What is Art

Introduction and Assumptions

 Why Study the Humanities?

For as long as man existed in this planet, he has

cultivated the land, altered the conditions of the
fauna and the flora, in order to survive.
Alongside these necessities, man also marked
his place in the world through his works.
The word “art” comes from the ancient Latin,
ars which means a “craft or specialized form of
skill”.

Art then suggested the capacity to produce an

intended result from carefully planned steps or
method. The Ancient World did not have any
conceived notion of art in the same way that we
do now. To them, art only meant using the bare
hands to produce something that will be useful
to one’s day-to-day life.
Ars in Medieval Latin came to mean something
different. It meant “any special form of book-
learning, such as grammar or logic, magic or
astrology. It was only during the Renaissance
Period that the word reacquired a meaning that
was inherent in its ancient form of craft. Early
Renaissance artists saw their activities merely as
craftsmanship, it was during the seventeenth
century when the problem and idea of
aesthetics, began to unfold distinctly from the
notion of technical workmanship.
“The humanities constitute one of the oldest
and most important means of expression
developed by man”. Human history has
witnessed how man evolved not just physically
but also culturally, from cave painters to men of
exquisite paintbrush users of the present. The
humanities stand tall in bearing witness to this
magnificent phenomenon. Any human person,
then, is tasked to participate, if not, totally
partake in this long tradition of humanizing
himself.
The Meaning and Importance of
Art
The Nature of Art
Art is very important in our lives. It constitutes
one of the oldest and most important means of
expression developed by man. Art has been
existent since men have lived together. A true
artist does not imitate nature but rather
interprets it in his own way by selecting the
essential features of the subject and rejecting
the minor ones.
4 Common Essentials of Art
1. Art must be man-made
2. Art must be creative, not imitative
3. Art must benefit and satisfy man and man
must make use of art in practical terms; and
4. Art is expressed through a certain medium or
material by which the artist communicates
himself to his fellows.
Artworks are also valuable sources of
inspiration. We are delighted by the books we
read and moved by the music we hear. Paintings,
sculptures, and plays capture our attention and
stimulate critical thinking.
Through an artist’s work, we get a glimpse of the
thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of the people who
lived in the period of artwork was produced and
the external factors that influenced the artwork.
We also value and appreciate beautiful things as
a consequence of our encounter with the arts.
Our aesthetic experiences can change our ways
and behavior. They can transform us into highly
cultured, dignified, and respectable human
beings. The arts can beautify our humanity.
It brings out the good and the noble in us.
Through the arts, we come to know the changing
image of man as he journeys across time,
searches for the reality, and strives to achieve the
ideals that create the meaning of life.
The Subject of Art

Artworks that depict something easily

recognized by most people are called
representational or objective arts. Painting,
sculpture, graphic arts, literature, and theatre
arts are examples. Music and dance may or may
not have subjects.
The Function of Art
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.
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 nations become more unified,
friendly, cooperative, helpful and sympathetic.
The Scope of Art
1. Fine Arts or Independent Arts
2. Practical Arts or Utilitarian Arts
Fine arts are primarily for aesthetic enjoyment
through the senses, especially visual and
auditory. Fine arts are music, painting, sculpture,
architecture, literature, dance and drama.

Practical arts are intended for practical use. It is

the development of raw materials for utilitarian
purposes. Practical arts are industrial art, applies
or household art, civic art, commercial art,
graphic art, agricultural art, business art,
distributive art, and fishery art.
5 Types of Arts according to Purpose

1. Practical or Useful arts – are directed to

produce artifacts and utensils for the
satisfaction of human needs. Handicrafts,
embroidery, ceramics, iron and metal crafts,
and tin can manufacturing are examples of
these arts.
2. Liberal arts – are directed toward intellectual
growth, such as in the study of philosophy,
psychology, literature, mathematics and
sciences.

3. Fine arts – are focused towards creative

activity for the contemplation of the mind and
the upliftment of the spirit. Painting, sculpture,
and architecture are examples of these arts.
4. Major arts – are characterized by actual and
potential expressiveness such as music and
poetry.

5. Minor arts – are concerned with practical uses

and purposes, such as interior decoration and
porcelain arts.
5 Types of Arts according to Media and
Forms

1. Plastic arts – are works which exist in a

physical space and perceived by the sense of
sight. Such arts include sculpture and
decorative materials.

2. Kinetic arts – involve the element of rhythm.

Dance is a popular type of these arts
3. Phonetic arts – utilize sounds and words as
mediums of expression like music, drama and
literature.

4. Pure arts – take only one medium of

expression like sound in music and color in
painting.

5. Mixed arts – take more than one medium

such as opera which combines music, poetry,
and drama.
Art is viewed as a reflection of creativity,
ingenuity, and inventiveness within a culture. Its
value is seen not only in terms of its styles and
craftsmanship but also in its functional
interaction with all the elements that constitute
human life and culture.