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PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES,

2
SUBJECTS AND MEDIUMS ART

OVERVIEW
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Module 2 begins with the philosophical views on art by great thinkers like Plato,
Aristotle, Kant and Tolstoy. Then it moves on to tackle theories that respond to the
question, “What makes an art good?” The subjects and mediums of art are also included
to help you develop a better appreciation and understanding of art. Specifically, this
module covers the following topics:
• Philosophical Perspectives on Art
• Subjects of Art
• Mediums and Technique
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MODULE OUTCOMES
After the completion of this module, you must have:
• applied concepts and theories on art and aesthetics in real life scenarios;
• enumerated and discussed the different kinds or sources of art subject; and
• identified the various mediums and techniques of art; and
• created you own artwork by applying appropriate mediums and techniques.

V.C. Arenas 23 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 LESSON 1
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART

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This lesson contains explanation of the different theories on art and the many
ideas on what art is, what it should do, and what artistic qualities make a good art.

LESSON OUTCOMES

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At the end of this lesson, you must have:

• enumerated and explained the different theories and perspectives on art; and
• applied concepts and theories on beauty and aesthetics in real life scenarios.

ACTIVITY

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LIFE IN TIMES OF QUARANTINE
Here are some memes of how people feel about being in quarantine. Memes
are humorous pictures, videos or statements that often spread though social media.
Try to make your own meme about your life experience during the quarantine. Do this
in your journal.
NC
TIO

vox.com J. Harmon (n.d.) in Viber

LUA
EVA

stayhipp .com digg.com

V.C. Arenas 24 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 ASK AND YOU’LL LEARN
In your journal, list down the questions you might ask yourself about this artwork.
Do you think this particular work is good? Elaborate your response by enumerating

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your reasons. Use only one page.

YO
OP
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Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, 1658 from rawpixel.com
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DISCUSSION
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
Aesthetics is the philosophy of art In Plato’s view of reality (or
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that deals with the nature of beauty and
judgment of taste. Taste can be studied
or acquired (Doria, K. and A. Rotor,
2012). It also varies due to the result of
many factors such as exposure to the
arts, cultural background, social or even
economic status. Meanwhile, esthetic (or
aesthetic) refers to a person’s sense of
EVA
metaphysics), the things in this world are
only copies of the original. He believed
that it is only in the in the World of Forms,
where the eternal and the true entities (the
so-called the ideal) can only be found. For
example, the bed that one sleeps on, is
not a real bed. It is an imperfect copy of

what is beautiful. the perfect “bed” in the World of Forms.

Plato is convinced that artists foster the
1. Art as an imitation belief in imitations and discourage people
to reach for the real entities in the World
Plato in his book, The Republic, of Forms.
portrays artists as imitators and art as
an imitation. In his opinion, art should be Plato was deeply suspicious of
abolished as a subject in the curriculum. arts and artists for two reasons:
V.C. Arenas 25 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules
DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
1. Artists and the arts appeal to the
emotion rather than reason.
2. Artists and the arts imitate rather than
the way to reality.
Accordingly, poetry evokes
emotions and feelings and thus, clouds
one’s reasoning. Art is just an imitation of
imitation. A painting, for instance, is just
an imitation of nature, which in turn, is
just an imitation of reality in the World of
Forms.
Plato strongly felt that art should
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be banished, alongside art practitioners,
so that the attitudes and actions of the
members of the Republic would be free
from the corrupting influence of the arts.
He insisted that art is dangerous since it
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provides a petty replacement of the real
entities that can only be attained though
reason.
2. Art as a representation
Aristotle, agreed with Plato that art
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is a form of imitation. However, Aristotle
disagreed with Plato about the role of
imitation. He considered art as an aid to
philosophy because the kind of imitation
that art does is not contrary to the search
for fundamental truths.
LUA
For Aristotle, ideas of art are
possible versions of reality. He believed
that all kinds of art do not aim to represent
reality as it is but endeavor to provide a
version of what might be or the countless
possibilities of reality.
EVA
In Aristotelian worldview,
serves two particular purposes:
1. Art allows people to experience pleasure.
2. Art has an ability to teach things about life.
V.C. Arenas
DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
3. Art as a disinterested judgment
In his Critique of Judgment,
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Immanuel Kant considers the judgment of
beauty as something that can be universal
despite is subjectivity. He believes that
subjective judgments are based on some
universal criterion.
YO
How and in what sense can a
judgment of beauty, recognized to be a
subjective feeling, be considered objective
or universal?
Consider these two statements:
(1) “I like this painting.” and (2) “This
painting is beautiful.”
The first statement is subjective
because it is clearly a judgment of taste
while the second statement is objective
due to it being an aesthetic judgement.
Making an aesthetic judgment
requires us to be neutral or without
prejudice. In other words, we should try
to go beyond our individual tastes and
preferences so that we can appreciate art
from a universal standpoint.
4. Art as a communication of emotion
Leo Tolstoy’s What is Art? (1896)
is a discourse concerning the nature and
purpose of art. According to Tolstoy, art
plays a huge role in communicating to
its audience the emotions that the artist
previously experienced. In the same way
that a language communicates information
art
to people, art communicates emotions.
Art conveys a man’s innermost feelings
and thoughts in order to be understood.
Hence, art serves as a mechanism for
social unity.
26 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules
 NLY
YO
Plato Leo Tolstoy
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org

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Immanuel Kant Aristotle

en.wikipedia.org cleanpng.com

SUMMARY

In The Republic, Plato had two Kant argues that in making aesthetic
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theories of art. According to this theory,
art imitates the objects and events of
ordinary life, which in turn imitate the
Forms, therefore, art is always a copy of a
copy, that leads us even further from truth
and toward illusion. For this reason, as
well as its power to stir the emotions, art
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judgments (or 'judgments of taste'), we must
be disinterested. To be disinterested means
that we are impartial and thus we take
pleasure in something because we deem it
beautiful, rather than deciding it is beautiful
because we find it pleasurable.

is dangerous. Tolstoy describes art as an

Aristotle, like Plato, believed
that art involved imitation (mimesis). He
considered art as an attempt to look for
the universal truths in individual’s destiny.
expression of a feeling or experience in
a manner that the audience to whom the
art is addressed can relate to that feeling
or experience. Art, thus, is a means of
communication.

V.C. Arenas 27 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 ART THEORIES
Many art theories have emerged revealing the wide variety and opinions about
what art is, what it should do and what makes a good art.

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Formalism Instrumentalism

Formalism claims that art is best An instrumentalist is concerned

when it effectively uses the elements of
art and principles of design. A formalist
focuses solely on how an artwork looks–
color, line, shape, and texture. The
only with the context of art and not
with composition. To the proponents or
believers of this theory, the best artworks
are those that convey a message or shape

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how we see the world. Unlike other art
historical or social context behind the
theories, instrumentalism states that art is
artwork has no bearing on whether it is good when it serves as a tool to influence
considered successful. What matters only or change society.
is the composition. Formalism began with
modern art and the rise of abstract and Emotionalism
expressionist works since those works
put spotlight on the use of line, shape, and
color to create a pleasing composition.

Imitationalism / Mimetic OP The emotionalism

emphasizes the expressive qualities of
an artwork. Communication between the
artwork and the viewer is important. The
theory

artwork is considered excellent, if the art

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The imitationalism or mimetic
theory of art dictates that artwork is good
when it imitates life. To mistake an artwork
for a real thing rather than a replica
from a distance, is a piece prized under
imitationalism. The more realistic, the
better.
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is able to elicit a feeling from the audience.
Emotionalism is different from other art
theories because it is not concerned
with how an observer is attracted to the
artwork. What is crucial is that the artist
was able to arouse a mood or idea to
the viewer regardless of the artwork’s
composition, context, or narrative or story.

ACTIVITY

Create or look for an image of an art work depicting the use of any of the four art
theories. Paste or do this in one whole page
LUA

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

Whose ideas are the following?

1. Art is simply a copy or an imitation, thus, it cannot give the viewer or the
audience any real knowledge about the world.
EVA

2. Art can be wild and dangerous because it appeals to passion or emotion.

3. Art reflects human emotions and sentiments.
4. The judgment of beauty in art is subjective. What is judged to be beautiful
requires agreement with others.

V.C. Arenas 28 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 LESSON 2
subjects of art

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Many people like works of art that represent something familiar or those which
have easily recognizable objects. They enjoy and appreciate these kinds even without
knowing or perceiving the meaning behind the art pieces. They derived satisfaction
from recognizing the subject or from understanding its narrative content.

LESSON OUTCOMES

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After completing this lesson, you must have:

• enumerated and explained the different subjects of art; and

• analyzed and interpreted the artworks presented based on the subject and content.

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ACTIVITY

GUESSING GAME
A riddle or bugtong (Filipino) is something that will tickle our brains. Just for fun,
guess what is referred to by the riddles below. Write your answers in your journal.
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1. Dalawang batong itim, malayo ang mararating.
2. Hindi pari, hindi hari, nagdadamit ng sari-sari.
3. Sinampal ko muna bago inalok.
4. Buto’t balat lumilipad.
5. Malambot na parang ulap, kasama mo sa pangarap.
TIO

EXPLORING MY TOWN/CITY
Supposing you have a friend who is visiting your town/city for the first time. You
decided to take your friend to a walking tour in your place. Write a brief itinerary of your
tour by naming and describing top five sites. Do this in your journal.
LUA

DISCUSSION
WHAT IS A SUBJECT OF ART?
The subject of art pertains to any 2. non-representational or non-
person, object, scene, or event described objective (arts that do not have recognizable
or represented in a work of art. It suggests subjects)
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the main idea of the piece and responds to

the question, “What is the artwork about?”
Practically anything under the sun can be a
subject of art. Depending on the subject, art
can be:
1. representational or objective (arts
that have subjects)
Objective arts are easily
recognizable by most people because they
depict or represent common or familiar
objects. This kind of art attempt to copy
something very real even in a subjective
manner. It uses “form” and is concerned
with “what” is to be shown in the artwork.

V.C. Arenas 29 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 Non-Objective arts are those
without any recognizable objects. These
arts do not have any reference to anything
outside itself. They are called abstract in the
sense because they do not represent real
objects in our world. Non-Objective arts
use “content” and are concerned solely with
“how” the artwork is depicted.
CONTENT IN ART
If the subject of art deals with the
“what” aspect, content in art pertains to
the “why” aspect. Why did the artist create
this artwork? Content is concerned with the
message or the meaning behind the artwork.
Basic to the understanding of content in art
is the knowledge of the different levels of
meaning of the subject matter.
The first level and the most
common is FACTUAL MEANING which
can be easily seen from the recognizable
forms in the artwork. The second level
is CONVENTIONAL MEANING which
is based on what is generally believed.
The artwork can be interpreted using
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signs, icons, symbols, motifs, and other
signs commonly understood. The third
level is SUBJECTIVE MEANING. People
have different responses to a work of art,
and thus art takes on various meanings.
Our perception and understanding of an
artwork can be influenced by our personal
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circumstances – our moods, experiences,
knowledge, values, etc.
DIFFERENT KINDS OR SOURCES OF
SUBJECTS OF ART
There are endless types or sources
of subjects that artists may use in their work.
LUA
Below are common or traditional subjects
that have been employed since ancient
time.
1. Landscapes, or other terms like
urbanscapes, seascapes, cityscapes and
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ACTIVITY
Provide five examples of the different kinds/sources of art subjects taken
from newspapers, magazines, comic books, journals, internet, etc. Paste and
label them in a one whole page.
V.C. Arenas
DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
farmscapes, are works of art that show the
physical environment.
2. Still Life refers to groups of
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inanimate objects arranged in indoor setting
(e.g. flower vases, dishes of food on dining
table, pots and pans on kitchen table, etc.)
3. Nature as an art subject focuses on
animals (e.g. insects, frogs, etc.), plants
or their parts, stones and minerals of the
earth. They are usually results of close-up
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observations of nature. Animals are the
subjects in earliest known paintings.
4. Portrait is a realistic rendition of a person
in sculpture, painting, drawing, print or
photograph.
5. Figures are the subjects of artists in
which the chief focus is showing the human
body, nude or clothed.
6. Genre or everyday life subjects depict
the common or everyday ordinary life of
people.
7. History and legend subjects show
significant scenes in history, myths, legends
and folklores.
8. Religion and mythology arts are used to
educate, teach, inspire feelings of devotion
and convert non-believers to a certain belief
or religion. Many artists get inspiration
from the beauty and magic of mythological
characters.
9. Dreams and fantasies usually portray
figures, scenes or objects that are strange,
absurd or out-of-this-world.
10. Abstract types are not recognizable
because they do not have any reference
to the real world. The usual subjects are
depicted by splash of colors, shapes,
brushstrokes, size and scale.
30 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules
 ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

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Identify the kind of subject depicted in the following images. Write your answer
in the space provided below each image.

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artistnetwork.com ideelart.com allartclassic.com

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1 2 3

__________________________NC __________________________ __________________________

TIO

emptyeasel.com 123rf.com needpix.com

4 5 6

__________________________ __________________________ __________________________

LESSON 3
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MEDIUMS AND TECHNIQUES

In this lesson, you will learn about the different materials and techniques used by
artists in creating their art. Their materials of choice allow them the flexibility of crafting or
molding them into their desired artworks. Sometimes not using the right kind of medium
may render the art piece to be totally different from what was originally intended.
EVA

LESSON OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, you must have:
• identified and discussed the various art mediums and techniques; and
• created a simple work of art using one or several media and techniques.

V.C. Arenas 31 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 ACTIVITY

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KNOWLEDGE OF ART
In this activity, we will explore your knowledge on music and poetry.
Complete the lyrics of the popular songs or poems below. Write your answers in
your journal.

1. Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay mahigit pa sa ______.

YO
2. And dutay nga damang nag saka sa sa-nga, umabut ang u-lan, na anod siya, nag
gu-wa ang adlaw, nag mala and duta, ang dutay nga damang _______________.

3. Bahay-kubo, kahit munti, ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. Singkamas at

_____________________________, patani.

4. Nung isilang ka sa mundong ito, laking _______________________________

_____________, ang iyong ilaw.

OP
5. Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya, sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakilagaya ng pag-
ibig sa tinubuang lupa? Alin ____________________ wala.

PRELIMINARY IDEAS
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COPYCAT: ORIGINAL OR A REPLICA? TAKE YOUR PICK
Below are examples of artworks of the same subject matter as interpreted by
two different artists. Which do you think is better? Why? No need to write but just
ponder on these.
TIO
LUA

Acrylic remake of Starry Night Vincent Van Gogh “Starry Night”

from fineartamerica.com from pixabay.com
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Remake (left) and the genuine (right) “Mona Genuine (L) and remake (R) “Weeping Woman”
Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci from pixel.com by Pablo Picasso from boredpanda.com

V.C. Arenas 32 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
 DISCUSSION
MEDIUM AND TECHNIQUE
Art exists because there is a
medium through which they employ to
express themselves. An art medium
(media in plural) pertains to the material
that artists use in producing a work of
art. Sometimes a piece of artwork is
composed of a single medium or can be
created from several types of materials.
Based on the medium, art can be clustered
into three groups. These are:
1. Visual or Spatial (Space) Arts – are
those that are visible and able to occupy
space.
OP
2. Tonal or Time Arts – are those that can
be heard and expressed in time.
3. Combined Arts – are those that can
exist in both space and time, and can be
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seen and heard. Some examples include
dances, musical performances, and
theatrical plays.
Mediums of Art
Painting. Different forms of media
are used in painting. Examples include
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the following:
1. mosaic 7. charcoal
2. pastel 8. tempera
3. watercolor 9. acrylic
4. fresco 10. ink
5. oil 11. encaustic
6.crayons
LUA
Oil painting is the medium of
painting that uses a kind of oil that when
mixed with colors or pigments forms
different other colors.
Ancient medium tempera can
be quite difficult to handle as it involves
mixing the tempera paints with egg yolks
EVA
which acts as a binder. Errors committed
when this medium is used are hard to
rectify because yolks dry fast.
Encaustic is a medium that
combines dry pigments with wax softened
by heating.
Fresco is achieved by applying
V.C. Arenas
DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.
NLY
pigments with water on a plaster wall
while the plaster is still damp. This enables
the color to sink into the surface until it
becomes a part of the wall.
Sculpture. Examples of materials in
sculpture are:
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1. marble 5. glass
2. clay 6. ice
3. wood 7. plaster
4. metal 8. precious metals
(e.g. silver, gold
and lead)
Literature. Language is the medium of
literature. Poets and writers use words, in
any language, to express their sentiments,
feelings or opinions.
Architecture. Many types and forms of
building materials are used by architects
in creating buildings and other physical
structures. Examples of materials used in
architecture are:
1. concrete 6. bamboo
2. wood (timber) 7. plastic
3. steel 8. glass
4. stone 9. textile
5. brick 10. earthen material
Concrete is among the most
used building materials in the world. It
is known for its strength and versatility.
The skyscrapers that dominate our city
are made of concrete, steel and glass.
Steel is basically used as reinforcement
but they can be artistic claddings or
skins made of steel. For building façade,
glass is commonly used as it creates
light and transparency. In contemporary
architecture, many types of glasses have
emerged such as “responsive or intelligent
glass.” Still a favorite among builders is
wood, the most traditional of all materials.
The use of indigenous materials
in architecture is becoming popular these
days. The sustainability aspect is being
considered in designing and constructing
33 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules
buildings. Examples of these materials
include sawali (comes from outer covering Technique refers to specialized
of bamboo poles), coco coir (by-product methods or procedures employed by

of coconut like leaves, trunk, husk and
shell), bagasse (sugar cane waste),
abaca (from leafstalks of banana plants),
bamboo, palm fronds (like nipa roof) and
mud bricks.
Music. Music has two mediums,
the voice or the vocal medium and the
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artists in their particular field of endeavor.
It is a particular way of making an artwork.
Technique creates meaning in art. One
example of a technique in painting is
using bold brushstrokes and dripping of
paint into a canvas to produce a particular
effect.

instrumental medium. There are three
major classification of musical instruments
– the string, wind and percussion.
Examples of string instruments are
the violin, cello and guitar while wind
instruments include the flute, oboe,
YO
Technique makes use of different
tools and technology to handle or operate
materials so that the desired effect is
achieved. One concrete example is
applying a blowtorch to a wood to change
its texture and color for a sculpture.

OP
trumpet, trombone, and tuba. The drum,
cymbals and triangle are some examples
of percussion instruments.
Dance. The human body, all of it
or its parts, are the mediums of dance.
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The movement of the body, the hands and
feet, the gestures and facial expressions in
a dance are means to express a message
or emotion.
Technique
TIO
The development of technology
has led to the creation of different forms
of art. An image can be reflected on a
colloidal medium like soap and water
because these materials can diffuse light.
Likewise, a graphic art can be projected
in the air. The air, which is the medium, is
turned into a plasma (ionized gas) using
electric current. The electric current turns
gas into plasma.

ACTIVITY

Create your own mood board using materials at home. These may be fruits,
flowers, leaves, plates, glasses, etc. Take a photo of your mood board and send it via
e-mail, or you may print and paste it in your journal.
LUA

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE

Determine the kind of medium used in the following artworks. Answer in your
journal.
EVA

1. The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

2. Pandanggo sa Ilaw
3. The SONA (State of the Nation Address) speech of Pres. Duterte
4. Golden Buddha statue
5. El Filibusterismo by Dr. Jose Rizal

V.C. Arenas 34 ART MATTERS: Art Appreciation Learning Modules

DISCLAIMER
This module is owned by ISAT University, unauthorized reproduction or distribution
without the consent of the university or of the module writer is prohibited.