GE006 (ART APPRECIATION)

Module 1
Art Appreciation
Introduction
Looking at, making, and writing about
art develops critical thinking skills, or a
"questioning frame of mind." Our
culture is increasingly dominated by
images: learn to read and understand
them fully. Art helps us understand more
about the culture and values that
produced it. Art contains information.
Creativity is essential in any field of
study.
Parisian Life
When you think of art, you might first think of
famous works from artists like van Gogh, Warhol,
Picasso, or Monet. What we often forget is that art
has been around since the days of the caveman.
Art has played a significant role throughout our
history. However, it is also a part of our lives now
from the clothing we wear to the video games we
play, the cars we drive to the covers or pictures in
the books or magazines we read. It will continue
to be a part of our future and the future of our
loved ones for many generations to come.
 
 Art is not meant to be looked at only for
what it is. It is meant to stimulate thought
because it allows viewers to draw their own
emotions and pull from their personal
experiences when viewed. It is very powerful
in this way and it naturally develops critical
and innovative thinking skills. Art also
teaches many important qualities such as
listening, observing and responding to
multiple perspectives.
 
“Vincent”
Don Mclean
What did you See
in the pictures?
Art appreciation is something art teachers should strive to instill in
students. It encompasses so much more than just looking at a piece
of art or learning about the artist. Due to the subjective nature of art,
students can learn to construct meaning and articulate their thoughts
when they express, in their own words, their personal opinions
about what they are seeing, feeling and thinking. This allows
students an opportunity to develop an open mind and understand
that there is more than just one solution to a problem. Having an
appreciation for art also helps us to develop an appreciation for each
other and how we are all unique in our own way.
 

 


Importance of Studying Art Appreciation

and Philosophy

*Helps us to develop an appreciation for each

other and how we are all unique in our own
way.

 
Importance of Studying Art Appreciation and Philosophy

*Provides students with a forum for developing their literacy

and communication skills. Promoting these conversations about
art help students develop visual thinking skills where they are
able to observe closely, describe what they see in detail, and
also provide evidence for their observations.
 

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

 
Importance of Studying Art Appreciation and
Philosophy

*Great literature, films and visual art transport us to

different places and cultures; great art even allows us
to see ourselves and our own community through a
different perspective.

 
"Philosophy" comes from Greek
words meaning "love of wisdom."
Philosophy uses the tools of logic
and reason to analyze the ways in
which humans experience the world.
It teaches critical thinking, close
reading, clear writing, and logical
analysis; it uses these to understand
the language we use to describe the
world, and our place within it.
Meaning of Humanities and Art Appreciation

We live in a world that is full of visual images; therefore, we acquire a great

deal of information and knowledge about our environment through images
rather than merely through text and numbers. Illustrations, graphic images,
charts, photography and creative text — all forms of visual art — allow
information to be communicated beyond the written word.
Meaning of Humanities and Art Appreciation
Humanities is derived from the Latin word humanus, which means refined or cultured human.
The humanities are studies about human culture, such as literature, philosophy, and history.
Studying the humanities gives you general knowledge and intellectual skills rather than
occupational or professional skills. The humanities provide general knowledge about the best
accomplishments of human beings throughout history. Learning the works of Shakespeare,
Plato, and Beethoven, and our very own Jose Rizal is part of the humanities. The humanities
make a person educated, but not necessarily for a specific. Most people require a more
specific area of study beyond the humanities.
Art History

Art history is the study of

Objects of art in their historical
development and stylistic
contexts; that is genre, design,
format, and style. The study
includes painting, sculpture,
architecture, ceramics, furniture,
and other decorative objects
(Mansfield, 2002).
As a discipline, art history is distinguished
from art criticism, which is concerned
with establishing a relative artistic value
upon individual works with respect to
others of comparable style, or sanctioning
an entire style or movement; and art
theory or "philosophy of ad', which is
concerned with the fundamental nature of
art. One branch of this area of study is
aesthetics, which includes investigating
the enigma of the sublime and determining
the essence of beauty (Elkins, 2006).
Creativity and Imagination

The biggest difference between creativity and

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

Imagination is about seeing the impossible, or unreal.

Creativity is using imagination to unleash the
potential of existing ideas in order to create new and
valuable ones.

The biggest difference between each of these is the

frame of focus we have when attempting to utilize
each.
 
Creativity and Imagination

We have a tendency to use the terms "being imaginative"

and "being creative" as synonyms, but they are not. It's
quite possible to be imaginative without being creative
(Naiman, 2016). “Creativity is the act of turning new
and imaginative ideas into reality. If you have ideas,
but don't act on them, you are imaginative but not
creative."

We are all born with imagination but creativity is

learned. And you deserve your chance to learn it.
Thank you!
 Lesson 2
Basic Assumptions,
Functions and
Nature of Arts
 
Introduction

Art is an expression, an expression of feeling, belief,

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

Assumption is a thing that is

accepted as true or as certain
to happen, without proof. It is
something that you accept as
true without question or proof.
Many assumption has been
written about arts and some of
these are:
Basic Assumption of Arts

Art has been created by all people at all times,

in all countries and it lives because its well-
liked and enjoyed. Naturally, arts linger on
particularly if it is popular and love by the people.
Example, the works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal
and the movie, The Ten Commandments.
Basic Assumption of Arts

Art is not nature; nature is not art. Art is

made by man and nature by God. However,
nature can be enhanced by man. The
enhanced beauty and artistry of nature, then,
can be classified as an art.
Basic Assumption of Arts

Art is cultural. Art is a work of humans and

anything that has been created by humans is part of
culture. Art becomes cultural when it depicts people's
way of life, religious practices, mores and traditions,
etc.
Basic Assumption of Arts
Art is a form of creation. Art is something that is created with
imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important
ideas or feelings [Source: Merriam-Webster]. As it is said, human is the
creator of art. No art can be created without human which, in turn, uses
his/her imagination and creativity to produce art. According to the
word's most basic definition, an artist is simply a person who creates
art.
Basic Assumption of Arts

Art is subjective. Henceforth, it cannot be measured by its

significance or the level of skill with which it is created. Its
subjective nature makes art's only measurable quality is whether or
not it exists. Example "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
meaning, every individual has his/her own perception and/or
interpretation about the subject. It would never be the same for
every individual.
Nature of Arts
1. Art is a diverse range of human
activities in creating visual, auditory or
performing artworks, expressing the
author’s imaginative or technical skill,
intended to be appreciated for their beauty
or emotional power. In their most general
form these activities include the production
of works of art, the criticism of art, the
study of the history of art, and the aesthetic
dissemination of art.
Nature of Arts
2. Art represents reality. Representation is the use of
signs that stand in for and take the place of something
else, it is through representation that people organize the
world and reality through the act of naming its elements.
Signs are arranged in order to form semantic
constructions and express relations. Art represents reality,
since it is often depicting objects or scenes from the
world. An artwork can depict a scene such as a cafe or a
restaurant, or a park or garden. So, there is a sense in
which art represents the mind's eye or what the
imagination perceives.
Nature of Arts
3. Art is an expression. The expression
contained in the form is an attempt to
translate the unnamed and the unknown.
Intrinsic to our existence as humans is our
quest to create meaning, and art allows that
process to take place. Making meaning
involves understanding our surroundings and
marking our experiences.
Nature of Arts
4. Art serves as a means of communication of emotions.
The purpose of works of art may be to communicate
political, spiritual or philosophical ideas, to create a sense
of beauty to explore the nature of perception, for pleasure,
or to generate strong emotions. Art is an act of expressing
feelings, thoughts, and observations of human conditions.
A fundamental purpose common to most art forms is the
underlying intention to appeal to, and connect with, human
emotion.
Nature of Arts
5. Art matters. The arts matter because they
allow us to express ourselves and illustrate the
world around us in a different light, helping us
to gain understanding of people and society,
and give hope while living in this world. Art
matters because it illustrates the human
experiences.
Nature of Arts
6. Art is universal. Literally, art can be found in every
corner of the world. Art is everywhere and it is imbedded into
the way of life of the people. Exclusivity is out of bounds
when we speak of arts because it is for everyone. Art is the
true Esperanto, an artificial international language, the one
form of culture that is genuinely beyond national limitations.
Art knows no barriers; not even language is a barrier in
understanding it. Example, foreign arts displayed in
museums throughout the world, paintings such as the Mona
Lisa, Sistine Chapel, and photos of well-known places are
readily viewed. We have also some foreign performers
performing in the country.
Nature of Arts
7. Art is creation. It is the combination of already existing
material elements into new forms which become the
realization of a preconceived idea. Both hut and picture
rose in the imagination of their makers before they took
shape as things. The material of each was given already in
nature; but the form, as the maker fashioned it, was new.
In its essence and widest compass art is the making of a
new thing in response to a sense of need. The very need
itself creates, working through man as its agent.
Functions of Art
That said, the functions of art
normally fall into three
categories. These are personal,
social and physical functions.
These categories can, and do,
overlap in any given piece of art
(Esaak, 2018).
The Personal Function An artist
may create out of a need for self-
expression, or gratification. He/She
might have wanted to communicate a
thought or point to the viewer.
Perhaps the artist was trying to
provide an aesthetic experience, both
for self and viewers. A piece might
have been meant to "merely" entertain
others. Sometimes a piece isn't meant
to have any meaning at all.
Example is the statue of Venus, a
Roman mythology goddess. One
may wonder why the statue has no
arms yet it is considered to be a
national treasure.
Another personal function of art is that of religious
service. Religious art usually expresses collective ideas
about human life in relation to the divine. For our
purposes, then, an art of spiritual concern is any search
for ultimate values through the use of visual form. The
crucifixion is an example of visual form in relation to our
religious belief. Another is the "The Last Supper"
painting.
Arts perform a social function when:

1. Influences Social Behavior

(Political Function). It seeks or tends
to influence the collective behavior of
a people. Example is the "Bayanihan."
Some people think that art designed to
social behavior is corrupt, impure,
"mere" propaganda, and so on.
Arts perform a social function when:
2. Display and Celebration. It is created to be seen or used
primarily in public situation like fiestas, parade, etc. One
function of sculpture and painting is the commemoration of
important personages in society. The statues of national heroes
that grace our parks and plazas are commemorative works as are
the commissioned paintings of leaders or rulers. Often they
serve to record important historical events, or reveal the ideals
of heroism and leadership that the community would want the
young to emulate.
The Physical Function

The physical functions of art are often the easiest to

understand, Works of art that are created to perform some
service have physical functions,
1. Form and Function. The function of an object is
generally essential in the basic form that it takes a chair is So
designed as to allow the seated body to rest comfortably On
it. The shapes, sizes, and different parts are harmoniously
related to one another and integrated into an object that
fulfills and tells about their particular purpose.
2. Architecture. The design of the building is determined
primarily by its operational function. What is the building
for? Who are going to use it? How many are they? The
design that a building takes is also adapted to the climate
of the region. The architect must take the physical,
psychological, and spiritual needs of the family into
account when he designs a house.
3. Community Planning. A community is more than just a
group of buildings. It is a group of individuals and families
living in a particular locality because of common interest
and needs. Community planning involves the efficient
organization of buildings, roads, and spaces so that they
meet the physical and aesthetic needs of the community.
Community planning takes into consideration the assignment of areas for proper land use. These are:

3.1. Residential districts. Special areas are assigned for residential purposes. The present trend is to get away from overcrowded downtown districts and the attendant problems and settle in areas where it is possible to blend the charms of rural living with
the conveniences of urban living.
3.2. Industrial and commercial
areas. These areas are
usually located near the
source of raw materials. A
commercial area can be a
cluster of small neighborhood
stores, a shopping complex in
the suburbs, or a central
downtown district. It is usually
situated where it can be
reached easily by car or public
transport.
3.3. Civic centers. A
community governs itself; it,
therefore provides
structures where the
functions of government
can be efficiently carried
out, and which would, in
appearance, be symbolic of
community dignity and
pride.
3.4. Parks, plazas, and malls.
The need for a balance between
man-made structures and
natural areas is answered in the
design of plazas and malls.
These may provide some relief
from problems such as air and
water pollution, inadequate
facilities for recreation, and lack
of parking space.
3.5. Streets and roads.
Transportation must
function with reasonable
ease and rapidity from
one area to another.
Streets are large or
small, according to their
function.
 

4. Function and beauty. Many

things remain the same in shape
throughout the years because
their functional requirements do
not allow for greater variations in
their form. Time has proved that
their designs best enable them to
accomplish their purpose.
 Lesson 3
The Visual Arts

 
The Visual Arts.The visual arts are art forms that.
create works that are primarily visual in nature,
such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture,
printmaking, design, crafts, photography, video,
film making and architecture. These definitions
should not be taken too strictly as many artistic
disciplines (performing arts, conceptual art, textile
arts) involve aspects of the visual arts as well as
arts of other types. Also included within the visual
arts are the applied arts such as industrial design,
graphic design, fashion design, interior design and
decorative art.
Visual arts include the following:

1.Fine Arts

2. Contemporary Arts

3. Decorative Arts and Crafts

4. Other
1. Fine Arts
Paintings
Sculpture
Print Making
2. Contemporary Arts
Assemblage
Collage
Mixed Media
Arts
3. Decorative Arts and Crafts
Portraits
Tapestry
Mobiles Arts
4. Other
Graphics Art
Fashion Design
Interior Design
Philosophical Perspective of Arts

Philosophical perspective points to the nature of art,

including such concepts as interpretation, representation and
expression, and form. It is closely related to aesthetics, the
philosophical study of beauty and taste.

Some of these philosophical perspectives are:

1. Art as mimesis (Plato) 
2. Art as representation (Aristotle)
3. Art for Art Sake (Kant)
The Subject of Art

To a majority of people, the appeal of most works of art lies in

the representation of familiar objects. Their enjoyment of
painting, sculpture, and literature comes not from their
perception but from the satisfaction they get out of recognizing
the subject or understanding the narrative content.

The subject of art refers to any person, object, scene or event

described or represented in a work of art.
1. Representational or
Objective. Representational
art or figurative art
represents objects or events
in the real world, usually
looking easily recognizable.
It uses "form" and is
concerned with "what" is to
be depicted in the artwork.
Example: painting,
sculpture, graphic arts,
literature and theater arts.
 
2. Non-representational or Non-
objective. These are those arts
without any reference to anything
outside itself (without
representation). It is nonobjective
because it has no recognizable
objects. It is abstract in the sense
that it doesn't represent real
objects in our world. It uses
"content" and is concerned with
"how" the artwork is depicted.
Sources of Subject Art

1. Primary sources provide first-hand testimony or

direct evidence concerning a topic under
investigation. They are created by witnesses or
recorders who experienced the events or conditions
being documented. Often these sources are created at
the time when the events or conditions are occurring,
but primary sources can also include
autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories
recorded later. Primary sources are characterized by
their content, regardless of whether they are available
in original format, in microfilm/microfiche, in digital
format, or in published format.
2. Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources.
Because they are often written significantly after events by
parties not directly involved but who have special expertise,
they may provide historical context or critical perspectives.
Secondary sources routinely include pictures, quotes or
graphics of primary sources. Depending on the subject,
newspaper and journal articles can fall into both categories.
For example, Paul Goldberger’s architectural review of the
new Citi Field and Yankee Stadium in New York is a primary
source because he is commenting directly on a current event
whereas an article surveying the history of New York City
stadiums would be considered a secondary source.
Some of these sources of art subject are:
 
1. Nature — animals, people, landscapes. These three are the most common inspiration and subject
matter for art.

2. History — Artists are sensitive to the events taking place in the world around them. The dress, the
houses, the manner of living, the thoughts of a period are necessarily reflected in the work of the artist.
 
3. Greek and Roman mythology — These are the gods and goddesses. Its center is on deities and
heroes.

4. The Judaeo Christian tradition—religion and art, the Bible, the Apocrypha, the rituals of the church

5. Oriental Sacred Texts — The countries of the orient, especially China, Japan, and India, have all
produced sacred texts of one kind or another, and these inspired various kinds of art. Most fruitful have
been the texts and traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
 
Some of these sources of art subject are:
 
1. Nature — animals, people, landscapes. These three are the most common inspiration
and subject matter for art.

2. History — Artists are sensitive to the events taking place in the world around them.
The dress, the houses, the manner of living, the thoughts of a period are necessarily
reflected in the work of the artist.
 
3. Greek and Roman mythology — These are the gods and goddesses. Its center is on
deities and heroes.

 
Some of these sources of art subject are:

4. The Judaeo Christian tradition—religion and art, the Bible, the Apocrypha, the
rituals of the church

5. Oriental Sacred Texts — The countries of the orient, especially China, Japan, and
India, have all produced sacred texts of one kind or another, and these inspired various
kinds of art. Most fruitful have been the texts and traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism.

6. Other Works of Art — These are the subjects that can be found in those works that
take their subject directly from other works of art.
 
Kinds of Subject

Artists usually draw their arts through the different kinds of subject. These include

1. Still Life — These are groups of inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting.
Example: flowers and fruits arrangements; dishes, food, pots and pans, musical
instruments and music sheets. The arrangement is that like to show particular human
interests and activities. The still life of Still life picture of an apple
Chinese and Japanese painters usually show flowers, fruits and leaves still in their
natural setting, unplucked from the branches. Today, focus is on the exciting
arrangement ad combinations of the object's shapes
 
Kinds of Subject
2. Landscapes, Seascapes and Cityscapes — Artists have always been
fascinated with their physical environment.

Example. Fernando Amorsolo is well-known for having romanticized Philippine

landscape.
3. Animals — They have been represented by artists from almost
every ages and places. In fact, the earliest known paintings are
representation of animals on the walls of caves. The carabao has been
a favorite subject of Filipino artists, The Maranaos have an animal
form of sarimanok as their proudest prestige symbol. Sometimes,
animals have been used as symbols in conventional religious are
example.
5. Figures — The sculptures' chief subject has traditionally
been the human body, nude or clothed. The body's form,
structure and flexibility offers 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.
6. Everyday Life — Artists have always shown a deep concern about
life around them. Many of them have recorded in paintings their
observation of people going about their usual ways and performing their
usual tasks• Genre paintings usually are representations of rice threshers,
cockfighters, candle vendors, street musicians, and children at play.
7. History and Legends — History consists of verifiable facts, legends, of
unverifiable ones. Although many of them are often accepted as true
because tradition has held them so far. Insofar as ancient past is concerned,
it is difficult to tell how much of what we know now is history and how
much is legend. History and legend are popular subjects of art.
8. Religion and Mythology — Art has been a hand maiden of religion.
Most of the world’s religions have used the arts to aid in worship, to instruct, to inspire
feelings of devotion and to impress and convert non-believers. The Christian church
commissioned craftsmen to tell the stories about Christ and the saints in pictures,
usually in mosaic, murals, and stained glass windows in churches. It also resorted to the
presentation of tableaux and plays to preach and to teach.
9. 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 subconscious.