Module 2 Assumptions of Art

MODULE 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES
The term “humanities” originated from the Renaissance Latin expression studia
humanitatis or study of humanitatis which refers to “culture, refinement, education”. During the
Renaissance period of the early 15th century, the studia humanitatis became a secular study in
the universities at the time. The humanities course primarily consisted of grammar, rhetoric,
poetry, history, and moral philosophy, Latin and Greek classics.
The humanities today include literature, language, philosophy, geography, history,
religion, music, and art. These subjects used methods that are primarily critical, speculative, and
historical in elements whereas natural sciences are critical discipline and use of empirical
approaches.
Humanities are academic disciplines that deal on the various aspects of society and the
noble in man. Thus, humanities make man more humane, cultured, dignified, and refined
human being. In short, humanities bring out the best and worthiness of man as a person.
Meaning and Importance of Art

Art is a subject under humanities. There is no one universal definition of art since art is
subjective. It is subjective in the sense that people differ in their perception of an object or thing.
Some people may consider it as ugly or meaningless. In other words, different authors and
writers define art in various ways as they perceive it. Moreover, the meaning of art has changed
throughout history due to multicultural stings. Thus, every time a new movement in art
emerged, the meaning of what is art, or what is acceptable as art, is being challenged.
Hereunder are some of the definitions of art given by various authors and writers.
1. Art is derived from the Latin word ‘’ars’’, meaning ability or skill- J.V Estolas.
2. Art is taken from the Italian word “artis” which means craftsmanship, skill, mastery of
form, inventiveness, and the associations that exists between form and ideas, between
material and technique. - A. Tan
3. 3.Art is a product of man’s need to express himself- F. Zulueta
4. Art is concerned itself with the communication of certain ideas and feelings by means of
sensuous medium, color, sound, bronze, marble, words and film. - C. Sanchez
5. Art is that which brings life in harmony with world. – Plato
6. Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of mind – one which demands for its own satisfaction
and fulfilling, a shaping matter to new and more significant form. – John Dewey
7. Art is the skillful arrangement or composition of some common but significant qualities of
nature such as colors, sounds, lines, movements, words, stones, wood, etc., to express
human feelings, emotions, or thoughts in a perfect, meaningful, and enjoyable way. –
Panizo and Rustia
8. Art is not what you see but what you make others see. – Georgia O’Keeffe
9. Art is a life that helps us to realize the truth. - Pablo Picasso
10. Art is desire of a man to express himself, to record the action of his personality in the
world he lives in.
From the above definitions of art, it can be concluded that there are several ways of
defining art as there are many people, authors, and writers in the universe. Each definition is
influence by the unique perspective off the above authors and writers as well as their personality
and character.
Nevertheless, a glimpse of the above definitions brings us four common essentials of art.
1. Art is man-made, not God-made
2. Art is creative, not imitate
3. Art benefits and satisfies man- when he uses art in practical life through artistic
principles, taste, and skill
4. Art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist communicates
himself to his fellows.
Art has a particular importance in our lives. All the arts that we see and hear have a
purpose as well as expression; they occupy some place in our judgement and makes a huge
impact in our lives. Here are the reasons why art is important.
1. Art highlights and heightens the importance of certain events in order to keep them
memorable and pleasurable.
2. Art enables us to get a glimpse of the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of the people in
their time and the faces in their environment that influenced.
3. Art enables us to value and appreciate beautiful things as a consequence of our
encounter with arts.
4. Art may influence us to change our ways and behavior as a result of the aesthetic
experience we derived from arts.
5. Arts are valuable sources of inspirations and aesthetic delightful experience through the
artist works of art.
Swara Swami (May 31, 2016) list the reasons why art is important. Here is the list:
1. Arts improve your creativity skills.
2. Arts give you joy and satisfaction.
3. Arts relieve stress.
4. Arts give you the opportunity to showcase your talent.
5. Arts give you confidence in our performance.
6. Arts help you do well academically.
7. Arts help you do well academically.
8. Arts help you to express your emotion.
9. Art is a different language because it can express things without words.
The Importance of Art to Students
Arts play a valuable role to students.
1. Through participants in arts – music, dance, drama, media arts, and the visual arts-
 Students can develop their creativity

 Students learn about their identity
 Students develop self-awareness
 Students develop self-confidence
 Students develop sense of well-being
2. Through intense involvement in artistic activity.
 Students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts.
 Students can be motivated to participate more fully in cultural life.
 Students are able to gain educational opportunities which they can use later in their
career life.
Meaning and Importance of Art Appreciation
Art appreciation can be defined as follows:
1. Art appreciation is the ability to interpret and understand man0made arts and enjoy them
through actual work experience with art tools and materials.
2. Art appreciation is the possession of the works of art for one’s admiration and
satisfaction.
3. Art appreciation refers to the knowledge and understanding of the general and
everlasting qualities that classify all great arts.
4. Art appreciation is the introduction and exploration of visual and performing art forms.
5. Art appreciation is the analysis of the forms of an art work to general audience to
enhance their enjoyment and satisfaction of the works of arts.
Art appreciation is important to our lives. However, people differ in their appreciation of
art. Their appreciation of art depends on personal preference on: (1) the aesthetics and form
of arts; (2) elements and principles of design; and (3) social and cultural acceptance. Thus,
appreciation of art can be subjective.
Art appreciation is important to students. It develops their visual thinking and analytical
skills where they are able to observe closely and describe what they see around them in
detail, so as to provide evidence for their observations. Small efforts done by the students
such as these can lead to a greater appreciation of art.
Art appreciation is also important to others for the following reasons:
Art appreciation-
1. can help the person make sense of his world by broadening his experience and
understanding of the things around him.
2. can help the person imagine even the unimaginable.
3. is able to connect a person’s life and experience the past, the present, and the future or
sometimes simultaneously.
4. can help transport the individual to different places and culture through literature, films,
visual arts, and other forms of art.
5. enable the individual to better empathize with those who suffered and endured for their
lives through great art forms.
6. gives meaning to the data science provides. If science give us empirical facts, tie these
facts together with theories, it’s the humanists who turn these facts with moral,
emotional, and spiritual meanings.
Art history refers to the historical development and stylistic context of the objects of arts
that includes the major and minor arts. The major arts include painting, sculpture, and
architecture as well as the minor arts like ceramics, furniture, and other decorative arts.
As a term, art history or history of art encompasses the different methods of studying
visual arts.
As a discipline, art history is not similar to art criticism. Art criticism determines the
relative artistic values of an individual work in comparison with others of comparable style.
Art historian based their studies by scrutinizing objects of arts by answering historically
such questions as the key features of the art style, what does the art convey and how does
it function visually. It also asks question as to how the artists meet their as the symbols that
were involved.
Methods Used in Art History
Art history which started in the 19th century but has precedents that date to the ancient time
has a number of methods:
1. Art historians examine the works of art in the context of its time or within which it was
created. The works of art subject to scrutiny are the creator’s motivations, desire and
prejudices of the creator’s colleagues and teacher and the symbolism of the art of works.
2. Art historians analyze the works of arts through the analysis of their forms. The analysis
is focused on the artist’s use of line, shape, color, texture, composition and other art
elements.
The two-dimensional and three-dimensional picture planes are two approaches in creating
art. The way the elements of arts employed results to either representational or non-
representational art. If the artist copies or imitate an object or image found in nature, this
approach is called representational art. But if the artist creates an art in a realist manner (not
imitation) rely on symbolism or striving to capture nature’s essence, the art is non-
representation which is also called abstract art.
Impressionism as an example of representation style is produced when the artwork was
not directly imitative but an impression of nature.
In expressionism, the work of art is not representational but the expression of the artist’s
feelings, longings, aspirations, and ideals of beauty and form.
3. Art historians also use critical theory in analyzing objects of arts when dealing with more
recent objects. Art historians often borrowed from literary scholars when it involves the
application of a non- artistic analytical framework to the study of art objects.
4. Another method in art history is the application of media and digital technology. This is the
recent method in analyzing art history.
Purpose of Art History
As you well-know, art history is the historical development of visual arts. Hence, the
purpose of art history is:
 to place art in social and historical context

 it has more advantage over art appreciation when evaluating works of art. The more
information an evaluation has on the work he could better understand more the story
behind that a particular piece of art work.
 when a person has more context when looking at something such as piece of art work,
he could better understand more the story behind that particular piece of art work,
 to see how things like war, religion, politics, technological change have effect not only on
the artist but on the artwork that was produced.

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MODULE 1: THE STUDY OF HUMANITIES

Meaning and Importance of Art

 Students can develop their creativity

 to place art in social and historical context

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