GEC 5 Art Appreciation Handout PDF

02/09/2024 1 GEC 5: ART APPRECIATION Lesson 1: ARTS & HUMANITIES 2 LEARNING Objectives 1. Define Humanities and the Arts...

02/09/2024 1 GEC 5: ART APPRECIATION Lesson 1: ARTS & HUMANITIES 2 LEARNING Objectives 1. Define Humanities and the Arts 2. Reflect on the importance of the humanities and the arts to people, culture and society. 3. Identify and recognize the different art forms 4. Review on the importance of creativity and imagination 5. Appreciate the contributions of the Arts to oneself. 3 Humanities From the Latin word humanus - human who is cultured and refined. Academic disciplines that study human society and culture (humans in the individual, cultural, societal, and experiential sense) Help us understand the human experience and are essential for a cultured, refined person. Humanities studies help us understand ourselves, others, and the world. Humanities illuminate and illustrate the distinctive characteristics of man as a rational and spiritual being. 4 Why study humanities? The humanities teach empathy. They teach us to deal critically and logically with subjective, complex, imperfect information. Humanities students build skills in writing and critical reading. They teach us to reason about being human and to ask questions about our world. Cultivating a deep understanding of Humanities makes us more cultured and refined and can help us appreciate the contributions of art to ourselves and to the world around us. The humanities encourage us to think creatively. Creative thinking leads to solutions to problems and innovations for improvement. 5 Creativity - The ability to produce or use original and unused ideas (Cambridge Dictionary) - The tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others (Franken, n.d.) - Creativity and innovation are relatives. If you want innovation to occur, creativity best be on the menu (Segal, 2016) 6 Are the arts (humanities) against science and vice versa? 7 SCIENCE can tell you how to clone a Tyrannosaurus Rex. 8 HUMANITIES can tell you why this might be a bad idea. 9 Art Art refers to the processes, products, and experiences that communicate aspects of human living in a variety of ways, many of which do not use words. Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the author's imaginative, conceptual ideas, or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power. GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 1  02/09/2024 skill, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power. 10 Art defined: Then and now Though the definition of what constitutes art is disputed and has changed over time, general descriptions mention an idea of imaginative or technical skill stemming from human agency and creation. 11 ART Dictionary result for art /ɑːt/ noun The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. 12 Art is communication Art, in its broadest sense, is a form of communication. It means whatever the artist intends it to mean, and this meaning is shaped by the materials, techniques, and forms it makes use of, as well as the ideas and feelings it creates in its viewers. Art is an act of expressing feelings, thoughts, and observations. (Encaustic.com, 2019) 13 Assumptions of Art Art is Universal Timeless, spanning generations, and continents through and through. Age is not a factor in determining art. 14 Art Is Not Nature Art, when not directed as a representation of reality, is a perception of reality. 15 Water Lilies Claude Monet, 1906 16 Art Involves Experience To appreciate an artwork, we have to sense it: see, touch, hear, or feel its presence. An important aspect of experiencing art is it being highly personal, individual, and subjective. In philosophical terms, the perception of art is always a value judgment. It depends on who perceives it, his tastes, his biases, and what he has inside. 17 Art is Cultural No matter how isolated, every culture sings, dances, tells stories, erects monuments, and draws visual patterns that exploit regularity, repetition, and enclosure. It is a disability not to appreciate any form of music and surely the same must be true of visual art and drama. 18 Functions of Art Arts is a much-needed avenue for people to: GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 2  02/09/2024 1. Express oneself freely; 2. Socially express a person’s need for display, celebration, and communication; and 3. Physically express the need for utility of functional objects. 19 The Forms of Art Differentiated 20 Functional art Functional Art Forms are those that may benefit the cause of man’s existence. They are art forms that answer people’s needs for life to be better. This benefit is mostly financial in nature. Functional art is generally applied art - art created for use, not necessarily everyday use, but designed to serve a purpose and with an aesthetic in mind. It is art that serves a function but is designed artistically for beauty. They meet a need for use. 21 Functional art 22 Non-functional art Non-functional art is art that serves no utilitarian purpose. It is in direct contrast with functional art, which has both an aesthetic value and a utilitarian purpose. Nonfunctional art also encompasses paintings, sculptures and all manner of fine art. These pieces usually seek to engage with the viewer on an intellectual, emotional or aesthetic level. The exploration of these sensibilities, rather than their utilitarian merits, determines the artworks' worth. (reference.com) 23 Non-functional art 24 Art in Society Art has always had an important role in society, reflecting our values, beliefs, and aspirations. It can also serve as a catalyst for social change and a means of raising awareness about important issues. 25 Importance of art Cultural Heritage Social Commentary Emotional Outlet Art provides an emotional outlet for many people, helping them express complex feelings and cope with life's challenges. Art can be used to reflect or express the artist’s emotions. 26 Importance of art: Cultural Heritage Art preserves our cultural heritage and allows us to learn about other cultures and societies. 27 Importance of art: Social Commentary Many artists use their works to comment on social and political issues and prompt discussions and debates. GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 3  02/09/2024 Art often reflects the political, religious, or social views of both the artist and the people who buy the art. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=932553317928675 28 Importance of art: Emotional Outlet Art provides an emotional outlet for many people, helping them express complex feelings and cope with life's challenges. Art can be used to reflect or express the artist’s emotions. 29 PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART 30 Philosophy and art Philosophy is a field of discipline which has attempted to explain almost all aspects of human existence. 31 Philosophy and art Philosophy of art is the study of the nature of art, including concepts such as interpretation, representation and expression, and form. It is closely related to aesthetics, the philosophical study of beauty and taste when explaining an artwork. Aesthetics is the study of beauty and taste, concerned with the nature of art and used as a basis for interpreting and evaluating individual works of art. It is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art. It examines subjective and sensori-emotional values, or sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste. 32 ART philosophers 33 Plato: Art as an imitation Plato’s The Republic paints a picture of artists as imitators and art is mere imitation. In his metaphysics or view of reality, the things in this world are only copies of the original, the eternal, and the true entities can be found in the World of Forms. Art is just an imitation of imitation. A painting is just an imitation of nature, which is also an imitation of reality in the World of Forms. 34 Aristotle: Art as a representation Aristotle, agreed with Plato, however, he considered art as an aid to philosophy in revealing the truth. Art represents a version of reality. In Aristotle’s worldview, art serves two particular purposes: Art allows for the experience of pleasure; and Art can be instructive and teach its audience things about life. 35 Kant: Art as a disinterested judgment Immanuel Kant, in his Critique of Judgement, considered the judgement of beauty, the cornerstone of art, as something universal despite its subjectivity. He recognized that judgement of beauty is subjective. GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 4  02/09/2024 He recognized that judgement of beauty is subjective. He believed that the question of beauty is a matter of taste and can be subjective and universal. 36 Tolstoy: Art as a Communication of Emotion According to Leo Tolstoy, art plays a huge role in communicating the artist’s experience to its audience’s emotions. Art communicates emotions. 37 Artists and artisans 38 ARTIST VS. ARTISAN An artist refers to someone engaged in creating or practicing the arts, while an artisan creates things by hand, practicing a craft and reaching expressive levels of an artist through experience and aptitude. Artists focus on creativity and self-expression, while artisans emphasize craftsmanship and the creation of functional or decorative objects. 39 40 Three classical branches of art Painting 41 Three classical branches of art Sculpture 42 Three classical branches of art Architecture 43 Additional forms of art Music Theater Film Dance and other performing arts Literature Digital media 44 Art forms Major constituents of the arts: VISUAL ARTS (including architecture, ceramics, drawing, filmmaking, painting, photography and sculpting) LITERATURE (including fiction, drama, poetry, and prose) PERFORMING ARTS (including dance, music and theater) CULINARY ARTS (including cooking, chocolate making and winemaking) 45 Other art forms Some art forms combine a visual element with performance (e.g. cinematography-the art and science of motion photography) GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 5  02/09/2024 https://sorayaselene.com/ABOUT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEBPzWd75lI&t=94s 46 Other art forms Artwork with the written word (e.g. comics) https://www.pbby.org.ph/blog/larry-alcala-mastery-in-simplicity-messages-in-images 47 From prehistoric cave paintings to modern-day films, art serves as a vessel for storytelling and conveying humankind's relationship with the environment. (wikipedia.com) 48 49 Appreciating the Arts To learn to appreciate the arts is primarily to: Develop an engaging relationship with a particular artwork Understand the meaning behind artistic creation - the messages that it would want to convey to its viewers Appreciate products of art should one be compelled to produce or make one. 50 Appreciating the arts: Steps 1. Give a good physical description of the artwork based on their knowledge of art elements and materials; 2. Analyze the artwork in terms of what the artist wants his work to represent and your subjective reaction to the works which includes your thoughts and feelings; 3. Perceive the artwork in the context of its history. This could enlighten you of the artist’s intention in doing the work and add to the understanding of the meaning the work is supposed to convey; 4. Give meaning to the artwork based on its description, analysis, and context; and 5. Judge the artwork as to whether it is good or bad based on your perception of it and its aesthetic and cultural value. 51 Appreciating the Arts Remember: Art is not meant to be looked at only for what it is. It is meant to stimulate thought because it allows viewers to draw their own emotions and pull from their personal experiences when viewed. It is very powerful in this way as it naturally develops critical and innovative thinking skills. Art also teaches many important qualities such as listening, observing, and responding to multiple perspectives. Having an appreciation of the arts also helps us to develop an appreciation for each other and how we are all unique in our way. 52 Appreciating the Arts GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 6  02/09/2024 For many people, art is meant to express something we feel unable to express or convey. Through its visual medium it evokes feelings of joy, sadness, anger, and pain. That is why art appreciation is important in bringing that one final element to complete the work - our interpretation. Our perspective brings the artwork to life as it changes for every person around it. It is important to foster art appreciation and analysis, as it helps us value the art in how it appeals to us and what it means to each person. It delves into the history and the story behind the art, as well as a look into the lives of the artists. 53 Appreciating the Arts It enables one to critically analyze a work, along lines of design, mastery, and techniques. Most importantly, art appreciation stimulates thought and analysis, provokes an individual to look past what meets the eye, and opens our mind to the views of others. Art is here to stay. It is a person’s history and legacy which is an ultimate proof that his personal experiences can be articulated and his immortality can be defined. (https://www.educationworld.in/the-importance-of-art-appreciation/) 54 Art Criticism The analysis and evaluation of works of art. Art criticism is often tied to theory; it is interpretive, involving the effort to understand a particular work of art from a theoretical perspective and to establish its significance in the history of art. (https://www.britannica.com/art/art-criticism) 55 Why evaluate? It is important for us to be able to evaluate art… To recognize what is good and what is bad, so that we may become more successful at our craft. To discern success from failure To be better equipped to create successful artwork and understand why and how artworks are digested. 56 Steps to Art Criticism 1. Description 2. Analysis 3. Interpretation 4. Judgment 57 Description The first step in art criticism is description. When we look at a work of art, our minds naturally take notice of the general information that’s present. GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 7  02/09/2024 58 Analysis Analysis refers to how the elements and principles of art are used in the work. In this step, our minds take in the lines, values, and colors of the artwork. We also may take notice of the balance, proportion, rhythm, and unity found within the work. 59 Interpretation Often times, we’ll instinctively skip to this step. We look for meaning in everything, so this is perfectly natural. In this step, we explore the meaning of the art. What is the artist trying to communicate to us? There are no wrong responses here. The artist may have a meaning that they intended in the work, but how we interpret it is completely up to us. 60 Judgement Is this work of art successful? The work of art may not be your favorite, but it may still be successful. Why? How? GEC 5: Art Appreciation (L. Agcanas) 8