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Wanted! Art’s Beautiful Escape

A Course Module in GE-AA

for Criminology and Political Science Students

LEAH S. PALADEN
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Wanted! Art’s Beautiful Escape

A Course Module in GE-AA

for Criminology and Political Science Students

By

Leah S. Paladen
Jose Rizal Memorial State University

Published and copyrighted © 2020, and distributed by Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Sta. Cruz,
Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines

Al rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means – electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage
and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher and author.

ISBN xxx-xxx-xxxx-xx-x

Page and Cover designed by: Leah S. Paladen

JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL STATE UNIVESITY

Gov. Guading Adaza St. Sta Cruz, Dapitan City, 7101 Tel. no. (065)
908-8294
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Preface

Art must endure so humanity can live.

This maxim I hold dear as a child, a woman, a lover, and most of all as a human. This does
not in any way discount the fundamental contributions of other fields in our way of life and survival,
but it is only in art were humanity’s memory is truly preserved and handed down from age to age.
Therefore, young learner, it is important that you see the connection between this course and you
and between this course and your chosen field. It is for that purpose that this module is created for
you.

The first half of this module is consist of five units each having a Pretest, Content, Learning
Activities, and Assessment.

Unit 1 is devoted to the definition of art and its related concepts such as creativity,
imagination, and expression alongside some assumptions towards art. An overview is also given
about Art Appreciation and Art History. All these things are basic knowledge you will acquire to help
you establish clear relationships among these concepts and build connections as you go along with
the rest of the units in the module.

Unit 2 tackles about the Functions of Art. In this Unit, you will be able to discover how art
influences society and its ability to change the landscape of what was once dominant or weak either
in thought or action.

Unit 3 highlights some of the most influential Philosophies in Art which dated back from the
ancient times but which until now still continue to hold indespensable truths. In this Unit, you are
expected to create your own philosophy towards art too.

Unit 4 presents the lesson on Subject and Content and engages you to learn how these
components come into play in understanding a work of art.

Unit 5 is about Artists and Artisans. Here, you will find out the disparity between the two and
get to know the various National Artists and GAMABA Artists in the Philippines and their various
contributions in upholding Philippine culture and the arts.
.
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Acknowledgment

The success in the creation of this module bears a magnitude of gratitude to

Dr. Daylinda Luz R. Laput, University President of Jose Rizal Memorial State University-
System, for the thrust and trust in putting forward the learning of the Filipino youth;

Dr. Alice Mae Arbon, OIC-Vice President for Academic Affairs, for the relentless support
and effort towards realizing this huge academic goal;

The FLS Training Committee, for the brilliant teamwork in honing the faculty and for the
profound understanding to every teacher’s dilemma;

My dearest family, friends, and colleagues for the undying love and support; and

Most of all, to the Almighty Father for the Holy Guidance and Grace beyond measure.

LSP
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Table of Contents

Pages

COVER PAGE ii

COPYRIGHT PAGE iii

PREFACE iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENT v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Module 1

Unit 1 The Nature of Art 2

Unit 2 Functions of Art 13
Unit 3 Philosophical Perspectives in Art 19
Unit 4 Subject and Content 26
Unit 5 Artist and Artisan 34

References
Appendix
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Unit 1- Introduction to Art

“The art of a people is a true mirror to their minds.”

– Jawaharlal Nehru

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

 Show the relationship of the concepts of art history, art appreciation, creativity,
imagination, and expression using a concept map in a symbolic and creative way;

Pretest

I. Direction/s: Write True if the statement is true and False if the statement is false.
______1. Art is an inherent nature of man.
______2. Using art as a form of human expression is a right.
______3. There are limitations to expressing oneself in an artistic and creative manner.
______4. Works of art are based only from the imagination.
______5. There is no ugly in art.

II. Direction/s: Complete the diagram/map below by placing the concepts in the right places. You
can modify the diagram by adding other shapes and lines.
Art Universal
Art History Cultural
Art Appreciation Beauty
Creativity Visual Arts
Imagination Literary Arts
Expression Performing Arts

Reflection question: How does the Philippine government value its peoples’ arts and culture?
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Content

Art is a sublime extension of humanity. Wherever people go, art follows. There is no
denying this great relationship established between people and art that is simply shown even in
the amazement of a lady standing in front of the statue of Michelangelo’s David in perfect
proportions and the wonder of a man towards the intricate tribal tattoos on the body of Apo
Wang Od which she herself tattooed.

But first, what is art?

art – n. the use of the imagination to make things of aesthetic significance

- The Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language

art – (mass noun) the expression or application of human creative skill and

imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to
be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power
– https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/art

“Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious Idea of
beauty, or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, a game in which man lets
off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man's emotions by
external signs ; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not
pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same
feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals
and of humanity”
– Count Leo Tolstoy, Author/Writer

“Art is for other people. It’s not just for yourself.” It [Art] “can evolve in so many different
ways, in so many different process(es), techniques.” – Pacita Abad, Painter

Art is “an expression of one’s culture.” – Steven Patrick Fernandez, Playwright

Do you also perceive art the way it was defined or described above? What are your bases
in defining art? Read the definitions again. This time, try to figure out what makes each different
and what makes each similar.

Now that you have reread and examined the definitions carefully, kindly
proceed to page 7 and do Activity 1.
For clarifications or queries, kindly PM me on Fb Messenger or reach
me through the phone number indicated in the Learning Guide of this module
Art during my consultation
Appreciation hours.
vs Art History
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In the Preface section of this module, you were given the significant connection
and purpose of the Art Appreciation course in your chosen program and in your life as a
whole. It must be emphasized further that art appreciation as a field goes beyond mere
applause for a dance gracefully performed or a loud cheer for a song beautifully sang.
When appreciating art, these are some of the questions you need to ponder deeply:

1. What is happening in the artwork/performance?

2. What elements were used in the artwork/performance?
3. How are the elements combined together to create the
artwork/performance?
4. Was the artwork/performance original and inventive?
5. What does the artwork/performance tell you about the artist/s?
6. Which part of the artwork/performance is best emphasized by the artist? Or,
which part is least emphasized?
7. Were there symbols used in the artwork/performance? How do these
symbols help in elucidating the message of the artwork/performance?
8. Does the artwork/performance change the way you think and behave about
the things you see before?
9. What does the artwork/performance tell you about the past, the present, or
the future?
10. Will the artwork/performance still affect you five to ten years from now?

Closely related but different in some aspect to art appreciation is art history. Art
history is a discipline or area of study which investigates the early developments of a
piece of art in a specific time and place. People who practice this field present their
analysis and interpretation of an artwork using a set of methodologies in an objective
manner. Below are some of the basic questions they try to explore:

1. Who is the artist?

2. What is the subject?
3. What is the style?
4. What is the title?
5. What type of medium was used to create the artwork/performance?
6. Where was it made?
7. Where was it first seen?
8. How old is the piece of art/performance?
9. What purpose did it serve in the time it was made?
10. How did the artwork/performance survived?

To put this simply, anybody can appreciate art but not everyone can be called an
art historian. However, to fully appreciate a work of art, one must consider consulting its
history for a more profound understanding of its development and contribution to society.
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Assumptions and Nature of Art

Art, like all other concepts has underlying assumptions. This implies that the
value and nature of art is dependent on people’s capacity to sense, think, and express in
various contexts which set the parameters of what art is and what art is not.

Art is Universal
Many artists, art critics, and educators believe that art is universal. This view on
the universal characteristic of art comes from the idea that it affects people despite the
differences in culture and language across time and space. Similarly, art communicates
directly to our common humanity (Eger, 2015). Ernest Boyer, previous President of
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, stressed that

“Art is humanity's most essential, most universal language. It is not a frill,

but a necessary part of communication. The quality of civilization can be
measured through its music, dance, drama, architecture, visual art and
literature”.

He noted that art is part of life and a way of life. He also believes that children
must receive “knowledge and understanding of civilization’s most profound works”. This
resonated clearly in most education systems in the world which integrate arts and
humanities in their curriculum.

Art is Cultural
Relative to the notion that art is universal is the view that art is cultural. Art
reflects the reality in every society since mankind inhabit the earth. For instance, the bull
paintings in the Lascuax cave in France depicted the behavior of primeval people while
the two Sanskrit epics Mahabrata and Ramayana became the foundation of the moral
system of ancient Indian civilization. In the Philippines, the sentiments and aspirations of
the Filipinos are carried massively through songs. From kundiman and harana to pop
and other modern genres, a listener can identify the “Filipinoness” of the music through
its lyrics aside from the instrumentalities.
Every period in time, there is art which manifests how it was lived. Some of the
things left in the past are relived and immortalized in art.

The Concept of Beauty in Art

Beauty in art is as complicated as art itself. Different philosophers have different
views in conceiving beauty. The classical view on the concept of beauty is tantamount to
the impeccable display of proportions be it in literature, sculpture, and painting. For
instance, rhyme, rhythm, and meter in a poem follow strict measurements and thus, a
line still lives in perfect beauty even if it is extracted from the whole poem. On the other
hand, the idealist conception of beauty rest in unity of composition. Each part is beautiful
in itself and each of this parts are essential to the beauty of the whole. Meanwhile, for
Sartwell (n.d.) beauty is perceived as “the object of longing” and this longing is described
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as “intense and unfulfilled desire” that leads one to love. Thus, beauty does not only
dwell on pleasure but also on the unpleasurable.

Creativity, Imagination, and Expression

What is creativity? When can we say that someone is creative or being creative?
What is the relationship of creativity to imagination and expression?

Creativity is an activity that can be felt and seen in almost any human endeavors.
In art, creativity must nest in the zenith of an artist’s character. From the word create, the
artist is expected “to make” or “to produce” a thought or a thing out of feeling or
experience. However, creativity does not settle only on simple alterations on what is
existing, has been existing, or has existed. Rather, it focuses more on how the artist was
able to produce an authentic creation out of this existence. The created output, however,
is not the end of creativity. It must serve as a doorway for an observer to experience the
procedures behind the masterpiece itself which is made available to the human senses.
Simply, creativity is a creative process – a composite of many stages.

Where does creativity start?

“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will
what you imagine and at last you create what you will.” – George Bernard Shaw

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.

Imagination encircles the world." – Albert Einstein

How can one perceive creativity and imagination? Through what mode of
expression?

Suggested viewing:
Creativity, Imagination and how we talk about Art: Tim Daly at TEDxManchesterVillage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pGHaajgP3s
Hayao Miyazaki's Thoughts on Creativity & Imagination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__j4ODg-rU

*If you have the chance to have a mobile data or connect to a stable internet, you can view the videos
above for more insightful information about the topic.
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How does the Philippine government value its peoples’ arts and culture?
In the Pretest part of this unit you were asked this question. What was your initial
answer? Were you able to think of the Philippine Constitution too?

Read in advance the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines – Article
XIV sections 14 to In In t18.and
sections 14-18 and the Republic Act No. 10066 known as the “National Cultural Heritage
Act of 2009” which are found in the Appendix of this module. Your knowledge of these
laws will come in handy in the succeeding Units of this module.

Review question: In your previous art subjects in Senior High School, what are the
major forms of art and their subcategories? How and why are they
classified as such?

Go to page 8 and do Activity 2. Reflect and conduct an independent research

to be able to give a substantial answer to the learning activities made for you.
For clarifications or queries, kindly send a private message to me on Fb
Messenger during my consultation hours, every Monday and Wednesday from 9:00
to 12:00 PM.
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Learning Activities

Activity 1. Defining Art

A. Direction/s: Write your own definition or description of art. Express it in not more than three
sentences only; however, do not just use a single word or phrase for your definition. This will
help you in answering Letter B.

B. Direction/s: Provide what is asked for. Use only words or phrases as answers to be
presented in bullet form. Under the Differences column, provide two answers. Under the
Similarities column, write five answers.

Sources Differences Similarities

The Webster’s Dictionary

of the English Language

https://www.lexico.com/
en/definition/art

Count Leo Tolstoy,

Author/Writer

Pacita Abad, Painter

Steven Patrick
Fernandez, Playwright

(Write your name here.)

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Activity 2: Major Forms of Art and Their Subcategories

A. Direction/s: As a refresher from your previous lessons in art in Senior High School, list down
at least three (3) subcategories/genre belonging in each major art forms which are
already given for you.

1.
Major Forms of Art

Visual Arts Literary Performing/

Arts/Literature Performance Arts

B. Direction/s: Encircle the letter of the best answer.

2. How are the art forms classified as visual, literary, and performing?
a. Humans perceive art using their sensory faculty; therefore, the art forms are
classified according to how they are sensed or felt.
b. Art is expressed using different types of media. The classification is dependent
on the medium used by the artist.
c. Both a and b.

3. Which major form of art does Mixed-Media Art belong to?

a. Visual Arts
b. Literary Arts
c. Performing Arts

4. In this technological age, computers and other digital devices are used as tools to
create art, hence the term Digital Art. Where does this type of art belong to?
a. It belongs to the visual arts because the sense of sight is fundamental in
perceiving digital artworks.
b. It belongs to performing arts because digital artworks are also experienced
through sound and movement.
c. It is a new major form of art because it has features that the three major forms
do not have.

5. What subcategory of art can reflect the key features of each major forms of art.
a. Film
b. Cinema
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c. Theater
Assessment

Congratulations!

You’ve completed the learning activities in Unit 1. For your assessmment, you will be required to
unleash your metacognitive and artistic skills by being both critical and creative. Have fun while
doing the task.

Concept Mapping

Direction/s: Using a concept map or diagram, illustrate the relationship of the concepts of art
history, art appreciation, creativity, imagination, and expression using a graph in a symbolic and
creative way. Do not copy or repeat what you did in the Pretest. Add more details in your
concept map. Use the space below for this task. You can present your concept map either in
layout or portrait position. The rubric is provided in the next page for your immediate guidance
and reference. The same rubric can be found in the Appendix of this module.
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Rubric for Concept Mapping

Needs
Excellent Good Fair
Indicators Improvement
5 4 3
2
All pieces of Majority of the Some pieces of A few pieces of
Accuracy and information are pieces of information are information are
Succinctness very accurate information are accurate and are accurate and
of and are very accurate and are satisfactorily most are lengthily
Information succinctly mostly succinct. succinct. presented.
presented.
The concept map The concept The concept The concept map
shows very clear map shows clear map shows a is haphazardly
Connection and organized and organized slightly clear and done.
and presentation of presentation of organized
Organization relationships relationships presentation of
of Concepts among among relationships
concepts/ideas. concepts/ideas. among
concepts/ideas
Balance among Balance among Balance among Balance among
concept map concept map concept map concept map
structures, clarity structures, clarity structures, clarity structures, clarity
of words or of words or of words or of words or
phrases, and phrases, and phrases, and phrases, and
Legibility of unity of unity of unity of unity of
Presentation composition in composition in composition in composition in
the presentation the presentation the presentation the presentation
are observed in are observed in are observed in are not observed
all parts of the most parts of the some parts of at all.
concept map. concept map. the concept
map.
The design of the The design of The design of The design of the
concept map the concept the concept map concept map
provides a very map provides a provides a provides a vague
relevant symbolic good symbolic satisfactory symbolic
meaning to the meaning to the symbolic meaning to the
Creativity of presentation of presentation of meaning to the presentation of
Presentation relationship relationship presentation of relationship
between and between and relationship between and
among creativity, among creativity, between and among creativity,
imagination, and imagination, and among creativity, imagination, and
expression. expression. imagination, and expression.
expression.
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Kindly spare a word or two.

How did you find this unit and its learning activities? Please leave a comment or suggestion for
the improvement of this unit. Your words do matter.

Thank you!