nonsensical" art movement. Some would say it is not using private symbolism which stems from his own
art since it appears to have absolutely no sense. associations of certain objects, actions, or colors from
6. Futurism past experiences.
Futurism was described as a modernist
movement embracing the future age of technology.
The automobile, the aircraft, the industrial town
reflected the development of urban life and the
technological success of A Man beyond Nature.
7. Surrealism
It is an offshoot or a dada boy. Sometimes known
as "super" realism, "which revolves around the
process of making things look ordinary exceptional. It
focuses on actual objects found in imagination or
fantasy, or it has realistic subjects found in the
subconsciousness; illustrating the inner mind's
dreamlike images.
8. Impressionism
It's also often called optical realism because of its
interest in the actual visual experience, including
things such as the influence of color, light and motion
on the nature of the objects portrayed in the works of
art. Impressionism centered on explaining the visual
stimuli originating from nature, directly.