Lesson 1: Art Appreciation

Looking at, making, and writing about art develops critical thinking skills, or a "questioning
frame of mind." Our culture is increasingly dominated by images: learn to read and understand them
fully. Art helps us understand more about the culture and values that produced it. These Arts contains
information and creativity that is essential in any field of study.

Relevance of Art Appreciation

When you think of art, you might first think of famous works from artists like van Gogh, Warhol,
Picasso, or Monet. What we often forget is that art has been around since the days of the caveman. Art
has played a significant role throughout our history. However, it is also a part of our lives now from the
clothing we wear to the video games we play, the cars we drive to the covers or pictures in the books or
magazines we read. It will continue to be a part of our future and the future of our loved ones for many
generations to come.

Art is not meant to be looked at only for what it is. It is meant to stimulate thought because it
allows viewers to draw their own emotions and pull from their personal experiences when viewed. It is
very powerful in this way and it naturally develops critical and innovative thinking skills. Art also teaches
many important qualities such as listening, observing and responding to multiple perspectives.

Art appreciation encompasses so much more than just looking at a piece of art or learning about
the artist. Due to the subjective nature of art, students can learn to construct meaning and articulate
their thoughts when they express, in their own words, their personal opinions about what they are
seeing, feeling and thinking. This allows students an opportunity to develop an open mind and
understand that there is more than just one solution to a problem. Having an appreciation for art also
helps us to develop an appreciation for each other and how we are all unique in our own way.

Importance of Studying Art Appreciation

Having an appreciation for art also helps us to develop an appreciation for each other and how
we are all unique in our own way.

Talking about art provides us with a forum for developing their literacy and communication
skills. Promoting these conversations about art help develop visual thinking skills where they are able to
observe closely what they see in detail, and also provide evidence for their observations,

Art helps us make sense of our world, and it broadens our experience and understanding. The
arts enable us to imagine the unimaginable, and to connect us to the past, the present, and the future,
sometimes simultaneously.

Great literature, films and visual art transport us to different places and cultures; great art even
allows us to see ourselves and our own community through a different perspective.
Meaning of Art Appreciation

We live in a world that is full of visual images; therefore, we acquire a great deal of information
and knowledge about our environment through images rather than merely through text and numbers.
Illustrations, graphic images, charts, photography and creative text - all forms of visual art - allow
information to be communicated beyond the written word.

Art Appreciation is referred to the knowledge of the general and everlasting qualities that
classify all great art. It is used to refer to the exploration of visual art forms or the introduction of basic
principles of visual literacy. It refers to analyzing the form of an artwork to general audiences to enhance
their enjoyment of such works of art. It may be analyzed without reference to subject matter, symbolism
or historical context. Art appreciation can be subjective depending on personal preference to aesthetics
and form, or it can be based on several elements and principles of design and also depends on social and
cultural acceptance. Most of the modern art critics and art historians draw back from this term,
underrating art appreciation as demanding too little serious thought

Art appreciation refers to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the universal and
timeless qualities characterizing works of art. It invokes an analysis of the works based on acknowledged
elements of composition and principles of design, through which enjoyment of the humanities is
enhanced.

Art History

Art History is the study of objects of art in their historical development and stylistic contexts;
that is genre, design, format, and style. The study includes painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics,
furniture, and other decorative objects.

As a term, Art History, its product being history of art, encompasses several methods of studying
the visual arts; in common usage referring to works of art and architecture.

As a discipline, Art History is distinguished from art criticism, which is concerned with
establishing a relative artistic value upon individual works with respect to others of comparable style, or
sanctioning an entire style or movement; and art theory or "philosophy of art", which is concerned with
the fundamental nature of art. One branch of this area of study is aesthetics, which includes
investigating the enigma of the sublime and determining the essence of beauty.

Art History is not only a biographical endeavor. Art historians often root their studies in the
scrutiny of individual objects. They thus attempt to an in historically specific ways, questions such as:
What are key features of style, What meaning did this object convey, How does it function visually the
artist meet their goals well, What symbols are involved, and Does it function discursively?

Creativity and Imagination

The biggest difference between creativity and imagination is that imagination is thinking of
something - whether it is an object, place, time, etc., that is not present, while creativity is doing
something meaningful with your imagination. Imagination allows us to think of things that are not real
or around us at any given time, creativity allows us to do something meaningful with our imaginations.

Imagination is about seeing the impossible, or unreal. Creativity is using imagination to unleash
the potential of existing ideas in order to create new and valuable ones.

The biggest difference between each of these is the frame of focus we have when attempting to
utilize each.

With imagination, our focus can be on things that are impossible. Creativity requires our focus to
be on things that might be possible, but we can't be sure until we explore them further.

Where imagination simply requires that we have some context from which to envision an idea,
creativity requires that we have knowledge of the idea, motivation and freedom to explore and tinker,
intelligence to see what makes the convergence of any set of ideas possible, and then the energy to see
the process through.

We have a tendency to use the terms "being imaginative" and "being creative" as synonyms, but
they are not. It's quite possible to be imaginative without being creative. Creativity is the act of turning
new and imaginative ideas into reality... If you have ideas, but don't act on them, you are imaginative
but not creative."

We are all born with imagination but creativity is learned. And you deserve your chance to learn
it.
 Lesson 2: Basic Assumptions, Functions and Nature of Arts

Art is an expression made visible by a form. The expression contained in the form is an attempt
to translate the unnamed and the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence as humans is our quest to create
meaning, and art allows that process to take place.

Making meaning involves understanding our surroundings and marking our experiences. Art, at
its root, is an expression and the artist is an expresser, translating in order to create meaning. Art
expresses and translates, art acknowledges and reveals, art transfers and art intervenes.

Art is an expression, an expression of feeling, belief, and character. The simplicity of that
sentence is rather deceptive and seems tidier than its implications. Just the statement that art is an
expression is complex and raises questions: What does art express? Why does art express? How does art
express? What does art express? The second part of the statement above seeks to expound upon this
question. Feelings, beliefs, characteristics-these are what art expresses, although often they are not
easily distilled. Our lives as humans are full of complications and complexities, and our thought and
experienced feelings, beliefs and characteristics are reflective of these complexities.

Basic Assumption of Arts

Assumption is a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. It is

 Art has been created by all people at all times, in all countries and it lives because it's well-liked and
enjoyed. Naturally, arts linger particularly if it is popular and loved by the people.
 Art involves experience. In order to experience something, you have to make use of your five senses.
Hence, there can never be appreciation of art without having experienced it.
 Art is not nature; nature is not art. Art is made by man and nature by God. However, nature can be
enhanced by man. The enhanced beauty and artistry of nature, then, can be classified as an art.
 Art is cultural. Art is a work of humans and anything that has been created by humans is part of
culture. Art becomes cultural when it depicts people's way of life, religious practices, mores and
traditions, etc.
 Art is a form of creation. Art is something that is created with imagination and skill and that is
beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings. As it is said, humans are the creator of art.
No art can be created without humans which in turn, uses his/her imagination and creativity to
produce art. According to the word's most basic definition, an artist is simply a person who creates
art.
 Art is subjective. Henceforth, it cannot be measured by its significance or the level of skill with which
it is created. Its subjective nature makes art's only measurable quality is whether or not it exists.
"Beauty is in the even the beholder", every individual has his/her own perception and/or
interpretation about the subject. It would never be the same for every individual.
Nature of Arts

1) Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artworks,
expressing the author's imaginative or technical skill. intended to be appreciated for their beauty or
emotional power. In their most general form these activities include the production of works of art,
the criticism of art, the study of the history of art, and the aesthetic dissemination of art.
2) Art represents reality. Representation is the use of signs that stand in for and take the place of
something else. It is through representation that people organize the world and reality through the
act of naming its elements. Signs are arranged in order to form semantic constructions and express
relations. Art represents reality, since it is often depicting objects or scenes from the world. An
artwork can depict a scene such as a cafe or a restaurant, or a park or garden. So, there is a sense in
which art represents the mind's eye or what the imagination perceives.
3) Art is an expression. The expression contained in the form is an attempt to translate the unnamed
and the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence as humans is our quest to create meaning, and art
allows that process to take place. Making meaning involves understanding our surroundings and
marking our experiences.
4) Art serves as a means of communication of emotions. The purpose of works of art may be to
communicate political, spiritual or philosophical ideas, to create a sense of beauty to explore the
nature of perception, for pleasure, or to generate strong emotions. Art is an act of expressing
feelings, thoughts, and observations of human conditions. A fundamental purpose common to most
art forms is the underlying intention to appeal to, and connect with, human emotion.
5) Art matters. The arts matter because they allow us to express ourselves and illustrate the world
around us in a different light, helping us to gain understanding of people and society, and give hope
while living in this world. Art matters because it illustrates the human experiences.
6) Art is universal. Literally, art can be found in every corner of the world. Art is everywhere and it is
embedded into the way of life of the people. Exclusivity is out of bounds when we speak of arts
because it is for everyone. Art is the true Esperanto, an artificial international language, the one
form of culture that is genuinely beyond national limitations. Art knows no barriers; not even
language is a barrier in understanding it. Example, foreign arts displayed in museums throughout the
world, paintings such as the Mona Lisa, Sistine Chapel, and photos of well-known places are readily
viewed. We also have some foreign performers performing in the country.
7) Art is creation. It is the combination of already existing material elements into new forms which
become the realization of a preconceived idea. Both hut and picture rose in the imagination of their
makers before they took shape as things. The material of each was given already in nature; but the
form, as the maker fashioned it, was new. In its essence and widest compass art is the making of a
new thing in response to a sense of need. The very need itself creates, working through man as its
agent.
Functions of Art

No piece of art can be assigned a function either in essay form or in casual conversation, if it is
not first considered within the proper context. Trying to classify function depends on context. That said,
the functions of art normally fall into three categories. These are personal, social and physical functions.
These categories can, and do, overlap in any given piece of art.

The Personal Function

An artist may create out of a need for self-expression, or gratification. He/She might have
wanted to communicate a thought or point to the viewer. Perhaps the artist was trying to provide an
aesthetic experience, both for self and viewers. A piece might have been meant to "merely" entertain
others. Sometimes a piece isn't meant to have any meaning at all.

On a slightly higher level, art may serve the personal functions of control. Art has been used to
attempt to exert magical control over time, or the seasons or even the acquisition of food. Art is used to
bring order to a disorganized and disorderly world. Conversely, art can be used to create confusion
when an artist feels life is too dull and ordinary.

Art can also be therapeutic for both the artist and the viewer. Expressive art therapy is the use
of creative arts as a form of therapy and is a fantastic field that has proven to work wonders in many
people's lives.

It can help someone express themselves, explore their emotions, manage addictions, and
improve their self-esteem. Example, music, its therapeutic value cannot be ignored. Works of art make
us aware of other ways of thinking, feeling, and imagining that have never occurred to us before.

The Social Function

One cannot conceive of a society without art, for art is closely related to every aspect of social
life. Social functions of art are those that go beyond personal intrinsic value to art's social benefits.
Individuals and their society are dynamically related. Art communicates. Most often it is constructed
with the intention of sharing responses to and opinions about life with others. Art enriches, informs. and
questions our world. When highly valued, it can be both a social and financial asset. Art can have
powerful transformative and restorative effects within a society as well.

Arts perform a social function when:

1) Influences Social Behavior (Political Function). It seeks or tends to influence the collective behavior
of a people.
2) Display and Celebration. It is created to be seen or used primarily in public situations like fiestas,
parade, etc. One function of sculpture and painting is the commemoration of important personages
in society. The statues of national heroes that grace our parks and plazas are commemorative works
as are the commissioned paintings of leaders or rulers. Often, they serve to record important
historical events, or reveal the ideals of heroism and leadership that the community would want the
 young to emulate. Social description expresses or describes social or collective aspects of existence
as opposed to individual and personal kinds of experiences.

The Physical Function

The physical functions of art are often the easiest to understand. Works of art that are created to
perform some service have physical functions.

1. Form and Function. The function of an object is generally essential in the basic form that it takes. A
chair is so designed as to allow the seated body to rest comfortably on it. The shapes, sizes, and
different parts are harmoniously related to one another and integrated into an object that fulfills and
tells about their particular purpose.

2. Architecture. The design of the building is determined primarily by its operational function. What is
the building for? Who is going to use it? How many are they? The design that a building takes is also
adapted to the climate of the region. The architect must take the physical, psychological, and spiritual
needs of the family into account when he designs a house.

3. Community Planning. A community is more than just a group of buildings. It is a group of individuals
and families living in a particular locality because of common interest and needs. Community planning
involves the efficient organization of buildings, roads, and spaces so that they meet the physical and
aesthetic needs of the community.

Community planning takes into consideration the assignment of for proper land use. These are:

3.1. Residential districts. Special areas are assigned for residential purposes. The present trend is to get
away from overcrowded downtown districts and the attendant problems and settle in areas where it is
possible to blend the charms of rural living with the conveniences of urban living.

3.2. Industrial and commercial areas. These areas are usually located near the source of raw materials. A
commercial area can be a cluster of small neighborhood stores, a shopping complex in the suburbs or a
central downtown district. It is usually situated where it can be reached easily by car or public transport.

3.3. Civic centers. A community governs itself; it, therefore provides structures where the functions of
government can be efficiently carried out, and which would, in appearance, be symbolic of community
dignity and pride.

3.4. Parks, plazas, and malls. The need for a balance between man-made structures and natural areas is
answered in the design of plazas and malls. These may provide some relief from problems such as air
and water pollution, inadequate facilities for recreation, and lack of parking space.

3.5. Streets and roads. Transportation must function with reasonable ease and rapidity from one area to
another. Streets are large or small. according to their function.
4. Function and beauty. Many things remain the same in shape throughout the years because their
functional requirements do not allow for greater variations in their form. Time has proved that their
designs best enable them to accomplish their purpose.