VISUAL ARTS

1
Visual Arts

Module 1-2 Introduction of Art

Welcome to the first module on the Visual Arts

It is believed that life is how you make it and that the quality of one’s life can
be developed, enriched and made productive through finer things in life is
limitless and that we only to exert time and effort for the arts to work for us.
At the end of this module you are expected to:
1) Define what Art is.
2) Identify the purposes of art.
3) Recognize and analyze the role of humanities in man’s life and the general
view of the arts

What is Art?
It refers to arts- visual arts such as architecture, painting, and sculpture;
music, dance, theater or drama and literature. They are branches of learning
concerned with human thoughts, feelings and relations and how they are
expressed.
Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious
idea of beauty or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, a game in
which man lets off his excess of stored up energy; it is not the expression of
man’s emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects.

According to Wikipedia Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging

elements in a way that appeals to the sense or emotions. It encompasses a
diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression including
music and literature.
Purposes of Art
Many philosophers have argued that art serves no function and that is
existing for its own sake. In fact, several Filipino artists like Jose Garcia Villa
shared in this belief. On the other hand, some have asserted that there is
something about the essence of art that transcends the human occupation
with usefulness. Others have held that there is the tendency to lose sight of
art’s beauty and wonderment if one analyzes it too closely.
It provides us with the opportunity to examine what it takes and what it
means to be human. It reminds us how inadequate it is to understand

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ourselves as automous beings and subjects separate and independent from
all others.
It helps us recognize fundamental values and principles such as beauty, truth,
love, justice, and faith
It develops our capacity for critical thinking and appreciation for cultural
heritage as reflected in different Filipino works of art.

It fosters understanding across barriers of race, class, gender, or ethnicity.

The vision of an artist, a philosopher, or a historian is a special one that helps
us to better understand who we are and what sort of life might be a good life
to lead.

It helps us address the challenges we face together in our families, our

communities and our nation and it emphasizes the dignity and worthiness of
every human being.

Role of Humanities in Man’s Life

Humanities can regulate the type of behavior that is considered appropriate
to an individual thus the teaching of humanities is essential in order for one
to gain the knowledge to achieve the status of a cultured man. A cultured
man is perceived as one who is well versed in the arts, in philosophy and the
language. Humanities of our time or the humanistic education of our youth
must deal with the interface between social personhood and personal politics
so that humanities will make art a condition of possibility, like a sword and
plowshare, a spear and pruning hook. It is an active force as we pursue our
life goals.

General View of the Arts

Arts are defined by historical process. The aesthetic standards of art vary
from one culture to another since an ideal beauty is a construct created and
agreed upon people in society so much so that art activities grow out of a
social cultural order. There is no set of aesthetics principles which is good for
all people for all the times.
Art was derived from the Aryan root word “AR” which means to put together,
while still another, while still another origin of the word art came from Latin
“ars” which means ability or skill. Hence, when we try to create dance steps
to a given music or song we are trying to apply our skill and that when it
comes out beautifully because it has unity, balance, evolution, and hierarchy
then it has aesthetic value. A work of art is the product of the imagination of
the artist dependent on the following factors like the material/ medium,
subject, theme, values, influences period, belief inspiration, preparation and
other.
 VISUAL ARTS
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Visual Arts

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals
1. Fernandez, Steven Patrick (2010) Making Theatre; The Craft of the Stage. Iligan City:
MSU – Iligan City: MSU Iligan Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University
2. Lucivila L. Marcos,Ph.D, Marilyn B. Ferianiza, Pedrito Jose V. Bermudo,Ph.D, Antonio
Jan Yango,Ph.D (2010) Introduction to the Humanities Visual and Performing Arts:
Mindshapers Co.,Inc.
3. Linda R. Bascara, Ph.D, Adela T. Avillanoza,M.A- Rex Bookstore Inc.

.Online Supplementary Reading Materials

1. http://www.saylor.org/courses/arth101b
2. http://www.sbctc.edu
3. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sac-artappreciation/part/context-and-
perspectives/

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