a. What qualities of the white bird can be perceived as artistic?

As described by John Berger, the white bird has five qualities that can be perceived as artistic. These
qualities are its figurative representation, the choice and context of the subject, the materials used
in making, the presence of formal unity and economy and lastly the mystery behind its production.
The white bird symbolizes a lot of meaning depending on the culture of the person who sees it.
Mainly, birds are symbol of freedom, peace and unity. Formation of the bird from pieces of wood
shows the maker's effort and skill on producing that art, trees are valuable to nature since it is the
source of our food, materials, and oxygen, but the artists didn't put these woods into waste, they
recreate it into something that people would love. One who will see it will either be amazed on how
fine those carvings are done on the wood, or one will wonder how the woods would turn into such
beautiful white bird, hanging outdoors where it is best to be seen.

b. How is the perception of the artistic related to the perception of the aesthetic?

An art may be perceived as either artistic or aesthetic or it can also be equally perceived as both
artistic and aesthetic. The perception of artistic refers to how the art is made skillfully, one can
distinguish how difficult it is to produce such art, like how Berger pointed out that the white bird
can't be compared to Van Gogh's self-portrait or a Rembrandt cruxificion because the making of the
white bird is simple, unlike the creations of Van Gogh that shows numerous technicalities. But,
something that is considered as artistic can also be perceived as aesthetic if it can stir emotions
from the ones looking at it. Arts, no matter how simple are they, no matter who made it, if it can
make your heart scream, cry or happy it can be perceived as aesthetic. Just like how the white birds
provide astonishment to the people who saw it for the first time.

c. Is the aesthetic emotion felt while looking at an artistic creation different from that felt
while looking at nature? How?

As what Berger said, the aesthetic emotion felt while looking at an artistic creation is a derivative of
the emotion we feel about nature. Arts are produced based on the combination of what they see in
nature and their ideas. The aesthetic emotion we felt while looking at the nature, like how we
widen our eyes when seeing the majestic sunset, like how loved seeing white beaches, corals,
colorful fishes, etc., are natural because nature is promised of creations that no man can level with.
Man can recreate nature but it still the beauty of nature that people would still see on it.

d. In your experience, recall examples of the “relativity” of beauty. What factors have
influenced you to think of objects – both natural and artificial – as beautiful?

In my experience, I likely labeled things as beautiful if it is very appealing, and things that are
appealing to me are something that is bright, glimmering, straight, and pristine. Mostly, I prefer
objects that do not have vivid colors, something that is plain and boring for others are the most
beautiful thing for me. In nature, the factor that influenced me to think of it as aesthetic is the
intensity of emotion it can bring to me while looking at it. Everything in nature has its own beauty,
the mind can judge it but the heart can purely detect its beauty that lies within.

e. The author says that in judging works of art, he takes into consideration their role in
helping people claim their social and ontological rights? What does he mean by this?

According to Beger, when considering the historical face of art, he judged a work according to
whether or not it helped men in the modern world claim their social rights. By this, he means that
art became a medium to express the people's ideologies they wanted to suggest but cannot speak
out through words. Rage, injustice, acceptance etc is visible through the eyes of Beyer when he is
looking and judging those arts.

f. With the above framework in mind, choose a work and make a judgment on its aesthetic
value.

The work of Cesar Legaspi entitled "Gadgets", depicts dehumanization of human. The man in the
artwork is turning into machine parts that is fitted into cogs, wheels and slabs of factories. Looking
at the painting, you can easily feel the hardwork, the sufferings of the men. The use of dark colors
complement the mood that will envelop you throughout the time you're looking at it. Still, the
artwork maintains its aesthetic value by letting it speak to the heart of its audience. It moves you
and made you realize that because of the emergence of machineries, workers tend to increase their
man-power so that companies will still hire them. Technology makes it harder for men to have jobs
despite of their strength and capability.