LESSON

Soulmaking, Appropriation and

10 Improvisation
Week 17

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Explain how meanings can be derived from art;
2. Discuss how improvisation can make an artwork distinctive; and
3. Identify the issues and problems that can arise because of appropriation of
art.

Overview
Throughout history, art has played an integral role to capture, record, and
communicate events, activities, traditions, and even belief systems of various groups
of people. Even Paleolithic societies have found ways to record events despite the
unavailability or limited access to various tools. In essence, art has been an
instrument to reflect the things and events that transpired in the past so that the
future generations can have a glimpse of that past. With the advent of the
technological advancements, societies have improved the ways and means through
which art can be a communicative tool. If an artwork is an avenue for an artist to
express narratives through symbols, then it follows that the artist is the author of
the work. But during the twentieth century, issues on ownership and authorship
have emerged primarily because of the value ascribed to the viewer of the work.

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Let’s Get Started
Activity 1

4 Pics 1 Word
Look at the four pictures below and think of a word that you can associate
with them. Write three sentences explaining why you chose that word to describe
them. Use the space provided for your answers.

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Soulmaking: Making and Deriving Meaning from Art
In order for humans to make sense of language and derive meanings from
words, semantics and grammatical rules are important elements to be considered.
Aside from this, context and symbolisms are also considered to interpret and analyse
either verbal or written works. When it comes to art, in order for people to make
sense of the work, it would require understanding the visual elements where art was
grounded on, especially the principles of design. It is important to note that the
audience of the artwork must have a certain level of awareness to the style, form,
and content of the said work. Without such understanding, it would be difficult to
appreciate the visual arts in its fullness and entirety.
Style refers to the distinctive handling of elements and media associated with
the work of an individual artist, a school, a movement, or a specific culture or time
period (Fichner-Rathus, 2013). Throughout history, there have been developments
in art styles that depict different and varied methods of expression. Artworks also
have a certain form. This form is what the audience sees – a finished product put
harmoniously (or not) according to the different principles of design. In essence,
form is the totality of the artwork, which includes the textures, colors, and shapes
utilized by the artist. The content of an artwork includes not only its form but also its
subject matter and underlying meanings or themes (Fichner-Rathus, 2013). The
perceiver of the artwork must take into consideration the totality of elements,
underlying themes and motifs, and composition.

Improvisation
Improvisation can be defined as doing something without prior preparation.
There is a decision to act upon something that may not necessarily be planned.
Within the present context, improvisation has become an integral part of the arts.
Some would say that it is a reaction against the stiffness in the arts during the
twentieth century. There is a call for liberation from monotony that aims to rekindle
the creative spirits of people in the arts.
When an artist makes his work, he has already an idea of the elements that
will be included in his work. As he begins to craft his work, he may have deviated
from his original plan. So in essence, improvisation is evident in the process of
making the painting. During the 1960’s, art improvisation has taken form in the
galleries around New York City. Performance arts, dance, and visual arts were
combined to create new forms of artworks using a new medium. These
performances were known as the “Happenings” which later on paved the way for
modern body art and performance art. One of the central figures in the
improvisation movement was Georges Mathieu. He started the “action painting”

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wherein the process is seen real-time. In this scenario, the process is more
important than the finished product.

Marta Minunjin Performance Art

This image shows improvisation allows for a certain extent of freedom for the
artist to improvise and allow the subject to perform and embody the artwork itself.
To a certain extent, it allows the artist to explore and think about how the audience
can actually be a part of the work in itself.

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 An Example of an action painting

Appropriation
If, for example, an artist created a painting and displayed it in a museum,
who do you think owns the artwork: the artist or his intended audience? During the
twentieth century, people started raising the question whether or not the act of
deriving meaning gives the ownership of the artwork to the viewer rather than the
artist himself. This notion paved the way for the emergence of appropriation artists
who seem to promote the idea that the authorship relies on the viewer. If this is the
case, then appropriation artists can take as much as he wants from an existing
artwork.
Appropriation of art has been a common practice throughout history. In the
past, if an apprentice painter needs to hone his skills in his craft, he would be
allowed to use his master’s work to copy. It is as if the apprentice is trying to
explore his personal application of techniques to something he is more familiar with.
However, there are some people who go to the extreme by believing that copying
the exact artwork of an artist and attributing it to his own. This could pose a
problem especially with authorship. The problem arises when the appropriation artist
would get bits and pieces from other works and incorporate these elements into his
own work. In addition, when appropriation artists eschew the responsibility for
putting up the details of other works and integrating them into their own, their
voices and perspectives of the other artists get lost with that of the appropriation
artist. There seems to be a very thin demarcation line between appropriation art and
forgery. Traditionally, forgery can be classified into two forms: outright copies of
existing works and pastiches, which are works that bring together elements from a
work and infusing them to a new work. But in contemporary times, forgery can be in
the form of creating an approximate
of what an artist would do by
prediction. This can be done by
observing the techniques and style
the artist employed and even the
focal points highlighted in his
previous and existing works.
The intentions of the
appropriation artists are often
questioned since issues of plagiarism
or forgery sometimes arise. Some
would argue that the reason behind
the appropriation is that they want
the audience to recognize the images they copied. There is a hope on the part of the
artist for the viewers to see the original work in a new perspective. That
appropriation would bring about a new context to the original work. One of the most

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famous works of appropriation would have to be Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup
Cans” (1962). Warhol copied the original labels of the soup can but deliberately
filled up the entire picture plane. The idea of putting together of the soup cans is
something new for the audience. Just like any product, the brand is integral to
Campbell’s identity. As an artist, Warhol decided to isolate the image of the product.
This attempt could in turn stimulate product recognition. A common viewer would
associate the Campbell soup with the portraits of the soup cans. This association
would bring about a certain kind of craving for the said product. In a way, it is a
subtle form of advertising that would entice the consumer to buy and patronize the
product.

Let’s Make This Happen

Activity 2

Research on one (1) appropriation artist and highlight his or her artwork.
Using that artwork, answer this essay question: To what extent is art
appropriation a form of forgery?

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 Rubrics for Essay
Traits 4 3 2 1

Focus & There is one clear, There is one clear, There is one topic. Main The topic and main ideas
Details wellfocused topic. Main wellfocused topic. Main ideas are somewhat are not clear.
ideas are clear and are ideas are clear but are clear.
well supported by not well supported by
detailed and accurate detailed information.
information.

Organization The introduction is The introduction states The introduction states There is no clear
inviting, states the main the main topic and the main topic. A introduction, structure,
topic, and provides an provides an overview of conclusion is included. or conclusion.
overview of the paper. the paper. A conclusion is
Information is relevant included.
and presented in a
logical order. The
conclusion is strong.
Voice The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose of The author’s purpose of
writing is very clear, and writing is somewhat writing is somewhat writing is unclear.
there is strong evidence clear, and there is some clear, and there is
of attention to audience. evidence of attention to evidence of attention to
The author’s extensive audience. The author’s audience. The author’s
knowledge and/or knowledge and/or knowledge and/or
experience with the experience with the experience with the
topic is/are evident. topic is/are evident. topic is/are limited.

Word Choice The author uses vivid The author uses vivid The author uses words The writer uses a limited
words and phrases. The words and phrases. The that communicate vocabulary. Jargon or
choice and placement of choice and placement of clearly, but the writing clichés may be present
words seems accurate, words is inaccurate at lacks variety. and detract from the
natural, and not forced. times and/or seems meaning.
overdone.
Sentence All sentences are well Most sentences are well Most sentences are well Sentences sound
Structure, constructed and have constructed and have constructed, but they awkward, are
Grammar, varied structure and varied structure and have a similar structure distractingly repetitive,
Mechanics, & length. The author length. The author and/or length. The or are difficult to
Spelling makes no errors in makes a few errors in author makes several understand. The author
grammar, mechanics, grammar, mechanics, errors in grammar, makes numerous errors
and/or spelling. and/or spelling, but they mechanics, and/or in grammar, mechanics,
do not interfere with spelling that interfere and/or spelling that
understanding. with understanding. interfere with
understanding.
Reviewer’s
Comments

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Let’s Work on This
Assessment
Activity 1

To check your understanding of the lesson, answer the following questions:

1. What are the important things the viewer or audience must consider to
derive meaning from the artwork?

2. How can improvisation contribute to the distinctive quality of the artwork?

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3. What is the reason why artists appropriate art?

4. What are the two forms of forgery? Explain each.

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Activity 2
Direction: Create an artwork that depicts soul making, appropriation, and
improvisation. Use long Bond paper with proper margin. In doing this, please
carry out an art as a self -reflection.

Rubric for Multimedia Presentation

Task Description: Mount an art exhibit (concept development, production and

postproduction, marketing, documentation, critiquing) maximum of 5 minute video
presentation.
Criteria Exemplary Admirable Acceptable Attempted
weig
ht

 Use of three or  Use of two  Use of one  Use of only

more sources, sources, Internet source one source
including at including,  Some errors in  Numerous
least two including at information errors in
Internet and least one  Topic information
one print Internet somewhat  Topic too
Research of Topic

source; use of source; use of broad general

two search one search
20% engines engine
 Variety of  Most
domain name information
suffix (.com, can be
.edu, .net) confirmed
 Factual  Topic could be
information is more narrowly
accurate focused
 Narrow focus
of topic
 Logical  Somewhat  Sequencing is  Sequencing is
Organization (Outline or

sequencing logical poorly planned confusing

 Menus and sequencing  Menus and  Menus and
Storyboard for
Planning)

paths are clear  Menus and paths are paths are

15%  Original; paths are sometimes confusing
inventive; mostly clear confusing  Inconsistent
creative  Original  Little originality  Rehash of
other people’s
ideas

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  Covers topic  Covers topic  Barely covers  Does not
completely and  Content is topic adequately
in depth mostly  Content is cover topic
 Content is understandabl somewhat  Content is
readily e understandabl confusing
Content

20% understandabl  Media used e  Media used

e mostly  Media used does not
 Media used contributes to somewhat contributing to
contributes to understanding contributes to understanding
understanding of topic understanding of topic
of topic of topic
 Effective  Good  Some use of  0-1 media
combination of combination of multimedia and used
multimedia multimedia and design  Buttons and
and design elements navigational
persuasive elements  Some buttons tools are
design  Adequate and absent or
elements navigational navigational confusing
Graphic Design

 Excellent use tools and tools work  Use of visuals

25% of navigational buttons properly and images is
tools and  Visuals and  Use of visuals confusing or
buttons images are and images is absent;
 Graphics attractive; limited; message is
effectively adequately message is confusing
entice conveys conveyed
audience; message
accurately
convey
message
 Correct  Few grammar,  Several  Obvious
grammar, usage, grammar, grammar,
usage, mechanics, or usage, usage,
Mechanics

10% mechanics, spelling errors mechanics, or mechanics, or

and spelling  Most sources spelling errors spelling errors
 All sources are are correctly  Some  Sources are
correctly cited cited sources are not cited
incorrectly cited
 Work load is  Some  Few members  One or two
divided and members contribute people do all
Teamwork
(optional)

10% shared equally contribute of the work

Assignment Score __________ + Beyonder/Bonus __________ = Final Score ____________

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