Unit I: Foundations of Art

LESSON 1: THE IMPORTANCE, MEANING, AND ASSUMPTIONS OF ART

INTRODUCTIUON

 Are you a big fan of art? If so, what is art for you? But if art doesn’t have any impact on
you, would you still care about what it is? Stop saying no because this lesson will motivate
you to look closer and get a glimpse of what art truly is and the enormous explanation and
definitions.

 In your schooling timeline, reality speaks that art class or art subject is not an exemption,
right? Or even if it is not an art subject, there would still be an art-related activity within that
particular subject. You would probably even agree that art will take hold of you even after
you finished your college years.


 Since you have realized the immensity of your connectivity to art, there's still a need to
extend your understanding of it. This lesson, beginning with definitions of art, its nature, its
importance, and the creative process, will guide you to crave more and venture more about
the vast influence art you could ever imagine.
OBJECTIVES

 Upon successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

 Differentiate the various nature and assumptions of art
 Explain the process of creativity
 Create a unique visualization of the creative process
 Identify and discuss art and art appreciation.
 Define art from a cultural perspective.
PRE TEST

 Note: Give it a try! Test yourself by answering

the activity without reading the discussions. It’s a
way to challenge yourself, believing that you will
be surprised at its result when we get through with
this lesson. Good Luck!
Task 1. Choose the appropriate word/ statement for each picture. Write your answer on the
blank boxes. Choices are provided for each line of pictures.
Line 1 (horizontal) It is art It’s not art Maybe it’s art
Line 2 (horizontal) Art is nature Art is not nature Nature and art are the same
Line 3 (horizontal) Art is universal Art is cultural Art involves experience
Line 4 (horizontal) Innovation Imagination Creativity

Line 1

Line 2

Line 3

Line 4
Lesson Proper:
A. Activity
“Before we go directly through the content of this lesson, you should finish
this simple activity. Eventually, this will make you realize that this is the
right avenue for you to understand the lesson well”. You can do it!
Try this!
Task 2: Try to imagine that you and your friends happened to be in these
scenarios. What would possibly become your small talk? Create
communication by observing the location, expression of characters, or
even gestures.
B. Analysis
C. Abstraction
Art is a wide range of man's activity from expression down to creating tangible or intangible things.
Visual artwork is one of the oldest, rich, complex, and popular forms of the art highly rooted in one's
culture. Other forms like auditory and performing arts are also considered as manifestations of
man's expression and imaginative skills.
From your basic knowledge of art. How would you define art? Webster New Collegiate Dictionary
says that "Art is the constant use of skills and creative imagination especially in the production of
aesthetic objects" But in a more specific and straightforward way, we can define it in this way. Art is
painting, sculpture, music, dance, play, and the like. But there is more beyond this definition. Art is
the expression of man's experience, thoughts, feelings, and observations that transforms something
ordinary to extraordinary.
This experience that exudes from man's inner voice can transform into something functional,
artworks that lift one's spirit, allow others to experience aesthetic significance, pain or sorrow,
confusion, and other emotional power or even helps us appreciate beauty. Perhaps we can say that
art is very human and uniquely human.
Definitions of art vary in many ways, and sometimes it will
depend on how you have experienced and encountered art.
Art is derived from the Latin word “ars” which means ability or
skills or manmade, and from the Italian word “artis” meaning
craftsmanship, mastery and inventiveness. Because of the
traces from the greatest works of human activity anyone can
argue that art is a product of man’s mastery and skills rooted
from his artistic creativity. Thus, all artworks express the artist’s
imagination, his emotions, ideas and things he wants and values
in life. (Estolas et al., 1995)
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART
Art is rooted in culture, and it ties our present from the
past and connects us to the future. As independent of one's
culture, artworks serve as a form of communication of
ideas and emotions, perceptions, or even passion through
political, philosophical, and spiritual matters. Art binds the
identity of one's culture, which makes them unique from the
rest. Art mirrors culture.
Art is universal. Art is as old as humans. In almost
every country and within the most primitive communities,
there is always art in every era and locus. No matter
what period or location, art exists. That is why it is
universal. People from different countries worldwide
respond to art for every other reason. The ability to be
moved by any art forms is undeniably versatile.
Art is not in nature. Art is made by man using his skills,
craftsmanship, creativity, and imagination. It is far different from
nature. A man may consider nature as inspiration to create an
artwork. A very distinctive characteristic of man that differs from
animals is that man can create art. A man may incorporate his
past experiences or influence from his environment to create an
artwork. Art represents what he sees, experiences, feels, smells,
values, etc., and presents them through artistic interpretation.
Art Involves Experience. Experience is the actual doing of
something. The perfection of art appreciation will never be
possible without experiencing art. All art requires experience.
The experience of art is subjective. Our judgment of art is highly
personal and individual. We should not expect others to agree
with our own experience with art. Another thing is that an
emotional response accompanies art experience. The initial
reaction in such experience of art is inevitable. We may either
like or dislike it. We can say that it's beautiful or it's not good at
all.
What is Art Appreciation? Art Appreciation is the capacity to
understand art's works and experience a certain enjoyment in
creating art. It deals with our encounter with the artworks and the
artists and how we are affected by it. As we see, hear, or feel any
artwork, we realize that something in that artwork is also a part of
our experience, because art is the transmission of feelings the
artist has experienced or the expression of the ineffable emotion
of the artist (Tolstoy). Any artwork will prompt us with valuable
aesthetic emotion, admiration and inspiration.
What is creativity and its process? The cognitive process of mind includes imagination,
creativity and thinking with innovation. Imagination is envisioning ideas that are not
present in reality. Imagination is visualizing the impossible or things that are not present in our
senses. Creativity uses imagination to represent new ideas and create a physical embodiment
which is beneficial and with value. It is the unveiling of the impossible to possible. Through
creativity, the production of valuable products is involved (Mumford, 2003, p. 110). Or in
another statement from Robert Sternberg, the production of "something original and
worthwhile." The valuable result of creativity can either be intangible like new ideas and
musical composition, or tangible object like sculpture or painting. Expression is making
known ones thoughts or feelings. It means that the work of art reflects the artist’s personality,
background or even personal circumstances. The central focus of any expression comes from
within an individual and it can be an expression of ideas or feelings through words, actions, or
any artistic activities. Thus all these things will make its way for brand new innovation.
 Imagination

Creativity

Expression

Innovation
D. Application
Task 4: Congratulations! Now that you have complete knowledge and understanding of the foundations of art
and enjoyed all your tasks. I know that you are ready to assess yourself and gauge your knowledge of our
lesson. Try this!

Answer the following questions without copying from the lesson above.
1. What is your definition of art? Art appreciation?

2. Why is art not nature?

3. Why does art involve experience?

4. Why is art universal?

Reflection /Learning Insights
Task 5: Congratulations! You have a clear understanding of the art, its nature, and the creative
process. At this point, I want you to reflect and write your insights about the lesson
My Insights
MY JOURNAL
Final Requirement
Task 6: Create your own unique concept map or mind
map about the creative process.
Note: Use your imagination and creativity to come up with
your unique concept map. You can use images to present
your ideas. Images can be in a form of drawing or cut-out
materials. Try to be resourceful. Use available materials at
home. An example is provided below.
QUESTIONS ?
THANK YOU !