ART

APPRECIATION
GE6

JAN NIÑO U. ACEBUCHE

 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES
University Town, Catarman, Northern Samar
Web:http://uep.edu.ph, Email: [email protected]
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATION
Social Science Department

ART APPRECIATION
MODULE 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES AND THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE
OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION

Jan Niño U. Acebuche

MODULE 1

THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES AND THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS:

CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

✓ Give the meaning of humanities, art, art appreciation, and art history

✓ Discuss the importance of art in contemporary society

✓ Clarify misconception about art

✓ Categorize works of art by citing personal experience

THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES

The Origin and Meaning of Humanities

The term “humanities” originated from the Renaissance Latin expression studia humanitatis or
study of humanities 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. The subjects used the 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 a to multicultural settings. Thus, every time new movement in art emerged, the meaning of
what is art, or what is acceptable as art, is being challenged.

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 1
 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
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, a state of mind. – John Dewey

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 well as their own personality and
character. Nevertheless, a glimpse of the above definitions brings us four (4) common essentials
of art.
 Art is man-made, not God-made
 Art is creative, not imitative
 Art benefits and satisfies man - when he uses art in practical life through artistic
principles, taste, and skill
 Art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist
communicates himself to his fellows.
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.

The Importance of Art to Students

Art 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 can learn about their identity
❖ Students develop self-awareness

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 2
 ❖ 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.

Art History
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.

Method’s Used in Art History

Art history which started in the 19th century but has pass 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. through
the analysis of their forms.
2. Art historians analyze the works of arts 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,

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 3
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.

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 4
 THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION

“Art is universal, art is not nature and art involves experience”

{Dudley and Faricy)

Art is something that is perennially around us. Some people may deny having to do with
the arts but it is indisputable that life presents us with many forms of and opportunities for
communion with the arts.

Despite the seemingly overflowing instances of arts around people, one still finds the need
to see more and experience more, whether consciously or unconsciously. Plato had the sharpest
foresight when he discussed in the Symposium that beauty, the object of any love, truly
progresses. As one moves through life, one locates better, more beautiful objects of desire (Scott,
2000). One can never be totally content with what is just before him. Human beings are drawn
toward what is good and ultimately, beautiful.

The word “art” comes from the ancient Latin, ars which means a “craft or specialized form
of skill, like carpentry or smithying or surgency” (Collingwood, 1938). 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.

Art knows no limit. It transcends culture, races, and civilizations. It reaches the farthest
and the most isolated spots in the universe. As long as human beings exist, art is feasible alive
and dynamic.

ASSUMPTIONS OF ART

Art is Universal

Literature has provided key works of art. Among the most popular ones being taught in
school are the two Greek epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Sanskrit pieces Mahabharata and
Ramayana are also staples in this field. These works, purportedly written before the beginning of
recorded history, are believed to be a man’s attempt at recording stories and tales that have been
passed on, known, and sung throughout the years. Art has always been timeless and universal,
spanning generations and continents through and through.

In every country and in every generation, there is always art. Oftentimes, people feel that
what is considered artistic are only those which have been made long time ago. This is a
misconception. Age is not a factor in determining art. An “…art is not good because it is old, but
old because it is good” (Dudley et al., 1960).

The first assumption then about the humanities is that art has been crafted by all people
regardless of origin, time, place, and that it stayed on because it is liked and enjoyed by people
continuously. A great piece of work will never be obsolete. Some people say that art is art for its
intrinsic worth. In John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism (1879), enjoyment in the arts belongs to a higher
good, one that lies at the opposite end of base pleasures. Art will always be present because

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 5
human beings will always express themselves and delight in these expressions. Men will continue
to use art while art persists and never gets depleted.

Art is not Nature

One important characteristics of art is that it is not nature. Art is man’s expression of his
reception of nature. Art is man’s way of interpreting nature. Art is not nature. Art is made by man,
whereas nature is a given around us. It is in this juncture that they can be considered opposites.
What we find in nature should not be expected to be present in art too. Movies are not meant to
be direct representation of reality. They may, according to the moviemaker’s perception of reality,
be a reinterpretation or even distortion of nature.

Art involves Experience

Getting this far without a satisfactory definition of art can be quite weird for some. For most
people, art does not require a full definition. Art is just experience. By experience, we mean the
“actual doing of something” (Dudley et al., 1960). When one says that he has an experience of
something, he often means that he knows what that something is about. When one claims that
he has experienced falling in love, getting hurt, and bouncing back, he in effect claims that he
knows the (sometimes) endless cycle of loving. Knowing a thing is different from hearing from
others what the said thing is. A radio DJ dispensing advice on love when he himself has not
experienced it does not really know what he is talking about.

Art is always an experience. Unlike fields of knowledge that involve data, art is known by
experiencing. A painter cannot claim to know how to paint if he has not tried holding a brush. A
sculptor cannot produce a work of art if a chisel is foreign to him. Dudley et al, (1960) affirmed
that “[a]ll art depends on experience, and if one is to know art, he must know it not as fact or
information but as experience.

CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION, AND EXPRESSION

The Role of Creativity in Art Making

Creativity requires thinking outside the box. It is often used to solve problems that have
never occurred before, conflate function and style, and simply make life a more unique and
enjoyable experience. In art, creativity is what sets apart one artwork from another. We say
something is done creatively when we have not yet seen anything like it or when it is out of the
ordinary. A creative artist does not simply copy or imitate another artist’s work. He does not imitate
the lines, flaws, colors, and patterns in recreating nature. He embraces originality, puts his own
flavor into his work, and calls it his own creative piece.

Art as a Product of Imagination, Imagination as a Product of Art

Where do you think famous writers, painters, and musicians get

their ideas? Where do ideas in making creative solutions begin? It all
starts in the human mind. It all begins with imagination.

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 6
 German physicist Albert Einstein who had made significant and major contributions in
science and humanity demonstrated that knowledge is actually derived from imagination. He
emphasized this idea through his words:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we

now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever
will be to know and understand.”

Imagination is not constrained by the walls of the norms, but goes beyond that.

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1.1 - TRUE OR FALSE Choose TRUE if the statement is true and FALSE if
otherwise. (10 points)
1. Art is an object under humanities.
2. Humanities are academic disciplines that deal on the various aspects of society
and the noble in man.
3. Art is God-made, not man-made.
4. The first assumption then about the humanities is that art has been crafted by
all people regardless of origin, time, and place, and that it stayed on because it
is liked and enjoyed by people continuously.
5. One important characteristics of art is that is it not nature.
6. Students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the
years.
7. The word “art” comes from the ancient Latin, arcs which means a “craft or
specialized form of skill.
8. The term “humanities” originated from the Renaissance Latin expression studia
humanitatis or study of humanities which refers to “culture, refinement,
education.”
9. As a discipline, art history is similar to art criticism.
10. Despite the seemingly overflowing instances of arts around people, one still
finds the need to see less and experience less, whether consciously or
unconsciously.

ACTIVITY 1.2 – PERFORMANCE TASK

Collect or find at least two (2) art works such as painting, illustrations from
magazines, journal, or anything that represent the assumptions of art and describe
each artwork. Make sure to show the artwork you have described when you submit it.

Reference:
Ariola, M.M. (2018). Art Appreciation. (Manila: Unlimited Books Inc.)

CHAPTER 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES & THE ASSUMPTIONS AND NATURE OF ARTS: CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION 7