SUMMARY

The Nature, Meaning, Importance of Art and Art Appreciation

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. In every age or country, there is always art even in the most primitive

societies. Art has been created by all people at all times. It has lived and is still is because it is being

enjoyed and liked up to this day. A true work of art is created by man himself and bot by imitation. A true

artist does not imitate but rather interpret it on his own understanding.

With the passage of time, art has been variously defined by different people. F.V Estolas defined art

as an ability or skill. A. Tan said that art is about craftsmanship, skill, mastery of form, inventiveness,

and the associations that exist between form and ideas, between material and technique. F. Zulueta said

art is a product of man’s need to express himself. C. Sanchez defined art as a form of communication of

certain ideas and feelings by means of sensuous medium, color, sound, bronze, marble, words and film.

According to Plato, art is what brings life in harmony with the beauty of the world.

From the various definition of different authors, four common essentials of art has been derived.

First, art must be man-made; Second, art must be creative, not imitative; Third, art must benefit and

satisfy man; Lastly, art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist

communicates himself to his fellows.

All art have a purpose and expression. Art also serves to remind us of the deeds and lives of

previous men. It can be our source of inspiration. We can also see and understand the thoughts, feelings,

beliefs of thee people in their time and what influenced them. Art is also called the humanities because

they bring out the good and noble in us.

 Art appreciation is the ability to interpret and understand, learn, and create arts as well as enjoy it.

The Subject of Art

The subject of art is the subject that serves as the foundation of the creation of the work of art.

The subject of art is varied and is usually anything that is represented in the artwork. It may be a person,

object, scene or event.

Representational or objects of arts are the artworks that depicts something easily recognized by

most people. Painting, sculpture, graphic arts, literature, and theatre arts are generally classified as

representational, although some of the artwork may not have any subjects. Music and dance may or may

not have subjects.

Non-representational or non-objective arts are artworks that have no resemblance to any real

subject. They do not represent anything and they are what they are. They appeal directly to the senses

primarily because of the satisfying organization of their sensuous and expressive elements.

The Functions 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. Art not only enriches man’s life but 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 burdens one’s cultural background and makes man more

civilized and 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 forecasted and nations become unified, friendly,

cooperative, helpful, and sympathetic.

The Scope of Art

Two general dimensions of arts according to Manaois:

1. Fine arts or independent arts – made primarily for aesthetic enjoyment through the senses,

especially visual and auditory.

2. Practical arts or useful or utilitarian arts – intended for practical use of utility. It is the

development of raw materials for utilitarian purposes.

Visual art classified into two groups according to Custodiosa Sanchez:

Visual art are those we perceive with our eyes.

1. Graphic arts – include painting, drawing, photography, graphic process, etc.

2. Plastic arts – include all fields of visual arts for which materials are organized into three

dimensional forms such as architecture.

Arts grouped into major and minor arts according to Josefina Estolas:

1. Major arts – include painting, architecture, sculpture, literature, music, dance

2. Minor arts – decorative arts, popular arts, graphic arts, plastic arts and industrial arts

Classification of arts according to Panizo, and Rustia:

 1. According to purpose

 Practical or useful are

 Liberal arts

 Fine arts

 Major arts

 Minor arts

2. According to media and forms

 Plastic arts

 Kinetic arts

 Phonetic arts

 Pure arts

 Mixed arts

The Origin of Art

Art started during the primitive time when superstition and beliefs in the spirits are still very

common in every culture. Art is tribal and indigenous that every ritual and ceremony is accompanied by

dancing, painting, music, and poetry. The primitive art is symbolic.

The primitive people dance to entertain, to worship their gods and goddesses or to invoke success

and blessings. They painted their bodies, caves, and some parts of their dwelling to symbolize and

represent something. Sculpture of gods, goddesses were usually made of wood and clay. The origins of

this art is probably connected with sorcery and magic.

All arts originated in the temples of the East and West. These arts pertain to gods, goddesses,

religious animals, demons, priests, kings and queens.

 ART, MAN AND SOCIETY

BOCO, ANN MARGARETTE A.

BSA – 4
MWF 3:00PM – 4:00PM
 ART

PURPOSE MEDIA AND FORMS

Practical Arts Plastic Arts

Liberal Arts Kinetic Arts

Fine Arts Phonetic Arts

Major Arts Pure Arts

Minor Arts Mixed Arts