Prelims

Art Appreciation

Mrs. Jash

Etymologically, the term―Humanities is from a Latin word humanus, which means educated; refers to the learning of arts such as architecture, dance, literature, music, painting, theatre, and sculpture. (Sanches, 2011).

Art can show ideas about the past, what is currently happening, and what may happen in the future. It can also show meaning, love, boredom, and creativity(Ramos, 2012). Art appreciation is a way to express ideas and allows individuals to illustrate their feelings when they view an artwork. It helps develop critical and innovative thinking and teaches skills essential qualities in listening, observing, and responding to multiple viewpoints. (Gargaro & Jilg, 2016 and Sanger, 2012).

• Latin word. “Arti”, meaning craftsmanship, inventiveness, and mastery of form and skill. It includes literature, music, paintings, photography, sculpture, etc. 

• Serves as an original record of human needs and achievements

• A human activity that is considered highly diverse.

• Express the author’s imagination or technical skills, that were created to be appreciated for their aesthetics.

• May be characterized in terms of mimesis (its representation of reality), expression, communication of emotion, or other qualities. Though many definition are given to describe art, the main focus of argument centers on the imagination and the technical skills used in the creation of art forms. These are forms uses certain guidelines in identifying its aesthetics and analysis.

• Formalism - used to evaluate art works based on a purely visual level, highlighting the medium used and the different compositional elements used

• Those who create within a context of the fine arts such as acting, dancing, drawing, filmmaking, painting, sculpture, writing, photography, and music. 

• Those who use imagination and skill to construct works that may be judged to have aesthetic importance.

• Creativity is a characteristic of an artist that progressed in the extent of his/her life to express feelings. These are all processed in three significant phases namely: (Sanchez, 2011):

  • The Creations of ideas - Artists used their experiences as their basis in the making of art.

  • The Creation of the Materials - The artist uses different materials or mediums to give form to an idea.

  • The Creation of Forms. A medium of artistic expression recognize as fine art. This form is used to explain the physical nature of the artwork like in metal sculpture, an oil painting, etc.

From the very beginning, arts have been part of human history. It described, defined, and deepened the human experience. In the Prehistoric period for example, peoples performed songs and dances to gratify their ancestors. Likewise, hunters brushed different figures on the walls of caves to depict their day to day experiences. Arts also serve several functions which are item outcome to its purpose (Menoy, 2009), namely:

1. Individual Function - The artists perform arts because of the passion of their respective art forms. 

2. Social Function - Man associates with others through his art performance that arouses social consciousness. 

3. Economic Functions - Emerging as a potent force in the economic life of people assumes an essential role as a direct and indirect contributor to state economies. (crafts, tourism, and cultural attractions)

4. Political Functions - Provides a forum for ideas that will lead to employment, prestige, status, and power. During election period, candidates create their artworks (poster) which expresses their propaganda, agendas and political views about making a stable society.

5. Historical Functions - An essential technique for information to be recorded and preserved. It serves to document or reconstruct historical figure and events. 

6. Cultural Functions - An articulation and transmission of new information and values. 

7. Physical Functions - Buildings are artistically designed and constructed to protect their occupants

8. Aesthetic Functions - Any artwork means beauty. It is visual spice for gracefully adorned interiors and can bring out the most elegant features of different décor elements. 

1. Create Beauty - Expression of our thoughts, emotions, and intuitions. It is the communication of concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words alone. The Artist has considered nature as the standard of beauty. 

2. Provide Decoration- Used to create a pleasing environment. It is intended to beautify things to please and amuse the viewers through its colors and patterns.

3. Reveal Truth - Helped to pursue truth and attempted to reveal about how the world works. 

4. Express Values - Illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional world. Through arts, the artist will be encouraged to develop their creativity, challenge, and communication skills. 

5. Commemorate Experience - Serves to convey the personal experiences of an artist and record his impression in his work.

Aesthetics - Greek word, “eisthesis”, meaning perception; a branch of philosophy devoted to the study of art and beauty used during the 18th century by a German philosopher, Alexander Baumgarten

Craft - German word, “Kraft”, meaning power or ability. It usually employed in branches of the decorative arts or associated artistic practice. It also implies the application of human skills through the use of a hand.

Arts and Crafts - started during the 19th century in Europe as a design reform and a social movement motivated by William Morris. It involves activities related to making things which require a combination of skill, speed, and patience.

Art principles - created by combining art elements. Artists utilize organizing principles to develop forms that inform. Whether analysing or composing artwork, one must have a complete understanding of how art principles are created (Elsen, 1981).

Harmony - All of the elements of art interact well in an artwork. Using similar types of geometric shapes, lines or colors within a work of art to create a unified composition.

Variety - Accomplished by using differing colors, lines, and shapes within an artwork to make key areas stand out.

Balance - Symmetry of opposing visual forces; created when colors, forms, shapes or textures are combined harmoniously.

Movement - The way an eye moves throughout a work of art. An artist creates a visual movement to drive the eye to the focal point of the artwork.

Emphasis - A focal point within an artwork. This artistic point is an essential part of a work of art, and the viewer’s eye should draw to that area.

Proportion - Created when the sizes of elements are combined harmoniously. 

Rhythm - Use of visual pattern within a work of art. Created by repeating certain colors, line or shapes in specific areas.