CHAPTER 2

THE ARTS

Nature and Meaning of Arts

The popular perception about arts is that it exists only in concert halls, museums,
and art galleries in which accessible to only those who can afford. But on the contrary,
art is found everywhere. It is very much part of our lives – everyday of our life!

We find arts in the clothes and accessories we wear, in the design of our furniture
and furnishings, in the style of the hose we build and the vehicles we use. We find art
objects in the home and in the community, in religion, in trade and in industry. The
coins we use to pay, as well as the religious medal and pendants – are examples of relief
sculpture. Our paper bills and postage stamps are examples of engraving. The statues of
angels and saints in our churches and cemeteries are free-standing sculpture. The
advertisements on billboards and tarpaulins along and beside the streets and major
highway are examples of printmaking, an art related to painting. In every town plaza,
there is a monument of a hero, a water fountain, or a landscape garden are examples of
architecture (Ortiz, 1988).

We find art at all times. It has been in existence since the prehistoric era. For the
cave dwellers, art has been an integral part of their communal lives. Evidences of early
man’s attempt to objectify his ideas and beliefs are found in the cave paintings of
animals in the walls of caves in Southwestern France and Northern Spain, (Lascaux,
France, and Altamira, Spain).
Archaeological diggings in various
part of the world have unearthed
clay statuettes of fertility goddess
like Venus of Willendorf and pieces
of bone, ivory, and horn incised
with images of animal.

Fig. 1 Cave Paintings

https://www.google.com/search?q=cave+painting+lascaux+france&authuser
Fig. 2 Venus of Willendorf
https://www.google.com/search?q=venus+of+willendorf&tbm

Art is derived from the Latin word “ars”, meaning ability or skill. It is a product of
man’s skill or craft. In a more specialized sense, art applies to such activities that express
aesthetic ideas by the use of skill and imagination in the creation of objects,
environment and experiences which can be shared by others.

We can say we are involved in art works when we plan, design, and construct our
houses artistically. When we paint and decorate them beautifully, when we write
poems, essays, biographies, short stories, and plays; and when we sing songs beautifully
and dance gracefully. All these imply that anything accomplished with great skill is art.

A work of art is an activity that involves both imagination and skill in

accomplishing it. It creates aesthetic feelings or experiences which delight and satisfy
our desire for beautiful things. It is great when the aesthetic experience it creates uplifts
us and stays vividly in our minds.

According to Bogart, a work of art (adapted from Estola, et al., 2008)

 Is a record of a particular artist’s view

 Is an activity that involves both imagination and skill in accomplishing it
 It represents or reflects the individual, the character of the period and the place
where it was produced.
 It is a product of the artist’s unique personality influenced consciously or
unconsciously by factors such as: his environment, traditions, national traits,
 religious beliefs, economic conditions, his ideals, or even the climate and
geography

Appreciating a work of art implies an intellectual involvement with what is being

appreciated, be it a painting, a musical composition, a piece of sculpture, a drama or
novel. To appreciate anyone of the arts does not mean responding emotionally, but one
has to understand what it is all about – its elements and how these are put together in a
harmonious pattern of relationships (Zulueta, 2003).

Classification of Arts

A. Visual Arts. These are artworks perceived by our eyes which may be classified
into graphic arts and plastic arts. The motto of a visual artist is “I think, I see”.

 Graphic Arts. These are artworks that have a flat two-dimensional surface
such as painting, drawing, photography, tarpaulin, and other products of
the printing industry. It covers the commercial arts like design of books,
advertisements, signs, posters, and other displays for advertisement

Fig. 3 Relation between photography and art

https://www.google.com/search?q=photography+art&tbm

 Plastic Arts. These are visual arts which have three-dimensional forms.
Under this groupings are architectural designs and construction of
buildings and other structures: landscape of gardens, parks, playgrounds
and golf courses; interior design; sculpture, designing and making of
objects such as jewelry, ceramics, leather-works, and weaving; industrial
arts which involve a specialized skill in making industrial designs of
automobiles and household appliances; the design of clothing apparel
such as dresses, coats, suits, ties, shoes, bags; and design for stage
production.
 Fig. 4 Sensory Garden Playground
https://www.google.com/search?q=playground+art&tbm

B. Performing Arts. These include the theater, play, dance, and music. They involve
movement, speaking, and gestures. The motto of the performing artist is, “I
think, I hear.”

Fig. 5 The Phantom of the Opera

https://www.google.com/search?q=the+phantom

C. Literary Arts. These includes the essay, short stories, novels, poetry and dramas.
They usually say, “This is the best way I can best express my inner thoughts and
feelings.” The motto of a literary artist is , “I think, I write.”
Fig. 6 Literary Arts and Heritage
https://www.google.com/search?q=literary+arts

D. Popular Arts. These include the film, newspaper, magazine, radio, and television.
This group is characterized by technologically advanced society dominated by
urban culture.

Fig 7 Campbell’s Famous Packaging

https://www.google.com/search?q=popular+arts

E. Gustatory Art of the Cuisine. The gustatory art of the cuisine would be tasting
concoctions and creations for quality. This is an adjective that implies tasting and
the sense of taste. This involves skill in food preparation.
Fig 8 Fruit Art
https://www.google.com/search?q=fruit+art

F. Decorative Arts. Any arts of those that are concerned with the design and
decoration of objects that are chiefly prized for their utility, rather than for their
purely aesthetic qualities. Ceramics, glassware, basketry, jewelry, metalware,
furniture, textiles, clothing, and other such goods are the objects most commonly
associated with the decorative arts. Many decorative arts, such as basketry or
pottery, are also commonly considered to be craft, but the definitions of both
terms are arbitrary. The are also called applied arts.

Fig 9 Decorative Baskets

https://www.google.com/search?q=decorative+arts

Importance of Arts

Arts have a particular significance in our lives. They become much a part of our
daily living as we surround ourselves with beautiful things we like. Arts are involved in
most of the objects we see and use and the music we hear everyday. The interest in
appreciation and beauty is one of the main concerns of the arts. All the arts that we see
and hear have a purpose as well as expression; they occupy some place in our judgment.
Leonel Ventura sums up the value and importance of arts by saying that “it is not the
canvass, the hue, the oil or tempera, but the contribution of the arts to our life, its
suggestions to our sensations, feelings, and imagination.” Lastly, as Pope John Paul II in
his letter to the artists, articulates:

“Every genuine art in its own way is a path to the innermost reality of man and
of the world. It is therefore, a wholly valid approach to the realm of faith, which
gives human experience its ultimate meaning.”

Basic Assumptions about the Arts

1. Art has been created by various people, at all places and time. Art does not
grow old. It exists because it is liked and enjoyed.
2. Art is personal. It is a product of man’s imagination, good taste, and skills in
doing things.
3. Art is not Nature. Nature is the subject of art.

The Principles of Artistic Composition

The 6 principles of artistic composition is a guide in understanding of a piece of

artwork particularly in the visual arts. These are:

A. Subject of Art D. Organization

B. Function of Art E. Style
C. Medium of Art F. Judgment

Subject of Art

The subject of art refers to any person, object, scene or event described or
represented in work of art. Some arts have subjects, others do not. The arts hat have
subject are called Representational or Objective Art. Those that do not have subject are
known as Non-Representational or Non-Objective arts. Painting, sculpture, the graphic
arts, literature and the theater arts are generally classified as representational. Though,
there are a great deal of paintings, prints, and sculptures are without a subject. Music
architecture, and majority of the functional arts are non-representational. Bridges,
houses, roads, buildings, transportation and any infrastructures are examples of
functional art.
Kinds of Subjects

The subjects depicted in works of art can be grouped into the following. Examples
are shown on the right column.

1. Landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes. Artists have always been fascinated with
their physical environment. Filipino painters have captured on canvas the
Philippine countryside. National artist, Fernando Amorsolo romanticized
Philippine landscapes, turning rural areas into idyllic places.

Fig 10 Hotel Facade

https://www.coroflot.com/matthew_s/Hotel-Resort-Facade-n-Landscape

Fig 11 Shangrila Cebu

https://www.google.com/search?q=shangri+la+cebu
 Fig 12 IT Park, Cebu
https://www.backstreetacademy.com/blog/things-cebu

2. Still Life. These are group of inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting.
Flowers and fruit arrangements are among the favorites, dishes for food, kitchen
arrangements or musical instruments are portrayed. They usually arrange the
objects to show particular human interests and activities.

Fig 13 White Jug

https://www.google.com/search?q=still+life

3. Animals. One of the most popular subjects. They have been represented by artist
from almost every age and place.

4. Portrait. A realistic likeness of a person in a painting, drawing, or print. The

emphasis is the human face. The artist highlighting the main feature and de-
emphasizing others. Monalisa of Leonardo da Vinci is a famous example of
portrait.
 Fig 14 Decorative Animals Fig 15 Monalisa
https://www.dhgate.com/product/2pcs-lifelike https://www.google.com/search?q=monalisa

5. Figures. The sculptor’s chief subject has traditionally the human body either
clothed or naked. Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus is an example.

Fig 16 Birth of Venus

https://www.google.com/search?q=birth+of+venus

6. Everyday Life. Artists have always shown a deep concern about life around them.
Most of their subjects are their observation of people going about their usual
ways, performing their usual task, their day-to-day life. Fernando Amorsolo’s
Planting Rice is a good example of typical life in the country side.

7. History and Legend. History consists of verifiable facts while legends are of
unverifiable ones, although many of them are often accepted as true because
tradition has held them so. Furthermore, legends are used secondary sources in
study of history. History and legend are popular subjects of art. Juan Luna’s Blood
 Compact displayed in Malacañang Palace, commemorates the agreement
between Sikatuna and Legaspi’s contract of Friendship. The Story of Urduja, for
instance is a popular legend.

Fig 17 Planting Rice Fig 18 Blood Compact

https://www.google.com/search?q=amorsolo%27s+planting https://www.google.com/search?q=sikatuna%27s+blood+compact

Fig 19 The Story of Urduja

https://www.google.com/search?q=story+of+urduja

8. Religion and Mythology. Art has always been a handmaiden 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.
9. Dreams and Fantasies. Dreams are usually vague and illogical. Artists, especially
surrealist, tried to depict dreams, the grotesque terrors and apprehensions that
lurk in the depths of the subconscious. A dream maybe of a lifelike situation, so it
ca be realistically depicted. But if the picture suggests the strange, the irrational
and the absurd then it is a fantasy or a dream.
 Fig 20 The Creation
https://www.google.com/search?q=religion+and+mythology

Fig 21 The Greek Mythology (Zeus)

https://www.google.com/search?q=religion+and+mythology

Fig 21 Starry Night

https://www.google.com/search?q=starry+night

The Functions of Art (What is the artwork for?; What did the artist want to show in his work?)

The term “function” is taken to mean “practical usefulness”. Architecture,

weaving, furniture-making and car assemblage have obvious purposes and therefore
classified as functional. But painting, sculpture, literature, music, and the theater arts
seems to provide us a pleasant escape from life’s daily problems, amuse us and provide
entertainment. Thus, they are classified as non-functional.

The function of art maybe classified as the following:

a. Personal Function. Art is an emotional outlet. It leads us to an intensified

awareness of the beautiful in life and thus makes us improve our lives by offering
us fresh insights into human nature so that we gain a better understanding of
ourselves and of the world around us.
 b. Social Function.
 Art influences social behavior. It can cause us to laugh at certain
phenomena, raise our voices in protest over certain matters, sees a social
reality which had never been apparent to us before. It can bring about in
us decisions to collectively change, correct, or improve upon human
condition.
 It is used to commemorate important personages, to record important
historical events, to reveal the ideals of the community. It also includes
rituals, festivals, and public celebrations. Art works are vital historical
documents, telling us what societies that produced them were like.
c. Physical Function. The most problem of the artist is designing a functional object
and make it right for its particular use and at the same time pleasing to the eye of
the user. Functional works of art maybe classified as either tools or containers.
Tools and containers are objects which function to make our lives physically
comfortable. A spoon is a tool; so is a car. A building and a house is a container as
well as the chair and vase.

Values and Reasons for Art (adapted form Estolas, et al 2008)

For a variety of reason, the arts are valuable in our lives:

 We create things to serve our practical purposes.
 We make things that are pleasing to the eye or ear.
 We commemorate certain occasions to heighten the importance of events and
keep them memorable and pleasurable.
 Art works are valuable sources of inspiration and aesthetic experience.
 We get a glimpse of the thoughts, feeling, and beliefs of the people and the
forces in their environment that influenced their art work.
 Out of the aesthetic experiences we derive from the arts, we may be influenced
to change our ways. They may transform us into highly cultured, dignified and
respectable human beings.

Mediums of Art (What is the artwork made of?)

Medium in art refers to the material or means which the artist uses to objectify
his feeling or thought: pigment in painting; stone, wood, and metal in sculpture: various
building materials in architecture; sound in music; words in literature and body
movements in the dance.
 According to medium, the arts are classified into:

1. The visual or space arts – those whose mediums can be seen and which occupy
space. These in turn are grouped into two categories:
a. Two-dimensional arts – these are painting, drawing, printmaking, and
photography
b. three-dimensional arts – these are sculptures, architecture, landscape,
community planning, industrial design, and the craft like pottery-making and
furniture-making.

2. The auditory or time arts – those whose mediums can be heard and which are
expressed in time. These are music and literature.

3. The combined arts -- those whose mediums can be both seen and heard, and
which exist in both and space and time. These include the dance, drama, opera,
and movies.

Organization of Art (How is the material put together or organized?)

Organization is the way the parts or elements are combined and arranged to
make a whole.

The Principles of Organization

a. Rhythm – obtained through repetition of patterns and shapes through the

progression of sizes; suggests something graceful; related to movement through
an easily connected (continuous) line movement.
b. Balance – equilibrium of forces attraction. It is reflected by the interplay of light
and dark values, the colors, the spaces and forms. Balance ca be formal or
informal, passive or active, symmetrical or asymmetrical. This is also known as
the “Law of Rest”.

1. Formal or symmetrical balance – that one side of the composition is equal to

or the exact duplicate of the other side. A sense of dignity, poise, order,
stability, security, or performance is reflected.
2. Informal or asymmetrical balance – that the elements on both sides are not
identical but are placed in positions so equated as to produce a “felt”
equilibrium. This type generates spontaneity, movement, dynamism, and
excitement.
 c. Proportion -- deals with the proper or significant relations between two thing or
parts. It is known as the “Law of Relationships”
d. Harmony – the “Law of Order” implies unity. It describes the arrangement or
ordered relationships of the elements to the whole.
e. Emphasis – achieved when attention is focused on an important part of the work
of art. There are several ways of catching attention:
 Size – a large object dominates over the smaller object
 Color – striking colors are easily noticed
 Contrast and diversity – attention can be focused on something unusual
or different
 Position or arrangement – the way or manner in which the objects are
arrange or placed can be used for greater emphasis

f. Variety – the contrast or slight difference to prevent utter uniformity and

monotony.

Style (What is the personality or individuality of the art work?)

It is the bias resulting form the artist’s personal outlook, training, exposure,
temperament. It is a reflection of the artist personality. It may be the result of the
various forces of art work at a particular age.

Judgment (How good is the work of art?)

There are four over-all criteria in judging whether a work of art is great or not:
1. Sincerity – it refers to the honesty of an artist’s work. A work that is a serious
expression of the artist’s thought and ideas.
2. Universality – it refers to the universal truths which are permanent embodied by
the work.
3. Magnitude – it is concerned with the impact or effectiveness of a work of art as a
whole, whether it sis shallow or deep, important or unimportant, great or trivial.
4. Craftsmanship – it is concerned with the artist’s workmanship and taste.