ENG 102: Art Appreciation

Module 4: Manner of Presenting Art as a

Subject and Levels of Meaning
of Subject
Intended Learning
Outcomes:

• Identify the different ways

artists present their subjects
in their artworks; and
• Distinguish and dissect the
manner how an artwork is
presented.
 ENG 102: Art Appreciation
Module 4: Manner in Presenting
Arts as a Subject
 Artist have various ways of presenting its subject. It is not
only creative, colorful, but it is also symbolic, magical and
mystical.

Presenting an art subject requires some tools and

authority. An artist may convey a particular method or
approach, and in order for his work to be understood
there are different ways in which this can be understood
properly.
 Art critics may vary in their thoughts, ideas
and evaluation. However, their conventions
are clear in presenting an art as a subject.
These are common ways of presenting art as
a subject:
a) Realism e) Dadaism
b) Abstraction f) Expressionism
c) Surrealism g) Futurism
d) Fauvism h) Symbolism
 Realism
The common expression that says, what
you see is what you get would best this art
presentation. Artists portray subjects
coming from nature, with the exact replica
on what the objects are. Trees birds and
mountains with no modifications or any
changes; they are presented as they are.
Abstraction/Abstract
This art finds its meaning with the artist. The
predisposition of meanings is deposited within
the maker of the work. In the above
example, one may find difficulty in
understanding the work but the artist here is
given the task of creating the essence of his
work. He accounts for the imbued
significance of his work.
 It is the manner or the process of simplifying
and/or re-organizing objects and elements either
with shapes or colors.
Similarly, abstract art refers to the visual works
that move beyond reality as contrasted to realism
that gives us the notion of what you see is what you
get.
Common Abstraction Art of presentation:
1) Cubism
2) Distortion
3) Mangling
4) Abstract Expressionism
Abstraction: Cubism
Cubism takes precedence as a highly influential
visual art in the 20th Century. The common
characteristics of this art comprise the two
dimensional surface of the picture plane or applies
geometric forms or figures, that emphasizes the flat
and also rejects the traditional forms of
foreshortening, modeling, chiaroscuro, and
perspective.
Abstraction: Distortion
When there is alteration of the
shape, forms its original form like
twisted or bent out of shape from the
regular condition, then that work of
art is distortion. This is carried out in
an object and even on a person.
Abstraction: Mangling
This work of art was first introduced
by the Dadaists artists around 1918.
The common characteristics of this
presentation are the objects and
person who are severely injured,
mutilated by cutting, crushed,
slashed, or disfigured.
Abstraction: Abstract Expressionism
This manner of art presentation is also
known as color field or action painting
because work of art becomes an “event”
Gestural abstraction is also coined as the
another term for this art for the reason that
the artist's brush strokes revealed his process.
The said process serves as the subject of the
art itself.
 Surrealism
It is a way of representing the subject by
combining realism and distortion. Here, one
proportion maybe real; another maybe
distorted. Historically, the Egyptians
represented their Gods in a surrealistic form,
were in one part represent an animal, while
another part is real like in their God Hours,
the Sun God.
 Fauvism
In relation to the employment of colors as mentioned
in symbolism art. Fauvist also employ colors in art
presentation. They use these colors as bright as the
expressed joy, happiness and freedom. Conversely, they
would likely not to use colors which are dark since those
emotions are dominating in their work.
Fauve artists employ brilliancy in colors that are pure,
and these are aggressively applied straight to the canvass
from the paint tubes create a sense of explosion.
 Dadaism
Dadaism started as a protest against the
arts in Zurich Switzerland. Dada means hobby
horse which technically means non-sensical
way of presenting art.
Dada works often show rejection of logic,
zeroing on nonsense, intuition, and irrationality.
Its origin is appearing to be unclear.
Expressionism
Works depicting the darker side of life are
presented in this art presentation. The
collective human emotions take precedence;
art pieces depict tragedy, chaos, violence,
pathos, defeat and morbidity.
This art presentation brings about new
standards and evaluation of art.
Futurism
The modern day living characterized by
technology, modernity, youth, and speed are
seen and observed in futurism works of art.
Common themes and objects seen here include
airplane, car, and the urbanized city.
Its influence and impact spread into fields of
painting, sculpture, interior, graphic and urban
design, film, textile, and even food preparation.
 Symbolism
Compared to realism, symbolism art works
possessed some difficulty at understanding.
Colors used in the artwork signify meanings
and their utilization convey significance in an
artists' work. White for instance stands for purity,
red for violence, and love in most instances,
while black may mean darkness or something
evil.
 ENG 102: Art Appreciation
Module 4: Level of Meaning of
Subject
 LEVELS OF Cf. Alice Guillermo’s
MEANING “Reading the Image”
Factual Meaning Iconic Plane
the literal statement or the narrative This looks into the choice of the
content in the work which can be directly subject, which may bear the
apprehended because the objects social and political implications.
presented are easily recognized.

Conventional Meaning Semiotic Plane

Camote Diggers
Carlos “Botong” Francisco”
National Artist in Visual Arts
refers to the special meaning
that a certain object or color has a
particular culture or group of
people.
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 experiences.
This covers the elements and
general technical aspect of
the work with semantic
potentiality.
Contextual Plane
This demands a broad knowledge
of society’s history, economic,
political and cultural conditions
in order to plomb the art work’s
meaning.
Activity 3 or 4
The students will be grouped according to a particular manner of presenting art as
a subject (in any art mediums). The instructor may group the students for inclusivity
purposes. The students will be tasked to draw or paint an artwork choosing one
from the listed societal issues applying the manner of presenting art as a subject .
Societal Issues Criteria Points
1. COVID-19 Pandemic In-Depth of Content : 20
2. New Normal Education System Craftmanship/Creativity: 20
3. El Niño and La Niña Punctuality: 5
4. 2022 Presidential Election Overall Impact: 5
5. Mental Health Issues TOTAL 50 points
6. No Vaccine No Work Policy
7. Ayuda Issues
 Quiz
Answer page Pages 74-75 of the Art App
book
Fill in the Blanks only.

Take photos of your completed exercises

and send it to your designated google
classroom/other online platforms.