APPRECIATION

ART
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY - GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Pablo B. Flamiano
Jeffrey E. Floriza
George S. Gunay
Norman Ralph b. Isla
Fernan b. Lehao
John Jay L. Morido
ireneo s. pelayo
INTRODUCTION

“ART is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

This line is from the French artist Edgar Degas who expressed his art not for himself but for others
to appreciate. Most of the artists and cultures we know are serious and passionate in their artistic
pursuits and chosen creative outpourings.

The common people would often ask why we study art and what is its importance for the
the simple minded. One does not need to be a great critic or a master artist so he or she can
understand and appreciate art. She can start learn the basics and the qualities of the art pieces
then try to criticize those with justifiable standards.

To help our students acquire the talent of appreciating art, the English Department of MSU –
General Santos City provides this set of modules to aid art education during this challenging times.
We are committed to deliver best outputs especially that we want to instill that being creative is a
trait of a successful individual.

In this set of modules for GEC 106 – Art Appreciation, the students will learn the importance of art
and the various elements, subject, content, source, qualities and values of different artistic forms.
Also, topics on art criticism and on heritage are added to create a full circle of learning the arts.
The e-modules are designed for the students’ easy access and understanding of the concepts as
well as learning the ways of interpreting art and preserving the culture.

Appreciating art is not an exclusive talent but more of a participative, open pursuit to look for
what is beautiful in the eyes and in the hearts. Arts reflect the ideals, the realities and the tangible
expressions of an artist, of a culture, of a nation. Ergo, if one appreciates something beautiful,
she just perceived it, but if she values it, she proves the truth that art, along with its story and
aesthetics, lives on forever.

NORMAN RALPH ISLA

Chairperson
English Department
CSSH, MSU General Santos

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

SET I

Module 1. Art Appreciation, Humanities and Aesthetics 5

Module 2. Elements of Art: Visual, Auditory and Performing Arts 9

Module 3. Subject, Source and Content of Art 18

Module 4. Values and Qualities of Art 24

SET II

Module 5A. Seven Da Vincian Principles of Art

Module 5B. Interpreting Art: Four Coordinates of Art Criticism

Module 6. Art Criticism: Application of Critical Theories

Moule 7. On Heritage: T’boli Folk Literature

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 3

CONTENT CREATORS

Module 1. Norman Ralph B. Isla Art Appreciation, Humanities and Aesthetics

Module 2. Jeffrey E. Floriza Elements of Art: Visual, Auditory and Performing Arts
Module 3. George S. Gunay Subject, Source and Content of Art
Module 4. Pablo B. Flamiano Values and Qualities of Art
Module 5A. Fernan B. Lehao Seven Da Vincian Principles of Art
Module 5B. Norman Ralph B. Isla Interpreting Art: Four Coordinates of Art Criticism
Module 6. John Jay L. Morido Art Criticism: Application of Critical Theories
Module 7. Ireneo S. Pelayo On Heritage: T’boli Folk Literature

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 4

 MODULE 1
Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify and discuss the definitions ART APPRECIATION, HUMANITIES,

and domains of Art Appreciation,
Aesthetics and Humanities.
AND AESTHETICS
2. Deepen the understanding on the art
appreciation.

3. Discuss the ideas and reasons for

studying aesthetics and the functions
of Humanities.

4. Appreciate the core ideas for beauty

and artistic expression .

Time frame: 3 hours, 1 meeting Art is everywhere as

they say. It can be
Activity: the song or a musical
composition of your
Watch in YouTube the “What is Art?” by favorite singer, a
GCFLearnFree.org. This is a short video for painting or sculpture
2:25 minutes only. of a great artists
Here is the link: https://www.youtube. or the steps and
com/watch?v=QZQyV9BB50E choreography of the
dancer you follow. Vincent Van Gogh Gallery | Starry Night

Analysis:
Art is an expression of humanity or a representative of a specific civilization
1. Why do you think we need to study and even a significant voice of one culture. The purpose of this lesson is to
art? Why study Humanities? understand why as humans we need to appreciate art and beauty.

2. Why do humans love someone or

something that is beautiful?

3. Who dictates whether an art is On Art Appreciation

beautiful or not?
Everyone can appreciate and marvel at art, and being subjective in nature,
Abstraction: different art forms appeal to different people. The term art encompasses a
large variety of works, from paintings to sculptures, architecture to design,
After you have pondered on the and in modern times, digital art (Desirazu, 2020). The National Commission
questions above, you try to reason out for Culture and Arts is devoted to develop the seven arts by putting national
based on your perception and sole committees in:
judgment on things, particularly on their
beauty. As you embark on studying Art 1. Architecture and Allied Arts
for this semester, it is appropriate to shed 2. Cinema (Film, Television and Broadcast Arts)
light on the definition of art appreciation,
humanities and aesthetics. Though they 3. Dance
are considered synonymous, these three 4. Dramatic Arts
disciplines actually differ in their scope
5. Literary Arts (Fiction, Poetry, Essay, Play)
and purpose.
6. Music
7. Visual Arts (Painting and Sculpture)
Art appreciation, however, refers to the exploration and analysis of the art
forms that we are exposed to. It can be highly subjective, depending on
an individuals’ personal taste and preferences, or can be done on the basis
of several grounds such as elements of design and mastery displayed in
the piece. Art appreciation also involves a deeper look into the setting and
historical implication and background of the piece, a study of its origins
(Desirazu, 2020).

Art is dynamic, with new trends and styles emerging at a fast pace. However,

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 5

the final attempt of the artist is that it speaks to the viewer on a personal level and can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Art
opens up the stream of subconscious and intends to personally touch every person that comes across it (Desirazu, 2020).

So by studying art appreciation, one will be able to uncover the history behind the work, see the milieu and social problems
that inspire the piece and even tell the personal narratives of the art’s subject and its creator. Art is mainly a product of human
expression and it is part of our civilization
to dig deeper and understand the traces of
our existence – from personal to universal.

To end, just by being human, it is empirical

to appreciate art, expert or not, teacher
or student. The arts endeavor to stretch
the limits of what we consider our ‘Being.’
This explains why “the arts” is collectively
called the Humanities (read the next part).
The arts has enriched our definition of
“self” by rescuing us from the boring days
and cutthroat realities of life and even
understanding the many faces of ourselves.
By appreciating the arts, whether a person
is living through ideals or confronted with
realities, still he or she would see that life is
beautiful and meaningful.

Additional Reading: The Importance of Art

Appreciation by Narendra Desirazu https://
www.educationworld.in/the-importance-of-
art-appreciation/

Distance Learning Systems | Humanities course – Distance Learning Systems.

On Humanities
Humanities comes from the Latin humanus, which means human, cultured, refined. They are the branches of learning based on
the philosophy and ethical perspective of humanism, which emphasizes the value of agency of human beings individually and
collectively.

To elaborate it more, Humanities is:

1. not scientific
2. at least, not directly to business or economics
3. a set of tangible expressions of the human quest for the good life
4. an ocean of all humanity’s deeper, inward awareness, knowledge and sensitivity
5. a collective pooling together of the legacy of a given culture’s values, ambitions and beliefs.

Functions of Humanities

a. to make all persons become better human beings

b. to value and appreciate beautiful things
c. to expand our perspective
d. to know the changing image of mankind as it journeys across time, across realities and ideals
Moreover, we study Humanities because it makes us more human – in the very sense of that word “human.” As the common
Filipino adage says, “madaling maging tao, mahirap magpakatao (It’s easy to be a human, it’s hard to be sensible and humane),
the humanities shared a particular imprint of the past that the people of today will appreciate and be learned from. We,
as human beings, can learn more from what other humans, dead or alive, creative or critical, have believed, created and
understood as they try to capsulate those ideas in artistic forms. Also, we study arts and humanities so we can realize our own
potentials and even the potentials of others, and roughly, to see beauty in yourself and in others.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 6

 On Aesthetics
Aesthetics is technically the study of beauty. It comes from a Greek word “aesthesis”
which means “sense of perception.” Since we were young, we were taught to practice
our senses – sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch, movement – and the other two –
balance and beauty. All these eight senses are particularly anchoring on the judgment
of subjectivity.

Subjectivity is often based on the sensori-emotional values or the sentimentality of a

specific work of art wherein one tries to praise such beauty over the other. In reality,
we can only praise and criticize the material things because it is perceptible to the
senses, distinct from the immaterial.

So, whether we say that aesthetics or appreciating beauty is always subjective, there
are standards to consider if one art is truly beautiful. According to Denis Dutton
Still Life by Picasso (2003), art has distinct signatures to be considered beautiful. Throughout his study on
art, he identified six universal signatures in human aesthetics:

1. Expertise or virtuosity. Humans cultivate, recognize, and admire technical artistic skills
2. Nonutilitarian pleasure. People enjoy art for art’s sake, and do not demand that it keep them warm or put food on the
table.
3. Style. Artistic objects and performances satisfy rules of composition that place them in a recognizable style.
4. Criticism. People make a point of judging, appreciating, and interpreting works of art.
5. Imitation. With a few important exceptions like abstract painting, works of art simulate experiences of the world.
6. Special focus. Art is set aside from ordinary life and made a dramatic focus of experience.

Assessment

Answer the following:

1. In your own words, define the following:

a. Art Appreciation
b. Humanities
c. Aesthetics:
2. Among the four functions of Humanities, which one do you consider as the best use of Humanities? Why?
3. Among the nine (9) art forms taught under the Art Appreciation, what particular art form do you like the most? Why? You can
select the arts that you are practicing/passionate of or maybe the one you like to pursue if given a chance.

Application

1. Watch the “Aesthe-TISTICS” game by Norman Ralph Isla in YouTube and try to provide your pick on the following:
a. Filipino Painting: _____________
b. Tourist Destination: _____________
c. Beauty Queens: _____________
d. On Handsomeness: _____________
2. From your answers, look for a classmate (no duplication) and compare your picks with his/her choices. Are you the same or
not? How different are your choices? From your discussion, write a 100-word essay on the subjectivity of aesthetics. Support
your answer with any or two of the universal signatures posited by Dutton (2003).

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 7

References:
Denis Dutton (2003). Jerrold Levinson (ed.). “The Authenticity of Art. The Oxford Handbook of Aesthetics. Oxford University
Press.

Desirazu, Narendra. (2020). The Importance of Art Appreciation. Education World.

https://www.educationworld.in/the-importance-of-art-appreciation/

Zangwill, Nick. (2007). Aesthetic Judgment. Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Prepared by Approved by

Norman Ralph Isla Norman Ralph Isla

Faculty Chairperson
English Department | CSSH English Department

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 8

 MODULE 2
Learning Outcomes:

Students are expected to: Elements of Art: Visual, Auditory

1. be familiar with the elements of and Performance
visual, auditory, and performing arts;

2. develop understanding of how and

what artworks are made of;

3. be familiar with our country’s

National Artists in Visual, Auditory
and Performing arts

4. appreciate the importance of

the elements visual, auditory and
performing arts; and

5. analyze the elements of visual,

auditory or performing artworks.

Time frame: 3 hours, 1 meeting

Activity: Juan Luna’s famous painting “Spolarium”

To realize how influential art is in our

life, I would like all students to observe Art, in any form, gives emotions that lifts up the spirit, heals the soul and
their surroundings and make a list of at rejuvenates life to anyone who appreciates and understand its meaning
least five (5) things that you consider as and value. Art is everywhere and humans cannot live without it. However,
artworks. not everyone sees the importance of arts in our daily lives. There are even
skeptics who say that art is a waste of time. Do you agree with this idea? How
List of Artworks in our Room/House/
do you think we change peoples’ perspective towards art?
Living Room:
Through this lesson, we are going to explore how art is made by checking
1. Random Painting
out its elements through visual, auditory and performing arts. By doing so,
2. Eye Glasses each student is expected to develop awareness and appreciation on the
3. Cellphone Case importance of each art form in their surroundings.

4. Clothing Cabinet According to Esaak (2020), the elements of art are like atoms. They are
5. Bed “building blocks” for creating a work of art. Artists manipulate these
elements, mix
Then, try to identify the elements them in with
involved on each works of art principles of
design, and
Analysis: compose a piece
of art. Not every
1. Can an artwork exist without its work of art
elements? Why? contains every
one of these
2. How can the elements of visual, elements, but
auditory, and performing arts affect at least two are
an artworks’ appearance, conveyance always present.
and effectiveness?
For example,
a sculptor, by
Abstraction: default, has to Kublai Ponce Millan’s “Bangkapayapaan” in GenSan

have both form

Visual Arts
and space in a sculpture, because these elements are three-dimensional.
Visual arts are art forms that create works They can also be made to appear in two-dimensional works through the use
which are primarily visual in nature (art of perspective and shading.
that can be seen). It is closely tied with

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 9

Abstraction continuation:
Elements of Visual Arts
Line is an important element at the disposal of every artist. Through the lines
design because when you look at a visual of a painting or sculpture, the artist can make us know what the work is about.
art you need to check its ‘concept or idea He uses lines to represent figures and forms. Lines have always direction. They
are always moving. Lines, as used in any work of art, may either be straight
into a configuration, drawing, model, (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) or curved.
pattern, plan or specification.’
1. Horizontal lines- are lines of repose and serenity. They express ideas of
Visual art includes all the fine arts, like calmness. Example:
Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, as a. landscapes, calm bodies of water
well as new media and contemporary
forms of expression such as Assemblage,
Collage, Conceptual, Installation, as well 2. Vertical lines- are lines of poised for action. They are poised, balance,
as Photography, and film-based forms forceful and dynamic. It also tends to express as well as arouse emotions of
like Video Art and Animation, or any exaltation. Example:
combination thereof. Even, performance
a. people standing straight, tall trees, statues of saints and heroes
arts fall under visual arts.

Lake Sebu, a photo from South Cotabato, Mt. Kalugong and Camp John Hay, Benguet Travel Guide
Southern Mindanao | TrekEarth

3. Diagonal lines- suggest action and movement. They give animation to any
composition in which they appear. Example:
a. running person
Athletics at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men’s 100
metres - Wikipedia | by Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
4. Curved lines- suggest grace,
movement, flexibility, and
joyousness. Example: woman’s body,
fruits

Lines may also be classified into three

groups:

1. Repetition- lines which follow

Design and Architecture for Sustainable Innovation |
or repeat one another. Başlangıç Noktası

2. Contrast- lines that are in

opposition to each other.
Still life Painting Jos van Riswick
www.josvanriswick.com 3. Transition- lines which modify or soften the effect of others.

Color - is a property of light. When light goes out, color goes with it. It has
three (3) dimensions or attributes: hue, value, and intensity.

Hue is a dimension of color that gives color its name. When we say the flower
is yellow, we are naming its hue. Blue, red and yellow are the primary hues. If
these primary hues are mixed in equal parts, the secondary hues are produced.
The secondary hues are orange, green and violet. Orange is produced by
mixing red and yellow; green by mixing yellow and blue; and violet by mixing
blue and red. Altogether there are twelve easily distinguishable hues.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 10

 Warm Colors

Red, orange and yellow- associated with objects like the

sun, fire and other sources of heat. They intend to impart
warmth to any composition in which they are used. They are
conspicuous, cheerful and stimulating, vivacious, joyous and
exciting. They are called advancing colors because they have
an effect of advancing or coming towards you.

personal.utdallas.edu | ColorContrasts

Sunset in Maitum 2019 | George S. Gunay

Cool Colors

Blue predominates like green, blue-green, blue and blue-

violet- cause surfaces covered with them to appear to
recede. They suggest distance. They are calm, sober, restful
and inconspicuous.

Color Harmonies

There are two kinds of color harmonies: related color

harmonies and the contrasted color harmonies.
• Related color harmonies- may either be monochromatic
or adjacent. Monochromatic harmony is made up of
several tones of one hue, like for instance orange,
tan, brown and other tones from the orange family.
Monochromatic harmonies are the simplest and
Starry Night | Vincent Van Gogh easiest to use. Different tones of the same hue all have
something in common, so it is easy for them to agree.
In adjacent or neighboring harmony (also known as
Analogous colors), two or three neighboring hues on
the color circle are used together, for example, tones of
green, yellow and orange.

• Contrasted color harmonies- colors which lie directly

opposite each other in the color circle are called
complementary colors. Colors lie directly opposite
contrast with each other strongly. For example, red and
green, orange and blue, violet and yellow.

Value - refers to the lightness and darkness of a color. It is

a quality which depends on the amount of light and dark in
color.

Tints- are values above the normal. For example, pink is

a tint of red, sky-blue is a tint.

Shades- are values below the normal. For example,

maroon is a shade of red, navy-blue is a shade of blue.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 11

 The value of hue can be changed. We raise it by adding more
light to it so that it reflects more light and lower it by reducing
the light it can reflect.

Intensity - the third and last dimension of color. It refers to the

brightness and darkness of color. It gives color strength. Colors
differ in intensity. Two colors may be both blue but one is more
intense than the other. High intensity colors are bright. Low
intensity colors are dull.

Texture - is the element that deals more directly with the sense
of touch. It has to do with the characteristic of surfaces which can
be rough or smooth, fine or coarse, shiny or dull, plain or irregular.
Texture is best appreciated when an object is felt with the hands.

In painting, texture adds vitality and richness of the skin, clothes,

jewelry and others of the subject in the canvas.

In Numb (Lot 7176), Roland Ventura, is a contemporary Filipino

artist known for his dynamic melding of realism, cartoons, and
graffiti, who portrays a man asleep, conjuring up a mirage of
In Numb (Lot 7176), Roland Ventura
images which sprout, fully-formed, from his insensate head.

Perspective - deals with the effect of distance upon the

appearance of objects, by means of which the eye judges
spatial relationships. It enables us to perceive distance and to
see the position of objects in space.

Linear Perspective- is the representation of an appearance

of distance by means of converging lines. It has to do with

SUTD Architecture and Sustainable Design

the direction of lines and with the size of objects. Objects

appear smaller as they recede into the distance.

Aerial Perspective- is the representation of relative

distances of objects by gradations of tone and color.
Objects become fainter in the distance due to the effect to
the atmosphere. Objects appear to be lighter in color and
the outline more vague as they recede into the distance or into the atmosphere.

Space - refers to distances or areas around, between or within

components of a piece. It can be positive (white or light) or
negative (black or dark), open or closed, shallow or deep and two-
dimensional or three- dimensional.

In painting as in architecture, space is of great importance. The

exterior of a building is seen as it appears in space, while the
interior is seen by one who is inside an enclosing space. Painting
does not deal with space directly. It represents space only on
a two-dimensional surface. In architecture, space is of great
importance. Sculpture has very little to do with space relationship
or perception of space.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 12

Form - applies to the over-all design of a work of art. It describes the
structure or shape of an object. It is consisting of size and volume which
includes height, width and depth. It generally refers to sculpture, 3D
design and architecture but may also relate to the illusion of 3D on a 2D
surface.

It has six (6) types: regular, irregular, centralized, linear, radial, and grid
forms.

Regular Forms are those whose parts are related to one another in a
consistent, orderly manner.

Irregular Forms are those whose parts are dissimilar and unrelated to
one another.

Centralized Forms consist of a number of secondary forms clustered to

produce a dominant, central, and parent form.

Linear Forms are arranged sequentially in a row or a series of forms

along a line.

Radial Forms
compositions of linear
form that extend
outward from central Carl Krull’s dizzying drawings will make you do a double-take - Insider
form in a radial form.

Grid Forms are

modular forms whose

relationships are regulated by 3-dimensional grid.

Volume - refers to the amount of space occupied in three dimensions. It

therefore refers to solidity or thickness. We perceive volume in two ways:
by contour lines or outlines or shapes of objects, and by surface lights and
shadows.

Some of the Known National Artist for Visual Arts in the Philippines
Napoleon Abueva (1930- ) is considered as the Father of Modern
Philippine Sculpture. He is the man behind the famous Transfiguration at the
Eternal Gardens Memorial Park.

Victorio C. Edades
(1895-1985) is the
Father of Modernism
in Philippine Art.
He executed two
paintings in 1928:
“The Sketch,” (also
called “The Artist
and His Model”) and
“The Builders.”

Fernando Amorsolo
(1892-1972) is
the country’s first
national artist,
heralded as the
“Grand Old Man
of Philippine Art.”
Some of Amorsolo’s
famous works

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 13

include Defence of a Filipina Woman’s Honor, Planting Rice, and Sunday
Morning Going to Town.

Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994) was recognized as the pioneer of the Neorealist

movement in the country. His known works include Tree Planting and
Gadgets.

Auditory Art
Auditory art is art that is heard at one particular time. It is an art that combines sounds into a structure form usually according
to conventional patterns and for an aesthetic or artistic purpose. Music as an auditory art includes characteristics such as: music
moves through time (temporal) and music appreciation is the acquired ability to listen to music intelligently.

Elements of Music

Rhythm is the variation of length and accentuation of a series of sound. It is a larger concept that includes the beat and
everything that happens to sound in relation to time.

In music, its most fundamental component is beat - is the simple pulse found in almost all music familiar to us. Measuring rhythm
is by means of a Meter, which is the arrangement of a rhythm in a fixed, regular pattern with a uniform number of beats in
uniform measures.

See YouTube Clip on “Beat and Rhythm” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F21pS3Wo8ko

Melody is associated mental motion sometimes called the memory element because it is always remembered by listeners. It is
an organize group of pitches strung out sequentially to form a satisfying musical entity.

See YouTube clip on “Melody” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xMOFDS69ps

Pitch indicates the

highness or lowness of
sound and is determined
solely by the frequency
of molecular vibrations.
The slower the vibration,
the lower the pitch. The
faster the vibration, the
higher the pitch.

See YouTube clip on “Pitch” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjvuiOSo3ow

Harmony refers to the manner of sound combination- the sounding series or group of tones at the same time or simultaneously.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 14

It has chords, which are combinations of two or more tones, sounded at the same time. These chords can either be a concord
(combination or chord that produces an impression of agreeableness or resolution to the listener) or a discord or dissonance.

See YouTube clip on “Harmony” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK7k34mJo2s

Tempo refers to the speed of a certain

musical piece. It may be slow, quick or
moderate.

See YouTube clip on “Tempo” here: https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyvHKzsOrFU

Dynamics refer to the amount, strength,

or volume of the sound. It may refer to the
loudness and softness of music.

See YouTube clip on “Dynamics”

here: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ffcaP94N8KM

Timbre refers to tone quality (color). Helps

differentiate one type of voice to another or instrument from another.

See YouTube clip on “Timbre” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tGEDgkZlC8

Some of the Known National Artist for Music in the Philippines

Antonio R. Buenaventura (1904-1996) popularized folksongs by
creating music based on the wide array of folk songs from various
ethnic groups in the Philippines. His notable works include Ode
to Freedom, By the Hillside, Echoes of the Past, Echoes from the
Philippines, History Fantasy, and Mindanao Sketches.

Listen to By the Hillside here: https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=SXLBC4kt4fM

Listen to Mindanao Sketches here: https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=FKdceWT1o0s

Jovita Fuentes (1895-1978) has been hailed as the first

international Filipino diva. In 1976, she made Philippine history
by being given the honor as the first female National Artist
for Music. She became known because of her roles in major
productions such as Mimi in Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème and
Princess Yang Gui Fe in Li Tai Pe.

Listen to Fuentes’ ‘Sì, mi chiamano Mimì’ from La Bohème here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv7hTZmcpf8

Lucio D. San Pedro (1913-2002) is an educator, master

conductor, and a brilliant composer and his works are known to
“evoke the folk elements of the Filipino heritage.” Some of his
popular works include Sa Mahal Kong Bayan (choral music), Lahing
Kayumanggi (band music), and Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (vocal music).

Listen to the famous Filipino lullaby by San Pedro entitled,

“Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” here: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=F4A7Ptil2j4

Antonio J. Molina (1894-1980) is known as The Dean of Filipino

Composers. He popularized the following music such as, Kung sa
Iyong Gunita, Awit ni Maria Clara, Larawan Nitong Pilipinas, and
GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 15
 Hatinggabi (a serenade for solo violin and piano supplement).

Listen to Molina’s “Hatinggabi” here: https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=kPQRGanwmE8

Performance Art
Performance art is a combination of several art forms, such as
visual art or design, auditory art or music, theatrical presentations
like dance and drama, film and even literature.

Elements of Dance

Not every movement can be qualified as dance. A movement

must have certain basic elements to be considered dance.
These are theme, design, step, gesture, dynamics, step, gesture,
dynamics, technique, music, costume, and properties.

1. Theme is one of the important elements of dance. It is the

content or main ingredient of the presentation that conveys a
message.
2. Design refers to the planned organization or pattern of
movement in time and space. Pattern in time is provided by
measured rhythm and beats. While pattern in space is created by
floor pattern and planes.
3. Movement is the action of dancers as they use their bodies
to create organized patterns. Body movement can be divided into
steps, gestures of arms and hands, and facial expression.
4. Technique is the skill in executing movement. A technically
proficient dancer has complete control over the muscles of his/her body.
5. Music plays an important role in the dance to which it is closely related. It is an accompaniment to dance that motivates
the movements of the dancers through its melody and harmony.
6. Costume and properties. The type of dance performed and the costumes worn at any stage of history relate closely to
the customs, beliefs, and environment of the people. Hand properties like costume enhance the effect of dance.
7. Choreography is the organization of the dancers following steps and movements.
8. Scenery refers to the background or setting where the dance is performed to make it more realistic and enriching.

Some of the Known National Artist of the Philippines for Dance

Leonor Orosa Goquinco (1917-2005) also known as Cristina Luna, has been dubbed as the Trailblazer, Mother of Philippine
Theater Dance, and Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics. Her famous choreographies include the following: The Firebirds,
The Clowns, and Noli Dance Suite. Inspired by dances of the Igorots, the Moros, and Christians, she produced Filipinescas:
Philippine Life, Legend and Love in Dance in 1960.

Watch Leonor Orosa-Goquingco’s Filipinescas: Life, Legend and Lore in Dance, in the
Igorot Suite here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn-ItDqNVRo

Ramon Obusan (1938-2006) is

a dancer, choreographer, stage
designer, and artistic director. In
1972, Obusan established the
Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group
(ROFG), a dance company that
reflects the culture of Filipinos in
dance and music.

Watch PASINAYA 2014 - Ramon

Obusan Folkloric Group “Solotan (Maranao Suite)” here: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=Oamch-aUO7o

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 16

 Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1929-1999) was the dance director of the Bayanihan
Philippine National FolkDance Company (now the Bayanihan Dance Company),
which is considered as the oldest dance company in the country. Some of her
most recognized dances are the Singkil, Vinta, Tagabili, Pagdiwata, and Salidsid.

Watch Urtula’s SINGKIL in the Bayanihan 60th Year Anniversary Celebration

here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d2LVHba_So

Assessment:
Answer the following:

1. In your own understanding idea, what is your own definition of the following:

• Visual Art
• Auditory Arts
• Performing Arts
2. Among the Elements of Visual Arts, which elements (choose at least 2) do you consider is the most commonly used? Why?

3. Among the Elements of Music, which one do you consider is the most impactful? Why?

4. Among the Elements of Dance, which one do you consider is the most important? Why?

Application:
1. Choose a National Artist in the Philippines for Visual Arts and analyze the elements present in one of his/her famous Works.
2. Choose a National Artist in the Philippines for Music and analyze the elements used in one of his/her known Works.
3. Choose a National Artist in the Philippines for Dance and analyze the elements present in one of his/her famous Works.

References:
Esaak, Shelley. (28 August, 2020). The 7 Elements of Art and Why Knowing Them Is Important. ThoughtCo. Retrieved from:
thoughtco.com/what-are-the-elements-of-art-182704.

Mendez, Mario L. Jr. (2016). DIWA Senior High School Series: Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. University Press of
First Asia. Makati City: Philippines.

Sanchez, Custiodiosa et al., (1998). Introduction to the Humanities. Rex Book Store. Philippines.

Prepared by Approved by

Jeffrey E. Floriza Norman Ralph Isla

Faculty Chairperson
English Department | CSSH English Department

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 17

 MODULE 3
Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will have deeper ART: SUBJECT, SOURCE AND CONTENT

https://www.academia.edu/14874159/THE_SUBJECT_OF_ART_Meanings_Kinds_and_Functions_of_Subject
understanding on the subject, source,
and content of art.

2. Articulate on how the subject is

represented by the artist, factors The subject of art refers to any person, object, scene or event described or
affecting his choice of subject, and represented in a work of art.
the kinds of subjects the artists Representational or Objective. Arts that have subject like painting, sculpture,
choose. graphic arts, literature and theatre arts.

3. Connect the various topics discussed Non-Representational or Non-Objective. Arts that do not have subject like
on this module on critiquing any work music, architecture and many of the Functional Arts (program music – musical
compositions which have subject). They do not present descriptions, stories, or
of art.
referencesto identifiable objects or symbols. Rather they, appeal directly to the
senses primarily because of the satisfying organization of their sensuous and
Time frame: 6 hours, 2 meetings expressive elements.

Activity: Many contemporary

painters have
Using you mobile phones, take a picture
turned away from
of anything that captivates you. Then
representational to
draw on a bond paper the dominant lines
non-objective painting.
of the captured image and finish the
They have shifted their
remaining details using geometric shapes
attention to the work of
that represents them. Shade randomly
art as an object in itself,
some shapes you feel like shading. Leave
an exciting combination
some shapes unshaded.
of shapes and colors
Analysis: that fulfills an aesthetic
need without having to
1. What influenced you most to on your represent images or tell
subject? a story. Many modern
paintings are like this
2. Look at the strong lines in your making them more
drawing. Are they mostly vertical, difficult to comprehend.
diagonal or horizontal? Is there
any meaning as to how they are
positioned and intersect? Ways of
3. As you were shading the shapes
Representing
in your drawing, was your initial Subject
perception of your photo affected as
The manner of

Jono Dry Art

you continue shading?
representing subject
Abstraction: varies according to the
intent and inventiveness
Your creative tendencies are influenced of each artist.
by your circumstances - intellect, feelings,
• Realism – when things are depicted in the way they would normally
mood, relationships, among others. Your
appear. Strictly speaking, no work of art is realistic. Since no work of art is an
definition of what is beautiful evolves as accurate copy of what exists in the natural world. Some paintings seem to be
you mature in your artistic experiences. photographic renderings of facts or historical facts.
• Abstraction – it is the process of simplifying and/or reorganizing objects and
One of the measures of maturity in this
elements according to the demands of the artistic expression. The artist selects
domain is that, when you get to talk on and renders the objects with their shapes, colors and positions altered. In some
this matter, the depth, scope and diversity abstract works, enough of a likeness has been retained to represent real things.
of your discourse reflect a character that In others, the original objects have been reduced to simple geometric shapes
is evidently scholarly. and they can be rarely identified unless the artist named it in title. His concern is
the rendering of the essence of the subject rather than the natural form itself.
• Distortion – is when the figures have been so arranged that proportions differ
noticeably from natural measurements. It could also mean twisting, stretching
or deforming the natural shape of the object. The relief sculptures and paintings
of ancient Egypt were distorted. The head and lower part of the body were

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 18

 NBC News March 8, 2018
To design costumes for ‘Black How to Look at ART and
Panther,’ this artist drew on his Understand IT
Filipino upbringing
1. Point of View and Focal Point
Anthony Francisco, a visual Explore how point of view-the artist’s positioning of the
designer who worked on the viewer with respect to the image-works in painting and
“Dora Milaje” costumes in “Black sculpture, paying particular attention to differences
Panther,” drew on African and in angle and spatial relation. Then, continue with focal
Asian cultures for inspiration. point, or the artist’s centering of attention on a key area
of the work.
2. Color-Description, Symbol, and More
Consider the core principles of color in painting,
including the distinctions of value and saturation and the
relationship of colors as analogous or complementary.
See how major works of art achieve their power and
“
They thought I grew up in a hut!
They
“
meaning through color, as seen in celebrated canvases by
Seurat, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
But yes, we do have technology.
3. Line-Description and Expression
See the properties of line, another essential element of
shown in profile, while the eye and upper part of the body were in the frontal art, as “descriptive” (describing reality) or “expressional”
position. Convention demanded the highly stylized representation of the figure. (conveying feeling). Notice the use of geometric lines,
It is usually done to dramatize the shape of a figure or to create an emotional implied lines, and directional lines within a composition.
effect. Caricatures employ distortions so that their targets of ridicule would Also, consider the compelling, psychological use of line in
appear grotesque and hateful. Picasso’s works, Seurat’s
• Surrealism – it is realism plus distortion. It is a method where the artist in The Circus, and in key
giving expression to what it is in the subconscious composes dreamlike scenes Modern and Expressionist
that show an irrational arrangement of objects. The images are recognizable, works.
sometimes drawn from the nature but they are so combined in utterly fantastic 4. Space, Shape, Shade,
and unnatural relationships. and Shadow

man searching with magnifying glass Free Photo

Examine geometric
The very concept of the ‘birth’ or ‘origin’ of art may seem and “organic” shapes in
inappropriate, since humans are by nature artists and painting and sculpture and
the history of art begins with that of humanity. In their the crucial relationship
artistic impulses and achievements humans express their of figure to ground and
vitality, their ability to establish a beneficial and positive mass to space. Then,
relationship with their environment, to humanize nature; explore the illusionistic
use of shading, shadows,
their behaviour as artists is one of the characteristics for
and overlapping shapes
selection favourable to the evolution of the human species. in Caravaggio’s and
Evidence from a huge analysis of rock art and cave paintings Friedrich’s works, and the
and engravings shows that, from their origins, humans have compositional power of
also been Homo aestheticus. shapes in paintings such as
Matisse’s Dance and Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.
Michel Lorblanchet | The Origin of Art
5.Understanding Composition
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/
abs/10.1177/0392192107077651?journalCode=dioa Look at the symmetry and asymmetry in painting and
sculpture, and the key effects on the viewer of each.
Study the scale and proportion of figures, and the
The Artist and His Choice of Subject distinction between “open” and “closed” composition,
reflecting the artist’s approach to visually framing the
Practically everything under the sun is raw material for the artist to draw image.
his subjects from. Most, if not all, of the visual arts are representations of 6. Getting the Right Perspective
what the artist thought and felt about the world they lived in. Or they are
Grasp the principles of linear perspective,
representations of things the artists imagined or dream about. Whatever foreshortening, and atmospheric perspective as they
subject an artist chooses, his choice involves some personal statement. replicate how the human eye perceives. See how
artists, including Cezanne and Van Gogh, manipulated
Things that affect an artist’s choice of subject perspective for their own creative ends, and observe the
extreme illusionism of trompe l’oeil and anamorphosis.
1. Medium 7. Time and Motion
2. Time in which he lives and or the patronage he gets
Explore how artists evoke motion and the passage
3. Developments in science and technology
of time, including implying motion through strong
directional lines and time through narrative devices.
The value of a work of art does not depend on the artist’s choice of subject. Study approaches to implied motion in Impressionism,
It does not mean that the more profound the subject, the greater the work Abstract Expressionism, and Op art, and the use of actual
of art. Rather, the worth of any representational work of art depends upon motion in performance art and modern sculpture.
the way the subject has been presented. It has been agreed has more to do https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/how-to-look-at-and-understand-
with the way in which its subject or theme is presented than with what is great-art?clickid=QVzTQw0C6xyORxWwUx0Mo3QwUkiXLrS0ZRypyI0&ir
pid=1198320&irmpname=Thaneeya%20LLC&mp_value1=1000805&utm_
presented.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 19

 Art: A Source of Visual Communication
Farah Khan, Computer Science, International journal of multidisciplinary and current research, 2018
DOI:10.14741/ijmcr/v.6.6.11Corpus ID: 59595178

Art is a fundamental part of human life. The language of art is the

most powerful language one can understand beyond the barriers
of communication, art provides an open forum for expressiveness.
Since pre-historic time it has been observed as a mechanism
of communication with each other. It has been analyzed that
people throughout history used it for expressing their thoughts,
beliefs, philosophies, fears and spiritual connections. Artists from
all regions of the world have documented their voice through
this medium of expression while focusing on the contemporary
issues concerning their own time. In the contemporary age, art
is observed as the most powerful tool for voicing the inward
experiences of the artist. It is also being utilized for responding
back to the society. Artists are free to express what they perceive
individually and in what way they want the masses to conceive
out of it. They are raising questions and analyzing the political and
social scenario in their own visual idiom. In this manner, Pakistani
artists are equally participating in raising their voice in visual form
to communicate their experiences and challenges they are facing

SELF PORTRAIT | Salvador Dali

in the contemporary world. They are also providing answers to the
prevailing global chaos.

sourceS of art
Landscapes, Seascapes, and Cityscapes

Artists have always been fascinated with their physical environment.

These are favorite subjects of Chinese and Japanese painters. Fernando • The phoenix is the symbol of Resurrection
Amorsolo, is well known for having romanticized Philippine landscapes. • The peacock is the symbol of Immortality
In Europe, the paintings of pure landscapes without human figures through Christ
was almost unheard of until the Renaissance. They only served as
backgrounds prior to this. Modern painters seem to be attracted to Portraits
scenes in cities. Vicente Manansala, Arturo Luz and Mauro Malang Santos
are some who have done Cityscapes. People have always been intrigued by the human
face as an index of the owner’s character. As an
instrument of expression, it is capable of showing
Still Life a variety of moods and feelings. It is a realistic
likeness of a person in sculpture, painting, drawing
These are groups of inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting or print but it need to be a photographic likeness.
(flower and fruit arrangements, dishes food, pots and pans, musical A great portrait is a product of a selective process,
instruments and music sheets). The arrangement is like that to show the artist highlighting certain features and de-
particular human interests and activities. The still lifes of Chinese and emphasizing others.
Japanese painters usually show flowers, fruits and leaves still in their
natural setting, unplucked from the branches. It does not have to be beautiful but it has to be
truthful. Besides the face, other things are worth
noticing in portraits are the subject’s hands, which
Animals
can be very expressive, his attire and accessories
They have been represented by artists from almost every age and place. for it reveals much about the subject’s time.
In fact, the earliest known paintings are representations of animals on Statues and busts of leaders and heroes were quite
the walls of caves. The carabao has been a favorite subject of Filipino common among the Romans but it was not until the
artists. The Maranaws have an animal form of sarimanok as their proudest Renaissance that portrait painting became popular
prestige symbol. Animals have been used as symbols in conventional in Europe. Many artists did self portraits. Their own
religious art. faces provided them unlimited opportunities for
character study.
• The dove stands for the Holy Spirit in representations of the
Trinity
Figures
• The fish and lamb are symbols of Christ
The sculptor’s chief subject has traditionally been

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 20

the human body, nude or clothed. The body’s
form, structure and flexibility offer the artist a
big challenge to depict it in a variety of ways,
ranging from the idealistic as in the classical
Greek sculptures to the most abstract. The
grace and ideal proportions of the human form
were captured in religious sculpture by the
ancient Greeks. To them, physical beauty was
the symbol of moral and spiritual perfection;
thus they portrayed their gods and goddesses

FACE OF WUHAN | GSGunay | 4feb2020

as possessing perfect human shapes. Early
Christian and medieval artists seldom
represented the nude figure. The figures they
used to decorate the walls and entrances of
their churches were distorted so as not to call
undue attention and distract people from their
spiritual thoughts. But Renaissance artists
reawakened an interest in the nude human
figure. A favorite subject among painters is the
female figure in the nude.

Everyday Life

Artists have always shown a deep concern

The Ugly and Tragic in Art
about life around them. Many of them have
recorded in paintings their observation of
people going about their usual ways and There is nothing that may be considered as
performing their usual tasks. Genre paintings an improper subject when it comes to art.
are representations of rice threshers,
cockfighters, candle vendors, street musicians
The grotesque, the ugly and the tragic are
and children at play. all legitimate subjects as the pleasurable
and the beautiful are. Many, in fact, have
History and Legend
often deviated away from the stereotyped
History consists of verifiable facts, legends and beautiful subjects. The greatest plays
of unverifiable ones, although many of them
are often accepted as true because tradition
are invariably tragedies. And many of
has held them so far. Insofar as ancient past our songs speak about love denied or
is concerned, it is difficult to tell how much of
what we know now is history and how much
lost. Our sweetest songs are those that
is legend. History and Legend are popular tell of saddest thoughts according to
subjects of art. While many works may not be
consciously done historical records, certain
Percy Bysshe Shelley. There are reasons
information about history can be pieced for the wide appeal of works of art that
from them. The costumes and accessories,
the status symbols, the kinds of dwellings or
show human suffering. Each of us has
the means of transportation. Malakas and suffered grief, frustration or loss one way
Maganda and Mariang Makiling are among the or another. In these works of art we find
legendary subjects which have been rendered
in painting and sculpture by not a few Filipino an affinity with the rest of the humanity
artists. who have likewise experienced these
painful emotions and tensions. It is as if by
Religion and Mythology
vicariously experiencing the suffering
Art has always been a handmaiden of Religion. evoked by these works, we are purged
Most of the world’s religions have used the
arts to aid in worship, to instruct, to inspire of the pain and we achieve a release of
feelings of devotion and to impress and tension.
convert nonbelievers. The Christian Church
commissioned craftsmen to tell the stories
about Christ and the saints in pictures, usually
in mosaics, murals and stained glass windows
GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 21
in churches. It also resorted to the presentation of tableaux and plays to preach and
teach.

Some religions however, forbid the representation of divinity as human beings or animal
forms, although they allow the use of some signs or symbols in their place. Pictures
of God, human beings, or animals are forbidden in Judaism and Islam because people
might worship the images themselves. Other religions have taught that a god may
sometimes assume human or other visible forms. Thus he is distinguished from human
beings by a halo, wing, or a darker complexion, or by the use of some attributes. The
ancient Egyptians portrayed their gods as part human and part animal. The ancient
African tribes distorted their god’s features. Among the Hindus, Shiva is shown as a
four-armed god. Buddha, is symbolized by his footprints, a wheel or truth. In the early

DOG PORTRAIT | Pablo Picasso

Christian world, representation of divinity were also symbolic. There were precise
conventions in rendering them. The serpent has been used to mean evil. The Four
Evangelists were represented by animal forms - St. Luke by an Ox, St. John by an Eagle,
St. Mark by a Lion, St. Matthew by a Winged Man.

Dreams and Fantasies

Dreams are usually vague and illogical. Artists especially the surrealists have tried to
depict dreams as well as the grotesque terrors
and apprehensions that lurk in the depths of
the subsconscious. A dream may be lifelike Main Differences Between Subject vs Content
situation. Therefore, we would not know if https://differencebtwn.com/what-is-the-difference-between-subject-and-content
an artwork is based on a dream unless the
artist explicitly mentions it. But if the picture Basis of Comparison Subject Content
suggests the strange, the irrational and the
absurd, we can classify it right away as a fantasy Definition The main object in an The meaning of the
or dream although the artist may not have artwork work of art
gotten from the idea of a dream at all but the
workings of his imagination. No limits can be Determination Very recognizable Must be analyzed
imposed on an artist’s imagination.
In the work of art Is one of the parts of a Involves and unifies all
work of art parts of the artwork
Subject and Content
Subject refers to the objects depicted by
the artist. Content refers to what the artist
expresses or communicates on the whole of his
work. Content is the meaning. In literature, it is
the theme. Content reveals the artist’s attitude
toward his subject. At the age of 67, the Indian poet
Rabindranath Tagore “fell under
the enchantment of lines.” Thus
Subject Matter’s Different Levels of Meaning
began an artist’s career which
1. Factual Meaning - the literal statement or ended in this death. The Nobel
the narrative content in the work which Price winner for Literature who
can be directly apprehended because the wrote that the voice of the
objects presented are easily recognized.
universe is one of “pictures and
2. Conventional Meaning - refers to the special dance,” rarely gave descriptive
meaning that a certain object or color has title to his paintings. “People
a particular culture or group of people.
Examples: Flag- symbol of a nation, cross for
often ask me about the meaning
Christianity, crescent moon - Islam. of my pictures,” he said, “It is
for them to express not to
3. Subjective Meaning - any personal meaning
consciously or unconsciously conveyed by explain.”
the artist (to the viewer) using a private The UNESCO Courier, August 1957, p. 3
symbolism which stems from his own
association of certain objects, actions or
colors with past experiences.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 22

Art: A Source of Visual
philosophies, fears and spiritual connections. Artists from all regions of the
Communication
world have documented their voice through this medium of expression
Farah Khan, Computer Science, International journal of multidisciplinary while focusing on the contemporary issues concerning their own time. In
and current research, 2018, DOI:10.14741/ijmcr/v.6.6.11Corpus ID:
the contemporary age, art is observed as the most powerful tool for voicing

A
59595178
rt is a fundamental part of human life. the inward experiences of the artist. It is also being utilized for responding
The language of art is the most powerful back to the society. Artists are free to express what they perceive individually
language one can understand beyond and in what way they want the masses to conceive out of it. They are raising
the barriers of communication, art provides an questions and analyzing the political and social scenario in their own visual
open forum for expressiveness. Since pre-historic idiom. In this manner, Pakistani artists are equally participating in raising their
time it has been observed as a mechanism of voice in visual form to communicate their experiences and challenges they
communication with each other. It has been are facing in the contemporary world. They are also providing answers to the
analyzed that people throughout history prevailing global chaos.
used it for expressing their thoughts, beliefs,

ASSESSMEnT

1. Draw an artwork of any kind which you can accomplish in 10

TROJAN HORSE WAS A UNICORN | Kim Jung Gi

minutes.

Explain it as to subject, source and content.

2. Making your original drawing as the reference, redraw it by

making some parts distorted (enlarged, mangled, skewed, etc...).

• Can you consider your second drawing independent from

the first one? If so, why and how? If not, why is it the same?

• When you distorted parts of your drawing, did you have

some sort of a plan? If so, explain what was it you were trying
to achieve on the process of distorting some of the parts?

ƒƒ If not, is there some sort of a connection among the distorted parts to the overall drawing that makes it more
meaningful? Describe.

3. Can the artwork of your classmate be appreciated without you knowing what it is all about?

Explain with least with two major arguments. Expound each one by citing as many topics/texts from this module.

4. Farrah Khan posited, “The language of art is the most powerful language one can understand beyond the barriers of
communication, art provides an open forum for expressiveness. “

Evaluate this claim by citing topics/texts on this module. You may also expound further by utilizing other
reference/s outside of what was covered in the module.

5. In our past experiences, a phrase may have been uttered by a peer and that blew us away. The phrase was so beautiful
that we find ourselves consumed by it. It has even become part of our discourse with others.

Can it be considered a work of art? Explain by citing items discussed in this module first before utilizing other
reference/s you have gathered.

Prepared by Approved by

George S. Gunay Norman Ralph Isla

Associate Professor II Chairperson
English Department | CSSH English Department

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 23

 MODULE 4
Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you should be VALUES AND QUALITIES OF ART
able to

1. explain the importance of art to

oneself and to society;

2. differentiate intrinsic from

instrumental values of art;

3. discuss the properties of artistic

quality; and
VALUES OF ART

4. evaluate the quality of an artwork.

Intrinsic vs
Time frame: 6 hours, 2 meetings Instrumental
Values
Activity:
Two contending
Consider the artworks below and decide notions, intrinsic and
whether they are of high or low value. instrumental, compete
for consideration when
philosophers as well
as critics discuss about
the value of art. These
contrasting poles of
value will be elucidated in
the following discussion,
which begins with a
brief description of the
intrinsic value of art.

What is art
What is art? is the most
familiar question in Legaspi Cesar | Torso
philosophical aesthetics.
And if you have a Socratic
bent of mind, you might provide a reply in the form of another question:
“Why is this question worth asking?” A common rejoinder is that art matters.
But what makes art valuable? Art is a source of pleasure or enjoyment is a
spontaneous answer.

What draws people to the arts is not the hope that the experience will make
them smarter or more self-disciplined. Instead, it is the expectation that
HV LV encountering a work of art can be a rewarding experience, one that offers
Mona Lisa del Giocondo [ ] [ ] them pleasure and emotional stimulation and meaning. These effects are
called the intrinsic benefits of art, which are inherent in the arts experience
The Milkmaid [ ] [ ] that add value to people’s lives.
Fountain [ ] [ ] Examples of intrinsic benefits are the sheer joy one can feel in response to
a piece of music or to movements in dance or to a painting. Beyond these
Artist’s Shit [ ] [ ]
immediate effects, there are personal effects that develop with recurrent
aesthetic experiences, such as growth in one’s capacity to feel, perceive, and
judge for oneself and growth in one’s capacity to participate imaginatively in
the lives of others and to empathize with others. And some works go beyond
such personal effects, providing a common experience that draws people
together and influences the way the community perceives itself, thereby
creating intrinsic benefits that accrue to the public.

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 24

 Art as a communicative experience
“A work of art,” according to Andrew Harrison, “is . . . a bridge,
Analysis: however tenuous, between one mind and another.” This insight is a
key to understanding the intrinsic effects of arts experiences. Art is a
Write a brief explanation as to why the communicative experience, a bridge from artist to audience and a bridge
artwork is of high or low value. linking individual beholders to one another.
1. Mona Lisa del Giocondo In the history of aesthetics, two perspectives have dominated the argument
about what art expresses, the Classical and Romantic views. The Classical
2. The Milkmaid
(and Neoclassical) view held that art was a representation – or imitation – of
3. Bird in Space reality; the Romantic view held that art was an expression of emotion and
imaginative vision rather than a reflection of the natural world.
4. Fountain
Although many artworks of representational artists were depiction of the
5. Artist’s Shit natural world rather than the creation of beauty or meaning, it also seems
clear that the world such artists disclosed in their works was never presented
as it might be in itself—neutral, uninterpreted, and set apart from human
feelings and conceptual schemes. While some of the larger claims of the
Romantics may be difficult to accept, they did teach us to see that art is invariably personal, mediated, and invested with value
and emotion.

In her book Problems of Art, Susanne Langer describes the work of art as an “objectification of subjective life,” “an outward
showing of inward nature.” In the act of creative expression, the artist finds images and forms (plastic, musical, kinetic, literary)
that embody his or her vision in a way that can be conveyed to others. Van Gogh, for example, wrote to his brother Theo
about trying to achieve “something utterly heart-broken” in his painting. He senses that his personal experience is potentially
communicable to others, and his painting is an incorporation of the expressive qualities of the scene.

Given this perspective, the work of art captures

individual uniqueness—the subjective world
of experience that ordinary discourse cannot
communicate with sufficient power, subtlety,
and depth. It expresses pain and comfort,
excitement and repose, and life lived and felt.
Artistic expression, therefore, fills gaps left by
communication based on the natural science
model of knowledge that dominates our
culture. Rather than describing the world in
impersonal, abstract, or mathematical terms, it
presents a created reality based on a personal
perspective (often surprising and original) that
includes the whole uncensored human being
Michaelangelo, The Creation of Adam, Sistene Chapel, 1508-1512
with all its feelings, imaginings, and yearnings.

An implication of the view of art as a form of communicative expression is that one must experience a work of art to appreciate
its value. John Dewey contends in Art as Experience that art is “a quality of experience” rather than a product. It is the
experience of art that creates intrinsic benefits.

Three classes of benefits will be discussed below, namely (1) private benefits that enhance an individual’s life in the moment
of experience; (2) private benefits to the individual that become
integrated into other activities, thereby providing public benefit as
well; and (3) effects that can be described as promoting broad public
benefit.

Immediate intrinsic benefits inherent in the arts

experience

Captivation

The initial response to a compelling work of art is often an uncommon

feeling of rapt absorption, or captivation—of deep involvement,
admiration, and even wonder. Upon encountering the work, one is
Universes in Universe | Kidlat Tahimik. Sharjah Biennial 2019
struck by something unprecedented and extraordinary in it, and one

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 25

is often amazed by the feat of the creating artist—and, as in music and emotional, imaginative—as to their capacity to
drama, the performing artist as well—who unleashes the expressive afford pleasure per se”
power of that specific medium. In this state, we are able to appreciate
the particularity of things before us with unusual engagement and
intensity. In other words, we appreciate specifics in a way that is rare in Expansion of individual capacities
everyday life, where we tend to grasp things almost exclusively in terms
of their relation to practical needs and purposes. Expanded capacity for empathy
Another aspect of this form of captivation is that it often leads to Aristotle claimed that we need art because we
imaginative flight, a departure from one’s everyday self that enables have not lived enough. Art allows us to acquire
one to imaginatively inhabit the created reality being presented. Arnold experiences that our own lives could never provide.
Weinstein writes that art is an exhilarating emancipation, “a magic Contemporary philosopher Margaret Nussbaum
venture out of our own precincts and into something rich and strange.” makes the same point when she writes that art
Some have described this sensation as an escape from our ordinary lives provides “an extension of life not only horizontally,
into a fantasy world, and certainly many creative works provide little bringing the reader into contact with events of
but entertaining fantasy. Yet apart from the compelling nature of the locations or persons or problems he or she has not
flight itself, this imaginative departure can foster a deep involvement otherwise met, but also, so to speak, vertically,
with the concerns and insights of others. giving the reader experience that is deeper, sharper,
and more precise than much of what takes place in
Pleasure life.”

Although one could argue that pleasure is the primary intrinsic value In talking about the literary arts, Arnold Weinstein
of arts experiences, both creative and aesthetic, it is discussed here writes about this dual function in this way: “There
second because aesthetic pleasure derives mainly from the captivation is a startling economy at work here, a two-way
and imaginative flight that was just described above. street, inasmuch as the books we read flow inward
into us, add to our stock, enrich our perceptions,
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, whose study of creativity is based on interviews stir our inmost feelings; yet art and literature
with 91 exceptionally creative people from the arts, sciences, business, also, quite wonderfully, draw us out, hook us up
and government, argues that we have underrated the role of pleasure (imaginatively, emotionally, neurally) into other
in creative activity of all kinds. His subjects all talk about the joy and circuits, other lives, other times.” These experiences
excitement of the act of creation itself. But that enjoyment comes with give us new references that enable us to become
the achievement of excellence in a certain activity rather than from the more receptive to unfamiliar people, attitudes, and
direct pursuit of pleasure. The joy of communicating through creative cultures.
work mirrors the
joy of experiencing Democracies need citizens who can think for
what the artist is themselves rather than deferring to authority, and,
communicating. according to Nussbaum, they need citizens with
As Philip Fisher “an ability to see themselves not simply as citizens
claims in Wonder, of some local region or group but also, and above
the Rainbow, and all, as human beings bound to all other human
the Aesthetics of beings by the ties of recognition and concern.”
Rare Experiences, Experiences of the arts, according to many of these
both creators and commentators, help build those ties.
appreciators of art
feel delight in the Cognitive growth
experience of the
Ron Mueck - A Girl - Image via buzzworthy.com
new. As we pointed out earlier, works of art draw us out
of ourselves and focus our attention on the object
However, it is misleading to say that pleasure, at least in the normal or performance itself, inviting us to make sense of
sense of the word, is a necessary element in the appreciation of art. what is before us. They regularly challenge us and
As Jerrold Levinson points out: “Much art is disturbing, dizzying, contribute to our intellectual growth by requiring
despairing, disorienting—and is in fact valuable in virtue of that. We are us to be receptive to new experiences and to relate
glad, all told, that we have had the experience of such art, but not . . . them to our own knowledge of the world. Fisher’s
because such experience is, in any natural sense, pleasurable.” discussion of wonder, for example, sees a direct
connection between wonder and learning: “To
There is indeed a kind of pleasure in appreciating a work of art that
notice a phenomenon, to pause in thought before
relates powerfully to our own experiences. As Robert Coles writes
it, and to link it by explanation into the fabric of the
about teaching literature to medical students, “Their minds ache to
ordinary.” This is the essence of wonder and the
give sharp, pointed expression to what they have seen and heard and
origin of philosophy, science, and art.
felt.” But fulfilling this need is different from the kind of pleasure we
feel when encountering most forms of entertainment. Levinson adds: Critics writing about aesthetic experience in
“Better to anchor the value of works of art at least as firmly to other, narrative literature, drama, and film often
perhaps more distinctive fruits of interaction with them—cognitive, emphasize the active participation of the reader’s

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 26

cognitive and emotional faculties in discovering and interpreting When an entire community is encouraged to read
the narrative, as well as the close relationship between this kind of the same book, the shared experience of art provides
participation and the way we learn from all experience. common ground for social interaction.

All these aspects of the arts experience provide innumerable The communicative power of art creates these ties
cognitive benefits. Elliot Eisner argues that the arts provide a among people in various ways. The arts, for example,
distinctive perspective on learning that cannot be gained in other provide the means for communally expressing personal
ways. He considers the benefits of an arts perspective to include emotion. Music, dance, poetry, and visual arts have
the recognition that (1) qualitative relationships are important; been used throughout the ages to mark significant
(2) problems can have more than one solution; (3) there are events (birth, marriage, death, etc.), to express religious
many different ways to see and interpret the world; (4) learning sentiments, and to capture both religious and secular
requires the ability to narratives valued by
adapt possibilities as the community. The
they unfold rather than arts, according to
approaching problems Ellen Dissanayake, are
with a specific purpose; “containers for, molders
(5) neither words nor of feeling” that allow
numbers can exhaust private feelings to be
what we know; (6) jointly expressed and
small differences can reinforce the sense that
have large effects; (7) we are not alone.
metaphor is important in
describing experience.
Expression of communal
Eisner and these meaning
other writers do not
In addition to being able
assume, however, that
to “draw us out, hook
encountering one work
us up (imaginatively,
of art, or a small number
emotionally, neurally) into
of them, is sufficient
other circuits, other lives,
for cognitive growth.
other times,” works of art,
Explicitly or implicitly, all
according to Weinstein,
of these writers connect
sometimes manage
such growth with
to convey what whole
repeated involvement.
communities of people
With experience, we
long to express. To attend
become increasingly
tragic drama in ancient
more capable of noticing
Greece, for example,
and appreciating the
was to participate in the
details that make up Energized - Abstract Art by Fidostudio by Tom Fedro - Fidostudio
central values, myths, and
an aesthetic whole and
ideals of Greek society, to
seeing how these details compare with those in other works and/or
engage in what Nussbaum calls “a communal process of
performances. In the best case, this capacity for noting details and
inquiry, reflection, and feeling with respect to important
considering the relationships among them invigorates our powers
civic and personal ends.”
of observation in everyday life.
The arts also commemorate national trauma, national
Contribution to the public spheres heroes, and national triumphs, thereby recording and
capturing extraordinary moments in the life of a nation.
Museums, filled with such commemorative art, provide
Creation of social bond an artistic legacy that captures the history and values of
entire civilizations.
It has been suggested elsewhere that the arts establish social
bonds. Some of these are instrumental benefits that can be created Art also introduces new voices into the community,
by many forms of organized activities other than art activities. voices that can redefine the fabric of the culture. The
Some, however, arise from shared responses to a work of art. rise of contemporary fiction by and about women is an
Recurrent gatherings of a book group, for example, provide an example of new voices helping to redefine cultures. On
opportunity for socializing, which builds trust, even friendship, and a smaller scale, arts festivals and national conferences
may create social capital. Typically, such events also provide an can give voice to particular communities.
opportunity to share interpretations of a literary work. This kind
of interaction immerses individuals in the communicative cycle Some individual works of art were created with
of art, which creates intrinsic benefits. It can lead them to a fuller the explicit purpose of changing attitudes and
experience of the work of art and create a public space in which bringing about social change: Noli Me Tangere and El
meanings are shared and perspectives expressed and clarified. Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal. Other works of art have

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 27

captured the experience of a whole generation, Maynila sa Kuko organizational capacity through both the development
ng Liwanag and Bayan Ko, Kapit sa Patalim, Lino Brocka’s cinema of skills, infrastructures, leaders and other assets, and
politics on Philippine martial law. Some paintings, such as Fernando the more
Amorsolo’s Planting Rice have become classics in the nation’s
consciousness because they express a familiar experience in the general process of people organizing and getting
Filipino way of life. involved in civic institutions and volunteer associations.

Instrumental Values Economic

Advocates of the instrumental value emphasize the potential of the There are three principal categories of economic
arts for serving broad social and economic goals. The instrumental benefits: direct benefits (i.e., those that result from
benefits include the following: the arts as an economic activity and thus are a source
of employment, tax revenue, and spending); indirect

Cognitive

Studies of cognitive benefits focus on the

development of learning skills and academic
performance in school-aged youth. These
benefits fall into three major categories:
improved academic performance and test
scores; improved basic skills, such as reading
and mathematical skills and the capacity for
creative thinking; and improved attitudes and
skills that promote the learning process itself,
particularly the ability to learn how to learn.

Attitudinal and behavioral

The literature on attitudinal and behavioral

benefits also focuses on the young. Three
types of benefits are discussed in this
literature: development of attitudes (e.g., self-
discipline, self-efficacy) and behaviors (e.g.,
more frequent school attendance, reduced
dropout rates) that improve school Fernando Amorsolo. Planting Rice, 1951.

performance; development of more-general

life skills (e.g., understanding the consequences of one’s behavior, benefits (e.g., attraction of individuals and firms to
working in teams); and development of prosocial attitudes and locations where the arts are available); and a
behaviors among “at risk” youth (e.g., building social bonds, improving
self-image). variety of “public-good” benefits (e.g., the availability
of the arts, the ability to have the arts available for the
next generation, and the contribution the arts make to
Health a community’s quality of life).
The literature on the therapeutic effects of the arts can be classified
by types of effects and populations studied. These include improved QUALITIES OF ART
mental and physical health, particularly among the elderly and those
who exhibit signs of dementia from Alzheimer’s disease; improved Some human activities depend upon a dynamic
health for patients with specific health problems (e.g., premature synthesis of skills, experience and judgement which is
babies, the mentally and physically handicapped, patients with too complex to analyze, yet which yields outcomes of
Parkinson’s disease, those suffering from acute pain and depression); high quality. When it comes to particular judgements
reduced stress and improved performance for caregivers; and however, art, whatever its form, has no single criterion
reduced anxiety for patients facing surgery, childbirth, or dental of interpretation. Depending upon the time and
procedures. the place, the circumstance and the human actors
involved, the status of art (or its rejection) is resolved
through a multitude of prisms. Here are some, but not
Social
all, of contexts for considering art and literature.
The literature on community-level social benefits focuses on two
general categories: those benefits that promote social interaction
among community members, create a sense of community identity,
and help build social capital; and those that build a community’s

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 28

The Skill of the Creator of a literary canon of “great works” has
become rather irrelevant.
Where artistic or literary worth is in contention, the technical skill of the creator
is usually a necessary but not sufficient condition for such worth to be accepted.
The margin distinguishing technical skill from other kinds of skill is often blurred. The uniqueness of the creation
The technical skill referred to here are those abilities required of all members of
Although art is a unique creation by an
a craft. For example, novelists, journalists, technical writers, report writers and
artist, or sometimes a team (as in film),
personal letter writers may all be perfectly competent scribes, yet few will be
uniqueness, as with skill, is not enough
recognized as literary masters.
to make it art. A building collapsed by
There may be exceptions to the general assumption of high technical skill. For an earthquake may be entirely unique
in its form, yet rarely seen as
art. Further, a paradox of art is
that once it is conceived and
executed by the artist it may
often be reproduced endlessly
by others and even improved
upon.

For instance, each soldier of

the excavated Terracotta Army
in Xi’an, China was carved as
an individual, and the whole
constituted a remarkable
artistic achievement for its time.
However, some of the replicas
sold by vendors at the gates
of the museum seemed to be
superior to the originals both in
execution and materials. Some
of the endless reproductions
of classical paintings have been
achieved with such skill that
they might eclipse the original.
Even in literature we now have
Terracotta Army the phenomenon of fan fiction,
By Maros M r a z (Maros) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2704700 extending and developing
original novels. Most fan fiction is
example, cave paintings or artefacts from antiquity might or might not have
rather amateur, but some achieve
represented the highest technical mastery of their age, yet acquire great value
great professional polish. Again, it is
for contemporary connoisseurs. Some artistic or written work by children might
not inconceivable that some fan fiction
be powerfully effective partly as a result of precocious insight shining through
could outshine the original author.
an obviously limited technical ability. Some self-proclaimed modern artists
might deny technical skill itself as any part of their creation. Yet, it is generally In the world of art marketing, the
expected that art and literature which is widely recognized for exceptional worth concept of unique creation is often
will also embody an exceptional level of technical skill by the creator. In fact, blurred with rarity. The few surviving
this is expected in all fields of human activity, whether it be sport or industry or artefacts from an era, while well done,
research, and so on. might not have been the supreme
artistic creations of that era, yet they
Originality – a singular synthesis of perception and experience acquire great value through rarity, and
are sometimes assigned an exaggerated
Sometimes extraordinary events overtake ordinary people. Their later accounts luster as “unique and priceless works”.
of those events rarely become recognized literature. Daily life, for most people, Of course, great artistic achievement is
is, well, very ordinary. Their anecdotes to friends tend to be highly predictable, possible in any era, even if its survival is
and for the most part their friends find the predictability comforting. The artist, accidental.
the author, finds extraordinary things in the ordinary. Many people find this
discomforting.
The aesthetic unity and proportion of
But not all original creation has great artistic worth, even to its originator. In the simple and complex creations
actual world, the point at which writing becomes literature, or sketching becomes
Although aesthetic preferences vary
art, seems to be a very fluid judgement. The importance of originality to literary
amongst cultures, and also over
or artistic worth is another one of those criteria to be evaluated in a particular
time, it seems that human beings
time and place, a social context. It may (usually) be a necessary condition, but is
are highly sensitive to perceptions of
certainly not sufficient for artistic worth. This is especially so where the concept
unity or coherence, to balance and to
GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 29
proportion. Ideals of the human person invariably focus on these qualities, achievement is that it is a singular achievement
for physicality, behavior and thinking. The concept of the golden mean at a moment in time. This is true of performance
may be universal. In any case, this sort of thing plays a major part in our arts in general.
evaluation of artistically creative worth. Even the poetry or novel or
painting which violates standard aesthetic perceptions derive their daring There is a sense in which durability may be
from contrast with those very standards. associated with literary and artistic worth.
We may feel that the worthless may soon be
Projecting an impression of aesthetic unity and proportion in an artistic abandoned, and the worthy preserved. That is
creation may be relatively simple or impressively complex. In general, the certainly the hope or assumption upon which
simpler that projection, the wider the available audience. The range is institutions like universities have promoted
the notion of a literary canon, or
supreme works of art. However, the
attachment of durability to artistic
worth might be hard to defend.
It is not that those works chosen
to represent the canon are not
worthy, or even supremely excellent.
They are, and they deserved to be
recognized.

However, there are now more human

beings walking this planet than have
existed from the combined totals of
all previous generations. Amongst
those who are now alive there are
more who are educated, and have
the opportunity and technology to
express creativity than in all of prior
histories. This means that not only is
there more junk assaulting our senses
than ever before, but for those with
Day and Night, 1938, by MC Escher. Images courtesy of Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag/the MC Escher Company
the time and skills to look, there are
more hidden works of genius created
consciously exploited in music. A national anthem must be both available daily than any individual can ever take account of.
and moving to all minds. Also, the relative simplicity of much pop music is a
Even the established authors of best sellers
commercial asset, spun in a web of fashion. An orchestral work as complex
are rapidly crowded out as the publishing cycle
and initially jarring as Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring will probably never
spins ever faster, according to Robert McCrum.
be accessible to a majority of the population, but has a greater chance of
Our multitude creates both opportunity and
being judged (by those who consider themselves qualified to judge) as an
tragedy. Opportunity to create, and a tragedy of
artistic triumph compared to, say, God Save the Queen or The Marsellaise.
anonymity. Shakespeare could mightily impress
Thus complexity which is validated by successfully projecting an aesthetic a few million Englishmen, and certainly deserved
of unity and proportion seems to play an important part in our judgements the praise. Today’s Shakespeares will mostly
of literary and artistic worth. Note that it is artfully managed complexity never be known.
which we value, not the turgid complexity of the small print in an insurance
contract. In fact, the deceptively simple language of, say, a novel by John
Steinbeck may conceal great complexity of purpose and design. Similarly,
some exceptional children’s classics, while written on one level for the
abilities of their young readers, might also have other levels of more subtle
appeal for adults (e.g. Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland).

The durability of the creation’s reputation

There are some kinds of artistic creation which are designed to be

ephemeral. The choreography of an opera or an Olympic games ceremony
might live on in urban legend for a while, but really the frisson of the

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 30

ASSESSMENT
Provide brief answers to the following questions.

1. Are all your encounters with art rewarding? Why or why not?

2. Consider two accounts of depression, one by a psychiatrist and another by a novelist. Discuss the impact of a scientific
versus a creative approach to communicating a phenomenon such as depression.

3. Advocates of the instrumental values of the arts are criticized for pushing that which is not the primary goal of art – as
means to economic end, for instance. How would you justify this stance of the instrumentalists?

4. It is said that repeated exposure to the arts is necessary in order to reap its benefits. Given that our communities lack the
capacity to provide residents opportunities for art exposure, what concrete steps would you take to facilitate the realization
of this type of project?

5. If you were to buy an expensive artwork, what 3 criteria would you use to appraise the artistic quality of the object? Why?

6. Look online for any artwork that you consider interesting. Evaluate it for artistic quality using the criteria discussed in the
handout.

References
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2005/RAND_MG218.pdf?fbclid=IwAR09kmLiq-__vb61Kqe9_
JftQ7VMkN6Gxtq9QBg3q3zUrXXnvQKFtLQ1TbM

https://www.academia.edu/6338203/How_do_we_judge_literary_value_and_artistic_value?fbclid=IwAR0KndQuJ0nNFJMoghG8
cVoyWNGxrXIeIxedNata8pM3EFkYzOZNpwj-3Hk

https://www.academia.edu/6338203/How_do_we_judge_literary_value_and_artistic_value?fbclid=IwAR0KndQuJ0nNFJMoghG8
cVoyWNGxrXIeIxedNata8pM3EFkYzOZNpwj-3Hk

Prepared by Approved by

Pablo B. Flamiano Norman Ralph Isla

Faculty Chairperson
English Department | CSSH English Department

GEC 106 - Art Appreciation | 31