Dacula, Sharifa Hainie M.

BS- Architecture

Synthesis Paper

What is art? What is the purpose of it? According to Frank Lloyd Wright art is a
discovery and development of elementary principles of nature into beautiful forms
suitable for human use. Art has been present since pre-historic times and it caters
different needs of people since then. Art is important to people because it give them a
glimpse of the past, it creates connection between people and it inspires people.

Most of the art from different period of time and different locations reflects the
lives of the people living there. It shows their culture, how they live, their history and
their story. Thomas E. Wartenberg stated how art is problematic concept in many
reasons, like how can we even say that an object is a work of art if the person who
made it does not even intent to make it a work of art. There are many art forms that
we can see in a museum, artifacts like the Manunggul Jar discovered in Chamber A,
Manunggul Cave in Lipuun Point, Palawan is a burial jar used late Neolithic period (890-
710 BC). Its main purpose is just to be a burial jar, and maybe the maker of this never
imagine that one day his or her works will be discovered and will show their way of life.
This simply shows that the perception of what art is differing from one person to
another. One thing can be a work of art to other person but not to the other.

In connection to people having different perception of how an art can be an art,

we should also consider that there are also some similarities that are common to this
people on how they considered art. The traditional way is based on the aesthetic before
knowing the underlying meaning of it. The meaning and purpose of art is more
important, just like Spoliarium by Juan Luna which is generally about Spanish
colonization and how Filipinos are mistreated that time. Art show us and letting us
experience the past without actually being there. Alice Guillermo stated that art is a
signifying practice which is grounded in society and history. This is an important
concept because the past builds up to create our future and it actually affected our way
of living now.

Art creates connection between people; art does not always evolve on visual art,
there are also auditory or performing arts and applied arts, making it widely accessible
to people which is why it builds connection. Applied art is a part of visual art and
defined as art that has a practical application as well as functionality, this form of art
includes architecture, fashion designing, wood crafts, etc. This type of art focuses more
of human needs. The other form of art is auditory or performing art which is commonly
performed which includes singing, dancing, films and theater, and music. These forms
of art connects people in many different ways, may it be the message of a song, a
strong portrayal of a character, accurate visual representation of things , the image and
context of a painting and more. This connection is usually based to the experiences of
each individual. If one person has the same experience with the other they usually can
relate to each other in terms of the feeling and action to take.

On the present context, art connects people by building a sense of

communication between the artist and the viewer. It is usually used to spread
awareness in many subjects like global warming, H. I. V. awareness, political issues,
etc. Through art we are able to be socially conscious and take action on what is
happening to our world. John Dewey said that struggle and conflict, although painful,
they are means to developing an experience. Taking in anything is more than just
placing it on top of the previous knowledge, it involves reconstruction. The experience
of the artist connects them to the people to be stronger. Especially when artist talks
about how they are able to conquer their problems, people with the same situation that
are able to receive the message of the artist are able to be motivated. Often art is the
way of the artist to express his or her emotion that also lead to emotional connection to
others.

Art impacts life in many ways, not just the life of the viewer but also the artist
himself. The essence of art really depends on the purpose of the artist. Salvador Lopez
believe that literature should always be socially conscious for it impacts people and will
made them think of what is happening around them. It inspires people to take action
for the betterment of the society. It also fight for the rights of people and other living
things. Art does not dictate people on what to do, yet engaging with a good work of art
can connect to your senses, body and mind. And this feeling may spurs engagement,
and even on taking action.

Therefore, art is important to our daily lives just like any other things because it
enables us to explore our history, it creates bond and connection to a greater number
of people, and it gives inspiration to anyone who chooses to be inspired. Paul Cezanne
once said “If I were called upon to define art, I should call it the reproduction of what
the senses perceive in nature, seen through the veil of the soul.” (di ko alam paano koi
end)