Art Appreciation

Mayra Christina M. Ambrocio, DEM

Francisco C. Doble
Ervin D.Espinosa
Deobela Fulo –Fortes
Marian P. Alfonso

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 LAGUNA UNIVERSITY

Vision

Laguna University shall be a socially responsive educational institution of

choice providing holistically developed individuals in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Mission

Laguna University is committed to produce academically prepared and

technically skilled individuals who are socially and morally upright.
 Table of Contents

Module 1: Art Appreciation: Historical Background of Arts in the

Philippines 1
Introduction 1
Learning Outcomes 1
Lesson 1: History of Arts in the Philippines 2
Lesson 2: Philippine Arts Timelines 8
Lesson 3: The Development of Art in the Philippines 13

Module 2: Art Appreciation, Creativity and Expression 18

Introduction 18
Learning Outcomes 18
Lesson 1: Art Appreciation as a way of Life 19
Lesson 2: Role of Creativity in Art Making 20
Lesson 3: Art as a Product of Imagination; Imagination as a Product of Art
Making 21
Lesson 4 Art as Expression 31

Module 3: Assumptions of Art 28

Introduction 28
Learning Outcomes 28
Lesson 1: Art is Universal 29
Lesson 2: Art is not Nature 30
Lesson 3: Art involves experience 31
Lesson 4: Art is Cultural 32
Lesson 5: Art as Expression 34

Module 4: Visual Arts, Film, Performance Art and Poetry, Architecture,

Dance 38
Introduction 38
Learning Outcomes 38
Lesson 1: Visual Arts 39
Lesson 2: Performance Art 40
Lesson 3: Poetry Performance 41
Lesson 4: Film 43
Lesson 5: Literary Arts 44
Lesson 6: Theater 45
Lesson 7: Applied Arts 46
 List of Figures

Figure Description Page

1.1 Singkil 2
1.2 Madonna with Child 3
1.3 Bahay Kubo 5
1.4 The Visayanz 7
1.5 Spolarium 8
1.6 University of the Philippines 10
1.7 Manila Ruins 10
1.8 Maria Makiling 11
1.9 Editorial Art 11
1.10 National Artists 12
2.1 It’s more Fun in the Philippines 21
2.2 Cave Paintings 23
4.1 Camelila 39
4.2 Performance Art 40
4.3 The Grand Theatre of Bordeaux 41
4.4 Olga Spessin 42
4.5 William Shakespeare 44
4.6 Macbeth 45
Course Code: GE 6

Course Description: Art Appreciation is a three-unit course that develops students’

ability to appreciate, analyze, and critique works of art. Through interdisciplinary
and multimodal approaches, this course equips students with a broad knowledge
of the practical, historical, philosophical and social relevance of the arts in order to
hone students’ ability to articulate their understanding of the arts. The course also
develops students’ competency in researching and curating art as well as
conceptualizing, mounting and evaluating art productions. The course aims to
develop students’ genuine appreciation for Philippine arts by providing them
opportunities to explore diversity and richness and their rootedness in Filipino
culture.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILO):

At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the History of Arts in the Philippines and it’s timeline.
2. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of arts in general,
including their function, value, and historical significance
3. Define and demonstrate the elements and principles of design
4. Explain and evaluate different theories of art
5. Situate Philippine arts in a global context
6. Analyze and appraise works of art based on aesthetic value, historical
context, tradition, and social relevance
7. Mount an art exhibit (concept development, production and
postproduction, marketing, documentation, critiquing)
8. Create their own works of art and curate their own production or exhibit
9. Utilize art for self-expression and for promoting advocacies
10. Deepen their sensitivity to self, community, and society
11. Discover and deepen their identity through art with respect to their
nationality, culture, and religion
12. Develop an appreciation of the local arts
Grading System:

Class Standing 60%

Major Examination 40%
Periodic Grade 100%

Preliminary Grade = 60% (Prelim Class standing) + 40 (Prelim Exam)

Midterm Grade = 30% (Prelim Grade) + 70 % [ 60% (Midterm Class Standing)
+ 40% (Midterm Exam)]
Final Grade = 30% (Midterm Grade) + 70% [ 60% (Final Class Standing
+ 40% (Final Exam)]

Note: Components of the Class Standing can be seen in the OBTLP and Class Grading Sheet.
 MODULE 1
ART APPRECIATION: HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

Introduction

Art appreciation refers to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the universal
and timeless qualities characterizing works of art. It invokes an analysis of the works based
on acknowledged elements of composition and principles of design, through which enjoyment
of the humanities is enhanced. This may also be used as a reference material for other
courses in teaching the meaning and importance of art, its elements, and its development in
the Philippines. At the end of each chapter, evaluation activities are given to enhance the
cognitive learning of the students. Suggested enrichment exercises are also provided to make
art appreciation more interesting, meaningful, and enjoyable.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Explore the Concept of Art;

2. Describe Art as a means of visual expression using different media and forms;
3. Show human creativity as an inherent trait that inspires the production of art;
4. Realize the functions and purposes of Art in various World Civilization;
5. Develop an awareness on how Art becomes part of their daily existence;
6. Learn about the major theories of art aesthetics and how to apply
them to various forms of artwork; and
7. Learn the steps formally and how these steps be applied into various art works.

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Lesson 1. History of Arts in the Philippines

Arts in the Philippines refer to all the various forms of the arts that have developed and
accumulated in the Philippines from the beginning of civilization in the country up to the
present era (Renwasharda, 2021). A range of artistic influences on the country's culture is
reflected, including indigenous forms of the arts, and how these influences have honed the
country's arts. These arts are divided into two distinct branches, namely, traditional arts and
non-traditional arts. Each branch is further divided into various categories with subcategories.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the official cultural agency of the
government of the Philippines, has categorized Filipino arts into traditional and non-traditional.
Each category is split into various forms of arts, which in turn have sub-categories of their
own (Renwasharda, 2021).

(A) Traditional Arts

➢ Singkil is a folkdance of the Maranao people

Figure 1.1 Singkil

Source: Sif, 2020

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Folk architecture – including, but not limited to, stilt houses, land houses, and aerial houses.

• Maritime transport – boat houses, boat-making, and maritime traditions

• Weaving – including, but not limited to, basket weaving, back-strap loom weaving,
headgear weaving, fishnet weaving, and other forms of weaving
• Carving – including, but not limited to, woodcarving and folk non-clay sculpture
• Folk performing arts – including, but not limited to, dances, plays, and dramas
• Folk (oral) literature – including, but not limited to, epics, songs, and myths
• Folk graphic and plastic arts – including, but not limited to, calligraphy, tattooing,
folk writing, folk drawing, and folk painting
• Ornament, textile, or fiber art – hat-making, mask-making, accessory-making,
ornamental metal crafts
• Pottery – including, but not limited to, ceramic making, clay pot-making, and folk
clay sculpture

Other artistic expressions of traditional

culture – including, but not limited to, non-
ornamental metal crafts, martial arts,
supernatural healing arts, medicinal arts, and
constellation traditions (Renwasharda, 2021).

Madonna with Child ivory statue with

silver made by an unknown artist (17th
century), Madonna with Child ivory statue with
silver made offered by Chambon (n.d.)

Figure 1.2 Madonna with Child

Source: https://www.anticstore.art/65639P

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(B) Non-Traditional Arts (Art of The Philippines, n.d.)

Architecture and allied arts – including, but not limited to, non-folk architecture,
interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design

• Dance – including, but not limited to, dance choreography, dance direction, and dance
performance
• Design – including, but not limited to, industrial design, and fashion design.
• Film and broadcast arts – including, but not limited to, film and broadcast direction, film
and broadcast writing, film and broadcast production design, film and broadcast
cinematography, film and broadcast editing, film and broadcast animation, film and
broadcast performance, and film and broadcast new media
• Literature – including, but not limited to, poetry, fiction, essay, and literary/art criticism
• Music – including, but not limited to, musical composition, musical direction, and musical
performance
• Theater – including, but not limited to, theatrical direction, theatrical performance,
theatrical production design, theatrical light and sound design, and theatrical playwriting
• Visual arts – including, but not limited to painting, non-folk sculpture, printmaking,
photography, installation art, mixed media works, illustration, graphic arts, performance
art, and imaging

Traditional arts (Art of The Philippines, n.d.)

The traditional arts in the Philippines encompass folk architecture, maritime transport,

weaving, carving, folk performing arts, folk (oral) literature, folk graphic and plastic arts,

ornament, textile, or fiber art, pottery, and other artistic expressions of traditional culture.

There are numerous Filipino specialists or experts on the various fields of traditional arts, with

those garnering the highest distinctions declared as Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA),

equal to National Artist.

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Folk architecture (Art of The Philippines, n.d.)

Folk architecture in the Philippines differ significantly per ethnic group, where the

structures can be made of bamboo, wood, rock, coral, rattan, grass, and other materials.

These abodes can range from the hut-style bahay kubo which utilizes vernacular media in
construction, the highland houses called “bale” that may have four to eight sides, depending

on the ethnic association, the coral houses of Batanes which protects the natives from the

harsh sandy winds of the area, the royal house ”torogan” which is engraved with intricately-

made” okir/okil/ ukkil “ motif, and the palaces of major kingdoms such as the Daru Jambangan

or Palace of Flowers, which was the seat of power and residence of the head of Sulu prior to

colonization.

Folk architecture also includes religious buildings, generally called as spirit houses, which are
shrines for the protective spirits or gods. Most are house-like buildings made of native
materials, and are usually open-air. Some were originally pagoda-like, a style later continued
by natives converted into Islam, but have now become extremely rare. There are also
buildings that have connected indigenous and Hispanic motif, forming the bahay na bato
architecture, and its proto-types. Mabini House Rice granaries from ifugao called Bale,
Scaled-down replica of the torogan, inspired by the Kawayan Torogan, a National Cultural
Treasure in Lanao del Sur

Figure 1.3 Bahay Kubo Style

Source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Nipa_hut

Many of these bahay na bato buildings have been declared as world heritage site, as

part of Vigan. Folk structures include simple sacred stick stands to indigenous castles or

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fortresses such as the idjang, to geologically-altering works of art such as the Rice Terraces

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of the Philippine Cordilleras, locally called payyo. Five rice terrace clusters have been

declared as world heritage sites, namely Nagacadan, Hungduan, central Mayoyao, Bangaan,

and Batad.

Maritime Transport

Maritime transport in the Philippines includes boat houses, boat-making, and maritime
traditions. These structures, traditionally made of wood chosen by elders and craftsfolks, were
used as the main vehicles of the people, connecting one island to another, where the seas
and rivers became the people's roads. Although boats are believed to have been used in the
archipelago for thousands of years since the arrival of humans through water, the earliest
evidence of boat-making and the usage of boats in the country continues to be dated as 320
AD through the carbon-dating of the Butuan boats that are identified as remains of a gigantic
balangay.

Aside from the balangay, there are various styles and types of indigenous sea vehicles
throughout the Philippines, such as the two-masted double-outrigger boat armadahan, the
trading ship avang, the dugout canoes awang, the large sailing outrigger ship balación, the
native and widely-available watercraft bangka, the tiny canoe bangka anak-anak, the
salambáw-lifting basnigan, the small double-outrigger sailboat bigiw the dugout canoe birau,
the dugout canoe buggoh, the flat-floored and roofed casco, the single mast and pointed
chinarem, the rough sea open-deck boat Chinedkeran, the large double-outrigger plank boat
djenging, the pirate warship garay, the large sailing outrigger ship guilalo, the open deck boat
falua, the canoe junkun, the small motorized boat junkung, the large outrigger warship
karakoa, the large outrigger warship lanong, the houseboat lepa, the raft ontang, the lake
canoe owong, the open-deck fishing boat panineman, the double outrigger sailboat paraw,
the war canoe salisipan, the small fishing boat tataya, the motorized boat tempel, the dinghy
tiririt, and the outrigger boat vinta, among many others.From 1565 to 1815, ships called the
Manila galleons were also built by Filipino artisans.

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Lesson 2. Philippine Arts Timeline (Preceden, n.d.)

Pre – Colonial Period

Figure 1.4 The Visayans by RGB Blog (2020)

Source: https://richardbejah.com/high-culture-the-visayans-prior-to-spanish-emigration-were-
badasses/

• Where art was expressed through drawings on the rocks to show the religious symbols
either animistic or Islam based.

• They also expressed their daily activities like fishing farming and they also put some
decorative patterns in wall rocks of wood

• In this period which is also known as Neolithic Period which is the later part of Stone
Age, they make art by making stone weapons, jewelry and decorative crafts out of
stone.

• They also make their own shelter and has an alphabet which is Baybayin. They also
have tattoos as ornamentation and rite passage.

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Spanish Colonial Art Period (1521 – 1898) (378 Years)

Figure 1.5 Spoliarium by Juan Luna (1884)

Source: https://nolisoli.ph/48282/boceto-juan-lunas-spoliarium-unearthed-europe/

Started when Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards.They introduced

formal paintings, sculpture and architecture influenced with Byzantine Gothic, Baroque
and Rococo art style.
• Most art religious lived in the Filipinos ‘antique furniture and carving design.

American Colonial Art Period (1899 – 1940) (42 years and 35 seconds)

Figure 1.6 University of the Philippines by Storm and Paper

Source: https://blahgerblogger.wordpress.com/category/education/

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 • Americans brought education to the Philippines that is why schools like University of
the Philippines Diliman, Siliman University and Central University were build.
• They also brought Art Nouveau style which is an architecture art design prominent to
Western Europe. The education is more accessible in period than the Spanish Colonial
period where the rich people can only study. Filipinos were taught by the Thomasites.
The American influenced can be mostly on architecture and literature because of
education.
• The paintings them in this period are landscapes, still life and portraits are reserve for
official with high rank.

Japanese Colonial Art Period (1941 – 1945) (4 Years 11 months and 31 days)

Figure 1.7 Manila Ruins painting by Fernando Amorsolo

Source: http://www.artnet.com/artists/fernando-amorsolo/manila-war-ruins-a-
Ic6ioxZ3i92sejST4nYvhw2

• Japanese invasion caused fear sufferings and hardships to the Filipinos. The
development of art stopped because of the war.
• Filipinos were deprived from freedom of expression and speech because the
Japanese stopped the prediction.

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 • But they also influenced us with poem style (Tanaga and Haiku )
• Despite the sufferings some artist still expressed themselves. Like painting above
which is the Manila Ruins (1945) painted by Fernando Amorsolo.

Post-Colonial Art Period (1946 -1969) (24 Years)

Figure 1.8 Maria Makiling (1947) by Carlos "Botong" Francisco

Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/371547037995366983/

• Also known as the Philippine Modern Art Era

• Arts in this period are modern, conservative and experimental public art.
• This art had the influences of Western styles like pop art, maximalism, minimalism,
abstraction, expressionism, constructivism, magic realism, and environmental art.

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Contemporary Art Period (1970 – Present)

Source:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/avnklw/editorial_art_by_paul_eric_roca_share_ko_lang
/
• Because of technology and Filipinos freedom now in speech and expression, different
styles of art appeared in this period like digital art, photography, junk art even a mini
sculpture in a pencil tip is a an art style now.
• Art is also used to protest or express their feelings with a certain situation in the society or
government with the use of editorial illustrations.
• Art is also used not just for aesthetics and entertainment but also to bring awareness.

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Lesson 3. Development of Philippine Art (Barrinuevo, 2016)

19th Century Art

➢ Fernando Amorsolo: He is one of the most important artists in the history of painting

in the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter of the rural Philippine
Landscapes.

1900's Philippine Art

During the late Spanish colonial period, the school of academism or “salon” painting
emerged and produced the likes of Juan N. Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, who are
now considered as 19th century masters.

➢ Juan N. Luna: Juan Novicio Luna was a 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

Spoliarium

The painting features a glimpse of Roman history centered on the bloody carnage
brought by gladiatorial matches. Spolarium 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.

Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo

A Filipino artist. He is acknowledged as one of the great Filipino painters of the late
19th century, and is significant in Philippine history for having been an acquaintance and
inspiration for members of the Philippine reform movement

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1942-1945 Philippine Art

The Art Association of the Philippines is an art organization that aims to "advance and
foster, and promote the interests of those who work in the visual arts." (AAP Amended By-
Laws, 1986). It is founded by Purita Kalaw Ledesma. Today, the main office and gallery of
AAP is located in Kanlungan ng Sining, Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines. Its present President
is Mr. Fidel Sarmiento.

1960's Philippine Art

➢ Modern Art reached its peak.

➢ Ink Fish by Ang Kiukok
➢ It is a figurative abstract painting of an undersea life with three skeletal fish as
prominent figures and full of colors.

2000’s – Present Philippine Art

Philippine art has come a long way from pre-colonial to the present avant-garde artist
exploring different or possible techniques ranging from the traditionalist, representationalist,
abstractionalist, abstract-expressionist, semi-abstractionist, figurative-expressionalist, non-
objectivist, and other forms of -isms.

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 Fgure 1.10 National Artists in the Philippines
Source: https://prezi.com/zccmgq8w8_p7/timeline-of-the-development-of-philippine-
art/?frame=eff1a4ab09560e7aa65e375c2794111ab4519402

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 Assessment Task 1-1

Direction:
Create a poster reflecting your vision about your life’s future. You may do it manually or
digitally.

After creating your poster, answer the following questions as honestly as you can through
video recording:
1. What steps did you take to create your art piece?
2. What part was the hardest/easiest?
3. What were your feelings like as you created the art piece?
4. How is color, line, shapes, textures, values and spaces used in your artwork?
5. Where have you seen similar work? Does your art piece represent an artist?
6. What excited you about this project? Why?
7. What were you uneasy or unsure about? Why?
8. What part of the process did you not like? Why?
9. What part of the process did you enjoy the most? Why?
10. What was frustrating for you? Why?
11. What would you add? Why would you add this?
12. Did anything remind you about something in your own life?
13. What idea or message are you trying to get across?
14. How has this piece of work inspired you?
15. How would you summarize your art work?
16. What rating between 1 and 10 would you give your art work and why?
17. What have you learned from creating this art piece?
19. Were you happy with the final result? Why or why not?
20. Did you enjoy the project? Why or why not?

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 Summary

Arts in the Philippines refer to all the various forms of the arts that have developed
and accumulated in the Philippines from the beginning of civilization in the country up to the
present era. They reflect the range of artistic influences on the country's culture, including
indigenous forms of the arts, and how these influences have honed the country's arts. These
arts are divided into two distinct branches, namely, traditional arts and non-traditional arts.
Each branch is further divided into various categories with subcategories.

17
 References

Art of The Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved from HisOur: https://www.hisour.com/art-of-the-

philippines-37061/

Barrinuevo, C. (2016). Timeline of the Development of Philippine Art. Retrieved Source:

https://prezi.com/zccmgq8w8_p7/timeline-of-the-development-of-philippine-art/

Lachica, J. B. (2021). Brainly. Retrieved from Brainly: https://brainly.ph/question/6316868

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). (2015). National Living Treasures
Guidelines

Preceden.(n.d.). Philippine Arts Timeline. Retrieved Source:

https://www.preceden.com/timelines/617837-philippine-arts-timeline

Renwasharda. (2021). Brainly. Retrieved from Brainly: https://brainly.in/question/24273318

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 MODULE 2
ART APPRECIATION, ART CREATIVITY AND
THE EXPRESSION

Introduction

It takes an artist to make art. One may perceive beauty on a daily basis. However, not
every beautiful thing that can be seen or experienced may truly be called a work of art. Art is
a product of man’s creativity, imagination, and expression.

Not everyone can be considered an artist, but all are spectators of art. We are able to
distinguish what is fine and beautiful from what is not and what good quality is and from poor.
This gives us a role in the field of art appreciation.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Differentiate art from nature;

2. Describe Art as means of visual expression using different media and forms;
3. Discuss the nature of art’s preliminary expression; and
4. Categorize works of art by citing personal experiences.

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Lesson 1. Art Appreciation as a Way of Life

Jean-Paul Sartre, a famous French philosopher of the twentieth century, described the

role of art as a creative work that depicts the world in a completely different light and

perspective, and the source is due to human freedom (Greene, 1996 as cited by Caslib,
Garing, & Casau, 2018). Each artwork beholds beauty of its own kind, the kind that the artist

sees and wants the viewers to perceive. More often than not, people are blind to this beauty

and only those who have developed, a fine sense of appreciation can experience and see the

art the same way the artist did.

Because of this, numerous artworks go unnoticed; artists are not given enough credit,

and they miss opportunities. It sometimes takes a lifetime before their contribution to the

development of art is recognized. Hence, refining one’s ability to appreciate art allows him to
deeply understand the purpose of an artwork and recognize the beauty it possesses (Collins

& Riley, 1931 as cited by Caslib et al., 2018).

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Lesson 2. The Role of Creativity in Art Making (Caslib et al.,
2018)

Creativity requires thinking outside the box. It is often used to solve problems that

have ever occurred before, conflate function and style, and simply make life a more unique

and enjoyable experience. In art, creativity is what sets apart one artwork from another. We

say something is done creatively when we have not yet seen anything like it or when it is out

of the ordinary. A creative artist does not simply comply or imitate another artist’s work. He
does not imitate the lines, flaws, colors, and patterns in recreating nature. He embraces
originality, puts his own flavor into his work, and calls it his own creative piece.

Yet, being creative nowadays can be quite challenging. What you thought was your
own unique and creative idea may not what it seems to be after extensive research and that

someone else has coincidentally devised before the idea in another part of the world. For
instance, the campaign ad “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” used by the Department of

Tourism (DOT) become popularity in 2011, but later on it was found out that it was allegedly
plagiarized from Switzerland,” back in 1951. In DOT’s defense, former DOT Secretary Ramon

Jimenez Jr. claimed that it was “purely coincidental.” Thus, creativity should be backed with

careful research on related art to avoid such conflicts .

Figure 2.1 “It’s more Fun in the Philippines” by The Misadventures of Maja
Source: https://www.tpb.gov.ph/press_releases/rediscovering-why-its-more-fun-in-the-philippines/

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Lesson 3. Art as a Product of Imagination, Imagination as a
Product of Art Making (Caslib et al., 2018)

Where do you think famous writers, painters, and musicians get their ideas? Where

do ideas in making creative solutions begin? It all starts in the human mind. It all begins with

imagination.

German physicist Albert Einstein who had made significant and major contributions in

science and humanity demonstrated that knowledge is actually derived from imagination. He

emphasized this idea through his words:

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we

now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever
will be to know and understand.”

Imagination is not constrained by the walls of the norm but goes beyond that. That is
why people rely on curiosity and imagination for advancement. Through imagination, one is
able to craft something bold, something new, and something better in the hopes of creating

something that will stimulate change. Imagination allows endless possibilities.

In an artist’s mind sits a vast gallery of art works. An artwork does not need to be a

real thing, but can be something that is imaginary (Collingwood, 1938). Take for example a

musician who thinks of a tune in his head. The making of this tune in his head makes it an
imaginary tune, an imaginative creation, an imaginary art (Collingwood, 1938). It remains

imaginary until he hums, sings, or writes down the notes of the tune on paper. However,

something imaginary does not necessarily mean it cannot be called art. Artists use their
imagination that gives birth to reality through creation.

In the same way that imagination produces art, art also inspires imagination. Imagine

being in an empty room surrounded by blank, while walls, and floor. Would you be inspired

to work in such a place? Often, you will find coffee shops, restaurants, and libraries with

21
paintings hung or sculptures and other pieces of art placed around the room to add beauty to

the surroundings. This craving and desire to be surrounded by beautiful things dates back to

our early ancestors (Collins & Riley, 1931). Cave walls are surrounded by drawings and

paintings of animals they hunted: wild boars, reindeers, and bison (Figure 8). Clays were
molded and stones were carved into forms that resemble men and women; burial jars were

created with intricate designs on them. These creative pieces were made not only because

they were functional to men, but also because beauty gave them joy (Collins & Riley, 1931).

Figure 2.2 “Cave Paintings” by Thomas Quine

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Altamira_bisons.jpg

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Lesson 4. Art as Expression (Caslib et al., 2018)

There may have been times when you felt something is going on within you, you try to

explain it but you do not know how. You may only be conscious about feeling this sort of

excitement, fear, or agitation, but you know that just one word is not enough to describe the

nature of what you truly feel. Finally, you try to release yourself from this tormenting and
disabling state by doing something, which is called expression oneself (Collingwood, 1938).

Suppose this feeling is excitement, it is frustrating to contain such feeling, so you relieve it by

expressing through shouting or leaping in excitement. An emotion will remain unknown to a

man until he expresses it.

Robin George Collingwood, an English philosopher who is best known for his work in

aesthetics, explicated in his publication The Principles of Art (193) that what an artist does to

an emotion is not to induce it, but express it. Through expression, he is able to explore his
own emotions and at the same time, create something beautiful out of them. Collingwood

further illustrated that expressing emotions is something different from describing emotions.

In this example, explicitly saying “I am angry” is not an expression of an emotion, but a mere

description. There is no need in relating or referring to specific emotion, such as anger, in

expressing one’s emotion. Description actually destroys the idea of expression, as it classifies

the emotion, making it ordinary and predictable, expression, on the other hand, individualizes.

An artist has the freedom to express himself the way he wants to. Hence, there is no specific
technique in expression. This makes people’s art not a reflection of what is outside or external

to them, but a reflection of their inner selves.

There are countless ways of expressing oneself through art. The following list

includes, but is not limited to, popular art expressions.

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 Assessment Task 2-1

Character Development (Short Monologue)

Create your own original character and act as that character in different situations.

Create a short monologue in any genre (comedy, horror, romance, drama, etc.) for fifteen
minutes. The dialogue must be your own version.

It must be in a video recording. You may upload it on the platform that Instructor is using.

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 Summary

Art is a product of a man’s creativity, imagination, and expression. An artwork may be

inspired by nature or other works of art, but an artist invents his own forms and patterns due

to what he perceives as beautiful and incorporates them in creating his masterpiece. Perhaps

not everyone can be considered an artist, but surely all are spectators of art, which gives us
all a role in the field of art appreciation. Refining one’s ability to appreciate art allows him to

deeply understand the purpose of an artwork and recognize the beauty it possesses.

Creativity is what sets apart one artwork from another. A creative artist does not simply

copy or imitate another artist’s work. He does not imitate the lines, flaws, colors, and patterns

in recreating nature. While through imagination, an artist is able to craft something bold,
something new, and something better in the hopes of creating art also inspires imagination.

Lastly, through expression, an artist is able to explore his own emotions while at the same

time, create something beautiful out of it. Expressing emotions is something different from

describing emotions. Description actually destroys the idea of expression, as it classifies the

emotion, making it ordinary and predictable. Expression, on the other hand, individualizes the

artist.

Some forms of art expression include visual arts, film, performance art, poetry

performance, architecture, dance, literacy arts, theater arts, and applied arts.

25
 Reference

Caslib Jr., B. N., Garing, D. C., Casaul, J. A. (2018). Art Appreciation. Rex Bookstore –First

Edition.

26
 MODULE 3
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART

Introduction

The word “art” comes from the ancient Latin ars which means a “craft or specialized
form of skill, like carpentryor surgery” (Collingwood, 1938).

Arts in Medieval Latin came to mean something different. It meant “any special form
of book-learning, such as grammar or logic, magic or astrology” (Collingwood, 1938).

Just like any other aspect of studies, art can also be perceived in different ways.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Analyze the concept of an art;

2. Discuss the different assumptions of art; and
3. Differentiate the different assumptions of art

27
Lesson 1: Art is Universal (Bio Asia Ph, 2018)

Literature has provided key words of art.

lliad and the Odyssey are the two Greek Epics that one’s being taught in school.

The Sanskrit pieces Mahabharata and Ramanaya are also staples in this fields.

In every country and in every generation, there is always art. Often times, people feel

that what is considered artistic are only those which have been made long time ago. This is a

misconcepcion. Age is not a factor in determining art. “An art is not good because it is old, but

old because it is good” (Dudley, Scott, & Lieberson 1960, as cited by Bio Asia Ph, 2018).

In the Philippines, the works of Jose Rizal and Francisco Balagtas are not being read

because they are old.

Florante at Laura never fails to teach high school students the beauty of love, one that

is universal and pure.

Ibong Adarna, another Filipino masterpiece, has always captured the imagination of

the young with its timeless lessons.

When we recite the Psalms, we feel in communion with King David as we feel one with

him in his conversation with God.

When we listen to a Kundiman or perform folk dances, we still enjoy the way our

Filipino ancestors while away their time in the past.

28
Lesson 2: Art Is Not Nature (Bio Asia Ph, 2018)

In the Philippines, it is not entirely novel to hear some consumers of local movies

remark that these movies produced locally are unrealistic. They contend that local movies

work around certain formula to the detriment of substance and faithfulness to reality of movies.

Paul Cezanne, a French painted a scene from reality entitled well and Grinding

Wheel in the Forest of the Chateau Noir.

Man’s expression of his reception of nature Man’s way of interpreting nature. Art is
made by man, whereas nature is a given around us.

Art is not nature. Art, not directed by representation of reality, is a perception of

reality. Five blind men touching an elephant Art has its reason why the artist made it. What is

it that he wants to show?

29
Lesson 3: Art Involves Experience (Bio Asia Ph, 2018)

Getting this far without a satisfactory definition of art can be quite weird for some. For

most people, art does not require a full definition. Art is just experience. By experience, we

mean the “actual doing of something” (Dudley et al., 1960) and it also affirmed that art depends
on experience, and if one is to know art, he must know it not as fact or information but as an

experience.

A work of an art then cannot be abstracted from actual doing. In order to know what

an artwork, we have to sense it, see and hear it.

An important aspect of experiencing art is its being highly personal, individual, and

subjective. In philosophical terms, perception of art is always a value judgment. It depends on

who the perceive is, his tastes, his biases, and what he has inside.

30
Lesson 4: Arts Is Cultural (It’s all about Culture, n.d.)

Art in culture is expressed in dress, and in the ornaments we wear. It is expressed in

how we care for our children and how we furnish our surroundings. Anciently, art objects were
first utilitarian, such as baskets, bowls, and tools used for survival. As culture evolved, art

became prominent in religious rituals, celebrations, marriage, and burial rites .

31
Lesson 5. Art As Expression (Art is an Expression, n.d.)

Art is an expression made visible by a form. The expression contained in the form is

an attempt to translate the unnamed and the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence as humans

is our quest to create meaning, and art allows that process to take place. Making meaning

involves understanding our surroundings and marking our experiences.

Art, at its root, is an expression and the artist is an expresser, translating in order to

create meaning. Art expresses and translates, art acknowledges and reveals, art transfers
and art intervenes.

Art is an expression—an expression of feeling, belief, and character. The simplicity of

that sentence is rather deceptive and seems tidier than its implications. Just the statement

that art is an expression is complex and raises questions: What does art express? Why does

art express? How does art express?

What does art express? The second part of the statement above seeks to expound

upon this question. Feelings, beliefs, characteristics—these are what art expresses, although
often they are not easily distilled. Our lives as humans are full of complications and

complexities, and our thought and experienced feelings, beliefs and characteristics are

reflective of these complexities.

Why does art express? Art expresses as a result of the intricacies of life, as a result of

humans continually searching for meaning, making meaning out of lived or observed

experiences, and attempting to connect to other humans (Camic 289). Art —in the past and

in the present, even still—continuously strives to establish an understanding of the unknown,

to name the unnamed, to mark the ordinary, and to dignify our existence. Central to each of

those purposes are emotions (Camic 290).

Expressions involve emotions and the act of expression is wherein the power of art

lies (Langer 67). How does art express? Art expresses, and the expression is contained within

32
a form. The word contained, at first glance, is misleading, and although the form is

undoubtedly what holds the expression, the form is not necessarily static or permanent; the

form can be dynamic (Dryden 196). The form, regardless of whether it is static or dynamic, is

what captures the expression—the artist's inner truths. These truths, in order for the art to
communicate the expression authentically, must connect with the artist's experience—her or

his lived or observed experience (Gillis 106).

33
 Assessment Task 3-1

Direction: Choose one of the following statements and then visualize your concept through

drawing, painting, poster, etc.

1. Art is everywhere

2. Art is not nature

3. Art is imitating and creating

4. Art is perfect nature

5. Art message is universal

34
 Summary

Art is universal – Art has always been timeless and universal, spanning generations

and continents through and through. Art is not nature – Art is man’s expression of his reception
of nature. Art is man’s way of interpreting nature. Art involves experience – Unlike fields of
knowledge that involve data, art is known by experiencing. A work of art then cannot be

abstracted from actual doing. In order to know what an artwork is, we have to sense it, see or

hear it, and see and hear it. Art is Cultural - Art in culture is expressed in dress, and in the

ornaments we wear.

35
 References

Art is an Expression (n.d.). Art is an expression made visible by a form. Retrieved Source:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/513fe98fe4b0878d799c4329/t/517af090e4b09

687e97e81bb/1367011472925/bostic_part+3.pdf

Biosasiaph (2018). Art: Introduction And Assumptions. Retrieved from

http://www.ruelpositive.com/art-introduction-assumptions

Buer, R. (2019). What is Art: Introduction and Assumptions.

https://www.slideshare.net/RyanBuer/what-is-art-introduction-and-assumptions

Dudley, O, Scott, W. R, & Lieberson, S. (1960). Metropolis and Region.

It’s All About Culture (n.d.). Functions of Art – Lecture. Retrived Source:

https://itsallaboutculture.com/functions-of-art-lecture/

36
 MODULE 4
VISUAL ARTS (2D, 3D) FILM (DIGITAL
ARTS/ANALOG) PERFORMANCE AND POETRY-
PERFORMANCE, ARCHITECTURE, DANCE

Introduction

This module tackles visual art form such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture,
ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic
disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts also involve aspects of
visual arts as well as arts of other types. Also included within the visual arts are the applied
arts such as industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design and decorative
arts.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should be able to:

1. Know the different types of visual arts;

2. Discuss the various characteristics of visual art; and
3. Analyze the concept of visual art.

37
Lesson 1. Visual Arts (Caslib et al., 2018)

Creations that fall under this category are those that appeal to the sense of sight and

are mainly visual in nature. Artists produce visual arts driven by their desire to reproduce

things that they have seen in the way that they perceived them (Collins & Riley,1931). We will

not be too strict on the definition since there are other artistic disciplines that also involve a

visual aspect, such as performance arts, theater, and applied arts, that will be discussed in

detail later on. Visual arts is the kind of art form that the population is most likely more exposed

to, but its variations are so diverse—they range from sculptures that you see in art galleries
to the last movie you saw.

Some mediums of visuals arts include paintings, drawings, letterings, printing,

sculptures, digital imaging, and more.

Figure 4.1 John La Farge, “Carmelila” in Old Chinese Vase on Black Lacquer Table
Source: https://www.1st-art-gallery.com/John-La-Farge/Camellia-In-Old-Chinese-Vase-On-Black-
Lacquer-Table.html

38
Lesson 2. Performance Arts (Caslib et al., 2018)

Performance art is a live art and the artist’s medium is mainly the human body which

he or she uses to perform, but also employs other kind of art such as visual art, props, or

sounds. It usually consists of four important elements: time, where the performance took

place, the performer’s body, and a relationship between the audience and the performer(s)

(Moma Learning, n.d). The fact that performance art is live makes it intangible, which means

it cannot be bought or traded as a commodity, unlike the previously discussed art expressions.

Performance art is related to

conceptual art, whose rosters of well-known

artists include the likes of Marina Abramovic,

Yoko Ono, and Joseph Beuys. As a

movement, it began in the 1960s and instead

of being concerned with entertaining its

audience, the heart of the artwork is its idea or

message. Here, the audience may even be the

heart of the artwork as its idea or message.

Here, the audience may even be an accomplice

to the realization of the work. Performance art

may be planned or spontaneous and done live

or recorded since it is also durational in nature,

it is also considered as ephemeral works of art.

An interesting proposition is that performance is

not about the medium or the format; rather, it is Figure 4.2 Performance Art (Dance)

how a specific context is made in which through Source: Goyette, 2007

engagement or interaction, questions,

concerns, and conditions will be fleshed out.

39
Lesson 3. Poetry Performance (Caslib et al., 2018)

Poetry is an art form where the artist expresses his emotions not by using paint,

charcoal, or camera, but expresses them through words. These words are carefully selected

to exhibit clarity and beauty and to stimulate strong emotions of joy, anger, love, sorrow, and

the list goes on. It uses a word’s emotional, musical, and spatial values that go beyond its

literal meaning to narrate, emphasize, argue, or convince. These words, combined with

movements, tone, volume, and intensity of the delivery, add to the artistic value of the poem.

Some poets make poems out of their emotions picked up from other works of art, which in
turn produce another work of art through poetry.

Architecture

As discussed, art is the pursuit and creation of beautiful things while architecture is the

making of beautiful buildings. However, not all buildings are beautiful. Some buildings only

embody the functionality they need, but the structure, lines, forms, and colors are not

beautifully expressed. Thus, not all buildings can be considered architecture. Take, for

example, the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux (Figure 3) where the functionality of the theater
remains, but the striking balance of the lines, colors, and shapes completes the masterpiece.
Buildings should embody these three important elements—plan, construction, and design—if

they wish to merit the title architecture (Collins & Riley, 1931 as cited by Caslib et al., 2018).

40
 Figure 4.3 The Grand Theatre de Bordeaux

Source: Creative Commons (n.d.)

Dance

Dance is a series of movements that follows the rhythm of the music accompaniments.
It has been an age-old debate whether dance can really be considered an art form, but here
we primarily describe dance as a form of expression. Dancing is a creative form that allows
people to freely express themselves. It has no rules. You may say that choreography does
not allow this, but in art expression, dancers are not confined to set steps and rules but are
free to create and invent their own movements as long as they deem them graceful and
beautiful.

41
 Figure 4.4 Olga Spessive in Swan Lake Costume
Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Olga_Spessiva_in_Swan_Lake_costume,_1934_photographe
r_Sydney_Fox_Studio,_3rd_Floor,_88_King_St,_Sydney.jpg

42
Lesson 4. Film (Caslib et al., 2018)

Film refers to the art of putting together successions of still images in order to create

an illusion of movement. Filmmaking focuses on its aesthetic, cultural, and social value and

is considered as both an art and an industry. Films can be created by using one or a

combination of some or all of these techniques: motion-picture camera (also known as movie

camera), animation techniques, Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI), and more. Filmmaking

simulates experiences or creates one that is beyond the scope of our imagination as it aims

to deliver ideas, feelings, or beauty to its viewers.

The art of filmmaking is so complex it has to take into account many important
elements such as lighting, musical score, visual effects, direction, and more. That is why in

famous film estivate and awards such as the Metro-Manila Film Festival and Oscars, a long

list of categories is considered to recognize excellence in the art of filmmaking.

Digital art

Is an artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative or
presentation process. Since the 1960s, various names have been used to describe the
process, including computer art and multimedia art. Digital art is itself placed under the larger
umbrella term new media art.

Analog art
Is any art where the material making the art is manipulated by hand, like paint. You
can control any portion of it. Digital is constituted of many individual pieces of electronic
information--such as pixels, in the case of digital photography--which cannot be further broken
down.

43
Lesson 5. Literary Arts (Caslib et al., 2018)

Literary Art

Artists who practice literary arts use words—not paint, musical instruments, or
chisels—to express themselves and communicate emotions to the readers. However, simply

becoming a writer does not make one a literary artist. Simply constructing a succession of
sentences in a meaningful manner is not literary art. Literary art goes beyond the usual

professional, academic, journalistic, and other technical forms of writing. It focuses on writing
using a unique style, not following a specific format or norm. It may include both fiction and

non-fiction such as novels, biographies, and poems. Examples of famous literary artists and

their works include The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Romeo and Juliet by

William Shakespeare.

Figure 4.5 William Shakespeare

Source: Taylor (n.d.)

44
Lesson 6. Theater (Caslib et al., 2018)

Theater uses live performers to present accounts or imaginary events before a live
audience. Theater art performances usually follow a script, though they should not be
confused with literary arts. Much like in filmmaking, theater also considers several elements
such as acting, gesture, lighting, sound effects, musical score, scenery, and props. The
combination of these elements is what gives the strongest impression on the audience and
the script thus becomes a minor element. Similar to performance art, since theater is also a
live performance, the participation of the viewer is an important element in theater arts. Some
genres of theater include drama, musical, tragedy, comedy, and improvisation.

Figure 4.6 Macbeth by Wikipedia

Source: Morgan & Lith (n.d.)

45
Lesson 7. Applied Arts (Caslib et al., 2018)

Applied arts is incorporating elements of style and design to everyday items with the

aim of increasing their aesthetical value. Artists in this field bring beauty, charm, and comfort

into many things that are useful in everyday life (Collins & Riley, 1931 as citeb Caslib et al.,

2018).

Industrial design, interior design, fashion design, and graphic design are considered
applied arts. Applied is often compared to fine arts, where the latter is chiefly concerned on

aesthetic value. Through exploration and expression of ideas, consideration of the needs,

and careful choice of materials and techniques, artists are able to combine functionality and

style.

46
Assessment Task 4-1

1. Research some examples of the topics discussed on this module.

2. Using your own creativity and understanding of our lesson, create your own art work

in a ¼ sheet illustration board and discuss your artwork.

3. Reflect on or give your own opinion or insights about our lesson.

47
 Summary

This module emphasizes visual arts, performance arts, poetry, architecture, dance,

film, literary arts, and applied arts as something that should be appreciated by people as they

not only add to beauty but emotions as well. The art forms discussed in this module will help

the student to understand the different concepts of art for added knowledge and information.

48
 Reference

Caslib Jr., B. N., Garing, D. C., Casaul, J. A. (2017). Art Appreciation. Rex Bookstore –First

Edition.

49