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Earning Outcomes: LSPU Self-Paced Learning Module (SLM)
Earning Outcomes: LSPU Self-Paced Learning Module (SLM)
Learning Outcomes
Intended Students should be able to meet the following intended learning outcomes:
Learning Loosely define the term humanities
Outcomes Know the meaning and importance of the following:
Nature of Art, Subject of Art, Function of Art, The Scope of Art and The Origin of
Art
Targets/ At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Objectives To explain the meaning, nature, and importance of arts in our lives
To determine the subject of art and its functions
To be able to reflect on the functions of art with regard to their personal
contributions to the development of art
Online Activities
(Synchronous/
Asynchronous)
Offline Activities Lecture Guide
(e-Learning/Self-
Paced) 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. Art has been existent since
men have lived together. In fact, in nearly every country, art can be found in
primitive societies. Art has been created by all people at all times; it has lived
because it is liked and enjoyed. A true work of art is made by man himself not
imitatively, but creatively. A true artist does not imitate nature but rather
interprets it in his own way by selecting the essential features of the subject
and rejecting the minor ones.
Art has been defined in various ways. Hereunder are some of the definitions
given by various authors:
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 craftsmanship,
skill, mastery of form, inventiveness, and the associations that exist
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 with the communication of certain ideas and feelings
by means of sensuous medium,color,sound,bronze,marble,words,and
film-Sanchez
5. Art is that which brings life in harmony with the beauty of the world. -
Plato
6. Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of mind - one which demands for its
own satisfaction and fulfillment, a shaping of matter to new and more
significant form. - John Dewey
7. Art is the skillful arrangement or composition of some common but
significant qualities of nature such as colors, sounds, lines, movements,
words, stones, wood, etc. to express human feelings, emotions, or
thoughts in a perfectly meaningful and enjoyable way. -Panizo and
Rustia
From the definitions above, there are four (4) common essentials of art:(1) art
must be man-made;(2) art must be creative, not imitative;(3) art must benefit
and satisfy man and man must make use of art in practical terms; and (4) art is
expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist
communicates himself to his fellows.
Art has a particular importance in our lives. All the art that we see and hear
have a purpose, they occupy some place in our judgement.
Through an artist’s work, we get a glimpse of the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs
of the people who lived in the period the artwork was produced and the
external factors that influenced the artwork. We also value and appreciate
beauty as a consequence of our encounter with the arts. Our aesthetic
experiences can change our ways and behavior. They can transform us into
highly-cultured ,dignified, and respectable human beings. The arts can beautify
our humanity.
This explains why the arts are called the humanities. It brings out the good and
noble in us. Through the arts, we come to know the changing image of man as
he journeys across time, searches for the reality, and strives to achieve the
ideals that create the meaning of life.
Artworks that depict something easily recognized by most people are called
representational or objective arts. Painting, sculpture, graphic arts,
literature, and sculptures are without subjects. Music and dance may or may
not have subjects.
Artworks that have no resemblance to any real subject are called non-
representational or non-objectives arts. They do not represent anything and
they are what they are. They rather appeal directly to the senses primarily
because of the satisfying organization of their elements.
Some contemporary painters have shifted their interest to the work of art as an
object in itself, an exciting combination of shapes and colors that fulfills the
aesthetic need without having to represent images or tell a story. Many modern
paintings have a purely visual appeal so difficult that literal-oriented spectators
cannot appreciate them.
4. Social function - through civic and graphic arts, man learns to love and
help each other. International understanding and cooperation are
fostered and nations become more unified, friendly, cooperative, helpful,
and sympathetic.
Josefina Estolas (1995) grouped arts into major and minor arts. Major arts
include painting, architecture ,sculpture ,literature ,music, and dance. Minor
arts include the decorative arts, popular arts, graphic arts include painting
,architecture ,sculpture ,literature ,music and dance. Minor arts include the
decorative arts popular arts ,graphic arts ,plastic arts, and industrial arts. She
also grouped arts into: visual arts(graphic arts, plastic arts);performing arts
(theatre, play, dance ,music);literary arts(short story, novel ,poetry
,drama);popular arts (film ,newspaper ,magazine ,radio ,television);gustatory
art of the cuisine(food preparation ,beverage preparation); and decorative arts
of applied arts (beautification of houses ,offices ,cars , and other structures)
Arts that are classified according to purpose fall into 5 categories: practical arts
on useful arts, liberal arts, fine arts, major arts, and minor arts. Practical or
useful arts are directed to produce artifacts and utensils for the satisfaction of
human needs, Handicrafts (basket weaving, mat weaving, etc.)Embroidery,
ceramics, iron and metal crafts, and tin can manufacturing are examples of
these arts, Liberal arts are directed toward intellectual growth, such as in the
study of philosophy, psychology, literature, mathematics, and sciences.
Fine arts are focused towards creative activity for the contemplation of the
mind and the upliftment of the spirit. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are
examples of these arts. Major arts on the other hand, are characterized by
actual and potential expressiveness such as music, poetry and sculpture. Minor
arts on the other hand, are concerned with practical uses and purposes, such
as interior decoration and porcelain art.
Arts that are classified according to media and forms are divided into five
types: plastic arts, phonetic arts, kinetic arts, pure arts, and mixed arts.
Plastic arts are works which exist in physical space and perceived by the sense
of sight. Such arts include sculpture and decorative materials. Kinetic arts
involve the element of rhythm. Dance is a popular type of kinetic arts. Phonetic
arts utilize sounds and words as mediums of expression. Examples are music,
drama, and literature. Pure arts take only one medium of expression such as
the opera which combines music, poetry, and drama.
The history of art began with that of humanity. Art fates back to the time when
superstitions and beliefs in the spirits are still very common in every culture.
Indigenous art in the form of dancing, painting, music, and poetry accompanied
ancient rituals and ceremonies. Men and women of the early times perform
dances to entertain, to worship their gods and goddesses, or to invoke success
and blessings. Their music and poetry chronicles the life and works of their
ancestors as well as legendary origins of heroes, heroines, and gods.
Tribalist cultures often wore body paintings during ceremonies. Cave paintings
and drawings are believed to reflect ancient religious beliefs and visions. Most
sculptures from the early periods are also associated with religion, with gods
and goddesses as most common subjects. Artworks made from the more
durable materials like metal, stone, clay, bone, and glass survive longer than
those made from materials that are more prone to decay like wood. This is why
most sculptures made in wood had been lost through time.
The temples of the East and West bear evidence of arts that pertain to gods,
goddesses, religious animals, demons, priests, kings, and queens.
Engaging Activities
0. Answer the following:
1. What is your definition of art? Art Appreciation?
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Performance Task
PT 1
Reflection Writing: Write a reflection on “Art is a Universal Language” posted by Alina Murdock in
YouTube.
Reflection must be three (3) paragraphs or more.
Minimum of five (5) sentences per paragraph.
It must be written in English.
Minimum of 200 words.
90-95 - Excellent
85-89 - Very Satisfactory
80-84 - Satisfactory
75-79 - Fair / Slightly Satisfactory
70-74 - Poor
Learning Resources
Flores, Patrick (2002). The Role of the Art Critic. In Paleta 5 : A Handbook for Visual Artists, ed/ Eloisa May
Hernandez, pp. 27-31/ Manila : NCCA.
Fernando, - Amilbangsa, Ligaya (2005) Ukkil L Visual Arts of the Sulu Archipelago. Quezon City : Ateneo de Manila
University Press.
Ariola, Mariano (2014). Introduction to Art Appreciation : Second Edition. A textbook in Humanities
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