College/Department Course Code Course Title Place of The Course in The Program Semester & Academic Year

Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University

College of Communication and Information Technology
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-1683
College/Department College of Communication and Information Technology

Course Code GEC 6
Course Title ART APPRECIATION
Place of the Course in the
Major
Program
Semester & Academic Year First Semester AY 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION
Whether an artist creates two-dimensional or three-dimensional art, works in a traditional
medium like painting, or makes art using the latest technology, all artists use the same basic
visual building blocks of form (elements) and strategies of visual organization (principles) to
achieve visual unity. In this section you will learn about the differences between form and
content and be introduced to the basic elements and principles of design. You’ll also learn about
types of representation in art. All of these concepts are integral to formalism, which is a method
of studying artwork by analyzing and describing it in purely in terms of visual effects.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Differentiate art from nature,

2. Characterize artistic expression based on personal experiences with art,
3. Discuss the nature of art’s preliminary expression, and
4. Categorize works of art by citing personal experiences.
DISCUSSION
What is Art?
Art lacks a satisfactory definition. It is easier to describe it as the way something is done
“the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or
experiences that can be shared with others” rather than what it is.
Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

Iratus Glenn A. Cruz, LPT
Many other definitions emphasize that
1. Art is subjective and art is more subjective than objective. (Art for art itself)
2. Art is form and content. (there is always a concept).
3. There is a connection between beauty and art and beauty is the measure of quality of art.
It has to be said that defining art is just like defining life itself. I think now we can
appreciate the depth of the question "what is art?"
II. Purposes and Functions of Art
Non-motivated Functions of Art
The non-motivated purposes of art are those that are integral to being human, transcend the
individual, or do not fulfill a specific external purpose. In this sense, art, as creativity, is
something humans must do by their very nature (i.e., no other species creates art), and is
therefore beyond utility.
1. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm. Art at this level is not an action or an
object, but an internal appreciation of balance and harmony (beauty), and therefore an
aspect of being human beyond utility.
2. Experience of the mysterious. Art provides a way to experience one’s self in relation to
the universe. This experience may often come unmotivated, as one appreciates art, music
or poetry.
3. Expression of the imagination. Art provides a means to express the imagination in
nongrammatic ways that are not tied to the formality of spoken or written language. Unlike
words, which come in sequences and each of which have a definite meaning, art provides a
range of forms, symbols and ideas with meanings that are malleable.
4. Ritualistic and symbolic functions. In many cultures, art is used in rituals, performances
and dances as a decoration or symbol. While these often have no specific utilitarian
(motivated) purpose, anthropologists know that they often serve a purpose at the level of
meaning within a particular culture. This meaning is not furnished by any one individual,
but is often the result of many generations of change, and of a cosmological relationship
within the culture.

Motivated Functions of Art
Motivated purposes of art refer to intentional, conscious actions on the part of the artists or
creator. These may be to bring about political change, to comment on an aspect of society, to
convey a specific emotion or mood, to address personal psychology, to illustrate another
discipline, to (with commercial arts) to sell a product, or simply as a form of communication.
1. Communication. Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of

communication have an intent or goal directed toward another individual, this is a
motivated purpose. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as
communication. Maps are another example. However, the content need not be scientific.
Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art.
2. Art as entertainment. Art may seek to bring about a particular emotion or mood, for the
purpose of relaxing or entertaining the viewer. This is often the function of the art
industries of Motion Pictures and Video Games.
3. The Avante-Garde. Art for political change. One of the defining functions of early
twentieth-century art has been to use visual images to bring about political change. Art
movements that had this goal—Dadaism, Surrealism, Russian constructivism, and
Abstract Expressionism, among others—are collectively referred to as the avante-garde
arts.
4. Art as a “free zone,” removed from the action of the social censure. Unlike the avant-
garde movements, which wanted to erase cultural differences in order to produce new
universal values, contemporary art has enhanced its tolerance towards cultural differences
as well as its critical and liberating functions (social inquiry, activism, subversion,
deconstruction…), becoming a more open place for research and experimentation.
5. Art for social inquiry, subversion, and/or anarchy. While similar to art for political
change, subversive or deconstructivist art may seek to question aspects of society without
any specific political goal. In this case, the function of art may be simply to criticize some
aspect of society.
6. Art for social causes. Art can be used to raise awareness for a large variety of causes. A
number of art activities were aimed at raising awareness of autism, cancer, human
trafficking, and a variety of other topics, such as ocean conservation, human rights in
Darfur, murdered and missing Aboriginal women, elder abuse, and pollution. Trashion,
using trash to make fashion, practiced by artists such as Marina DeBris is one example of
using art to raise awareness about pollution.
7. Art for psychological and healing purposes. Art is also used by art therapists,
psychotherapists and clinical psychologists as art therapy. The Diagnostic Drawing
Series, for example, is used to determine the personality and emotional functioning of a
patient. The end product is not the principal goal in this case, but rather a process of
healing, through creative acts, is sought. The resultant piece of artwork may also offer
insight into the troubles experienced by the subject and may suggest suitable approaches
to be used in more conventional forms of psychiatric therapy.
8. Art for propaganda or commercialism. Art is often utilized as a form of propaganda, and
thus can be used to subtly influence popular conceptions or mood. In a similar way, art

that tries to sell a product also influences mood and emotion. In both cases, the purpose
of art here is to subtly manipulate the viewer into a particular emotional or psychological
response toward a particular idea or object.
9. Art as a fitness indicator. It has been argued that the ability of the human brain by far
exceeds what was needed for survival in the ancestral environment. One evolutionary
psychology explanation for this is that the human brain and associated traits (such as
artistic ability and creativity) are the human equivalent of the peacock’s tail. The purpose
of the male peacock’s extravagant tail has been argued to be to attract females. According
to this theory superior execution of art was evolutionarily important because it attracted
mates.

Living with Art
the role of art in human life is to transform man's widest metaphysical ideas, by
selective reproduction of reality, into a physical form—a work of art—that he can
comprehend and to which he can respond emotionally.
Form & Meaning
Order & Structure
Exploring Aesthetic Possibilities
Functions of an artist
• Create places for human purpose
• Create extraordinary version of ordinary objects
• Record & commemorate
• Tangible form to the unknown
• Form to feeling and ideas
• See the world in new ways
Why Study Art?

Expression
Social Values
Human Intelligence
You might even say "Art is subjective, and means something different to every single
person on earth.

ACTIVITY
1. When can we say that something is creative?

2. What art field will you explore? Why?
3. How can you utilize the arts to express yourself, your community, and your relation to
others?
EXERCISES
In one of your encounters with art through museum visits, musicals, and plays among others,
have you ever felt disconnected from an artwork? Was there a point in time when you did not
understand what message the art was trying to convey? Explain why you think you did or did not
understand the art.
SUGGESTED READINGS
 Claudio, L. E., et. al. (2018). Basic Arts C & E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City.
 Castro, L. N., et. al. (2010). Center Arts for Peace Education. Miriam College. Quezon City.
 Vega, V. A., et. al. (2009). Art Appreciation. Lorimar Publishing, Inc. Manila.
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Republic of the Philippines

President Ramon Magsaysay State University

College/Department College of Communication and Information Technology

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Differentiate art from nature,

Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

Non-motivated Functions of Art

Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

1. Communication. Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of

Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

Why Study Art?

Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

1. When can we say that something is creative?

RESOURCES AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCE

Module 1: Introduction in Art Application

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