University of Santo Tomas

College of Education
First Term, Second Half | A.Y. 2022 - 2023
Preliminary Examination

Art Appreciation

QUEVEDO, Hannah N. Asst. Prof. Maximo B. Sauz, Jr., MEng

3E2 November 14, 2022

1. A. Using your notes in the Nature of Art, how do you integrate the principles discussed to
your present condition as an Art Appreciation Student? In explaining please give concrete
examples and elaborate further how art becomes a significant part of life. B. Explain why
creativity and imagination are important for everybody in doing their own line of work. Cite
some examples to prove your point. 10 points

a. Art is a part of life and we will never be able to remove it because if we do, we lose
the life we have today. As a current Art Appreciation student, I recognize that art is
indeed everywhere. From the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the table we use, the
house where we live, the videos we wathc, the games we play, the songs we listen to,
art is everywhere and it is significant. Art is a reflection of the things we value and
the principles and ideologies we live by.

b. Creativity and imagination are important for everybody in doing their own line of
work. It is not limited to those in the arts and literature. This is because there are
situations wherein, as cliche as it sounds, we must think outside the box. We should
not be enclosed in a certain idea or box. For example, in teaching, we are not only
allowed to learn inside the classroom. We can explore and experience different ideas
outside of it. In medicine, to produce all the pictures of the human anatomy, they are
tasked to look at the body itself and create images that thoroughly shows how a
certain part of the body looks like. And there are many more situations and
professions that utilizes creativity and imagination in one way or another.

2. Explain the following lines taken from the selection, Imagination and Reality by J.
Winterson: A. “Art is visionary; it sees beyond the view from the window, even though
the window is its frame. This is why the arts fare much better alongside religion than
alongside either capitalism or communism.” B.” Money culture recognizes no currency
but its own. Whatever is not money, whatever is not making money, is useless to it.
The entire efforts of our government as directed through our society are efforts
towards making more and more money. This favours the survival of the dullest. This
favours those who prefer to live in a notional reality where goods are worth more
than time and where things are more important than ideas.” 20 points

a. This line states that despite art being inside a certain frame, that frame does not limit
it from seeing the worldview. This goes to show that art comes with different
 University of Santo Tomas
College of Education
First Term, Second Half | A.Y. 2022 - 2023
Preliminary Examination

Art Appreciation
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interpretations and that there are no wrong or right way of making and doing art. For
the latter part of the statement which states that art fares better with religion than
that of capitalism nor communism, I agree with this statement. Capitalism locks art
in a frame wherein it is only seen as something that makes money. And if it loses that
value, art is no longer valuable or important to it. Same goes with Communism.
However, religion sees art for the meaning it portrays and not just for what it can
bring to the table.

b. This line highlights how our current society values money over anything else. Our
society makes it clear that if one cannot make money, it is useless. However, if one
can make and rake in money, it is regarded as a very important being. With this
notion, arts and anything related to it is not given the credit it deserves for the
society believes that arts do not make nor rake in money for them. It is just
something you can admire but not regarded as important nor a need in the society.

3. In this painting of Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) entitled Declaration of

Independence (c. 1817), discuss and apply the principles given in the reading Article,
Reading the Image by Alice Guillermo using the Four Planes of Analysis namely: Basic
Semiotic, Iconic, Contextual, and Evaluative. 20 points

In the painting, it can be seen that it is not a brightly lit room, however, there seems to be a
ray of light. This may symbolize that with the declaratio of independence come the hope for a
better future for the country. It can also be seen in the painting that everyone in the room is
facing towards the table where the declaration is being written. It can be inferred that they
are wary of the things that are to be included in the said declaration. The focus of the
painting also points to the table where the declaration is placed which clearly shows that it is
what the painting highlights.

4. Explain how art becomes a rebel or subversive in changing the status quo on the
environment he / she lives. Does it mean that this change would bring bad results (in terms
of morality, traditions, order and harmony) in changing the lifestyle of its constituents?
Cite some examples wherein art changed society for the better. 20 points

Art becomes a rebel when it challenges the ideologies of the majority or the oppressor. Or
simply when it is the opposite of what is expected of it. This act of rebelling may bring
change both in good and bad ways. Most of the time, good change happens because it brings
in a new point of view that the people may have not seen before. Because of this, it
challenges an existing norm and questions whether it is indeed for the good of the people or
just for the satisfaction of those on the top. One good example of this would be Dr. Jose
 University of Santo Tomas
College of Education
First Term, Second Half | A.Y. 2022 - 2023
Preliminary Examination

Art Appreciation
aaaaaa
Rizal’s 2 novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It was considered a rebel at the time
because the 2 books were about the oppression showcased by the Spaniards to the Filipinos,
which at the time, was considered a heinous act. This howevere, sparked the Filipinos’
patriotism and they fought for the Philippines’ independence.

5. Do you agree to the statement: “If an Artist lives an immoral life, then the art he / she
produces is also immoral?” Despite the controversial lifestyle the Artist lives, why are there
some people who still support his / her kind of Art? Cite some examples. 10 points

I believe that the artist’s way of life and their art are two separate things. One good example
for this would be the singers Zico and Jay Park. Both have continuously been involved in
cultural appropriation issues in their whole career however, despite the allegations, people
can’t deny that they have indeed made good songs. In a book written by Erich Hatala Matthes
titled “Drawing the Line: What to do with the Work of Immoral Artists from Museums to the
Movies”, it was stated that consuming arts made by immoral artists is acceptable as long as
our relationship to the art does not help the artist commit more wrongdoings. It is added
that while ceasing to consume their art may feel good but it is not going to resolve the issue.
Because to solve the issue, we must confront those who are related to it and not the art that
they have made.