Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr.

Maria Angeles Hinosolango

ENG 102: Art Appreciation

Module 3: Venturing into Humanities | On Functions of Art

Week 3: Sept. 19-24, 2022 |1st Semester, S.Y. 2022-2023

Book: An Eye for Art Appreciation: Perception and Expression

Page(s): 26-46 and 47-54

Introduction

In the previous module, we learned about how and why art is interwoven with
culture. We learned that culture influences the kind of art we produce and in return,
art puts meaning to cultures and manifests the kind of culture that human beings
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belong to. In this module, we will delve deeper into humanities. More than just
knowing what composes culture and what aspect of culture influences arts, we will
explore the human condition and how this is being manifested by art forms through
approaches and criteria.

Also, Art is not only something that is beautiful or enchanting that is solely
subject for interpretation or analysis. Art is not limited for the consumption of the
intellect; it also comes with different functions that provides different benefits to our
day to day living. In this module, we will delve into the different functions of art. This
way, we will be able to widen our perspectives regarding its existence and
relationship to us as artists and consumers of arts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Understand the importance of studying humanities in examining art;

• Read the art forms using the four planes of analysis;
• Explore the different functions or art; and
• Identify the functions of art with objects at home.

What is Humanities?

Humanities, from the latin word humanus, meaning culture, human and refined.
To ascribe to being human, one needs to manifest quality such as tenderness,
rationality and sensitivity. Among the qualities mentioned, what separates us from,
and what gives us supremacy among all others animals is our capacity to reason
out. Your dog may understand your words when you say “sit,” but cannot give you
reason of his existence.

On the other hand, the possession of being cultured and refined would mean
another thing. As Newhill and La Plagia (1977) claimed that “cultured” person, apart
from possessing good manners or the ability to know on what to do in all situations,
he/she must also know how to appreciate art, music, and literature. This simply states
that a man’s endowment of manners makes him a respectable man, so as his deep
understanding of art. He/she must have understanding of the situations and
conditions that contributed to the production of art, music and literature of the past,
and also have deep awareness of what is happening around him that may affect
the art forms of the time.

To put it simply, humanities is a field that deals with the human condition, and
that utilizes methods that are evidently analytic and also critical. Specifically, in
humanities, the concern will have to revolve around learning constructed with the
arts, and learning that pertains to how man expresses his innermost thoughts and
feelings, and how his relationships are built overtime.
 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

Why do we study Humanities?

Engaging in the study of humanities will enable us to describe how people

process and document their existence. This foremost would record his experiences
and dealings with the others through the art forms he/she produced. This would tell
us how things came to be in the present, and how it would continue to affect the
future.

The importance on how man expresses his thoughts and the manner of
expressing them are vital to know what happened in history—significant clues such
as the evident values, ideas, dreams and words incorporated in paintings, poems,
music, sculpture and architecture. With the understanding of such, we will know
where our art forms come from, and why they were formed in such ways.
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In the study of humanities, we will be keeping these questions in mind as to

understand the motives behind art production:

a. How do human beings behave?

b. Why do they behave this way?
c. How do humans interact with each other?
d. How do human beings interpret the world around them?
e. What kind of political, social and cultural institutions do they form?

Approaches to studying Humanities

There are two approaches in out study of arts and humanities, particularly
synchronic and diachronic.

When we say synchronic, we are going to look art as it is and not look at it as a
progression of events that contributed to the current condition. We oftentimes call
the synchronic approach as “formalist” approach to studying art because we
dissect art in terms of its elements—the parts that merged to produce a functional
and delightful art form. This will help us gain awareness of what makes the art and
what materials were used for it to be produced.

Below is an image of a painting, and beside it are the questions we ask to attain
the synchronic approach. You also might want to try answering these questions by
yourself.

Synchronic Approach questions:

▪ What brush stroke technique did the artist

apply in this art work?
▪ Judging from the pigments used, which art
style does this belong to?
▪ What medium was used in the painting?
▪ What is the subject of the painting?
▪ Does the painting depict light and shadow?
▪ What lines were used in this painting?
▪ Is the painting symmetrical or asymmetrical?
Portrait of Madam Matisse
by Henri Matisse, c. 1905

On the other hand, diachronic analyzes the evolution of art forms over time,
including the duration of when the art form existed. This will allow us to evaluate how
something changes through the course of time or its historical account. We may use
this method in order to analyze the effects of the variable in art form. Also, this will
allow us to ponder on questions as to why the art was produced and what
influenced the artists to make such. This time, we will be exploring more on the
milieu—the physical and social setting in which the artwork was developed.
Below are image comparisons of paintings from the renaissance era and the
baroque era of visual arts. After the images are questions, you may ask to employ
the diachronic approach. you might want to answer them on your own.
 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo (at Sistine Chapel)

c. 1508 – 1512 (Renaissance Art)

David and Goliath by Orazio Gentileschi

c. 1605 – 1607 (Baroque Art)
Diachronic Approach questions:
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▪ How are the subjects of Renaissance Art compared to Baroque Art? What does it say
about the society at that time?
▪ Why is it that Renaissance paintings glorify the naked human body?
▪ Why is it that Baroque paintings have subjects that are clothed?
▪ Why is it that Renaissance paintings are brighter compared to the tones and colors
of Baroque paintings?
▪ Why is it that Baroque paintings tend to be more detailed than the Renaissance
painting? What does this depict about the beliefs and values at that time?
▪ Why is it that most Renaissance paintings and sculptures involve divine beings, and
Baroque mostly have normal human beings as subjects?

These two approaches, in connection to the study of humanities, will actually

help us in:
✓ Developing new insights
✓ Understanding the human experiences and conditions
✓ Motivating to raise questions
✓ Developing critical thinking ability
✓ Augmenting creative thinking and creativity skills
✓ Fostering social justice and equality

Understanding Works of Art

In assessing, evaluating and appraising works of art, there could be a myriad of

criteria that an onlooker or an ordinary audience may use, however, there are four
planes of analysis that may be used to examine works of art. According to an essay
titled “Reading the Image” by Alice G. Guillermo (2001), the image can be
examined using the basic semiotic plane, the iconic plane, and the contextual
plane, and the evaluative plane.

You may watch the summary of the whole essay through this link:
https://youtu.be/g9wi3cp8eJo
 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

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Additional Information
 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

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 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

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 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

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 Module crafted by Arvin Narvaza and Dr. Maria Angeles Hinosolango

GROUP ACTIVITY 3
The class will be divided into 6 teams with 6-7
members each. The task is to analyze the painting
provided below, according to the assigned plane for
each team, which will be provided by the instructor.
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Rodel Tapaya, "Instant Gratification" (2017), Folk

Narrative Series, acrylic on canvas, 243.84 x 335.28 cm
Solo exhibition at Ayala Museum, Manila

The team will have to research and work together in analyzing the painting using
the assigned planes of analysis. Remember, there are no wrong and right
interpretations. What is important is that you are able to back up or defend your
interpretations with the right theories and evidences. Good luck!

References

• Sonsona, et al. (n.d.) Art Appreciation: Perception and Expression. PanAsia

Book Exchange Inc. Philippines.