Lesson 1: Assumption and Nature of Arts

Spoliarium by Juan Luna (1884)

The painting features a glimpse of Roman history centered on the bloody carnage
brought by gladiatorial matches. Spoliarium is a Latin word referring to the basement
of the Roman Colosseum where the fallen and dying gladiators are dumped and
devoid of their worldly possessions. Juan Luna was an Ilocano Filipino painter,
sculptor and a political activist of the Philippine Revolution during the late 19th
century. He became one of the first recognized Philippine artists. The painting shows
how the Filipinos were treated before when they were colonized by Spaniards. It
shows that they were forced to entertain the Roman oppressors and the Spaniards
with their lives and sacrifice themselves for the Roman's and Spaniard's honor.

Adumu Dance - Maasai tribe

Jump high! Jump higher! If you jump the highest, you will get warrior status and get the
option of choosing your prettiest bride. This is one of the traditions followed by the
Maasai people of East Africa. This traditional dance, known as ‘Adumu’ initiates a adult
boy into a warrior man. In this dance, the boys jump as high as possible while music and
claps egg them on in the background. This dance is primarily performed during
Eonoto, the coming of age ceremony of warriors. During this competitive jumping
event, a circle is formed by the warriors, and one or two will enter the center to begin
jumping while maintaining a narrow posture, never letting their heels touch the
ground. During this jump, members of the group may raise the pitch of their voices
based on the height of the jump.
 THE ANGONO PETROGLYPHS

The Angono Petroglyph is a recent archeological breakthrough during the 80’s found
in the mountainside of Angono and Binangonan by Carlo “Botong” Francisco. It is a
stylized anthropomorphic and zoomorphic forms etched on the rock shelter.
In the cave, you will see the different carvings of the tribes settling in this cavern. It is
said to be the oldest, known art carvings found in caves in the Philippines. Dated
approximately 1000 years B.C. Originally, there were 127 engravings of human and
animal figures in stick forms but due to negligence and vandalism of visitors, some
rock carvings have disappeared. Many years ago, it was believed that there was a
language barrier and the only form of communication is through the use of symbols.
Symbolisms and figures are used to convey what our ancestors think and feel as
part of their everyday life. Carving those symbols was also their means of recording
their data and activities in their lives such as the celebration of birth, feast and death.
Through the years, the cavemen may have migrated from one place to another. But
studies have shown that intermarriages took place with other tribesmen that resulted
to the exchange of different skills and abilities.

Green Sea – Quang Tran (2014)

Women sew fishing nets in a Vietnamese village. The billows of the bottle-green
nets, echoing the ocean waves, the calm focus of the women at work, and the
detail of the old-fashioned sewing machine all work together to make a harmonious
scene and one that I imagine is not as tranquil as it looks.
 Dramatic Fairy Sculptures Dancing with Dandelions by Robin Wight

UK sculptor Robin Wight creates dramatic scenes of wind-blown fairies clutching

dandelions, clinging to trees, and seemingly suspended in midair, all with densely
wrapped forms of stainless steel wire. The artist currently has several pieces on view
at the Trentham Gardens and sells a number of DIY wire sculpting kits from
his website where he also discusses in great detail how each piece is built.

Fairies invoke thoughts of fantasy. They help you escape the real world for a
moment and are generally associated with good things.

Lesson 2: Functions of Arts and Philosophy

Mona Lisa - Leonardo da Vinci

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait painting by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci.
The portrait shows the subject sitting upright and sideways in a chair, with her face
and chest turned slightly towards the viewer: a posture derived from the 'pyramid'
image used to depict a sitting Madonna. Her left arm sits comfortably on the armrest
of the chair and is clasped by the hand of her right arm which crosses her front. The
slightly protective position of her arms, as well as the armrest, creates a sense of
distance between sitter and spectator. The Mona Lisa exemplifies Leonardo's
contribution to the art of oil painting, namely his mastery of sfumato.
 Migrant Mother, Nipomo - Dorothea Lange
The picture that did more than any other to humanize the cost of the Great
Depression almost didn’t happen. Driving past the crude “Pea-Pickers Camp” sign in
Nipomo, north of Los Angeles, Dorothea Lange kept going for 20 miles. But
something nagged at the photographer from the government’s Resettlement
Administration, and she finally turned around. At the camp, the Hoboken, N.J.–born
Lange spotted Frances Owens Thompson and knew she was in the right place

VINCENT VAN GOGH: STARRY NIGHT

Starry Night is one of the most recognized pieces of art in the world. It is absolutely
everywhere, too. It can be seen on coffee, mugs, t-shirts, towels, magnets, etc.
Honestly, it sometimes feels as if the painting’s fame has exceeded that of its
creator. It is a magnificent piece of art. That Starry Night resonates with so many
people are a testament to how its beauty is timeless and universal.
In Starry Night contoured forms are a means of expression and they are used to
convey emotion. Many feel that van Gogh´s turbulent quest to overcome his illness is
reflected in the dimness of the night sky. The village is painted with dark colors but
the brightly lit windows create a sense of comfort.
 The Scream -  Edvard Munch (1892)
Edvard Munch reveals an honest and perhaps even ugly glimpse of his inner
troubles and feelings of anxiety, putting more importance on personal meaning
than on technical skill or "beauty," a traditional goal of art. According to Munch's
diaries, the idea and inspiration for The Scream was very autobiographical, with
the modern art painting's content closely based on a personal experience first
recorded in an 1892 diary entry which Munch later adapted into  The
Scream painting and finally, in 1895, a poem.

Morris Weitz “The Role of Theory in Aesthetics”

Is a true definition, or joint set of necessary and sufficient conditions, possible to
provide for the common noun “Art”? Morris Weitz says no. In defending this
response, he first points to the lack of progress previous definitions of art have
made. As it turns out, many of our previous definitions are legislative, or prescriptive,
rather than properly descriptive, and therefore fail to accurately define anything.
 Can Pekdemir: Deformations
Can Pekdemir is a professional artist and sculptor born in 1982 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Different body forms, he sculpts, are often deformed, spooky and bizarre. He works
on deformation and abstraction of forms and shapes using several methodologies.
Can deforms anatomy which acts like a cloth or as a soft body without bones.
Basically, Can is focused on isolated urban spaces, city and nature relationship
using photography as a tool of documentation.

Lesson 3: Works of Art

Fetus in the Womb – Leonardo Da Vinci (1510)

Leonardo da Vinci’s embryological drawings of the fetus in the womb and his
accompanying observational annotations are found in the third volume of his
private notebooks. The drawings of Leonardo’s embryological studies were
conducted between the years 1510–1512 and were drawn with black and red
chalk with some pen and ink wash on paper. These groundbreaking
illustrations of the fetus reveal his advanced understanding of human
development and demonstrate his role in the vanguard of  embryology during
the Renaissance. His famous embryological drawings of the fetus have since
been collected and held in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle in England.
 Oblation - Guillermo Tolentino
National Artist Guillermo Tolentino’s masterpiece has served as a rallying point for
selfless action for the public interest, as well as the most recognizable and enduring
symbol of the University of the Philippines (UP). Commissioned by then-UP
President Rafael Palma, the Oblation is a tangible representation of Tolentino’s
interpretation of two of Jose Rizal’s writing’s—Mi Ultimo Adios and A La Juventud
Filipina. The statue is an elevation of sacrifice on a pedestal, indicating a “clarion call
for the youth to engage in the rigors of change and progress.” The Oblation’s
unveiling during National Heroes Day introduced a figure into Philippine society rich
in nationalist symbolism. The statue’s height of 3.5-meters symbolizes three and a
half centuries of Spanish colonial rule, while its pose of self-offering represents
Tolentino’s interpretation of Rizal’s second stanza above—in particular the “unknown
heroes who fell during the night.” Furthermore, its base is a stylized representation of
the Philippine archipelago, with rocks from Montalban Gorge to highlight its cultural
and historical significance.

Noh – Sado Noh Village

Noh theatre, a traditional form of Japanese dramaturgy that occupies a specific
place in Sado Island’s history, the 6th largest island in Japan. Once used as a land
of exile, the island welcomed the famous Noh theatre playwright Zeami in the
15th century. While I was visiting the village of Hamochi for its annual festival, I
had the opportunity to attend a Noh theatre play performed on one of the most
iconic stages of the island. Here are the highlights from this experience. Noh
theatre got its inspiration from religion, as it originally was destined to celebrate the
gods through dances using masks and props. Over the years however, other
influences, more profane ones, were added to these celebratory dances using
stunts or comic texts.
 Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most remarkable architectural structures
from medieval Europe. It is located in the Italian town of Pisa, one of the most visited
European cities. Pisa got its name in 600 BC from a Greek word meaning “marshy
land.” There are several other towers in Pisa that also lean: the bell tower at the
church of St. Michele dei Scalzi, and the bell tower at the church of St. Nicola. The
cathedral and baptistery are also sinking. Galileo was baptized in the baptistery in
1565. The foundation of the cemetery, Campo Santo, is made up of 53 shiploads of
earth that were brought back from the Hill of Calvary in Jerusalem.

THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO By Edgar Allan Poe

The title of this grim tale has an unusual ring to it. It doesn’t sound like anything
we’ve ever heard before. It’s a mystery. But nothing to be scared of.
We’ll start with “Amontillado”. Literally, it’s an alcoholic beverage, closely related to
sherry. Unless people have read Poe’s story, or are wine connoisseurs, they
probably haven’t heard of it, much less seen a cask of it.
Casks, by the way, are barrels for storing wine or other drinks, and they come in
many sizes. Montresor tells Fortunato he has a “pipe of what passes for
Amontillado.” In this context, “pipe” and “cask” mean the same thing. As you may
have suspected, “cask” also literally means “casket.” This is important because,
though Fortunato seeks a cask of Amontillado, he finds a casket of death.
 Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Twenty years in the conception and execution, Les Misérables was first published in
France and Belgium in 1862, a year which found Victor Hugo in exile from his
beloved France. Enemies and admirers throughout the world devoured his works—
poetry, political tracts, and fiction—and the effect of these works upon the public was
always sensational. On the morning of 15 May, a mob filled the streets around
Panderer’s book shop, eyeing the stacks of copies of Les Misérables that stretched
between floor and ceiling. A few hours later, they had all—thousands of books—
been sold. Hugo’s critics were quick to condemn him for making money by
dramatizing the misery of the poor, while the poor themselves bought, read, and
discussed his book in unprecedented numbers. True to Hugo’s political stance, he
had written a book about the people that was for the people, a book that demanded
a change in society’s judgement of its citizens.
Lesson 4-5: Art History, The artists and The Artisan

Michelangelo’s Painting of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous painted interior spaces in the world,
and virtually all of this fame comes from the breathtaking painting of its ceiling from
about 1508-1512.  The chapel was built in 1479 under the direction of Pope Sixtus
IV, who gave it his name (“Sistine” derives from “Sixtus”).  The location of the
building is very close to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Belvedere Courtyard in the
Vatican.  One of the functions of the space was to serve as the gathering place for
cardinals of the Catholic Church to gather in order to elect a new pope.  Even today,
it is used for this purpose, including in the recent election of Pope Francis in March
2013. Originally, the Sistine Chapel’s vaulted ceiling was painted blue and covered
with golden stars.  The walls were adorned with frescoes by different artists, such as
Pietro Perugino, who painted Christ delivering the keys to St. Peter there in 1482.

Michelangelo's Creation of Adam

This picture, in a sense, depicts more than the creation of the first man, in fact, it
shows the very start of what would later become the human race. Adam's figure is
curved as he stretches out to God, taking one's mind to the idea that man is made in
the likeness of God himself. The way the two dominant figures relate and correspond
to each other, one can almost see the closeness that Adam has with his creator.
Michelangelo made the Creation of Adam in such a way that the figure of Adam
echoes the figure of God, almost as if one is nothing but an extension of the other.
God's form, in turn, is stretched out to reach Adam. However, God appears to be in
some suspended imperceptible shape that houses him and other angelic figures.
 Moth man Statue by Bob Roach
Though not everyone may have known Bob Roach, 81, of Letart, they most certainly
knew his work. Roach, who died Aug. 30, was an artisan when it came to stainless
steel with his unique pieces known around the world, particularly the famed
Mothman statue that sits in Gunn Park in downtown Point Pleasant. Roach’s steel
statues also appear in an impressive family of historical figures in Point Pleasant’s
Riverfront Park. His sculpture of Jesus Christ also more recently ended up at Heights
United Methodist Church on North Main Street in Point Pleasant. Even more of his
work appears in his native Bend Area at the New Haven Fire Department and
Wahama Junior/Senior High School.

Whang-od

If there is one person who could best represent the rich culture of Kalinga, a province
located in the far north of the Philippines, it is none other than Whang Od, the oldest
Filipino tribal tattoo artist. Some even say she put Kalinga on the Philippine map of
must-visit places for local and foreigners alike. In fact, many people brave the cold
weather and the 10-hour trip to the mountains just to get inked by her.
Whang-od Oggay is known as the last mambabatok (Kalinga tattooist) from the tribe
of Butbut in Buscalan, Kalinga. She has been tattooing for the past 80 years
including head hunters of the indigenous tribe, at the beginning of her long career.
 Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Arrogant, rebellious and a murderer, Caravaggio's short and tempestuous life
matched the drama of his works. Characterised by their dramatic, almost theatrical
lighting, Caravaggio's paintings were controversial, popular, and hugely influential on
succeeding generations of painters all over Europe.
Born Michelangelo Merisi, Caravaggio is the name of the artist's home town in
Lombardy in northern Italy. In 1592 at the age of 21 he moved to Rome, Italy's
artistic centre and an irresistible magnet for young artists keen to study its classical
buildings and famous works of art. The first few years were a struggle. He
specialized in still lifes of fruits and flowers, and later, half-length figures (as in 'The
Boy bitten by a Lizard') which he sold on the street. n 1595, his luck changed. An
eminent Cardinal, Francesco del Monte, recognised the young painter's talent and
took Caravaggio into his household. Through the cardinal's circle of acquaintance,
Caravaggio received his first public commissions which were so compelling and so
innovative that he became a celebrity almost overnight.

Barfields & Marks London Eye

The London Eye has captured the public’s imagination. Since opening, over fifty
million visitors have enjoyed unparalleled views over the capital, and it has also
made a significant contribution to the regeneration of the South Bank area. David
Marks and Julia Barfield not only conceived and designed the wheel, they also took
the entrepreneurial approach in establishing the London Eye Company which made
it a reality. "There is an innate desire in all men to view the earth and its cities and
plains from exceeding high places.... for it is an exquisite treat to all minds to find that
they have the power, by their mere vision, of extending their consciousness to
scenes and objects that are miles away" The London Eye has become a symbol of
modern Britain and was a center piece of the capital's New Year celebrations.