Art Appreciation Notes

Functions of Art

  • Etymology and definition

    • According to the Online Etymology Study, “Function” comes from the Latin word functio, meaning “a performance or an execution.”

  • Major functions of art (categories and brief explanations)

    • Individual Function
    • The artist’s focus is to express themselves out of passion.
    • Social Function
    • Art is shared within a society; reflects and contributes to social consciousness.
    • Art and society are inseparable.
    • Cultural & Historical Function
    • Art preserves and transmits the cultural heritage of a place and its period.
    • Example: old churches built during the Spanish era.
    • Physical Function
    • Actualization of art visible in its final forms.
    • Examples include architectural constructions, interior designs, graphic designs, etc.
    • Aesthetic Function
    • Aims to achieve beauty and meaningful decorations; emphasizes elegant design.
    • Political Function
    • Politically oriented art carries a social function (e.g., during elections).
    • Examples: posters, flyers, campaign visuals.
    • Economic Function
    • A vital source of a society’s economy, promoting culture and traditions as crafts, tourism, and cultural sites.

  • Synthesis

    • Because of the different functions of art and their contributions to history, art’s definition, purpose, importance, and reasons for existence satisfy man’s need for expression.

The Subject of Art (Type, Source, Kinds, and Contents of Art)

  • Three (3) types of art

    • Representational
    • Abstract
    • Non-Representational

  • Representational art

    • Definition: the act of putting the actual subject/object in reality.
    • Classification of representational art: Realism, Impressionism, Idealism, Stylization
    • Examples: Portraits, traditional landscapes, mythological paintings, still life, etc.

  • Abstract art

    • Definition: takes the subject into reality, but in a different representation.
    • Example: The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh (June 1889).

  • Non-Objective / Non-Representational art

    • Definition: art made primarily for aesthetic purposes, without reference to a recognizable subject.
    • Notable non-objective artists: Wassily Kandinsky and Kasimir Malevich.

  • How to recognize abstract vs. non-object art

    • If the artwork has no reference to reality.

  • Sources of subject for artworks

    • Possible sources include: artwork itself, autobiographies, films of the artist, artifacts of artists, photographs, sculptures, history, literature, etc.

  • Six (6) Sources of the Subject of Art

    • Nature – focused view or interpretation of natural elements.
    • History – painting scenes from history in its narrower sense.
    • Greek and Roman Mythology – gods and goddesses from myth.
    • Judeo-Christian Tradition – representation of Christianity and Judaism together.
    • Sacred Orientation Text – shows the relationship between people and God.
    • Other Works of Art – using the work of other artists as inspiration for one’s own work.

  • Contents in Art

    • Content: the meaning of the work’s subject matter.
    • Understanding content requires understanding forms.
    • Form (per Dorothy Barrenscott, 2010): the work’s composition, techniques, the use of media, and the implementation of design elements.
    • Note: without form, content is meaningless.

  • Three levels of Meaning

    • Factual: statements that are literally or narratively apprehended; the content object is easily recognized when an artist presents their work.
    • Conventional: symbols or elements representing a group or culture (e.g., a flag indicates the country).
    • Subjective: how the artist articulates a particular interpretation of art (e.g., the color red often symbolizes love or compassion).

Artists and Artisans

  • Definitions

    • Artist: an art practitioner (e.g., painter, choreographer, dancer, writer, poet, musician) who produces or creates indirectly functional arts with aesthetic value using imagination.
    • Artisan: a craftsman (e.g., carver, carpenter, plumber, blacksmith, weaver, embroiderer) who produces directly functional and/or decorative arts.

  • Examples and clarifications

    • Apo Whang-Od – Is she an artist or an artisan? She is a tattoo artist and is recognized as the oldest Kalinga tattoo artist.
    • Lang Dulay – Is she an artist or an artisan? Lang Dulay is a master weaver (artisan) of t’nalak, the traditional woven tapestry of the T’boli people in South Cotabato.

In Our Next Meeting

  • Plan: Review previous lessons in preparation for the first written quiz/exam.

Closing

  • Gracious sign-off: Thank you and have a great day ahead.