Introduction

Art Appreciation

Welcome dear students to ART APPRECIATION Class! This module will guide you
on our subject.

Course Description:

Art Appreciation is a three-unit course that develops student’s ability to appreciate,

analyze, and critique works of art. Through interdisciplinary and multimodal
approaches, this course equips students with a broad knowledge of the practical,
historical, philosophical, and social relevance of the arts in order to hone students’
ability to articulate their understanding of the arts. The course also develops
students’ competency in researching and curating art as well as conceptualizing,
mounting and evaluating art productions. The course aims to develop student’s
genuine appreciation for Philippine arts by providing them opportunities to explore
the diversity and richness and their rootedness in Filipino culture.

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 MODULE 1

Lesson 1 : What is Art?

Learning Outcomes

To understand the role of humanities and arts in man’s attempt at fully realizing
his end;

To clarify misconceptions about art;

To characterize the assumptions of arts.

Time Frame: Two Weeks

Introduction:

In this lesson, you will learn and understand the definition of art. And as a thought
experiment, imagine what a society without art would be like? How would buildings
look? Could any kind of visual communication exist at all? It’s a provocative question
that quickly necessitates defining the boundaries of what does and does not constitute
art. This mirrors the complexity of engaging in the ongoing definition of art. Basically,
art is indeed something that is primarily around us.

Let’s Get Started

In the first column of the table below, list down your most striking encounters with
arts. On the second column, explain why you think each encounter is an experience
with art.

My encounter with Arts Why?

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 Analysis:

After answering the activity, let us proceed with the next questions and reflect.

1. Why is art ageless and timeless?

2. Why is art NOT nature?

3. Why does art involve experience?

Abstraction:

Life presents us with so many forms in communion with arts. When a bank manager
choosing what tie to wear together with his shirt and shoes, a plotician shuffling her
music track comfortable seated on her car looking for his favourite song, a student
marveling at the intricate designs of a medieval cathedral during his field trip, and a
market vendor cheering for her bet in a dance competition. These are undeniably
despite tangentially, artistic.

So let’s define ART:

The word art comes from the Ancient Latin “Ars” which means “craft or specialized
form or skill, like carpentry, or smithying or surgery” (Collingwood,1938)

In the Ancient World, art only meant using

bare hands to produce something that will
be useful to one’s day-to-day life. The
ancient world did not have any conceived
notion of art in the same way tha we do now.
In Medieval Latin, “Ars” means something
different. It meant “Any special form of
book-learning such as grammar, or logic,
magic or astrology” (Collingwood, 1938) It Figure 1. Cave Paintings
was only in Renaissance Period that the word http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/prehistoric/altamira-cave-paintings.htm
reacquired a meaning that merely as
craftmanship, devoid of a whole lot of intonations that are attached to the word now.

During 17th Century when the problem and idea of aesthetics, the study of beauty,
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began to unfold distinctly from the notion of technical workmanship, which was the
original conception of the word “Art”. Moreover, it was 18th Century when the word
has evolved to distinguish between fine arts and the useful arts.

Human history has witnessed how man evolved not just physically but also culturally,
from cave painters to men of exquisite paintbrush users. Even if we go back, we can
find cases of man’s attempts of not just crafting tools in order to live and survive but
also expressing his feelings and thoughts.

It also important to note, Art is also studied because “it is among the highest
expressions of culture, embodying its ideals and aspirations, challenging its
assumptions and beliefs, and creating new visions and possibilities for it to pursue”
(Sayre, XVI). When we discuss contemporary art, we are typically referring to the
practice of fine art, but prior to the Renaissance, art was defined within the realm of
functional crafts, such as goldsmithing. The idea of autonomous art or art for art’s
sake developed later, over many eras.

Assumptions of Arts

1. ART is UNIVERSAL

Literature has provided key works of arts. Among the most popular ones being taught
in schools are the two Greek epics, the Iliad and Odyssey. The Sanskrit pieces
Mahabharata and Ramayana are also staples in this field. These works, purportedly
written before the beginning pf recorded history, are believed to be man’s attempt at
recording stories and tales that have been passed on, known and sung throughout the
years.

Man’s attempt to recording histories and tales that have been passed on, known and
sung throughout the years.

Misconception: Those which have been made long time ago is considered as artistic.
Age is not a factor a factor of art in determining art. An art is not good because it is
old, but because it is good” (Dudley et al., 1960). In the Philippines, the works of Jose
Rizal and Francisco Balagtas are not being read because they are old. Otherwise,
works of other Filipinos who have long died would have been required in junior high
school too. Florante and Laura never fails to teach high school students the beauty of
love, one that is universal and pure. Ibong Adarna is also another Filipino masterpiece
that captured the imagination of the young with its timeless lessons.

In John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism (1879), enjoyment in the arts belongs to a higher
good, one that lies at the opposite end base of pleasures. Art will be present because
human beings will always express themselves and delight in these expressions. Men
will continue to use art while are persist and never gets depleted.

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2. ART is not NATURE

One important characteristic of art is that it is not nature. Art is man’s expression of his
reception of nature. Art is man’s way of interpreting nature. Art is made by man and
nature is given around us. What we find in nature should not be expected to be
present in art too.

Art is based on an individual’s subjective experiences of nature. Artists are not

expected to duplicate nature just as eve scientist with their elaborate laboratories
cannot make nature.

Once this point has been made, a students of humanities can then ask further
questions such as: What reasons might the artist have in creating something? Why did
Andres Bonificaio write “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”? What motivation did Juan
Luna have in creating his masterpiece, the Spolarium? In whatever work of art, one
should always ask why the artist made it. What is it that he wants to show?

3. Art involves Experience

Getting this far without a satisfactory of art be quite weird for some. For most people,
are does not require full definition. Art is just experience. By experience, mean the
“Actual doing of something” (Dudley et al., 1960). When one claims that he has
experiences falling in love, getting hurt and bouncing back, he in effect claims that he
knows the (sometimes) endless cycle of loving. When one asserts having experienced
preparing a particular recipe, he in fact asserts knowing how the recipe is made.
Another example I when a radio DJ dispensing advice on love when he himself has not
experienced it does not really know what he is talking about. Knowing a thing is
different from hearing from others what the said thing is.

An important aspect of experiencing art is it’s being highly personal, individual, and
subjective. In philosophical terms, perception of art is always a value of judgement. It
depends on his perception, tastes, biases (Degustibus non disputandum est.).

Finally, one should also underscore that every experience with art is accompanied by
some emotion. One either likes or dislikes, agree or disagree that a work of art is
beautiful. A stage play or motion picture is particularly one of those art forms that
evoke strong emotions from its audience. With experience come emotions and
feelings, after all. Feelings and emotions are concrete proofs that the artwork has
been experiences.

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 SUMMARY:

Humanities and the art have always been part of man’s growth and civilization. Since
the dawn of time, man has always tried to express his innermost thoughts and feelings
about reality through creating art. Three assumptions on art are its universality, its not
being nature, and its need for experience. Art is present in every part of the globe and
in every period of time. Art not being nature, not even attempting to simply mirror
nature. Art is always a creation of the artist. Finally, without experience, there is no art.
The artist has to be foremost, a perceiver who is directly in touch with art.

Application

General Instructions:

1. Choose one category given below and identify one artwork that you are familiar
with. This can be the last artwork that you have come across with one that made the
most impact to you. Criticize each using the guide questions provided.

Categories:

1. Movie
2. Novel
3. Poem
4. Music
5. An architectural structure
6. A piece of clothing

2. In short bond paper, please attach a picture of your chosen artwork.

3. Answer each questions given below.

4. Do not forget to write your name on the UPPER LEFT CORNER of the bond
paper.

5. Submit it to our LMS/Google Classroom.

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Category: __________________________
Artwork: __________________________
1. What is it about? What is it for?

2. What is it made of?

3. What is its style?

4. How good is it?

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 References:

Capistrano-Baker, Florina. (2006). Pioneers of Philippine Art. Makati: Ayala Museum and
Dreampulse Production, video, 32.25 min.
Caslib, Bernardo Nicolas Jr., Dorothea C. Garing, Jezreel Anne R. Casaul. (2018). Art
Appreciation. 1st ed. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Collingwood, R.G. (1938). The Principles of Art. Worcestershire: Read Books Ltd.
Dudley, L., A., and McGraw-Hill Book Company. (1960). The Humanities. New York:
McGraw- Hill.
Mills, J. S. (1879). “ Socrates and Alcibiades on the Symposium.” Hermathena 168, 25-37

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 LESSON 2: ART APPRECIATION: CREATIVITY,
IMAGINATION, AND EXPRESSION

Learning Outcomes:

Differentiate art from nature;

To characterize artistic expression based on personal experiences with art.

Categorize works of art by citing personal experience

Time Frame: One Week

Introduction:

It takes an artist to make art. One may perceive beauty on daily basis. However, not
every beautiful thing can be seen or experienced may truly be called a work of art. Art
is a product of man’s creativity, imagination, and expression. No matter how perfectly
blended the colors of a sunset are and no matter how extraordinary formed mountains
are, nature is not considered art simply because it is not made by man. Not even
photographs or sketches of nature, though captures or drawn by man, are works of art,
but mere recordings of the beauty in nature (Collins & Riller, 1931).

In this lesson you will learn and understand that an artwork maybe inspired by nature
or other works of art, but an artist invents how own forms and patterns due to what he
perceives as beautiful and incorporates them in creating his masterpiece.

Let’s Get Started

Activity 2.1

In one of you encounter with art through museum visits, musicals and plays, among others, have
you ever felt disconnected from an artwork? Was there a point in time when you did not understand
what message the art was trying to convey? If yes, write the name of the artwork in the box and attach
an image of the artwork, if possible.

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 Analysis:

1. Explain why you think you did or you did not understand the art using the space
provide on the space provided below.

Abstraction:

ART Appreciation as a way of Life

Jean Paul- Sartre, a famous French philosopher of

the twentieth century, described the role of art as a
creative work that depicts the works in a
completely different light and perspective, and the
source due to human freedom ( Greene, 1995).
Each artwork beholds beauty of its own kind, the
Figure 2: Vienna Concert Hall
kind that the artist sees and wants the viewers to
perceive. More often than not, people are blind to this beauty and only those who have
developed a fine sense of appreciation can experience and see the art the same way
the artist did. Because of this, numerous artwork do unnoticed, artist are not given
enough credit, and they miss opportunities. It sometimes takes a lifetime before their
contribution to the development of art is recognized. Hence, refining one’s ability to
appreciate art allows him to deeply understand the purpose of an artwork and
recognize the beauty it possesses (Collins & Riley, 1931).

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In cultivating an appreciation of art, one should also exercise and develop his taste for
things that are fine and beautiful. This allows individuals to make intelligent choices
and decisions in acquiring necessities and luxuries, knowing what gives better value
for time or money while taking into consideration the aesthetic and practical value
( Collins & Riley, 1931).

Frequenting museums, art galleries, performing arts theaters, concert halls or even
malls that display art exhibitions that are free in admission during leisure time will not
only develop an understanding of the art, but will also serve as rewarding experience.
Learning to appreciate art, no matter what vocation or profession you have, will lead
to a fuller and more meaningful life ( Collins & Rilley, 1931).

The Role of Creativity in Art Making

Creativity requires thinking outside the box. It is often used to solve problems that
have never occurred before, conflate function and style and simply make life a more
unique and enjoyable experience. In art, creativity is what sets apart one artwork form
another.

A creative artist does not simply copy or imitate another artist work. He does not
imitate the lines, flaws, colors, and patterns in creating nature. He embraces originality,
puts his own flavor into his work and calls it his own creative piece.

Being a creative nowadays can be quite challenging. What you think you thought was
your own unique and creative idea may not what it seems to be after extensive
research and that someone else has coincidentally devised before the idea in another
part of the word.

Are you familiar with this?

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Source: https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/01/06/12/philippine-tourism-second-copycat-ad-row
“It’s more fun in the Philippines” used by the Department of Tourism (DOT) boomed
popularity in 2011.

But later on it was fund out that it was allegedly plagiarized from Switzerland’s tourism
slogan “ It’s more fun in Switzerland,” way back 1951. Thus, creativity should be
backed with careful research on related art to avoid such conflicts.

Art as a Product of Imagination, Imagination as a Product of Art!

German physicist Albert Einstein who had made significant and major contributions in
science and humanity demonstrated knowledge is actually derived from imagination.
He emphasized this idea through his words:
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to
all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire
world, and all there ever will be to know and understand”.

In an artist’s mind sits a vast gallery of artworks. An artwork does not need to be a real
thing, but can be something that is imaginary (Collingwood, 1938).

Example:

A musician who thinks of a tune in his head. The

making of this tune in his head makes it an
imaginary tune, an imaginative creation, an
imaginary art (Colligwood, 1938).

It remains imaginary until he hums, sings or

writes down the notes of the tune on paper.

However, something imaginary does not

necessarily mean it cannot be called art. Artists
use their imagination that gives birth to reality
through creation.

Imagine being in an empty room surrounded by blank, white walls, and floor. Would
you be inspired to work in a such a place? Often, you will find coffee shops,
restaurants, and libraries with paintings hung or sculptures and other pieces of art
placed around the room to add beauty to the surroundings. This craving and desire to
be surrounded by beautiful things dates back to our early ancestors (Collins & Riley,
1931).

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✓ Cave walls are surrounded by drawings and paintings of animals they hunted: wild
boars, reindeers, and bison.

✓ Clays were molded and stones were carved into forms that resemble men and
women; burial jars were created with intricate designs on them.

✓ These creative pieces were made not only because they were functional to men,
but also because beauty gave them joy (Collins & Riley, 1931).

Figure 3. Thomas Quine, “ Cave Paintings”

ART as an Expression

Robin George Collingwood, an English Philosopher who is best known for his work in
aesthetics, explicated in his publication The Principles of Art (1938) that what an artist
does to an emotion is not to induce it, but express it.

There is no need in relating or referring to a specific emotion, such as anger, in

expressing one’s emotion. Description actually destroys the idea of expression, as it
classifies the emotion, making it ordinary and predictable.

Expression on the other hand individualizes. An artist has the freedom to express
himself the way he wants to. Hence, there is no specific technique in expression.
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This makes people’s art not a reflection of what is outside or external to them, but a
reflection of their inner selves. There are countless ways of expressing oneself through
art.

The following list includes, but is not limited to, popular art expression.

Creations that fall under this category are those that appeal to
the sense of sight and are mainly visual in nature. Artists
produce visual arts driven by their desire to reproduce things that
they haVe seen in the way that they perceived them (Collins &
Riley, 1931).

Visual arts is the kind of art form that the population is most
likely more exposed to, but it variations are so diverse– they
VISUAL
range from sculptures that you see in art galleries to the last
ART movie you saw.

Some mediums of visual arts include paintings, drawings,

letterings, printing, sculptures, digital imaging, and more.

A live art and the artist’s medium is mainly the human body
which he or she uses to perform, but also employs other kind of
art such as visual art, props, or sound.

Four elements: time, the performer’s or the performer’s body,

PERFORMANCE
relationship between the audience and the performer(s) (Moma
Learning, n.d.). ART
Cannot be bought or trade as commodity.

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 FILM
⚫ Refers to the art of putting together successions of still images in
order to create an illusion of movement.
⚫ Techniques: motiom-picture camera (also known as movie
camera), animation techniques, Computer- Generated Imagery
(CGI), and more.
⚫ It is so complex that it has to take into account many important
elements such as lighting, musical score, visual effects, direction,
and more.
⚫ In famous film festivals and awards such as the MMFF and
Oscars, a long list of categories is considered to recognize
excellence in the art of film-making. 17 | P a g e
 DANCE Dancers are not confined to set steps and rules but are
free to create and invent their own movements as long as
they deem them graceful and beautiful.

It uses a word’s emotional, musical, and spatial values that go

These words, combined with movements, tone,meaning
beyond its literal volume,toand intensity
narrate, of the delivery,
emphasize , argue,add
or
to the artistic value of the poem.
convince.

Some buildings only embody Buildings should embody these

the functionality they need, three important elements--- plan,
but the structure, lines, construction, and design– if they
forms, and colors are not ARCHITECTURE wish to merit the title architecture
beautifully expressed. Thus, (Collins & Riley, 1931).
not all buildings can be
considered architecture.

Art is the pursuit and creation of beautiful things while architecture is the making of beautiful
buildings.

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 A creative form that allows people to freely express themselves. It
has no rules.

POETRY An art form where the artist expresses his emotions not by using
PERFORMANCE paint, charcoal, or camera, but expresses them through words.

These words are carefully selected to exhibit clarity and beauty and
to stimulate strong emotions of joy, anger, love, sorrow, and the list
goes on.

Artists who practice literary arts use words – not paint,

musical instruments, or chisels --- to express themselves and
communicate emotions to the readers.

It goes beyond the usual professional, academic, journalistic, LITERARY

and other technical forms of writing.
ART
It focuses on writing using unique style, not following specific
format or norm. It may include both fiction and non-fiction such
as novels, biographies, and poems.

THEATER

Uses live performers to present accounts or imaginary events before a live audience.

It usually follows a script, though they should not be confused with literary arts.

Considers several elements such as acting, gesture, lighting, sound effects, musical score,
scenery, and props. Genres of theater include drama, musical, tragedy, comedy, and
improvisation. 19 | P a g e
The combination of these elements is what gives the strongest impression on the audience
and the script thus becomes a minor element.
 APPLIED

ARTS

Artists in this field bring beauty, charm, and comfort into many things that are useful in
everyday life (Collins & Riley, 1931).

Industrial design, interior design, fashion design, and graphic design are considered
applied arts.

Through exploration and epression of ideas, consideration of the needs, and careful
choice of materials and techniques, artists are able to combine functionality and style.

Not everyone can be Refining one’s ability to

considered as an artist, appreciate art allows him to

but surely all are deeply understand the

spectators of art, which purpose of an artwork and

give us all a role of in the recognize the beauty it

field of art appreciation possesses.

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 Application

Let’s work in this

Answer the following questions precisely yet thoroughly as possible.

1. What art field will you explore? Why?

2. How can you utilize the arts to express yourself, your community and relation to
others?

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Let’s Make it Happen

Using the table below, write down examples of the different art forms studied in this
lesson. Provide ways on how these forms express and unmask creativity from the
artist.

Type of Example How does this How does this

Expression express? unmask the
artist’s
creativity?

References:

Collingwood, R.G. (1938). The Principles of Art. Worcestershire: Read Books Ltd

Collings, M.R. and Rilley, O. (1931). Art Appreciation for Junior and Senior High
Schools. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World , Inc.
Greene, M. (1995). Art and Imagination: Reclaimingthe Sense of Possibility. Indiana,
USA: Phi Delta Kappa International.

Moma Learning. (n.d.). “Conceptual Art.” Assessed October 14, 2017. Retrieved from
https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/themes/conceptual-art/performanc
e-into-art

The Arts Center. (n.D.). “Poetry is Art Form.” Accessed October 14, 2017. Retrieved
from https://www.theartcenter.org/art-exhibitions/poetry-art-form.html.

Unbound Visual Arts, (n.d.). “What is Visual Art?” Accessed October 15, 2017
Retrieved from https://www.unboundvisualarts.org/what-is-visual-art/.
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