Lesson 1: Nature of Art
Reference: Art Perception and Appreciation, Chapter 1 (Art: Its Meaning and Importance), pages 5-14
Art is Everywhere Art is n...
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Lesson 1: Nature of Art
Reference: Art Perception and Appreciation, Chapter 1 (Art: Its Meaning and Importance), pages 5-14
Art is Everywhere Art is not only found in concert halls, museums, and art galleries. We cannot ignore its presence even if we try to. Art is the clothes, accessories, designs, furniture, home, community, religion, trade and industry. Art is found in relief sculptures (coins, religious medals), engraving (paper bills, postage stamps), free standing sculptures (statues of saints in churches in cemeteries), decorative patterns, architecture. Theatrical performances, pabasa/cenaculo, movies, TV series, music Art exists in ethnic groups such as bead necklaces (T’boli), brightly colored Lepanto cloth (Ifugaos), wood sculptures (Ifugaos), metalwork on vases, bowls, trays (Maranaw), handwoven malong and jewelry. Music and dances also exist as part of religious rituals and social functions. Art is found at all times including prehistoric cave drawings which are usually about man’s ideas and beliefs. Art is as old as the human race itself. Art exists in all forms if human society and in every generation because it serves some fundamental human needs.
Art is an Expression and form of Communication Art has grown out of man’s need to express his emotions, personal and social values and psychological insights into human reality. Artists are perceptive to deeper meanings, hidden realities and they highlight/frame/express these for the ordinary men of the community.
Since prehistoric times, man has been preoccupied with three major searches in the adventure of exploration that is recorded in works of art. First, he has been finding ways to make appropriate images of his gods, Second, he has also discovered the world around him. Third, he has been discovering himself, pondering his own nature, trying to decipher the mastery of what a human being is.” Whatever the artist does, he is actually saying or revealing something significant. Without a message and without understanding from the audience, communication will not be established and the artwork will not be effective. Sometimes, the artist’s main intention is not to communicate but to relieve stress and tension and satisfaction comes from creating a new form. Therefore, the act of painting is more important than the finished product. An artwork is the expression of an artist’s personal views, and at the same time, the general views or context in the age in which it was created. Cultural, social, economic, political, religious, scientific and technological environment will affect the artistic expression. Art simultaneously reflects 2 things: (1) the genius of the creator and (2) the values and attitudes of life in the context of the art object. Art is used to call for unity and reconciliation. (anthems, monuments, heritage, festivals, tribal art) Art can be used to communicate mutiny and rebellion. (Noli and El Fili, crusades, insurgence)
Art is a Creation Creation is the act of combining or re-ordering existing materials so that a new object is formed. Art is a creative activity and involves skill or expertise in handling materials. This needs training and practice. “art” is from the Latin “ars” meaning “skill”. This term used to refer to craftsmanship and proficiency in performing any activity including medicine, agriculture, and military expertise. Now, it refers to skills and products that are geared to delighting the senses and producing a satisfying experience of the beautiful Art involves constant correction and redirection, depending on the demands of the material and the challenges it poses. Art can be a cooperative activity. Each finished product is an expression of order - the artist’s idea of order.
Art is an Experience 3 major kinds of experience involved in the artistic activity. Art starts as an experience the artist wants to communicate. The act of expressing this experience follows. When the work is done, there is the artist’s gratifying experience. The viewer also undergoes an experience when he/she perceives the work of art. The experience may or may not be what the artist intended. Art must be directly seen or heard in order to be enjoyed or appreciated. A combination of sensory, emotional, and intellectual responses is involved in experiencing art. There is the emotional response triggered by the recognition of a familiar situation presented as the subject of the work. Sometimes our emotional response springs from our identifying ourselves with the people portrayed in the work of art Artistic works delight the mind and stimulate the intellect more than emotions. Experiences are personal and unique. We may not altogether agree with his statement, but the work of art will at least lead us to form ideas of our own about the matter. Whatever response we have to a work of art, we cannot fail to experience a sense of awe at the object’s existence. Art represents our experiences and demands involvement. The meaning of art waits to be unfolded, making art is not a contest, it is a showcase of identity, stories and mysteries. Art is used to influence, convince, destroy and unshape one’s belief.
Art and Nature Art is not nature. Art is inspired by nature. Art is a record of nature. Art is non-repeatable and unchanging. Artists alter nature in their art. In many ways, art is to “improve” on nature. Art is a creation of man that may reflect a profound skillfulness and craftsmanship. They are processed and planned, studied and researched. Art is artificial, a representation, an appropriation. Art is made to adore and acknowledge God’s wonders and man’s experiences. There is something in nature that we cannot get and transform into art. Art is not nature because nature is evanescent in constant transformation of change, while art is permanent, unless it is manipulated by man. Art is limited, it can only capture a limited point that can be conveyed. We cannot compare art with nature because it is something mysterious. Nature is to wondrous to be equated to a limited art. Art can never compete with natural calamities. Nature’s beauty is innate and silent, art demands human attention for its valuation.
Art and Beauty The desire for beauty and order around is another basic human need. We experience aesthetic pleasure with art. Beauty is relative. Concepts of beauty change as time passes. An artist’s own concept may change as he grows older. Concepts of beauty vary between cultures An artist’s own concept may change as he grows older. Concepts of beauty vary between cultures. Artwork is not necessarily beautiful to evoke negative feelings on the subject of art. Beauty in art may be the result of the successful organization of lines, color, shapes and spaces in order to convey an idea or emotion.
Others: (from Alampat, Chapter 2: Assumptions of Art, pages 15-21)
Art is Timeless. It is as old as the human race. It continually evolves (from birthing, innovating, recreating, reinventing, reviving, in order to establish the style, identity and audience interest. Classics never fade and it continually invades our time. Art defines time, as it mirrors its context. Time defines art, since it tells what the audience would be interested.
Art Addresses Human Needs. Comfort, entertainment, education, which leads people to self-fulfillment and satisfaction.
Conclusion: Man has to communicate. Man has to use art to bridge understanding and let society advance to its growth. Art is a constant reaction to the world around us and caters to differences and uniqueness. Art is a way of communicating one’s individuality and existence. It is only in action that we live continually, so, thus, there is art. Lesson 2: Function of Art
Reference: Art Perception and Appreciation, Chapter 1 (Art: Its Meaning and Importance), pages 27-37
Broadly speaking, regardless of the level of functionality of a piece of art, all arts have function, for man, the maker, creates things because he has a particular need for them. Art generally addresses the following needs: Our individual need for personal expression. Our social needs Our physical needs.
The Personal Function Art serves as a means of expression. Art has therapeutic value. Art makes us aware of other ways of thinking, feeling and imagining, fresh insights, for better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Art makes us become aware of other ways of thinking, feeling and imagining.
The Social Function
Art influences social behavior. They can cause us to laugh, raise or voices, see a social reality, decide, and it can arouse indignation through showing the plight of the working class and other foibles of society. It can express political and ideological expression, which can be a tool in shaping society and its manners. Art helps in spreading doctrine or teaching ideas, attitudes and ways of behaving. Consider advertisements and art you encounter daily
Art commemorates and celebrates. Sculptures and paintings commemorate important personages in society. Art records important historical events and reveal the ideals of heroism and leadership. Rituals (for worship, mass, liturgical texts, music) Art celebrates (festivals) the society’s achievements and important phases in life.
Art describes the society when it was written. Artworks are vital historical documents that reveals how people felt, thought, lived. Artworks serve as clues to the history of civilization. We can get an idea of what society is in the past thru art.
The Physical Function
Form and Function The function of an object generally determines the basic form that it takes.
Architecture The design of a building is determined by its operational function. The design that a building takes is also adapted to the climate of the region. The architect must take the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of the family into account when he designs a house. That includes the occupants’ needs and interests.
Community Planning A community is a group of individuals and families living in a particular locality because of common interests and needs. Buildings serve the lives of these people. Improving and designing f new communities are important because of physical and aesthetic inadequacy of most communities. Community planning involves the efficient organization of buildings, roads and spaces so that they meet the physical and aesthetic needs of the community. A community may grow in strategic areas (natural ports, road terminals, industrial complex, etc). The traditional design of communities was ordered around a focal point. (Plaza complex like in the Spanish period. Plazas include important public buildings like cathedral or church with convento, school, municipio/city hall. An example is Vigan’s city center) Community planning takes into consideration the assignment of areas for proper land use. Residential districts The present trend is to get away from overcrowded downtown district to get the charm of rural living but still get the conveniences of urban living. There are still those who prefer to live in a condominium or apartment within the city center. Zoning ordinances insure the proper distribution of various sections of the community to their respective functions for the sake of health, safety and efficiency. These ordinances also provide rules governing uniform setbacks and minimum distances between houses as well as regulate the height of buildings so that these do not endanger health by obstructing light and air, thus affecting the design of houses. Industrial and commercial areas Usually located near the raw source of raw materials and far from residential areas. A commercial area can be a cluster of small neighborhood stores, a shopping complex in the suburbs or a central downtown district. It is situated where there is easy public transport. Civic centers Usually in the middle of the community. Parks, plazas and malls Well landscaped parks pocketed in the center of busy urban sections relieve the monotony of appearance of similarly constructed buildings and ease the nervous tension of busy workers. Streets and roads Streets are large or small according to their function. Wide roads are useful for traffic in avenues or highways, narrower/secluded roads are usually in residential districts The location of terminals should serve the best interests of all. In planning the community, the design will be determined by the nature of the site, the work and recreational needs of citizens and ample provisions for growth and expansion. Beauty and Function Functional works of art must not only perform their function efficiently but must also be aesthetically pleasing. The presence of aesthetics distinguishes a work of art from an ordinary functional object. Lesson 3: Subject of Art
Reference: Art Perception and Appreciation, Chapter 1 (Art: Its Meaning and Importance), pages 14-26
What Subject Is A subject of art refers to any person, object, scene or event described or represented in art. Representational or objective art are art that have a subject.
Examples: Painting, sculpture, graphic arts, literature, theater arts (with some exceptions) Non-representational art or non-objective art are art that do not have subject. These do not present descriptions, stories or references to identifiable objects or symbols. Rather, they appeal directly to the senses through organized elements. In short, non-objective art evokes emotional responses.
Examples: Music, architecture, many functional arts (with some exceptions such as program music or music that imitates natural sounds.) Many contemporary painters have turned away from rep nonrepresentational to non objective painting.
Ways of Representing Subject Representation varies according to the inventiveness and purpose of each artist. Realism is the representation that depicts the way things would normally appear in nature. No work of art is truly realistic, since no work of art is an accurate copy of what exists in the natural world. A realistic novel is not just a narration of events which actually took place. Rather, it is an imaginative narrative, the details of which are manipulated by the author. Abstraction is the process of simplifying and/or reorganizing objects and elements according to the demands of artistic expression. Some abstract works have enough likeness retained to represent real things. Some are reduced to simple geometric shapes and they can be rarely identified unless named. Distortion is the twisting, stretching or deforming of the natural shape of the object and it is when the figures have been so arranged that proportions differ noticeably from natural measurements. Distortion is usually done to dramatize the shape of a figure or to create an emotional effect. Surrealism is realism combined with distortion (but there are more kinds of surrealism too). Surrealists compose dreamlike scenes to show irrational arrangement of objects. The images are recognizable and sometimes drawn from nature but are combined in utterly fantastic and unnatural relationships. Another type of surrealism depicts the workings of the subconscious, the artist using symbols which are not directly associated with the familiar physical world.
Kinds of Subject Landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes Chinese and Japanese (Paintings of mountains, Haiku) Filipino painters have painted the Philippine countryside or the sea (Fernando Amorsolo, paints idyllic rural areas that do not reveal agrarian problems) Still Lifes Groups of inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting. They are usually arranged to show particular human interests and activities Today, artists are inclined to exciting arrangements and combinations of the objects’ shapes and colors. Animals The earliest known paintings are representations of animals on the walls of caves. Animals can be prestige symbols (Maranaws=sarimanok) Animals have been used as symbols in conventional religious art. Portraits People have always been intrigued by the human face as an index of the owner’s character. A portrait is a realistic likeness of a person in a sculpture, painting, drawing or print. A portrait does not have to be beautiful, but it must be truthful. Statues and busts of leaders and heroes were quite common among the Romans but it was not until the Renaissance that portrait painting became popular in Europe. Rulers and religious leaders sat for portraits or profiles etched in coins and medals. Donors and patrons were incorporated in paintings and sculptures with religious themes. Portraits can mark milestones in people’s lives. Figures The sculptor’s chief subject has traditionally been the human body, nude or clothed. The grace and ideal proportions of the human form were captured in religious sculpture by the ancient Greeks. To them, physical beauty was the symbol of moral and spiritual perfection, thus the perfect human shapes of gods and goddesses. Greeks also represented the healthy and graceful athletes. Early Christian and medieval artists seldom represented the nude figure and the figures they used to decorate the entrances and walls of their churches were distorted so as not to call undue attention to the sensuous physical shape and distract the mind from spiritual thoughts Renaissance artists reawakened an interest in the nude human figure. Favorite subject among painters is the female figure in the nude. Everyday Life Artists have always shown a deep concern about life around them. History and Legend It is difficult to tell how much of what we know is history and how much is legend. While many works may not be consciously done historical records, certain information about history can be pieced from them. The costumes and accessories worn by the people depicted, the status symbols, the kinds of dwellings and the means of transportation, and other such incidentals reveal so much of the period as to constitute historical records. Religion and Mythology Art has always been the handmaiden of religion. Most of the world’s religions have used the arts to aid in worship, to instruct, to inspire feelings of devotion and to impress and convert non-believers. Some religions expressly forbid the representation of divinity as human beings or animal forms, although they allow the use of some signs or symbols in their place. (Judaism and Islam) Other religions have taught that a god may sometimes assume human or other visible forms, distinguished by halo, wings, darker complexion. (Egyptians, Africans, Hindu (Shiva), Buddha (footprints, wheel, tree)) Some Filipino artists have attempted to render in art not only traditional religious themes but folk beliefs in creatures of lower mythology as well. Dreams and Fantasies Dreams are usually vague and illogical. A dream can be a lifelike situation (realism) or strange, irrational and absurd No limits can be imposed on an artist’s imagination; it can go beyond the real and the possible.
The Ugly and the Tragic in Art There is nothing that may be considered an improper subject for a work of art, even the grotesque, the ugly and the tragic are all legitimate subjects. Each of us has suffered grief, frustration or loss one way or another. Through these works, we find an affinity with the rest of humanity who have the same experiences. By experiencing these works, we are purged of the pain and we achieve a release of tension.
Subject and Content Recognizing the subject is not necessarily grasping the content of a work of art. Subject is the objects depicted, content is what the artist expresses or communicates (content can be the meaning of the work or the theme)
The Artist and His Choice of Subject As nature inspires art, practically everything under the sun is raw material for the artist to draw his subject from. Whatever the artis...