Art Appreciation

What is humanities?

⮚ The Term “humanities” originated from the Renaissance Latin expression studia
humanitatis or study of humanitas which refers to” culture, refinement, education ⮚
Latin word “ humanus “ which connotes human, cultured and refined Group of
cultural subject areas
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 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 perspective.
Meaning and Importance of Art.
Art is a subject under humanities. There is no one universal definition of art since art
is subjective. It is subjective in the sense that people differ in their perception of an
object or thing.
Recognizing Art:
1. Art – latin word “ars” means skill or craft
* Italian word “artis” means craftsmanship, skill, and mastery of form
* Aryan root “ ar” which means to join or put together
* Greek words “ artizein “ which means to prepare and “arkiskein” meaning put
together
Definition of art given by various authors and writers
1. Art is derived from the Latin word "ars," meaning ability or skill - L. Estolas 2. Art is
taken from the Italian word "artis," which means craftsmanship, skill mastery of form,
inventiveness, and the associations that exists between form and ideas, between
material and technique. - A. Tan
3. Art is a product of man's need to express himself - F. Zulueta
4. Art is concerned itself with the communication of certain ideas and feel by means of
sensuous medium, color, sound, bronze, marble, words film- C. Sanchez
5. Art is that which brings life in harmony with the world. – Plato

Why do people create Art?

To evoke emotions and feelings
* To create artworks to reinforce cultural ties and traditions
* Adornment – something that beautifies or adorns; an ornament. People of all cultures
have created a variety of ways to adorn the human body, fashion, jewellery, tattoos of
all kind fit into category of adornment.
* To tell the story
* To capture historical Events and people
* To show artistic skill
* To bring attention to ordinary objects
* To capture movement or rhythm
* To make people think
* To capture beauty in nature
* To create an optical illusion

2. Music – the art of combining and regulating sounds of varying pitch to produce
positions, expressing various ideas and emotions
3. Dance – another form of art that is common to man even during the earliest times 4.
Theater or drama - the play may be comedy, tragedy, mystery, musical or melodrama.
A group of people act out the plot to get across to the audience the idea of the author
is trying to express.
5. Film – is popular addition to the various forms of the theatre. A great number of
people are able to see dramatic performance everyday
* radio
* television
Theatrical productions like motion pictures and television
Common Essentials of Art
1. Art must be man-made
2. Art must be creative, not imitative
3. Art must benefits and satisfies man- when he uses art in practical life through
artistic principles, taste, and skill
4. Art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist
communicates himself to his fellows
Art appreciation is something art teachers should strive to in still 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
opportunity to develop an open mind and understand that there is more than just
one solution to a problem.
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 term, art history or history of art encompasses the different methods of
studying visual Art.
What is creativity?
It is a mental capacity to generate novel and useful ideas, more or less. It is a core,
about ideas and we develop, understand and communicate them.

Functions of Art

1. Aesthetic function – through art, man becomes conscious of the beauty of nature. Man learn
to use, love and preserve them for his enjoyment and appreciation.

2. Utilitarian function – through art, man is provided with shelter, clothing, food, light,
medicine, beautiful surrounding, personal ornamentals, entertainment, language,
transportation, and other necessities and conveniences of life.

3. Cultural function – through the printed matter, art transmits and preserves skills and
knowledge from one generation to another.

4. Social function – Through civic and graphic arts, man learns to love and help each other.
International understanding and cooperation are fostered and nation become unified, friendly,
cooperative, helpful and sympathetic

5. Political function – Art reinforces and enhance a sense of identity and ideological connection
to specific political views, political parties and politicians.

6. Educational function –There are art symbols and signs to illustrate knowledge and attitudes
that are not expressed in words

7. Spiritual function – Some art works express spiritual beliefs, customs, ceremonies and rituals
about the meaning and destiny of life. These artworks may have religious significance

Philosophy of Art

1. Art as Mimesis – means “imitation” or “copying”

> Plato – “ world of ideas” All artist are imitators of nature
> Aristotle – imitation of an actions

2. Art as representation ( Aristotle ) – artist uses signs and symbols to take the place of
something else, he is using art as a representation.

3. Art for Art’s sake ( Kant ) – Kant’s concern is not on the subjective aesthetic response but
on the function of individual or a personal taste.

4. Art as an Escape – According to Allen Weinstein, without mental escape, we build up a lot
of anxiety within ourselves.
5. Art as functional – The artist intent in creating a functional piece of art is to bring
creativity, beauty, and usefulness into people’s everyday lives