Art Appreciation Course Quiz

Course Outline

• Course Title: Art Appreciation (GEC 006)
• Topics Covered:
  • Meaning and Importance of Art
  • Meaning and Importance of Art Appreciation
  • Assumptions of Art
  • Functions of Art
  • Types of Subjects

Meaning of Art

• No single universal definition, as art is subjective.
• Derived from the Latin word "ars," meaning ability or skill (J.V. Estola).
• From the Italian word "artis," meaning craftsmanship, skill, mastery of form, and the relationship between material and technique (A. Tan).
• Art is never finished, only abandoned (Leonardo da Vinci).
• Conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination (Lisa Morder).
• Desire to express oneself, record personality in the world (Amy Lowell).

Four Standard Essentials of Art

• Human-made, not divinely created.
• Creative, not imitative.
• Benefits humanity through artistic principles, taste and skill in practical life.
• Expressed through specific mediums/materials, allowing artists to communicate with others.

What is Art Appreciation?

• Interpreting and understanding man-made art, enjoying it through hands-on experience with tools and materials.
• Possessing artworks for admiration and satisfaction.
• Knowing and understanding overarching qualities that define great art.
• Exploring visual and performance art forms.
• Analyzing art forms to enhance the audience's enjoyment and appreciation.

Assumptions of Art

• Art is universal.
• Art is crucial to people's lives and is the oldest and most important means of expression developed by man in any culture.
• Art contributes to understanding past and present cultures.
• Art reflects a people's values and strengthens culture's identity.
• Art is not nature since it is man-made and is a person's interpretation of what they see as art.
• Art involves personal experiences, allowing artists to express feelings through their work.
• Art can focus on societal issues and concerns.

Functions of Art

• Aesthetic: Art reveals the beauty of nature and man. People benefit from the art and from those who created it for their fellow man.
• Utilitarian: Art provides shelter, clothing, food, light, medicine, beautiful surroundings, personal ornamentation, entertainment, language, transportation, and other necessities and conveniences.
• Cultural: Art conveys and preserves skills and knowledge through generations and strengthens people's understanding of cultural backgrounds, making lives more enduring and satisfying.
• Social: Art promotes love, help, international understanding, cooperation, unity, and empathy between people.
• Political: Art reinforces and enhances a sense of identity and ideological connection.
• Educational: Illustrated through art symbols and signs, illustrating knowledge and attitudes beyond words.
• Spiritual: Art embodies spiritual beliefs, customs, ceremonies and rituals involving destiny and meaning of life, often with religious significance.

Philosophy of Art

• Art as Mimesis
• Art as Representation
• Art for Art's Sake
• Art as an Escape
• Art as Functional

Subject and Content in Art

• Clues to understanding the artwork and the viewer's experience.
• Subject: Visual focus/image extracted from examining the work (the "what").
• Content: Meaning/interpretation communicated by the artist (the "why").

Types of Subject

• Representational/Objective Arts: Depict objects/events in the real world. Easy to identify.
• Non-Representational/Non-Objective Arts: Do not refer to the real world. They appeal directly to the senses, focusing on pleasing visual elements such as shapes, lines, and colors.

Sources of Subjects

• Nature
• History
• Greek and Roman Mythology
• Religious tradition
• Sacred oriental texts
• Other works of art
• Artwork
• Autobiographies
• Documents
• Speeches
• The film of the artist
• Diaries

Kinds of Subject

• Still Life
• Landscapes, Seascapes, Cityscapes
• Animals
• Portraits
• Figures
• Historical Art
• Everyday Life
• Political Art
• Social Art