Chapter 1 4.
Art is concerned itself with the communication of
The Study of Humanities
But WHY Is Art Important?
The Origin and Meaning of Humanities
The term "humanities" originated from the
Renaissance Latin expression studia humanitatis or
study of humanitas which refers to “culture,
refinement, education". During the Renaissance
period of the early 15th century, the studia
humanitatis became a secular study in the
universities at the time. The humanities course
primarily consisted of grammar, rhetoric, poetry,
history, and moral philosophy, Latin and Greek
classics.
The humanities today include literature,
language, philosophy, geography, history, religion,
music, and art. These subjects used methods that
are primarily critical, speculative, and historical in
elements whereas natural sciences are critical
discipline and use of empirical approaches.
Humanities are academic disciplines that deal
on the various aspects of society and the noble in
man. Thus, humanities make man more humane,
cultured, dignified, and refined human being. In
short, humanities bring out the best and worthiness
of man as a person.
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. Some people may
consider an object as something beautiful and
meaningful while others may consider it as ugly or
meaningless. In other words, different authors and
writers define art in various ways as they perceive it.
Moreover, the meaning of art has changed
throughout history due to multicultural settings.
Thus, every time a new movement in art emerged,
the meaning of what is art, or what is acceptable as
art, is being challenged.
Hereunder are some of the DEFINITIONS OF ART
GIVEN BY VARIOUS AUTHORS AND WRITERS.
1. Art is derived from the Latin word "ars," meaning
ability or skill - J.V. Estolas
2. Art is taken from the Italian word "artis," which
means craftmanship, 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
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, a state of mind - one
which demands for its own satisfaction and fulfilling,
a
shaping matter to new and more significant form. -
John Dewey
7. Art is the skillful arrangement or composition of
some common but significant qualities of nature
such
as colors, sounds, lines, movements, words,
stones, wood, etc., to express human feelings,
emotions,
or thoughts in a perfect, meaningful, and
enjoyable way. - Panizo and Rustia
8. Art is not what you see but what you make others
see - Georgia O'Keeffe 9. Art is a life that helps us
to realize the truth - Pablo Picasso
10. Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to
record the action of his personality in the world he
lives in. - Amy Lowell
11. Art is never finished, only abandoned -
Leornardo da Vinci
12. Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of
feeling, the artist has experienced. – - Leo
Nikolaevich
Tolstoy
13. Art is the realization in external form of a true
idea and is traced back to that natural love of
imitation which characterizes human. – Aristotle
14. Art is the conscious creation of something
beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination –
Lisa
Morder
15. Art is the discovery and development of
elementary principles of nature into beautiful forms
suitable
for human use - Frank Lloyd Wright
16. Art is not what you see but what you make
others see - Edgar Degas
From the above definitions of art, it can be
concluded that there are several ways of defining art
as there are many people, authors, and writers in
the universe. Each definition is influenced by the
unique perspective of the above authors and writers
as well as their own personality and character.
Nevertheless, a glimpse of the above definitions
brings us four (4) common essentials of art.
1. Art is man-made, not God-made
2. Art is creative, not imitative
3. Art 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 has a particular importance in our lives.
All the arts that we see and hear have a purpose as
well as expressions; they occupy some place in our
judgment and makes a huge impact in our lives. Here
are the reasons why art is important.
1. Art highlights and heightens the importance of
certain events in order to keep them memorable and
pleasurable
2. Art enables us to get a glimpse of the thoughts,
feelings, and beliefs of the people in their time and
the faces in their environment that influenced the
3. Art enables us to value and appreciate beautiful
things as a consequence of our encounter with arts.
4. Art may influence us to change our ways and
behavior as a result of the aesthetic experience we
derived from the arts.
5. Arts are valuable sources of inspirations and
aesthetic delightful experience through the artist
works of art.
Swara Swami (May 31, 2016) list the reasons why
art is important. Here is the list:
1. Arts improve your creativity skills.
2. Arts give you joy and satisfaction
3. Arts relieve stress.
4. Arts give you the opportunity to showcase your
talent.
5. Arts give you confidence in our performance.
6. Arts help you do well academically.
7. Arts help you learn visually
8. Arts help you to express your emotions
9. Art is a different language because it can express
things without words
The Importance of Art to Students
Arts play a valuable role to students.
1. Through participation in arts - music, dance,
drama. media arts, and the visual arts -
● students can develop their creativity
● students learn about their identity
● students develop self-awareness
● students develop self-confidence
● students develop sense of well-being
2. Through intense involvement in artistic activities
● students experience a sense of wonder and
joy when learning through the arts
● students can be motivated to participate
more fully in cultural life students are able to
gain educational opportunities which they
can use later in their career life.
Meaning and Importance of Art Appreciation
Art appreciation can be defined as follows:
1. Art appreciation is the ability to interpret and
understand man-made arts and enjoy them through
actual work experience with art tools and
materials.
2. Art appreciation is the possession of the works of
art for one's admiration
and satisfaction.
3. Art appreciation refers to the knowledge and
understanding of the general and everlasting
qualities
that classify all great arts.
4. Art appreciation is the introduction and
exploration of visual and performing art forms.
5. Art appreciation is the analysis of the form of an
art work to general audience to enhance their
enjoyment and satisfaction of the works of
art.
Art appreciation is important to our lives.
However, people differ in their appreciation of art.
Their appreciation of art depends on personal
preference on: (1) the aesthetics and form of art; (2)
elements and principles of design, and (3) social and
cultural acceptance. Thus, appreciation of art can be
subjective.
Art appreciation is important to students. It
develops their visual thinking and analytical skills
where they are able to observe closely and describe
what they see around them in detail, so as to
provide evidence for their observations. Small efforts
done by the students such as these can lead to a
greater appreciation of art.
Art appreciation is also important to others for the
following reasons:
Art appreciation
1. can help the person make sense of his world by
broadening his experience and understanding of the
things around him.
2. can help the person imagine even the
unimaginable.
3. is able to connect a person's life and experience
the past, the present, and the future or sometimes
simultaneously.
4. can help transport the individual to different
places and culture through literature, films, visual
arts,
and other forms of art.
5. allows the individual to see himself, his family
dynamics as well as his community through different
 lens of great art. 6. enable the individual to
better empathize with those who suffered and
endured for their lives through great art
forms
7. gives meaning to the data science provides. If
science give us empirical facts, tie these facts
together
with theories, it's the humanists who turn these
facts with moral, emotional, and spiritual meanings.
Famous personalities say something about art
appreciation.
1. "Studying the arts in college prepares the person
for a lifetime of pleasure and appreciation of being
open to new experience and of becoming that
ideal every liberal arts college strives to produce - a
life
long learner" - Barbara Ernst Prey, artist and
member of the National Council in the Arts
2. "Our nation's future may depend on our creativity
and our ability to understand and appreciate the
cultures around the world as much as our
proficiency in reading and math Cornell University
President
David Skorton 3. "Art can serve as a symbol for
something that is tangible, or for a thought, an
emotion, a feeling, or a concept. Through peaceful
means, it can convey full spectrum of the human
experience. Perhaps that is why appreciating art is
so important" Archeologist Nicholas Conrad
Art History refers to the historical
development and stylistic context of the objects of
arts that includes the major and minor arts. The
major arts include painting, sculpture, and
architecture as well as the minor arts like ceramics,
furniture, and other decorative arts.
As a term, art history or history of art
encompasses the different methods of studying
visual art.
As a discipline, art history is not similar to art
criticism. Art criticism determines the relative artistic
values of an individual work in comparison with
others of comparable style.
Art historians based their studies by scrutinizing
objects of arts by answering historically such
questions as the key features of the art style, what
does the art convey and how does it function
visually. It also asks questions as to how the artists
meet their goal as well as the symbols that were
involved.
Methods Used in Art History
Art history which started in the 19th century
but has precedents that date to the ancient time has
a number of methods:
1. Art historians examine the works of art in the
context of its time or within which it was created.
The
works of art subject to scrutiny are the creator's
motivations, desires and prejudices of its patrons
and
sponsors. Comparative analysis of themes and
approaches of the creator's colleagues and teachers
and the symbolism of the art of works.
2. Art historians analyze the works of arts through
the analysis of their forms. The analysis is focused on
the artist's use of line, shape, color, texture,
composition and other art elements.
The two-dimensional and three-dimensional
picture planes are two approaches in creating art.
The way the elements of arts employed
results to either representational or non-
representational art. If the artist copy or
imitate an object or image found in nature, this
approach is called representational art. But if
the artist creates an art in a realistic manner (not
imitation) rely on symbolism or striving to
capture nature's essence, the art is non-
representational which is also called abstract
art.
Impressionism as an example of representation style
is produced when the artwork was not directly
imitative but an impression of nature.
In expressionism, the work of art is not
representational but the expression of the artist's
feelings, longings, aspirations, and ideals of beauty
and form.
3. Art historians also use critical theory in analyzing
objects of arts when dealing with more recent
objects. Art historians often borrowed from
literary scholars when it involves the application of a
non-
artistic analytical framework to the study of art
objects.
4. Another method in art history is the application of
media and digital technology. This is the recent
method in analyzing art history.
Purpose of Art History
As you well-know, art history is the historical
development of visual arts. Hence, the purpose of
art history is:

● to place art in a social and historical context
● it has more advantage over art appreciation
when evaluating works of art. The more
information an evaluation has on the works
of art, the better an evaluation he can make
over the works of art.
● when a person has more context when
looking at something such as piece of art
work, he could better understand more the
story behind that particular piece of art work,
● to see how things like war, religion, politics,
technological change have effect not only on
the artist but on the artwork that was
produced.
Chapter 2
Assumptions of Art
Art is universal
In every country of the world, art exist
because it is important to people's lives. It is the
oldest and most important means of expression
developed by man in any culture. In fact, man
learned to draw before he could even start to talk as
evidenced by some early paintings in caves and
trunks of trees - shown in prehistoric times. Art has
been created by all people of the world at all times;
it has lived because it is liked and enjoyed. The
elements and forms of art apply to all arts
everywhere.
Art is cultural
Art contributes to the understanding of past
and present cultures. Through art, people learn
about their culture's values and strengthen their
culture's identity. Through art, the people feel proud
of their customs, traditions, and beliefs because they
give a sense of belonging.
The artists' work such as painting, sculpture,
music, dances, ceramics, prints and others 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
Art is not nature because it is man-made. Art
is man's interpretation of what he perceives as art.
Nature, such as the mountains, the volcano, lakes,
rivers, land terrain are made by God and not by man.
Thus, art, and not nature, is made by man by all
times.
Art is an expression of the mind
According to Jeff Lee (2016), art is a form of
expression of the deepest emotion of the minds.
According to him, the egoic mind (conscious mind)
and the echoic mind (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 able to recognize the value of
linking seemingly unrelated thoughts or ideas,
methods, and concepts because of their frequent
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.
Artists create artwork about anything they
want, imagine or see around them. The artists use
their imagination to create any artwork using
strange shape and different kinds of links and colors.
Color expresses the artist's personal feelings
and moods. Colors symbolize ideas. It brings art a
particular meaning, mood, and feeling in an artwork.
The artist's choice of color expresses the beauty and
elegance of the artist's work and also feeling the
artist has at that moment. He does all this as a
consequence of his creative mind and imagination.
Therefore, we can say that art is creative, not
imitative; artworks are produced by human creative
skill and imagination.
Art involves experience
When a work is finished in a satisfactory
manner, an experience occurs. Likewise, when a
problem is solved or a game is played, or a
conversation is rounded out satisfactorily;
experience do occur. Fulfillment and consummation
of an act conclude the experience.
In all experiences, every successively part
flows freely. Artists use their experiences to ventilate
their feelings through the works that they make.
Some artists focus on societal problems, issues, and
concerns. Some of them use expressionism to
communicate strong and intense feelings. They
reflect in their works on the brink of socio-cultural
problems because of their experiences. For example,
Ang Kiukok, a famous Filipino-Chinese painter likes
to dwell on subject matters showing the "harsh,
disturbing, morbid” realities happening in the
Philippines. Due to his experiences, he likes to
express anger as well as frustration in his paintings.
Emotion is the moving and cementing force of his
artwork.
Chapter 3
 Functions and Philosophy of Art
The Functions of Art
Every art form has a definite function since it
satisfies a particular need. To the layman, art may
have little function. Some find meaning in art in its
ability to serve the purpose for which it was
designed. Obviously, architecture is directly and
almost entirely functional because buildings and
other structures are always built for some special
purpose. Music and dance were used in ancient
rituals and worship of the gods, for social and folk
entertainment, as well as in the military. Paintings
and sculpture may be used to narrate events, to
portray people or events, to instruct (as in the case
of Christian art), to commemorate individuals or
historical events, and to serve as vehicles of personal
expression. Metal works such as gates, grills, lamps,
Christian religious objects, armor, weapons, and
tools, ceramics, glassware, stained glass, mosaic,
tilework, textile, and furniture are among the many
types of arts or crafts. Each of these examples is
made for some definite and specific use.
The seven (7) functions of art are:
1. Aesthetic function - Through art, man
becomes conscious of the beauty of nature.
he benefits from his own work and from
those done by his fellowmen. He learns to
use, love, and preserve them for his
enjoyment and appreciation.
2. Utilitarian function - With the creation of the
various forms of art, man now lives in
comfort and happiness. Through art, man is
provided with shelter, clothing, food, light,
medicine, beautiful surroundings, personal
ornamentals, entertainment, language,
transportation, and other necessities and
conveniences of life. Art does not only enrich
man's life. It also improves nature through
landscape gardening, creation of super
highways, and through propagation and
conservation - of natural resources.
3. Cultural function - Through the printed
matter, art transmits and preserves skills and
knowledge from one generation to another.
It makes man aware of his cultural
background, making him more
knowledgeable making his life more enduring
and satisfying.
4. Social function - Through civic and graphic
arts, man learns to love and help each other.
International understanding and cooperation
are fostered and nations become more
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
Philosophy of art refers to the study of the
nature of arts, its concept, interpretation,
representation, expression and form. Philosophy of
art is closely related to aesthetics, which is the study
of beauty and taste.
There are five (5) philosophical perspectives of art.
These are:
1. Art as Mimesis
The word mimesis is a Greek word which
means "imitation" or "copying", although it may
also mean representation. The philosophers Plato
and Aristotle spoke of mimesis as the 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.
Aristotle speaks of tragedy as an "imitation of
an action" - that of a man falling from a higher to a
lower estate. Thus, when an artist skillfully select
and present a material, that artist is purposely
seeking to imitate or copy the action of life.
2. Art as Representation (Aristotle)
Art represents something. When an artist
uses signs and symbols to take the place of
something else, he is using art as a representation of
such signs and symbols. It is through representation
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 the other things.
3. Art for Art's Sake (Kant)
It was Victor Cousin, a French philosopher
who translated this slogan which means "T'art pour
l'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 Sources of Subjects
per se, but in Beauty in the Sublime. Kant being an
Enlightenment writer thought that beauty or Subjects of art may be found in primary sources such
sublimity were not really properties of objects, but as:
ways in which we respond to objects. Kant pointed
out that what he meant by Beauty is not the Form of ● artwork ● documents
the Beautiful but about Taste. Kant's concern is not
on the subjective aesthetic response but on the ● autobiographie ● nature
function of individual or personal taste. He claimed
s
that judgment of taste are both subjective and
universal.
● film of the ● history
He said that aesthetic universals are artist
subjective because they are responses of pleasure
and do not essentially involve any claim about the ● interviews ● mythology
properties of the object itself. On the other hand,
aesthetic judgment is universal because it is not
merely personal but also, it is disinterested. ● diaries ● Christian tradition

4. Art as an Escape
● Speeches ● Sacred oriental text
According to Allen Weinstein, without mental
escape, we build up a lot of anxiety within ourselves. ● Letters ● Others not
Artists have to get rid of this anxiety and pressure mentioned above
because if we keep these worries and anxieties
within our mind, they will come out in the form of
anger and even hatred. Unfortunately, such anger
and hatred are often taken out on the wrong people.

According to Señeres and others (2008), the

artists works of art reveal the emotional outburst
that has been kept for many years in their mind. The
only way to take out such tension is through Where to Find the Primary Sources:
painting, dancing, music, and other art forms. They
are a cathartic solutions to one's anxiety and life's ● Archives ● sketchbooks
difficulties. Likewise, the awareness that these works
of art created among the viewers may also lead to a
positive or negative emotional reaction. ● catalogues ● art galleries

5. Art as Functional ● exhibits ● art museums

The artist intent in creating a functional piece
of art is to bring creativity, beauty, and usefulness
into people's everyday lives. Whether it's a curvy
chair made of cardboard, a banca made of paper,
functional art makes us rethink and re-assess the
way we look at ordinary things, sometimes by using
unusual materials in their construction.
Chapter 4
Subject of Art
Meaning of Subject of Art
In any art from - painting, music, sculpture,
architecture, or dance - there is always a subject that
serves as the foundation of the creation of the work
of art. A subject of art is usually anything that is
represented in the artwork. It is varied it may be a
person, object, scene, or event.
● notebooks ● art and cultural centers
TYPES of SUBJECTS
1. Representational or Objective Arts
There are artworks that depict something
easily recognized by most people. Painting,
sculpture, graphic arts, literature, and theatre arts
are generally classified as representational arts,
although some paintings and sculptures are without
subjects. Music and dance may or may not have
subjects.
Traditional sculptures and paintings have
subjects. When looking at a traditional painting or a
statue, one expects to recognize the subject - a man
animals, a landscape, a waterfall, figures, dreams,
fantasies, seascape, still life,
2. Non-Representational or Non-Objective Arts

There are artworks that have no resemblance

to any real subject. they do not represent anything
and they are what they are they rather appeal
directly to the senses primarily because of the
satisfying organization of their elements.

Some contemporary painters have shifted

their interest to the work of art as an object in itself,
an exciting combination of shapes and colors that
fulfil the aesthetic need without having to represent
image or tell a story. Many modern paintings have a
purely visual appeal, so difficult that literal-oriented
spectators cannot appreciate them.

Content in Art

Content in art refers to the meaning or

significance, and/or feeling imparted by a work of
art. This is not the same thing as the subject matter
the work depicts. Content of art is inextricably linked
with form, Form refers to the pictorial aspects of art
such as word, design, and choice, about shapes,
sizes, colors, contrast, medium, soft, or hard edges,
and many other decisions.

Content in art may be classified as factual,

conventional, and subjective.