CHAPTER 1 HUMANITIES AND ART APPRECIATION: AN INTRODUCTION

Art is derived from Latin word ars meaning ability or skill. In this sense, art is used in many varied ways. It
embraces the visual arts, literature, music, and dance. It also has played a significant role throughout our
history.
Art is also a part of our everyday lives now from the clothing we wear, games we play, and the pictures we can
see in the books or magazine, and even the cars we drive. Art is not meant to be looked at only for what it is. It
is meant to stimulate thought because it allows viewers to draw their own emotions and pull from their personal
experiences when viewed.
Art appreciation encompasses so much more than just looking at a piece of art or learning about the artist.
Students can learn to construct meaning and articulate their thoughts when they express in their own words,
personal opinions about what they are seeing, feeling and thinking. Having an appreciation for art also helps us
to develop an appreciation for each other, and how we are all unique in our own way. It enables us to imagine
the unimaginable.
Importance and Relevance of Art appreciation and Philosophy
Philosophy comes from the Greek words; philo- meaning “love”, and – sophia which means “wisdom”, and it
literally defined as “the love of wisdom”. Philosophy uses the tools of logic and reason to analyze the ways in
which humans experience the world.
Humanities
Humanities is derived from the Latin word humanus, which means human, refined, and cultured. The
humanities are the studies about human culture, such as literature, philosophy, visual arts, and history.
The humanities introduce us to the people we have never met, places that we have never visited, and the ideas
that may have never crossed our minds. By showing others have lived and thoughts about life.
Art Appreciation
Art appreciation is referred to the knowledge of the general and everlasting qualities that classify all great art. It
refers to analyzing the form of an artwork to general audiences to enhance their enjoyment of such works of art.
Art appreciation can be subjective depending on personal preference to aesthetics and form, or it can be based
on several elements and principles of design and also depends on social and cultural acceptance
Creativity vs. Imagination
The biggest difference between creativity and imagination is that imagination is thinking of something, whether
it is an object, place, time, etc., that is not present. Imagination also allows us to think of things that are not real
or around us at any given time. While creativity is doing something meaningful with your imagination.
Imagination is about seeing the impossible, or unreal. Creativity is 16 using imagination to unleash the potential
of existing ideas to create new and valuable ones. With imagination, our focus can be on things that are
impossible. Creativity requires our focus to be on things that might be possible, but we can’t be sure until we
explore them further.
We have tendencies to use the terms “being imaginative” and “being creative” as synonyms, but they are not.
It’s quite possible to be imaginative without being creative. Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative
ideas into reality
BASIC ASSUMPTION OF ARTS
Art is Universal
Literally art can be found in every corner of the world. Art is in everywhere and it is embedded into the way of
life of the people. Exclusivity is out of bounds when we speak of arts because it is for everyone. Art is the true
Esperanto, an artificial international language, the one form of culture that is genuinely beyond national
limitations. Art knows no barriers, even language cannot be considered as barrier in understanding it. Example,
foreign arts displayed in museums throughout the world, paintings such Mona Lisa, Sistine Chapel, and photos
of well-known places are readily reviewed. We also have foreign performers performing in the country.
Art is not nature
Art is not nature, nature is not art. Art is made by man and nature by God. However, nature can be enhanced by
man. The enhanced beauty and artistry of nature, then, can be classified as an art.

Art involved experience

In order to experience something, you have to make use of your five senses. Hence, there can never be an
appreciation of art without having experienced it.

FUNCTIONS OF ARTS
The functions of art normally fall into three categories. These are the personal, social, and physical functions.

1. Personal Function
The personal functions of art are often the most difficult to explain. There are many types of personal
function, and they are subjective and will, therefore, vary from person to person.
An artist may create out of a need for self-expression, and intrinsic motivation. The artist might have wanted to
communicate a thought or point to the viewer. Perhaps the artist was trying to provide an aesthetic experience,
both for self and viewers. A piece might have been meant to "merely" entertain others. Sometimes a piece of art
isn't meant to have any meaning at all.
2. Social Function
Social behavior is influenced by many works of art. This is manifested by the way we think, feel, and move
or decide.
Advertisements which announce, describe, and present something in media greatly influence the social behavior
of the individual. By making a repetitious announcement using catchy words and tunes and employing striking
designs and lively colors, people are inclined to patronize certain products or services.
3. Physical Function
Whenever art has function, this function influences and often determines the form. The fact is that, if an object
is made for a certain function, it should be made in such a way that it can perform its function. Functions
change according to form, and if there are many functions, there will be many forms. A chair is designed to
allow the seated body to rest comfortably on it. Its different parts (back, arm, legs and seat) are harmoniously
related to one another and integrated into an object to fulfill a particular purpose. A spoon is a common object
for everyday use. Spoons have different sizes and purposes. Some spoons are designed for babies and others for
adults.

FORMS OF ART EXPRESSION

1. VISUAL ARTS - These are the arts that meet the eye and evoke an emotion through an expression of
skill and imagination. They include the most ancient forms, such as painting and drawing, and the arts
that were born thanks to the development of technology, like sculpture, printmaking, photography, and
 installation art. Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, different eras in art history have had their
own principles to define beauty.
2. PERFORMANCE ART- Performing Arts are arts or skills that require a performance in front of a
public audience. Examples are acting, singing, and dancing. Other forms of the Performing Arts include
opera, theater, magic or illusion performances, mime, spoken word, recitation, and public speaking.
3. POETRY PERFORMANCE- Performance poetry refers to poetry composed with the intention of
being performed, or composed during a performance in front of a live audience. Ex: Balagtasan
4. ARCHITECTURE - Architecture is the art and method of building and designing structures with an
artistic element instead of relying solely on construction abilities. The practice of architectural design is
used to meet both functional and artistic needs, therefore serving both practical and creative goals
5. DANCE- Dance is a fully-fledged art form, belonging to the 'performing arts', a goal in itself and a
means of allowing a human being to express his inner feelings, thoughts and experiences. Dance is a
natural form of self-expression: the body expresses itself naturally and so therefore does the spirit.
6. FILM- Movies are the highest art from because it takes writing, story, photography, drawing, painting,
concept art, animation, visual effects, music, acting, and a whole host of other talents, skills, and
abilities from talented individuals.
7. LITERATURE - Literature is considered a form of art because the author communicates ideas and
experiences to the reader. The story told in a literary work also connects to individual readers, affecting
them in much the same way that other kinds of art might do
8. THEATER - Theatre is a collaborative art form which combines words, voice, movement and visual
elements to express meaning. The field of theatre encompasses not only live improvised and scripted
work, but also dramatic forms such as film, television and other electronic media.
9. APPLIED ARTS - The applied arts are the application of design and decoration to everyday objects to
make them aesthetically pleasing. The term is applied in distinction to the fine arts which aims to
produce objects which are beautiful and/or provide intellectual stimulation.

THE VISUAL ARTS

VISUAL ARTS The visual arts are art forms that create works that are primarily visual in nature, such as
ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, crafts, photography, video, film making and architecture.
These definitions should not be taken too strictly as many artistic disciplines (performing arts, conceptual art,
textile arts) involve aspects of the visual arts as well as arts of other types. Also included within the visual arts
are the applied arts such as industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design and decorative art.

Visual arts include the following:

1. The Subject of Art
2. Sources of art subject
3. Kinds of Subject
4. Different level of meaning

The Subject of Art –

The subject of art refers to any person, object, scene, or event described or represented in a work of art.

There are two types of subjects of art as follows:

 1. Representational or Objective Representational art
or figurative art represents objects or events in the
real world, usually looking easily recognizable. It
uses “form” and is concerned with “what” is to be
depicted in the artwork. Example: painting, sculpture,
graphic arts, literature, and theater arts.

2. Non-representational or Non-objective
These are those arts without any reference to
anything outside itself (without representation). It is
non-objective because it has no recognizable objects.
The artist will use form, shape, color, and line and it
doesn’t represent real objects in our world. It uses
“content” and is concerned with “how” the artwork is
depicted.

Sources of Art Subject

1. Primary sources provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation. They
are created by witnesses or recorders who experienced the events or conditions being documented. Often these
sources are created at the time when the events or conditions are occurring, but primary sources can also include
autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories recorded later. Primary sources are characterized by their content,
regardless of whether they are available in the original format, in microfilm/microfiche, in digital format or in
the published format.

2. Secondary sources interpret and analyze primary sources. Because they are often written significantly after
events by parties not directly involved but who have special expertise, they may provide historical context or
critical perspectives. Secondary sources routinely include pictures, quotes, or graphics of primary sources.
Depending on the subject, newspaper and journal articles can fall into both categories.

KINDS OF SUBJECT
Artists usually draw their arts through the different kinds of subject. These include:
1. Still Life
These are groups of inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting. Example: flowers and fruits
arrangements; dishes, food, pots and pans, musical instruments and music sheets. The arrangement is that
like to show particular human interests and activities. The still life of Chinese and Japanese painters usually
shows flowers, fruits and leaves still in their natural setting. Today, focus is on the exciting arrangement ad
combinations or the object's shapes and colors.
2. Landscapes, Seascapes and Cityscapes
Artists have always been fascinated with their physical environment.
Fernando Amorsolo is well-known for having romanticized Philippines landscape
3. Animals
 They have been represented by artists from almost every age and place. In fact, the earliest known paintings
are representation of animals on the walls of caves. The carabao has been a favorite subject of Filipino
artists. The Maranao’s have an animal form of sari-manok as their proudest prestige symbol.
4. Portraits
People have always been intrigued by the human face as an index of the owner's character. As an
instrument of expression, it is capable of showing a variety of moods and feelings.
5. Everyday Life
Artists have always shown a deep concern about life around them. Many of them have recorded in
paintings their observation of people going about their usual ways and performing their usual tasks. Genre
paintings usually are representations of rice threshers, cockfighters, candle vendors, street musicians, and
children at play.
6. History and Legends
History Consists of verifiable facts, legends, of unverifiable ones.
Malakas and Maganda and Mariang Makiling are among the legendary subjects which have been rendered
in painting and sculpture by not a few Filipino artists.
7. Religion and Mythology
Art has been a hand maiden of religion. Most of the worlds' religions have used the arts to aid in
worship, to instruct, to inspire feelings of devotion and to impress and convert non-believers. The
Christian church commissioned craftsmen to tell the stories about Christ and the saints in pictures,
usually in mosaic, murals, and stained glass windows in churches.
8. Dreams and Fantasies

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MEANING

A subject matter has three different levels of meaning. These are:
1. Factual Meaning - the literal meaning or the narrative content in the work which can be directly
apprehended because the objects presented are easily recognized. Examples: stones, river, house, etc.
2. Conventional Meaning -refers to the special meaning that a certain object has in a particular culture or
group of people. Examples: flag symbol of a nation, cross for Christianity, crescent moon for Islam.
3. Subjective Meaning -any personal meaning consciously or unconsciously conveyed by the artist using a
private symbolism which stems from his own association of certain objects, actions or colors with past
experience.