Art Module 5: Subject and Content

Module 5: Subject and Content of Art

• Lesson Objectives: Students will differentiate subject from content, classify artworks by subject, and characterize sources and kinds of art.

• Week Covered: Week 5

• Learning Materials: PowerPoint Presentation, Art Appreciation textbook (Caslib, Bernardo, et al., 2018), The Humanities textbook (Zulueta, Francisco, 2013), and the course syllabus.

Subject of Art

• Definition: Subject in art is what is represented or indicated in a work of art.
• Examples: Subject in literature (an essay's subject), painting (the "what" of the painting), and other visual arts. Also, it answers "What is it all about?"
• Variety: The subject of art can vary.

Subject Types

• Representational/Objective Art: Artworks that depict recognizable subjects (people, objects, scenes, events). Examples include paintings, sculptures, graphic arts, literature, and theater.
• Non-Representational/Non-Objective Art: Artworks that do not depict recognizable subject matter. Examples include music, architecture, and some abstract art. (e.g., Delaunay's work).

Criteria for Choosing a Subject

• Artist's Freedom: Artists are free to choose their subject.
• Personal Interest: The subject should relate to the artist's personal interests.
• Availability of Medium and Patronage: Artists need to consider the resources available (medium) and support they might receive (patronage).

Sources of Art Subjects

• Nature: Landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes, and still lifes (inanimate objects like cups, glasses, bottles, flowers).
• History: Events from the past (e.g., Ang Gerilya - UP Students, Landing Memorial of General Douglas MacArthur).
• Mythology: Greek and Roman mythology, and other mythological subjects.
• Judeo-Christian Tradition: Subjects from the Bible (e.g., The Last Supper).
• Sacred Oriental Texts: Subjects from religious texts like the Quran, Bible, Vedas.
• Animals: Portraits of animals.
• Figures Portraits of humans.
• Seascapes, Landscapes, Cityscapes Visual portrayal of exterior sights.
• Mythology Stories and figures from mythologies (e.g., The Twelve Olympians).

Content in Art

• Meaning Levels: Content in art signifies the deeper meaning or message conveyed in an artwork. It describes the artwork itself, and can be Factual, Conventional, or Subjective.
  • Factual: The basic, literal depiction of the artwork.
  • Conventional: The widely accepted or understood meaning of motifs, symbols, and signs within the work.
  • Subjective: The individual meaning or interpretation of the viewer.
• Sources of Content: Content includes nature, history, Greek/Roman Mythology, and more. Visual elements like figures, scenes, animals, myths, or mythology are examples.

Additional Information

• Analysis of Artwork: Students are asked to analyze different artworks, identifying type, sources, and kinds of subjects.
• Quiz: A quiz on evaluating art content (factual, conventional, subjective meaning) is included; questions about specific artworks might be asked
• Output Activity: Students are required to create an artwork, illustrating the representational subject and content. They also need to describe their artwork in a short narration.