Art Appreciation
emerged, the meaning of what is
Module 1
Topic 1: Humanities and the Arts
Humanities, from the Latin word,
“Humanus” means human. It is
anchoredon the Humanism Philosophy
articulated by the Greek Philosopher,
Protagoras. According to him, “Man is the
measure of all things.” He acknowledged
the value and greatness of man and his
capacities as mentioned in this dictum.
In the early times, scholars have also
placed an intrinsic value in the study of
man and his capacities. Humanism
philosophy came about as a protest
against Medieval teachings saying that
man’s life has no importance on earth until
he encounters his Divine Creator and that
happens upon his death.
During the Renaissance period,
Humanities came to be known as a body of
knowledge that aimed man to become a
“full man” – cultured, refined and well-
rounded. To develop these attributes,
disciplines such as literature, history
philosophy, arts among others are
studied. Education through the
humanities courses are significant for man
to adapt positively to changes surrounding
him.
Humanities: Meaning and Importance
• Latin word: “HUMANUS” (human)
• Anchored on humanism
philosophy articulated by
Protagoras: “Man is the measure of
all things.”
• Humanism began as a protest
against Medieval Christian
teachings.
• Scholars: intrinsic value of man’s
life before death and greatness of
his potentialities
• Renaissance Period: body of
knowledge
• aimed to make man a FULL MAN –
literature, history, philosophy, arts,
among others.
• For man to adapt positively to
changes surrounding him
Definition of ART
• product of creative human activity
• materials are shaped or selected to
convey an idea, emotion, or visually
interesting form.
• “ARS” – Skill or Ability
• Art is a subject under humanities.
• There is no one universal definition
of art since it is subjective.
• Subjective in the sense that people
diUer in their perception of an
object or thing.
• Meaning of art has changed
throughout history due to
multicultural settings.
• Every time a new movement in art
art, or what is acceptable as art, is
being challenged.
Some definitions of art
1. Art is derived from Latin word, “Ars,”
meaning ability or skill (JV Estolas)
2. Art is taken from the Italian word
“artis,” which means
craftsmanship, skill, mastery of
form, inventiveness, and the
associations that exist 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 feelings by means of sensuous
medium, color, sound, bronze,
marble, words, and film (C.
Sanchez)
5. Art is that which brings life in
harmony with the world (Plato)
6. Art is an attitude of spirit, state of
mind– one of which demands for its
own satisfaction and fulfilling, a
shaping matter to new and more
significant form (John Dewey)
7.Art is the desire of man to express
himself, to record the action of his
personality in the world he lives in
(Amy Lowell)
8. Art is the realization in external
form of a true idea and is traced
 back to that natural love of SCOPE OF HUMANITIES PLASTIC ARTS
imitation which characterizes GRAPHIC PROCESSES • All fields of the visual arts that are
human (Aristotle) • “Processes for making multi- organized on three-dimensional
9. Art is the conscious creation of reproduction of graphic works.” forms.
something beautiful or meaningful • A master image must first be made • DiUerent fields:
using skill and imagination before printing. • Architecture
• 3 Divisions: • Landscape Architecture
ART APPRECIATION MEANS... Relief printing • City Planning
• Not just responding to it Intaglio printing • Interior Design
emotionally Surface printing • Sculpture
• There should be INTELLECTUAL • Crafts
INVOLVEMENT Commercial Art • Industrial design
• Includes book design, • Dress and Costume Design
Topic 2 advertisements, and other displays • Theater Design
(A) Scope of Humanities; Visual Arts- for the purpose of promotion.
Graphic Arts • Keep in mind: commercial Architecture
purpose. • “Art of designing and constructing
SCOPE OF HUMANITIES GRAPHIC ARTS
buildings and other types of
• Basically, visual artistic Photography structures.”
representation in which portrayals • “Chemical-mechanical process by
of forms and symbols are recorded which images are produced on Landscape Architecture
on two-dimensional surfaces. sensitized surfaces by action of • “Planning outdoor areas for human
• Flat surface is used. light.” use and enjoyment.”
• Black and white or colored
Examples:
City Planning
Drawing - Art of representing something by Mechanical Processes • “Refers to planning and arranging
lines. • “Developed by commercial the physical aspects of a large or
Mediums: pencil, pen and ink, crayon, printers for rapid, large-quantity small community.”
charcoal, etc reproduction of words and pictures • “Structures are concerned with all
in one or more colors.” phases of living and working are
Painting
attractively and eUiciently
• “Process of applying pigment to a (B) Scope of Humanities; Visual Arts – organized and related.”
surface to secure eUects involving Plastic Arts
forms and colors.”
• Some surfaces used: canvas,
wood, paper, plaster, etc.
Interior Design • Includes set design but remember, o Examples (Philippines): Senakulo,
• “Design and arrangement of not just the stage but the whole Moro-Moro, Moriones
architectural interiors for performance area.
convenience and beauty. It Topic 3: The Concept of Art Appreciation
includes backgrounds, furnishings, (C) Scope of Humanities; Performing
and accessories.” Arts Meaning of Art Appreciation
• Ability to interpret and understand
Sculpture Performing Arts man-made arts and enjoy them
• “Design and construction of three- • LIVE ART through actual work experience
dimensional forms representing • Art that requires present action with art tools and materials.
natural objects or imaginary • Divided into these fields: • Possession of the works of art for
shapes.” o Music one’s admiration and satisfaction
o Dance • Refers to the knowledge and
Crafts o Theater/Drama understanding of the general and
• “Designing and making of objects everlasting qualities that classify
by hand for use or for pleasure.” Music all great arts.
• Includes: ceramics, jewelry, o Medium: Sound • Introduction and exploration of
weaving, etc. o Vocal Medium – Voice visual and performing art forms.
o Instrumental Medium – Musical • Analysis of the form of an artwork to
Industrial Design Instruments general audience to enhance their
• “Design of objects for machine o Ensemble enjoyment and satisfaction of the
production.” works of art.
Dance
• Ex. Automobiles, household o Medium: Body Movement Art appreciation is subjective.
appliances o The use of body movement as a • Appreciation of art depends on
form of expression personal preference on:
Dress and Costume Design o Various genre:
• “Design of wearing apparel of all Modern/Contemporary, Social, o Aesthetics and form of art
types” even accessories like ties Folk, Ethnic o Elements and principles of
and belts design
Theater o Social and cultural
Theater Design o Story acted out on a stage in front of acceptance
• “Design of settings for dramatic an audience.
productions” o Elements: story, characters,
costume and props, music, sound,
and sound eUects
Importance of Art Appreciation
• Can help the person make sense of
this world by broadening his
experience and understanding of
things around him.
• Can help the person imagine even
the unimaginable
• Able to connect a person’s life and
experience the past, present and
the future or sometimes
simultaneously.
Topic 4: The Assumptions of Art
Assumptions in Art
• Art is universal.
• Art is cultural.
• Art is not nature.
• Art is an expression of the mind.
• Art is a form of creativity.
• Art involves experience.
Art is Cultural
• Art contributes to
understanding of the past and
present cultures.
• Through art, people learn about
their culture’s values
strengthen their culture’s identity.
• Through art, people fell proud of
their customs, traditions, and
beliefs because they give a sense of
belonging.
• Artists’ works are records of their
society’s culture.
• They create within the person’s
sensitivities toward their
community, their country and the
world around them.
Art is not Nature
• It is man-made.
• Art is man’s interpretation of what
he perceives as art.
Art is an expression of the mind
• According to JeU Lee (2016), art is a
form of expression of the deepest
emotion of the minds.
• The egoic mind (conscious mind)
and the echoic (unconscious mind)
together making up the totality of
thinking.
• Artistic expression may be
expressed 100% in conscious mind
but those who are extremely
artistic or right-brained individuals,
they may be more creative and are
the able to recognize the value of
linking seemingly unrelated
thoughts or ideas, methods, and
concepts because of their frequent
and practice.
Art is a form of creativity
• Art is a product of the imagination
that entertains, pleases, and
inspire people.
• The various artworks of artists
reflect the artist’s power of
creativity.
• Color expresses artists’ personal
feelings and moods; symbolize
ideas.
• Brings art a particular meaning,
mood and feeling.
Art involves experience
• When a work is finished in a
satisfactory manner, an experience
occurs.
• Artists use their experiences to
ventilate their feelings through the
works that they make.
• Some artists focus on societal
problems, issues and concerns.
• Some use expressionism to
communicate strong and intense
feelings.
• Example: Ang Kiukok and Van Gogh
works (Emotion is the moving and
cementing force of the artworks)
Module 2
Topic 1: Functions and Philosophies
Functions of Art
• Architecture – functional because
buildings and other structures are
always built for some special
purpose.
• Music and dance – used in ancient
rituals and worship of the gods; for
social and folk entertainment.
• Paintings and sculpture – used to
narrate events, portray people or
 events, to instruct (Christian art),
commemorate individual or
historical events; serve as vehicles
of personal expression.
• Arts or crafts – gates, grills, lamps,
Christian religious objects,
weapons, tools, ceramics,
glassware, stained glass, mosaic,
textile, tile work and furniture
Seven Functions of Art
1. Aesthetic – Through art, man
becomes conscious of the beauty
of nature; He learns to use, love,
and preserve them for his
enjoyment and appreciation.
2. Utilitarian – Man now lives in
comfort and happiness. Through
art, man is provided with shelter,
clothing, personal ornamentals,
etc.
3. Cultural – Art transmits and
preserves skills and knowledge
from one generation to another. Art
makes man become aware of his
cultural background.
4. Social – International
understanding and cooperation are
fostered
5. Political – Art reinforces and
enhance a sense of identity and
ideological connection to specific
political views, political parties and
politicians
6. Educational – There are art symbols
and signs to illustrate knowledge
and attitudes that are not
expressed in words
7. Spiritual - Some art works express
spiritual beliefs, customs,
ceremonies and rituals about life;
religious significance
Philosophy of Art
• Refers to the study of nature of arts,
its concept, interpretation,
representation, expression and
form
• Closely related to aesthetics which
is the study of beauty and taste.
Five Philosophical Perspectives of Art
1. Art as Mimesis
• Mimesis (Greek) – • It is through representation
“imitation” or “copying.”
• May also mean
representation.
• Plato and Aristotle spoke of
mimesis as representation
of nature.
• Plato believed that all
artistic creation is a
mimesis.
• It exists in the “world of
ideas” and is created by
God.
• The concrete things that
man created are just
shadows created by man’s
mind. All artists are
imitators of nature.
• Plato speaks of tragedy as
an “imitation of action” –
that of a man falling from a
higher to lower estate
• When an artist skillfully
selects and present a
material, he is purposely
seeking to imitate or copy
the action of life.
2. Art as Representation (Aristotle)
• Art represents something.
• When he uses signs and
symbols to take the place of
something else, he is using
art as a representation of
such signs and symbols.
that people organize the
world and reality through
the act of naming its
elements.
• Signs and symbols are
arranged in order to form
semantic constructions and
express relations with other
things.
3. Art for Art’s Sake (Kant)
• It was Victor Cousin, a
French philosopher who
translated this slogan which
means I’art pour I’art.
• Artists associated with
aestheticism believes that
art needs no justification.
 • Art does not serve political
didactic or other hand.
• Immanuel Kant’s main
interest was not in art per se
but in Beauty in the Sublime.
• Kant being an
enlightenment writer
thought that beauty or
sublimity were not really
properties of objects, but
ways in which we respond to
objects.
• Kant pointed out that what
he meant by beauty is not
the Form of the Beautiful but
about the Taste.
• Kant’s concern is not on the
subjective aesthetic
response but on the
function of individual or
personal taste.
• He claimed that judgment of
taste are both subjective
and universal.
4. Art as an Escape
• Artists have to get rid of this
anxiety and pressure
because if we keep these
worries and anxieties within
our mind, they will come out
in the form of anger and
hatred.
• Artists’ works of art reveal
the emotional outburst that
has been kept for many
years in their minds.
• Arts are cathartic solutions Topic 2: Human-Centered Design and
to one’s anxiety and life’s Utilitarian Function of the Arts
diUiculties.
• Awareness that these works The utilitarian function of the art can be
of art created among the linked to the concept of the Human-
viewers may also lead to a Centered Design as one of the Social
positive or negative Innovation Fundamentals.
emotional reaction.
5. Art as Functional Human-centered design is a problem-
• The artist’s intent in creating solving method that requires you to put
a functional piece of art is to your consumer’s needs first when tackling
bring creativity, beauty and an issue. To use human-centered design
usefulness into people’s for your creative process, you must know
everyday lives. your consumer deeply, empathize with a
• Functional art makes us real problem they face, and come up with
rethink and re-assess the solutions they’d embrace. Human-
way we look at ordinary centered design means creating products
things, sometimes by using to solve your consumer’s struggles and
unusual materials in their help them live better, easier lives.
construction.
Four Values in Filipino Drama and Film
(Excerpt) Tiongson, Nicanor G. “Four
Values in Filipino Drama and Film. 1979
1) Maganda ang Maputi (White is
beautiful)
2) Masaya ang may Palabas (Shows
are the best),
3) Mabuti ang Inaapi (Hurrah for the
Underdog!),
4) Maganda pa ang Daigdig (All is
Right with the world).