ART: MEANING AND NATURE

INTRODUCTION

Art comes from the Latin word ars which means skill. Skill plays an important role in the
production of art. Man’s creativity after being trained and honed for a certain period coupled with his
skill is able to produce works of art in its many forms. A visual artist may produce paintings, sculptures
and architecture. An artist who combines and regulates sound may express ideas and emotions through
music. Dance is an art form that makes use of the body as its medium of expression. The theater or
drama is also an important art form where a playwright is able to present human strengths and frailties
in a story where actors act out a plot on stage in front of an audience. A modern addition to theater is
the motion picture where various art forms are combined in its production. Photography and digital arts
are the latest to be added as a way by which an artist expresses himself and combines skills with his
knowledge of technology. Art is a dynamic human activity and it does not end in the established art
forms we already know. It continues to evolve today and is as important as the basic needs of man to
keep himself alive.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the module, the students are expected to understand the role of the arts to satisfy and
fulfill the needs of man in society, understand the meaning and nature of art and engage experiences in
relation to arts.

CONTENTS OF THE MODULE

This module contains the following lessons:

Lesson 1: Meaning and Nature of Art

Lesson 2: Creativity, Imagination and Expressions of Art

LESSON 1

SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Explain the meaning of art and assumptions on the nature of art.

2. Discuss the universality of art, its not being nature and its need for experience.

DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO USE THE MODULE PROPERLY

In order to benefit profoundly from this module, please be guided by all the key points presented below.

1. This module contains 2 lessons. Each lesson is explained substantively. Read the explanation
thoroughly so that you would understand the lesson entirely.

2. On the first page of each lesson, you will find the specific learning outcomes (SLOs) of each
lesson. SLOs are knowledge and skills you are expected to acquire at the end of the lesson. Read them
heartily.

3. You must answer the Learning Activities/ Exercises (LAEs). The LAEs are deigned to help you
acquire the SLOs.
 4. Feel free to chat, call, text or send me an email if you have questions, reactions, or reflections
about the module’s contents or activities.

5. The Practice Task/Assessment and the Assignment shall be checked by me.

LESSON 1 - MEANING AND NATURE OF ART

1. Art is universal. Art is everywhere.

Art exists in all forms of human society and in every generation because it serves fundamental
human needs. Pottery which has existed during the earliest history of man was created by them because
of a need to store food, a means by which they are able to serve their food, drink water and even bury
their dead. Art is found in clothes and accessories we wear, design of furniture and furnishing, style of
houses, vehicles we use, coins, medallions (example of relief sculpture), free standing sculpture in
churches, design in jeepneys, fountains, school buildings, ice cream carts, theatre performances,
cinemas etc.

2. Art is expression and communication.

Art has grown out of man’s need to express himself. Man’s emotions, personal beliefs, social
values and insights into human reality are communicated and conveyed through arts. Arts are
expressions of a general vision of the age in which it was created. One may notice that what was trendy
in previous decades is now a thing of the past. What is significant though is that we recognize a certain
period in our history because of the artworks ( painting, sculpture, music, dance, architecture etc.) that
was produced and appreciated then.

3. Art is a creative process.

Art involves a certain skill or expertness acquired through long training and constant practice.
Artistry maybe a God given talent but an artist to be a master of his craft should undergo training and
years of constant practice. The creative process itself is a planned activity before it is laid down on
paper, canvass, a piece of stone, metalwork, choreography, composition and many others.

4. Art is an experience.
The experience of the artist plays a big role in the expression of his art. The experience could be
the ‘act of expressing’ the creative encounter itself or the artist’s gratifying experience when the work is
done. There are two kinds of experience that happen in Art. First is, the Experience of the artist he
wants to communicate which could be his own personal experience or someone else’s. Second, the
Experience of the onlooker or listener as he perceives the work of art. The personal reaction of the
audience is altogether a different experience but still a part of the total experience of appreciating art.

5. Art is not Nature

A work of art is manmade. Man’s art is his own interpretation of nature around him. Nature has
always been man’s source of inspiration, his role model for his art. Man cannot create nature per se. He
can’t with his limited ability create a beautiful sunset, majestic waterfalls or mountains but he can
capture their beauty by drawing or painting them on a particular medium. He may be inspired to
compose a song to express the grandeur or nostalgic moments he saw in nature.

6. Art and the concept of beauty.

 Beauty gives man pleasure when he perceives it or he recognizes beauty when he sees one. One
may appreciate the physical aspect, the harmony, balance, color etc. of an object and will consider it art
for himself. Beauty is also relative which means that what may be beautiful to one may not be so to
others. Since the beginning of man’s history, concepts of beauty changes as time passes. What was
considered beautiful before may not be acceptable now. Culture plays a big role too in determining
concepts of beauty. In some cultures, like the foot binding tradition in China, blackening of teeth and
tattooing in the Cordilleras, ‘giraffe’ ladies in Thailand etc , we see varying standards of beauty. Some are
still presently practiced but some because of modernity have completely eradicated them in their
community.
There are factors that influence our attitude towards beauty:
a. Social involvement
b. Education and training
c. Past experience
d. Psychological and emotional associates
Whatever maybe the reason for considering an object a work of art or a thing of beauty, the most
important thing is it gives value to the one who perceives it. Art will always be a personal experience.
The process in the appreciation of art does not only involve the mind but more importantly the heart
where emotions spring.