The Importance of Art

 The arts are indescribable to define, difficult to gather

into a conceptual net but we would probably agree that
the arts enhance daily experience. Art has touched
everyone. Art is all around us being universal as it can
be found in all cultures. We are certain that we don’t
want to be without arts, yet we are pushed to define
them and sometimes even to understand them. Art has
a particular importance in our lives. All the art that we
receive through our senses have a purpose as well as
expression; they occupy some place in our judgment.
 In this age of technology and concrete jungles, art is of paramount
importance. We struggle to balance our lives in trying to keep pace
with the frantic pace of life. A student who grows up with an
artistic sensibility sees at the world from a different perspective.
This understanding actually molds his behavior, his interpersonal
communication, and his actions. The artistic sensibility is above
any methodology. The environment in which each child lives grows
up and works is unique and cannot be generalized. Artistic
sensibilities are to be nourished and encouraged at home, at
school and ultimately, the society which plays a major role.
In general, there is no debating the
belief that the arts have never been
more important to our society and
should be fully integrated into our
lives, our community and education in
general.
What is Art?

 The word “art” is rooted from the 13th century French

word “art” which means skill as a result of learning or
practice and from the Latin word “ars” meaning ability or
practical skills.

 The word art covers many meanings including ability, process and product. As
ability, art is the human capacity to make things of beauty and things that
that stirs us, it is creativity. As process, art encompasses acts such as
drawing, painting, sculpting, designing buildings, singing, dancing and using
the camera to create images or memorable works. As product, art is the
completed work- an etching, a sculpture, a structure, a musical composition,
choreography or a tapestry.
 Artconcerns itself with the communication of
certain ideas and feelings by means of a
sensuous medium – color, sound, bronze, body,
words and film. This medium is fashioned into a
symbolic language marked by beauty of design
and coherence of form. It appeals to our mind,
arouses our emotions, kindles our imagination
and enchants our senses ( Machlis, 1963)
 Many known personalities defined art in various ways.
According to Plato, “Art is that which brings life in
harmony with the beauty of the world. For John
Dewey, “Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of mind-one
which demands for its own satisfaction and fulfilling, a
shaping of matter to new and more significant form”.
To Oscar Wilde, “Art is the most intense mode of
individualism that the world has known” and for Elbert
Hubbard, “Art is not a thing — it is a way”. From the
various definitions above, there are
Four (4) common essentials of art:

 1. Art has to be man-made

 2. Art must be creative, not imitative
 3. Art must benefit and satisfy man
 4.Art is expressed through a certain
medium or material by which the artist
communicates himself to his audiences.
Art History

 It is the study of objects or works of art in their

historical development and stylistic contexts, i.e.
genre, design, format, and style. This includes the
"major" arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture as
well as the "minor" arts of ceramics, furniture, and
other decorative objects. It is in the study of objects of
art in their historical development and stylistic
contents, format and design that we may able to
understand its purpose and appreciate the work of art.
 The humanities course is anchored on strong foundation in the
arts and sciences which aims to promote awareness of the
interrelationships of all fields of knowledge (Encyclopedia
Americana, 1986). Today, we know of Humanities as a loosely
defined group of cultural subject areas which we refer to as the
Arts. It is in the study of humanities where appreciation of the arts
is given emphasis. Artists convey their thoughts, beliefs, values,
feelings and relations through the various fields of art which can
be visual, popular, literary, gustatory, decorative and performing.
The Humanities and art appreciation offer the basic knowledge
each student needs be it an academic requirement or merely an
experience in life.
 Just
like the artists, we also communicate
through our paintings, songs, body
movements, films and drama to highlight
and enhance certain events and keep them
memorable and pleasurable. We also build
monuments and statues to remind us of the
heroic deeds of great men.
 Artworks are valuable sources of inspiration,
aesthetic and delightful experience. We can be
mesmerized by a dance we watched, delighted by the
books we read and moved by the music we hear. We
also get deep satisfaction from them. We may enjoy a
masterpiece of painting and sculpture or a play because
they may capture our attention. We are inspired to plan
and construct our houses stunningly when we are
inspired by modern architectural designs.
 in the course of his life to
Creativity is an artist trait developed
solve problems or express his feelings. His continuing
reactions to emerging conditions of nature and social
life gives birth to new ideas and new methods. These in
turn, he uses to overcome difficulties which in the
process of confrontation with reality give the solution
to a vision, create art or activate social transformation.

The process of creativity is threefold with the
artist as the prime mover,
communicating his ideas through the
performer and the audience as his
interpreter. Each participates
actively in the creative process.
 Through the exposures of artist’s work, we get a glimpse
of the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and relations of the
people in their time and the events that happened in their
environment that may have influenced their artworks. Our
encounter with arts may also results to our value and
appreciation of beautiful things. Out of the aesthetic
experiences we derive from arts, we maybe be influenced
to change our habits and behavior. They may transform us
into highly-cultured, dignified and upright human beings.
The arts may beautify our humanity.
 This explains the modern definition of humanities
which refers to the Arts which brings out the good
and noble in us. Through the arts, we come to
know and understand 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.
 Art appreciation in humanities is being able to
look at a work of art and form a wise opinion of
the work. It is also having the knowledge,
background, and understanding of the universal
and timeless qualities that comprise all works of
art. Art appreciation therefore deals with the
learning or understanding and creating arts and
enjoying them.
Assumptions of Art

 are the principles and bases in art

appreciation in a work of art since
it is in art that man can
communicate one’s individuality
and way of life.
1. Art is Universal

 Art is everywhere, where ever men have lived

together; art has sprung up among them as a
language charged with feelings and significance.
The desire to create this language appears to be
general and art as a cultural force it can be
pervasive and potent. Art has no limit and it rise
above cultures, races and civilization. It is timeless
because it goes beyond the time of our own
existence.
 Art is man-made, it is a creation of man utilizing his
thoughtful skill and artistry which undergoes process
and planning. Art is artificial because it is just an
imitation or even appropriation of reality and nature. It
is a representation of ideas, thoughts and feelings that
are communicated in creative and artistic ways. Art
that is created by God is divine and art that is created
by man is superficial or temporary. Arts are made by
artist to adore the wonders of life and the beauty of
God’s creation.
 Art can never be natural because it is momentary in
constant transformation of change, it does not change by
itself, unless manipulated by its creator which is man.

 Artist could make any work of art but they could not surely
form nature. From man’s experiences, we cannot even
compare Art with Nature because it is something
mysterious and it is made by the Divine providence whose
depth and mystery is beyond human understanding
3. Art Involves Experience

 Art is a depiction of our experiences. It demands taking

part. Art involves laying of pigments, moulding of clay,
chipping of marble, casting of bronze, constructing of
buildings, singing of songs, playing roles on stage,
enacting, going thru rhythmic movement in the dance.
Every art does something with some physical material, the
body or something outside the body thus the only way to
find conviction and assertion is through immersion to the
Arts. We can only appreciate art if we spend time to look
at it, listen to it, touch it and feel its presence.
Functions of Art

1. Personal
- When it is being used to provide comfort, happiness and
convenience to human beings. The artist tries to express his
personal feelings through the
artwork.
2. Social
- used for public display and celebration; used to affect the
collective behaviour. It
bridges connection among people. Art that conveys sense of
family, community or civilization.
 3. Cultural function
– when art helps preserves, shares and transmits culture
of people from one generation to another.
 4. Aesthetic function
-when it becomes influential for man to be aware of the
beauty of nature and where the real feelings of appreciation
to nature’s beauty are manifested through appreciation and
enjoyment when in contact with the artwork.
5. Spiritual function
– an artist may create a work of art to support the
religious or spiritual support of a culture.
Basic Philosophical Perspective of Art

 Art as mimesis (Plato) - according to him, art is an

imitation of the real that was an imitation of the ideal.
Art is an imitation of an imitation.

 Art as representation (Aristotle) – according to him,

the aim of art is not to represent the outward appearance
of things but their inward significance.
 Art for Art’s sake (Kant) – that art has its own reason for being. It
implies that an art object is best understood as an autonomous creation
to be valued only for the success that it organizes color and line into a
formally satisfying and beautiful whole

 Art as an escape – the ceremony of doing or creating art

touches the deepest realms of the mind and the sacred
dimension of the artistic creative process. The sacred level
of art not only transforms something into art, but also
transforms the artist at the very core of his or her being.
 Art as functional – art serves a function. Art
is meant to be used, to enrich lives to be
spiritually potent, to educate, to support or
protest existing power structures, to entertain
and so on.
Category/Classifications of art

 1. Visual Arts (2D, 3D)

 1. Painting – application of pigment (color) on any flat
2-dimenional surfaces.
 2. Sculpture – the carving, modelling, casting,
constructing and assembling of materials and
objects into primarily 3-dimensional works of art
 3. Architecture – the art and science of planning,
designing and constructing buildings and non-
building structures for human shelter or use (3D)
2. Performing/Combined Arts

Music- is an art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound organized in time
Dance - the movement of the body in rhythmic way, usually to music and within a
given space for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion.
Film - called also as movie or motion picture, is a series of still images that, when
shown on a screen create an illusion of moving images.
Theater -is a collaborative form of art that uses live performers, typically actors or
actresses to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a
specific place, often a stage.
Literary – concentrating the writing, study or content of literature, especially of the
kind valued for quality of form.
Performance poetry - is poetry specifically composed for or during a performance
before an audience rather than on print mostly open to improvisation.
 3. Digital Arts – art that is made with the assistance of electronic devices, or
intended to be displayed on a computer which is the most important element in
digital art
 4. Applied Arts – are the applications of design and decoration to everyday objects
to make them aesthetically pleasing.
 Fashion design – the art of applying design, aesthetics and natural beauty to
clothing and its accessories
 Furniture design – a specialized field where function and fashion collide
 Interior design– enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier
and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space.
 Graphic Design - It is an artistic process of effective communication. Designers
combine words images and symbols to create visual representation of ideas.