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ART APPRECIATION

SESSION 1

SHORT HISTORY
Medieval humanities 12th and 13th century
- Centered on theology and philosophy
- Interest was in the concept of eternal
Renaissance humanities 14th 18th century
- Focused on the intrinsic value of mans life on earth
- Disciplines that would make mans life richer and more meaningful
(languages and literature, fine arts, music, philosophy)
19th Century
- Science ruled humanities took a back stage
Today, humanities include/emphasize modern literature, critical and historical study
of fine arts and music with an emphasis on serving man as an individual rather than
as a social being

DEFINITION OF HUMANITIES
Humanism specific philosophical belief or Humanitarianism concern for
charitable works
Latin humanus meaning human, refined and cultured
The study of humanities strengthens the appreciation for the arts bec
thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and values are conveyed.
In academic discipline, Humanities is the study of the human condition
(may be social, personal or cultural context)
Academically, humanities is the study of art concerns itself with human
beings, his feelings and how he expresses his feelings. Analysis and exchange
of ideas rather than the creative expression of the arts
In the curriculum, humanities covers
Fine arts painting, archi, sculpture
Literature
Performing arts music, dance, theater, drama
Liberal arts history, philo, theo, and all the languages
Greek philosopher Protagoras man is the measure of all things - Meaning
man is used as the foundation of value rather than any god or moral law.
Implying that the humanities emphasizes the dignity and worthiness of man
and recognizes creative expressions. So ART as a creative expression of man
may be regarded as a "measuring stick" in looking into a certain period/era or
even a specific country or group of people.
Ultimately, this implies that everything is relative. What one man holds to be
true may be false with another, depending on environment, culture and other
aspects that influence him.

DEFINITION and CONNOTATIONS OF ART


Latin Ars ability or skill
The oldest form of expression developed by man even before writing!
Form of communication of ideas and feelings through different media.
Communicates beauty primarily through the senses through visual, literary or
performing arts.
As a result, art is a representation of the times in which the artist lives. -
example: cave paintings told us that men hunted to survive, that Egypts
culture was deeply rooted in the afterlife from their artworks.

Any activity that expresses aesthetic ideas by the use of skill and
imagination in the creation of objects, environments and experiences
which can be shared with others to help create an aesthetic experience in
the viewer. Knowledge is useless unless put to useful ends. Knowledge alone is
meaningless unless accompanied by values, sentiments, priorities, insights, inter-
relationships.
Art is in everyday life way we decorate our rooms, the way we dress,
cooking, and in almost all human activities.

A great work of art:


A record of an artists point of view shared in an aesthetically pleasing
way
Product of an artists personality environment, traditions, national
traits, religion, economic condition, ideals
A representation of an individual, character of the period, place where
it was produced. Art is a historical document
* Leo Tolstoy referred to the aesthetic experience we get from art as an infection.
The greater the work of art, the deeper the infection and the longer it stays with
you.

Specific types/grouping of the arts:


Visual arts
Perceived by the sense of sight

Graphic Arts
2-dimensional surfaces
Painting, drawing, photography and other products of
the printing industry books, signs, posters,
ads/advertisements
Plastic Arts (Greek plastikos to form or to mold)
3-dimenional forms
Architectural designs, other structures; landscapes,
interior design, sculpture, crafts jewelry, weaving,
ceramics; industrial arts designs of cars or appliances
or clothing or stage production
Performing arts
Theater, play, dance and music
Involves movement, speaking and gestures

Literary arts
Short stories, novels, poetry, drama

Popular Arts
Film, newspaper, magazine, radio and television
Main characteristic gay and lively

Gustatory art of the cuisine


Skill in food preparation

Decorative Arts
Visual objects produced for beautifying houses, offices
Also called Applied arts
Example: bowls, chandeliers, furniture

Values and Reason for Art


What is the purpose of art? Why does art exist? brief summary,
general purpose

Commemorate occasions and important events


Historical document we see the artists environment,
people, culture; reflects a society
Boost the human spirit
Learn to value beautiful things brings out the noble
and good in us
Opportunity for self-transformation
Source of inspiration because of its aesthetic value

5 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE ARTS

1. Art has been created by various people, at all places and time. Art exists
because it is liked and enjoyed.
2. Art does not grow old.
3. Art is something to be seen or heard or experienced.
4. Art is the product of mans imagination, good taste and skill in doing things.
5. Art is in nature. Its beauty can be enhanced with artistry.

CRITIQUING A WORK OF ART

How do we perceive art? Perception of art depends largely on who


the viewer is as a result of his/her past training, experiences,
inclination and special interest in any of the arts. = we appreciate
certain art forms, like going to galleries or museums or watching a
concert if we have previous trainings or special interest in them.
Before guidelines, learn the Elements of art and the Principles of
Art.

ELEMENTS OF ART
Line kind of lines: sharp, jagged, diagonal, curved, horizontal, zigzag, thick,
choppy, fuzzy, graceful, straight, dotted, heavy, vertical, thin, smooth,
broken, wavy
Shape circles, rectangles, squares, diamonds, triangles
Form cones, spheres, cylinders, cubes
Space background, foreground, middle ground; positive space (space of a
shape representing subject matter), negative space (space around and
between the subject matter)
Texture - quality of a surface; may be real or implied
Value / tone use of light and dark, shade and highlight; contrast |
CHIAROSCURO (chiaro-light oscuro- dark)
Color primary (red, yellow, blue), secondary (green, orange, violet)

PRINCIPLES OF ART
Emphasis/focal point the first thing you see, dominant figure
Contrast - are there any noticeable differences in light and dark shades
Harmony/Unity wholeness, feeling of completeness
Balance
Symmetrical both sides weigh about the same
Asymmetrical both sides does not weigh equally
Radial elements equally distributed around a center point
Repetition/Pattern/Rhythm consistency of line or color; makes the artwork
seem more active
Variety the quality of having different forms, contrast, emphasis, size and
color

4 Steps in Critiquing an artwork

Step 1:
Describe
What do you see? (like taking an inventory/list of things you see)
What is the subject and what are the objects? Are there people? Buildings?
Plants? Animals?
What sort of artwork is it? Is it a landscape? A seascape? A portrait? Still
life? Nature? Figures?
What is the media used? Paint, pastel, ink, wood, marble, bronze?

Step 2:
Analyze
* Use the elements/principles to reflect upon the art form and why
the artist used them
What kind of lines are present? Jagged? Curved? Diagonal? Straight?
What shapes? Circles? Squares?
What colors? Bright? Strong? Neutral? Muted?
How is space used?
Deep space (looks like you can see for miles, a wide range of light
and dark values)?
Shallow space (shapes are flattened with limited use of light and
dark values)
Flat space (shapes appear in one value or color, not 3 dimensional)
For landscapes
Foreground (objects near the viewer)
Midground (space between foreground and background)
Background (objects that appear most distant from the
viewer)
What grabs your attention the most and why?
Do you see any relationship to the things described in step 1?

Step 3:
Interpretation

What is the artwork about? Your own perspectives or opinions met with the
evidences in the artwork.
What is the purpose of the art work? What is the artist trying to say? Why?
What is its meaning? Strength, mystery, beauty, fear, anger, adventure,
love, war, madness
What kind of mood is being portrayed?
Why do you think the artist created this work?

Step 4:
Evaluation

What do you think about the artwork? Your own conclusions about the
artwork based on all information gathered.
What is the value that you find in it? Is it beautiful? Thought-provoking?
Gives an important social message? Helps us understand the past?
Does it benefit others? How?
Why do you like or dislike the artwork? Explain.

Source:
http://www.dl.ket.org/humanities/resources/art/critproc.htm
http://teacher.nicholas.k12.ky.us/ejohnson/art_dept/Four%20Step%20Critique%20of%20a
%20Work%20of%20Art%20Handout.pdf
http://www-bths.stjohns.k12.fl.us/teachers/rizzol/078D56A1-0118C716.8/4%20Steps%20to
%20Critiquing%20Art%20Work.pdf

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