ART APPRECIATION should always ask why the artist made it?

What is it that he wants to show?

Lesson 1: What is Art: Introduction and 3. Art involves experience it is the actual doing
Assumptions of something. When one says that he has an
experience of something, he often means that
Why study the Humanities? he knows what that something is about. “Art
HUMANITIES comes from the Latin word HUMMANUS, depends on experience and if one is to know
which means human, cultured, and refined. art, he must know it not as fact or
HUMANITIES – refers to the arts- the visual arts, such information but as experience.” A work of art
as architecture, painting, and sculpture; music, dance, then cannot be abstracted from actual doing.
the theater or drama, and literature In order to know what is artwork is, we have
They are the branches of learning concerned with the to know what an artwork is, We have to sense
human thoughts, feelings, and relations. The it, see or hear it, and see AND hear it. Finally,
importance of the human being and his feelings and one should also underscore that every
how he expresses have always been the concern of the experience with art is accompanied by some
humanities emotions. One either likes or dislikes, agrees
“The humanities constitute one of the oldest and or disagrees that a work of art is beautiful.
most important means of expression developed by Feelings and emotions are concrete proofs
man.” that the artworks has been experience.
Assumptions of Art Humanities and the art have always been part
of man’s growth and civilization. Since the dawn
1. Art is universal art has been crafted by all of time, man has always tried to express his
people regardless of origin, time, place, and innermost thoughts and feelings about reality
that stayed on because it is liked and through creating art.
enjoyed by people continuously. A great
piece of work will never be obsolete. It is Three assumptions on arts are its universality,
timeless, spanning generations and its not being nature, and its need for
continents through and through experience. Art is present in every part of the
2. Art is not nature Art is man’s expression of globe and every period of time. Art is always a
his reception of nature. Art is man’s way of creation of the artist, not nature. Finally,
interpreting nature. Art is made by man, without experience, there is no art. The artist
whereas nature is given around us. What we has to be foremost, a perceiver who is directly in
find in nature should not be expected to be touch with the art.
present in art too. Once this point has been
made, a student of humanities can then ask
further questions such as: What reasons
might the artists have in creating
something? What motivation did Juan Luna
have in creating his masterpiece, the
Spolarium? In whatever work of art, one
 beyond the scope of our imagination as it aims to deliver ideas,
ART APPRECIATION feelings, or beauty to its viewers. (MMF, OSCARS award)
LESSON 2: Creativity, Imagination, and 3.PERFORMANCE ART-Performance art is a live art and at the
Expression artist’s medium is mainly the human body which he or she
uses to perform, but also employs other kind of art such as
THE ROLE OF CREATIVITY IN ART MAKING
visual art, props, or sounds. It usually consists of four
Creativity requires thinking outside the box. It is often used to
solve problems that have been occurred before, conflate
important elements : time , where the performance took place ,
function and style, and simply make life a more unique and
the performers or performers body, and a relationship between
enjoyable experience. In Art, creativity is what sets apart one
the audience and the performer(s). The fact that performance
art is live makes it intangible, which means it cannot be bought
artwork from another. We say something is done creative
or traded as a commodity, unlike the previously discussed art
when we have not yet seen anything like it or when it is out of
expression.
the ordinary. A creative artist does not simply copy or imitate
another artists work. He does not imitate the lines, flaws, 4.POETRY PERFORMANCE - Poetry is an art form where the
colors, and patterns in recreating nature. He embraces artist’s expresses his emotions not by using paint, charcoal, or
originality, puts his own flavor into his works, and calls it his camera, but expresses them through words. These words are
own creative piece. carefully selected to exhibit clarity and beauty and to stimulate
ART AS A PRODUCT OF IMAGINATION, IMAGINATION AS A strong emotions of joy, anger, love, sorrow and the list goes on.
PRODUCT OF ART It uses a word’s emotional, musical, and spatial values that go
beyond to literal meaning to narrate, emphasize , argue, or
Where do you think famous writers, painters, and musicians get convince . These words combined with movements, tone, volume,
their ideas? Where do ideas in making creative solutions begin? and intensity of the delivery, add to the artistic value of the
It all starts in the mind. It begins with imaginations. poem.
ART AS EXPRESSION 5.ARCHITECTURE -art is the pursuit and creation of beautiful
The Principles of Art (1938) that what an artist does to an things while architecture is the markings of the beautiful
emotion is not to induce it, but express it. Through the buildings. Buildings should embody these three elements : plan,
expression, he is able to explore his own emotions and at the construction, and the design.
same time, create something beautiful out of them. Expressing 6.DANCE - it is a series of movements that follows the
emotions is something different from describing emotions. rhythm of the music accompaniment . It is a creative form that
Expression, on the other hand, individualizes. An artist has the allows people to freely express themselves. It has no rules.
freedom to express himself the way he wants to. Hence, there is
no specific technique in expression. This makes people’s art not 7. LITERARY ARTS -literary art goes beyond the usual
a reflection of what is outside or external to them, but a professional, academic, journalistic, and other technical forms
reflection of their inner selves of writing. It focuses on writing using unique style, not
following a specific format or norm. It may be novels,
There are countless ways of expressing oneself through art. The biographies, and poems. Example. Romeo and Juliet by William
following list includes, but is not limited to , popular art Shakespeare.
expression.
8. THEATER -uses live performers to present accounts or
1. Visual Arts - creations that all under this category are those imaginary events before a live audience. Theater art
that appeal to the sense of sight and are mainly visual in performances usually follow a script, though they should not
nature. Artist produce visual arts driven by their desire to be confused with the literary arts. They considers several
produce things that they have seen in the way that they elements, acting, gestures, lighting, sounds effects, musical
perceived them. Some mediums of visual arts include paintings, score, scenery and props. ( Drama, musical, tragedy, comedy and
drawings, letterings, printings, sculptures, digital imaging and improvisation)
more.
9.APPLIED ARTS - incorporating elements of style
2.FILM - refers to the art of putting together successions of and design to everyday items with the aim of
still images in order to create an illusion of movement. Film increasing their aesthetical value. Artist in this field
making focuses on its aesthetic, cultural, and social value and bring beauty, charm, and comfort into many things
is considered as both an art and an industry. Films can be that are useful in every day life. Industrial design,
created by using one or a combination of some or all of these
techniques: motion-picture camera, animation techniques.
interior design, fashion design, and graphic design are
Filmmaking simulates experiences or creates one that is considered applied arts.
 ART APPRECIATION opposed to a personal interest. Political art is a very
common example of art with social function
LESSON 3: FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHICAL Often , art can also depict social conditions.
PERSCPECTIVES ON ART Photography, as an art form, delivers this kind of
Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed that every function by taking photos of subjects in conditions that
particular substance in the world has an end, or TELOS people do not normally take a look at or give attention
in Greek, which translates into “ Purpose”. Every to.
substance, defined as a formed matter , moves
PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
according to a fixed path toward its aim.
The physical functions of art are the easiest to spot
Example;
and understand. The physical functions of art can be
seed= full grown plant
found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve
cocoon= butterfly
some physical purposes..
baby= grown to man or woman
Other functions of Art
This telos according to Aristotle, is intricately linked
1. Music as an art
with functions. For a thing to reach purpose , it also
has to fulfill its function. Man, in Aristotle’s view of 2. Sculpture
reality, is bound to achieve a life of fulfillment and
3. Architecture
happiness.All men move toward this final end
happiness, the supposed end of man, ios linked with his Does Art Always have to be Functional?
function, which is being rational
While it has been shown that most arts are functional,
Functions of Art still there are some which are not. The value of a work
of art does not depend on function but on the work
When one speaks of function, one is practically talking itself.
about the use of the object whose function is in
The different perspectives on art
question. An inquiry on the function of art is an
inquiry on what art is for or “what is it for” is the Philosophical Perspectives on Art
function of whatever “it” in there question refers to.
1. Art as an Imitation
The functions of Art are classified into three: personal (
public display or expression) social ( celebration or to 2. Art as a Representation
affect collective behavior) and physical ( utilitarian).
3. Art as a Disinterested Judgment
PERSONAL FUNCTION
4. Art as a Communication of Emotion
The personal functions of art are varied and highly
subjective, This means that its functions depend on
the person-the artist who created the art. An Artist
may create an art out of the need for self expression.
An art may also be therapeutic. In some orphanages
and home for the abandoned elders, art is used to help
residents process their emotions while away from their
time. Like Coloring books for adults to de stress them.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
Art is considered to have a social functions if and
when it addresses a particular collective interest as
 2. Gods and Goddesses the Greek and Roman mythology.
ART APPRECIATION Some of the art forms they took on were wall
LESSON 4: SUBJECT AND CONTENT paintings or frescos and sculptural works such as
busts, statuaries, and ceramics, and pottery among
The primary stage of engaging with the art is perception. others.
Looking at art is much like any instance of taking in 3. The distinct relationship with a higher controlling
information or stimulus that originates from the world around power.
us. For most art forms, the beginning of engagement is through The frescos, church architecture, stained glass
looking at the artwork. The eyes play a big role in mechanically windows, tabernacles, and altars, icons and other
making a vision possible. However, like any other tool, it is but carvings, vestments, tapestry and other sacred
one component. scriptures. Thus, art was central to religious expeience.
Subjectivity is illustrated in the way that selective perception 4. ANIMALSThis is another kind of subject that is
renders one or two details more prominent than others, commonly used in any art forms, not only it is
prompting the viewers to focus on some details as essential or prevalent today but also during the Medieval period
as standouts. In most cases, there are clues that mediate when early Christians used animal symbols such as
between the artwork and the viewer allowing the viewer to peacock and fish to identify themselves as Christian
more easily comprehend what he is seeing. These clues are the believers. Example is “ Swallowtail Butterfly”
3basic components of a work of art, SUBJECT, CONTENT, AND 5. PORTRAIT OR HUMAN FIGURES A whole human figure
FORM. or just a part of it.Ex. Self Portrait of Fernando
SUBJECT- refers to the visual focus or the image that may be
Amorsolo.
extracted from examining the artwork. “WHAT” 6. HISTORY AND LEGENDS This subject is inspired by
CONTENT - is the meaning that is communicated by the artist or the history or legend. Historical events are real stories
artwork. “ WHY” while legends are just imaginary.
FORM – the development and configuration of the artwork – how 7. STILL LIFEStill life refers to in animating objects either
the elements and the medium or materials are put together. “HOW” in a form of a drawing , painting, or photograph
8. DREAMS AND FANTASIES It refers to subjects that are
Types of Art inspired by the subconscious mind

1. Representational Art –these type of art have subjects WHY WAS THE ARTWORK CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
that refers to objects or events occurring in the real When this question is asked, we are after the meaning
world. Often it is also called figurative art, because the or message that is expressed or communicated by the artwork.
figures depicted are easy to make out and decipher To take on the challenge of understanding the content of art
2. Non Representational Art does not make a reference to there are various levels of meaning to be considered
the real world , whether it is a person, place, thing or
even a particular event. It is stripped down to visual Content in art
elements such as shapes, lines, and colors that are Levels of meaning in content of Arts
employed to translate a particular feeling, emotion
and even concept. 1. Factual Meaning the most rudimentary level of
meaning for it may be extracted from the identifiable
NON – REPRESENTATIONAL ART AND ABSTRACT ART. or recognizable forms in the artwork and
Cut metal that is hinged on a metal base, there is a palpable understanding how these elements relate to one
distortion of the image- whether it is- seems to be melting. An another.
artwork, depending on the degree of distortion or abstraction, 2. Conventional meaning pertains to the acknowledged
may be judged as learning more toward one over the other. interpretation of the artwork using motifs, signs,
Abstract art is in itself a departure from reality but the extent symbols and other cyphers as bases of its meaning.
of that departure determines whether it has reached the end of These conventions are established through time,
the spectrum, which is non-representationality- a complete strengthened by recurrent use and wide acceptance by
severance from the world. its viewers or audience and scholars who study them.
3. SUBJECTIVE MEANING- a variety of meaning may
SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT arise when a particular work of art is read. It depends
1. Nature- artist throughout the history have explored on what the viewers know, what they learned, what
diverse ways of representing nature; from plants to they experienced and the value they stand for. It is
animals; the qualities of bodies of water and the therefore expected that the meaning may not be
terrain of landmasses; and even the perceivable cycles singular, rather may communicate multiple meanings
and changing seasons. to the viewers.
 ART APPRECIATION B. ORGANIC - organic shapes are those readily
occurring in nature, often irregular and
LESSON 5: ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES asymmetrical.
OF ART
ELEMENTS OF ART: VISUAL
1. LINE . A line refers to a point moving at an
identifiable path - it has length and direction. It has
width. It is one –dimensional, however, it has the
capacity to either define the parameters of the
artwork ( edges and / or become a substantial
component of the composition.
a. HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LINES – refers to
the orientation of the line. Horizontal lines are
normally associated with rest calm.
Landscapes often contain these elements as
works like these often connotes a visual sense
of being parallel to the ground. It also alludes
to position of the reclined body at rest.
Vertical lines , on the other hand , connote
elevation or height, which is usually taken to
mean exaltation or aspiration for action,
Together , these lines communicate stability
and firmness.
b. DIAGONAL AND CROOKED LINES- diagonal
lines convey movement and instability,
although the progression can be seen. Crooked
or jagged lines, on the other hand, are
reminiscent of violence, conflict or struggle.
c. CURVED LINES - these are lines that bend or
coil. They allude to softness, grace, flexibility
or even sensuality.
2-3 SHAPE AND FORM
These two are related to each other in the sense that
they define the space occupied by the object of art.
SHAPE refers to two dimensions; height and width,
while form refers to three dimensions, height, width,
and depth. Even if shapes are part of a bigger
picture, each can be identified by breaking the
visual components apart and making distinctions
based on what we know and we have seen.
TWO CATEGORIES
A. GEOMETRIC these shapes find origin in
mathematical propositions. Its translation and use
are often man-made. These include shapes such as
squares, triangles, cubes, circles, spheres, and cones,
among others.