G-ARTS REVIEWER > Political Art: Used to express

protest or social commentary,

Lesson 3: Functions and
influencing collective behavior.
Philosophical Perspectives on
Art • Documentary Photography:
Highlights social conditions, such
1. Aristotle’s Concept of
as poverty, to raise awareness.
Purpose and Function (Telos)
• Performance Art: Engages
> Telos (Purpose): Aristotle
audiences emotionally,
argued that every object has a
encouraging them to rally around
specific purpose or "telos," which
social causes.
is the ultimate end it is naturally
meant to fulfill. For example, a • Physical Function: Some art has
seed’s purpose is to grow into a clear physical uses. Examples
plant, and humans aim for include:
eudaimonia (fulfillment or
– Architecture: Structures serve
happiness).
both functional and aesthetic
> Function and Identity: The purposes.
function of an object is tied to its
– Jewelry: Reflects personal or
identity. A table’s identity relies
cultural identity while serving as a
on its ability to hold items;
wearable object.
without this function, it ceases to
be a table. Similarly, human – Pottery: Has practical uses, such
identity is linked to rationality, as as holding food or liquids, while
Aristotle believed rationality is also embodying artistic value.
humanity’s unique function.
3. Philosophical Perspectives
2. Examining Art’s Purpose on Art
and Functions
•Art as Imitation (Plato)
> Personal Function: Art often
- In “The Republic,” Plato views
serves personal purposes for both
artists as imitators and art as a
the artist and the viewer. Artists
copy of reality. He believes the
might create art as a form of self-
physical world itself is merely an
expression or therapy, and for
imperfect copy of true, ideal
viewers, art can be therapeutic,
forms found in the World of
as seen with adult coloring books
Forms (a metaphysical realm
or art therapy in care facilities.
containing perfect versions of
> Social Function: Art that objects and concepts).
addresses social or political issues
- Suspicion of Art: Plato is
has a social function. Examples
concerned that art appeals to
include:
emotions rather than reason,
which can mislead people. He
suggests banning art in his ideal appreciates art for its form alone
society, as it diverts people from without personal bias or utility.
rational thought and
- Universal Appeal: Even though
understanding the true forms.
judgments of beauty are personal,
- Imitation of Imitation: For Plato, Kant believed they rest on
art is “an imitation of an universal criteria. If someone
imitation”—a painting represents finds a work beautiful, they
the physical world, which is expect others to perceive it
already an imperfect version of similarly, due to an inherent
the ideal form in the World of quality in the artwork itself.
Forms.
•Art as Communication of
•Art as Representation Emotion (Tolstoy)
(Aristotle)
- Leo Tolstoy viewed art as a
- Aristotle, while agreeing that art medium for sharing emotions. In
imitates, saw it as beneficial. In “What is Art?” he argues that
his work “Poetics,” he argues that art’s purpose is to convey
art does not merely copy reality emotions from the artist to the
but presents what could be, audience, creating a shared
exploring potential versions of experience across time and
life. culture.

- Functions of Art: According to - Social Unity: Art allows people

Aristotle: from different backgrounds to
connect, making it a powerful
- Pleasure: Art provides
unifying tool. Tolstoy believed art
enjoyment, even by depicting
has an ethical role by fostering
painful or tragic events in ways
empathy and unity.
that are cathartic.

- Instruction: Art can be a means

of learning about life, morality, Lesson 4: Subject and Content
and human nature. in Art

•Art as Disinterested 1. Engaging with Art: The Role of

Judgment (Kant) Perception

- In “Critique of Judgment,” - Art appreciation begins with

Kant proposes that beauty in art perception. Art engagement
can be universally recognized involves interpreting visual
despite its subjective nature. He details, which is subjective and
argues that aesthetic judgment influenced by the viewer’s
involves a "disinterested" background, mood, and cultural
response, meaning one context.
- Selective Perception: Viewers and stories, providing cultural
may focus on certain details over symbols and narratives.
others, creating a unique
- Example: Greek and Roman
experience of the artwork.
myths inspired sculptures and
2. Types of Art Based on Subject frescoes, and Judeo-Christian art
led to architectural marvels like
- Representational Art: Depicts
Gothic cathedrals.
recognizable subjects from the
real world, often called figurative - History and Ideology:
art. Example: Leonardo da Vinci's Historical events and ideologies
“Mona Lisa” represents a woman, are frequent subjects, from
recognizable by her human portraits of leaders to scenes
features and realistic portrayal. depicting democracy and
freedom. Such art often serves as
- Abstract Art: Distorts reality,
documentary evidence or
creating stylized or simplified
commemorative works.
forms. Example: Picasso’s works,
which keep elements of the 4. Understanding Content and
subject while altering their Meaning in Art
appearance.
- Levels of Meaning in Art:
- Non-Representational Art:
• Factual Meaning: The basic,
Completely detached from real-
identifiable forms in the artwork.
world references, using visual
elements like shapes, colors, and • Conventional Meaning:
lines to evoke emotion or convey Deeper meanings derived from
abstract concepts. Example: symbols and cultural conventions
Jackson Pollock’s “action established over time.
paintings”, which consist of
• Subjective Meaning: Personal
splattered paint without
interpretations influenced by
identifiable forms.
individual experiences and
3. Sources and Kinds of Subjects perspectives. Each viewer may
in Art find a unique meaning in a piece.

- Nature: A foundational - Example of Multi-Level Meaning

inspiration, often depicted in – Michelangelo’s "Creation of
landscapes and seascapes by Adam":
artists like Vincent van Gogh, who
- Factual: Depicts Adam and God
believed in a deep connection
with outstretched arms, nearly
between art and the natural
touching fingers.
world.
- Conventional: Their postures
- Mythology and Religion: Art
represent the relationship
has long been used to represent
between humanity and the divine,
religious and mythological figures
reflecting the biblical theme of •Artisans:
God creating man. - Skilled workers in crafts like
textiles, pottery, and glasswork.
- Subjective: Viewers may
- Often work with functional
interpret the painting differently
objects, focusing on aesthetics,
based on their religious beliefs,
quality, and tradition.
emotions, or thoughts on
- Their skills are often passed
creation.
down through generations and
5. Challenges in Art Interpretation tied to specific cultural or
historical practices.
- In cultures like the Philippines,
where museum-going is less
2. Historical Development of Art
common, art appreciation can be
and Artisanship:
challenging. There is often a
- Early Cave Paintings: Earliest
misconception that one must
known artworks, such as those in
uncover a specific meaning to
Lascaux, France, and Altamira,
engage with art, which can
Spain, depicted animals and
alienate viewers.
hunting scenes. These works were
- Approaching Art: Engagement not originally considered "art" but
with art should focus on served a role in ritual and
perception without pressure to community identity.
find a singular interpretation, - Role of Craft Guilds: In the
recognizing that art can hold Middle Ages, craft guilds
multiple meanings for different formalized artisan training and
audiences. regulated quality standards.
Apprentices trained under
Lesson 5: Artists and Artisans
master's and were evaluated on
skill.
1. Artists vs. Artisans:
•Religious and Civic
•Artists:
Architecture:
- Involved in fine arts, such as
- Example: Gothic cathedrals, like
painting, illustration, and
the Cologne Cathedral, show how
sculpture.
large, collaborative projects relied
- Focus on self-expression,
on guild-trained artisans.
innovation, and often convey
- In the Philippines, the Church of
deeper meaning or commentary
the Most Holy Trinity in Bohol
through their work.
(with ceiling paintings in *trompe
- Example: Robert Henri’s view in
l’oeil* style) is a notable example
The Art Spirit (1923), where he
of preserved religious art, though
emphasized that art is an
it was damaged in the 2013
essential human pursuit that
earthquake. Photos from Project
awakens curiosity and
Kisame have preserved its
understanding in others.
beauty.
 aspects, working for media
3. Evolution of the Artist’s Role outlets or as freelancers.
and the Studio: • Collectors: Drive demand in
•Renaissance Shift: Artists the art market, often supporting
transitioned from anonymous galleries and emerging artists.
craftsmen to recognized creators. They can influence an artist’s
Artists began signing works, reputation and are crucial in
reflecting individual ownership maintaining the economic flow
and creativity. within the art world.
•Artist’s Studio: Became a
personal and professional space 5. Art Production Process:
where ideas were developed, •Preproduction: Artists develop
techniques refined, and ideas, conduct research, and plan
apprentices trained. Renaissance the concept.
artists like Leonardo da Vinci and •Production: Involves gathering
Michelangelo had studios that materials and creating the
included spaces for both learning artwork.
and experimentation. •Postproduction: Focuses on
•Industrial Revolution: displaying the artwork, whether in
Provided artists with portable exhibitions, galleries, or public
materials (e.g., paint in tubes, spaces, for interaction with
foldable easels), liberating them audiences.
from wealthy patrons and
allowing self-directed creative 6. Awards and Recognition:
exploration. •Gawad sa Manlilikha ng
Bayan (National Living
4. Key Figures in the Art Treasures Award): Showed in
Ecosystem: 1992 by Republic Act No.
•Art Dealers: Market and 7355, it honors Filipino traditional
promote artists, organize artists who embody the
exhibitions, and generate public preservation of cultural heritage.
interest. Dealers earn •Examples of recipients:
commissions on art sales. - Ginaw Bilog: Master of
•Curators: Coordinate and Ambahan poetry.
conceptualize art exhibitions, - Masino Intaray: Known for
researching artists, designing his skill with traditional
layouts, and writing catalog Palawan musical
essays. instruments.
•Art Critics: Provide analysis - Samaon Sulaiman:
and judgment on art, often Recognized for expertise in
shaping public opinion. Critics playing the *kutyapi*, a
evaluate technical and thematic traditional Filipino
instrument.
 •Organic: Irregular, found in
nature, adding variety and
Lesson 6: Elements and naturalism.
Principles of Art
3. Space
Elements of Visual Art - Positive and Negative Space:
Positive is occupied space
1. Line (shadows or objects), while
- Definition: A path with negative is empty.
identifiable direction, width, and - Three-dimensional Space**:
length. Achieved using techniques
- Types: like perspective to create
- Horizontal: Suggests calm depth on flat surfaces.
and stability.
- Vertical: Symbolizes 4. Color
growth or aspiration. - Hue: The specific color family
- Diagonal: Conveys (e.g., primary, secondary).
movement and tension. - Value: Lightness or darkness of
- Curved: Implies flexibility, a color.
grace, or sensuality. - Intensity: Brightness or dullness,
- Implied Lines: Lines that affecting mood.
are not drawn but - Color Harmonies: Various ways
suggested by the colors are combined, such as
arrangement of elements, complementary, analogous, and
creating a sense of direction triadic harmonies.
and focus (e.g., in The Raft
of Medusa, diagonal 5. Texture
orientations heighten drama - Real Texture: The tactile quality
and tension). of surfaces (e.g., rough or
smooth).
2. Shape and Form - Implied Texture: Visual illusion
- Shape: Defined by height and of texture in two-dimensional art,
width (2D). such as in painting or drawing.
- Form: Includes depth, creating
a 3D appearance. 6. Planes and Perspectives
- Picture Plane: The flat surface of
Types: a painting or drawing.
- Chiaroscure: Technique using
•Geometric: Regular shapes light and shadow for a 3D effect,
(e.g., squares, circles) created developed in the Renaissance.
through precise mathematical - Types of Perspective:
reasoning. • One-point: Single vanishing
point (e.g., roads).
•Two-point: Two vanishing - Exaggerated: Unusual,
points, often for architectural creating visual impact.
scenes. - Idealized: Perfected
•Three-point: Adds a third proportions, often used in
vanishing point for high or low classical art.
perspective views.
3. Emphasis: Draws attention to
Elements of Auditory Art a focal point, often enhanced by
(Music) contrast.

•Rhythm: Timing of sounds, with 4. Contrast: Differentiates

tempo variations (e.g., largo, elements to highlight differences,
allegro). adding visual interest.
•Dynamics: Volume or intensity
of sound. 5. Unity and Harmony: Achieve
•Melody: Sequence of pitches a cohesive composition where
creating a tune. elements feel interconnected.
•Harmony: Vertical stacking of
pitches, creating chords. 6. Variety: Introduces diverse
•Timbre: Unique quality or elements to sustain interest.
"color" of sound from instruments
or voices. 7. Movement: Guides the
•Texture: Layering of sounds, viewer’s eye across the artwork,
such as monophonic (single often using lines or focal points.
melody) or polyphonic (multiple
melodies). 8. Rhythm: Repetition of
elements creating a visual “beat.”
Principles of Art
9. Repetition and Pattern:
1. Balance Consistent use of elements to
- Symmetrical: Mirror-image establish structure and
stability. predictability.
- Asymmetrical: Unequal elements
create dynamic tension. Combined or Hybrid Art
- Radial: Elements arranged
around a central point. - Combined Art: Integration of
multiple art forms, such as
2. Scale and Proportion theater incorporating music, set
- Scale: Overall size relative to design, and visual art.
expected norms. - Hybrid Arts: Fusion of art with
- Proportion: Size relationships science and technology (e.g.,
among elements. digital media, video art). Hybrid
- Natural: Realistic sizing. arts reflect contemporary issues,
pushing boundaries of traditional
art forms.