Chapter 1 – UNDERSTANDING HUMANITITES AND ART APPRECIATION

Aims and Learning Outcomes:

1. To understand the nature and function of the arts in contemporary society.

2. Articulate the importance of humanities and arts appreciation in one’s personal
life.
3. Gain general knowledge of the creation and functions of arts.
4. Recognize the various purposes of art as well as it classification and
characteristics.

A. Basic Assumptions, Nature and Functions of Arts

Learning Outcomes:

a. Discuss the basic assumptions of arts.

b. Discuss the meaning and importance of humanities.
c. Cultivate the students’ love for art.

Basic Assumptions

Assumption is a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without

proof. It is something that you accept as true without question or proof. Many assumption
has been written about arts and some of these are:

Art has been created by all people at all times, in all countries and it lives because it’s
well-liked and enjoyed. Naturally linger on particularly it is popular and love by the
people. Example, the works and writings of Rizal and the movie, The Ten
Commandments.

Art involves experience. In order to experience something, you have to make use of
your five senses. Hence, there can never be appreciation of art without having
experienced it.

Art is not nature; nature is not art. Art is made by man and nature by God. However,
nature can be enhanced by man. The enhanced beauty and artistry of nature, then, can be
classified as an art.

Art is cultural. Art is an art of human and anything that has been created by humans is
part of culture. Art becomes cultural as it depicts people’s way of life, religious practices,
mores and traditions, etc.

Art is a form of creation. Art is something that is created with imagination and skill and
that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings. As it is said, human is the
creator of art no art can be created without human which, in turn, uses his/her
imagination and creativity to produce art. According to the word’s most basic definition,
an artist is simply a person who creates art.

Art is subjective. Henceforth, it cannot be measured by its significance or level of skill

with which it is created. Example, beauty is in the eye of the beholder” meaning every
individual has his/her own perception and/or interpretation about the subject. It would
never be the same for every individual.

Nature of Arts

1. Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or

performing artworks, expressing the author’s imaginative or technical skill
intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power. In their most
general form these activities include the production of works of art, the criticism
of art, the study of the history of art, and the aesthetic dissemination of art.

2. Art represents reality. Representation is the use of signs that stand in for and
take the place of something else. It is through representation that people organize
the world and reality through the act of naming its elements. Signs are arranged in
order to form semantic constructions and express relations. Art represents reality,
since it is often depicting objects or scenes from the world.

3. Art is an expression. Instead of reflecting states of the external world, art is

held to reflect the inner state of the artist. This, at least, seems to be implicit in the
core meaning of expression: the outer manifestation of an inner state. Art as a
representation of outer existence (admittedly “seen through a temperament”) has
been replaced by art as an expression of humans’ inner life.

4. Art serves as means of communication of emotions. Art is the communication of

intimate concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words alone. And because words
alone are not enough, we must find some other vehicle to carry our intent. From ancient
times, people have used images to communicate. Think of early cave art or Egyptian
hieroglyphics - visual art can explore concepts or ideas without requiring written
statements. Words are sometimes included and can be an effective complement, but
they're not the primary way ideas are conveyed in visual art. Arts have been the pathway
to communicate political, spiritual or philosophical ideas, to create a sense of beauty to
explore the nature of perception, for pleasure, or to generate strong emotions.

5. Art is universal. Literally, art can be found in every corner of the world. Art s
everywhere and it is embedded in the way of life of the people. Art is the true
Esperanto, an artificial international language, the one form of culture that is
 genuinely beyond national limitations. Art knows no barriers; not even language
is a barrier in understanding it.

6. Art is creation. The act of creation is what gives artists a special power. There
is an unending amount of beauty in this world and it is the responsibility of the
artist to effectively capture and display this beauty to the world.  Only artists have
the ability to create this beauty.  Using all the powers of their imagination and
talent, they can give the world a gift that never would have existed without the
influence of that artist.

Functions of Arts

1. The Personal Function

An artist may create out of a need for:

 Self-expression
 Gratification
 Communicate a thought
 Provide aesthetic experience
 Entertainment
 Therapy
 Religious service

Religious art usually expresses collective ideas about human life in relation to the
divine. For our purpose, then, an art of spiritual concern is any search for ultimate values
through the use of visual form. The crucifixion is an example of visual form in relation to
our religious belief. Another I the “The Last Supper” painting.

2. The Social Function

Social functions of art are those that go beyond personal intrinsic value to art’s
social benefits. Art communicates. Man associates with others through his art
performance that arouses social consciousness. Examples of this association are the
choral singing, group dancing, public art exhibits and other practices. Art can have
powerful transformative and restorative effects within a society as well.

Art performs a social function when:

a. Influences Social Behavior (Political Function) – it seeks or tends to influence the

collective behaviour of a people. Example is “Bayanihan.” Some people think that
art designed to influence social behaviour is corrupt, impure, “mere” propaganda,
and so on.
 b. Display and Celebration – it is created to be seen or used primarily in public
situation like fiestas, parade, etc.
One function of sculpture and painting is the commemoration of the important
personages in society. The statues of the national heroes that grace our parks and
plazas are commemorative works as are the commissioned paintings of leaders or
rulers. Often they serve to record important historical events, or reveal the ideals
of heroism and leadership that the community would want the young to emulate

3. The Physical Function

Buildings are artistically designed and constructed to protect their occupants and
make their life inside more meaningful. Architects, Industrial and Graphic Designers, and
Interior Decorators share responsibility in building environment that balance forms and
functions.

4. Economic Function

Arts are emerging as a potent force in the economic life of people assumes an
essential role as a direct and indirect contributor to state economics. Example of this is by
generating economic vitality in under-performing regions through crafts, tourism, and
cultural attractions.

5. Political Function

Art provides a forum for ideas that will lead to employment, prestige, status, and
power. During the election period, for example, the candidates created their artworks
(posters) which express their propaganda, agendas and political views about making
stable society.

6. Historical Function

Art is an essential technique for information to be recorded and preserved. It

serves to document or reconstruct historical figure and events. Most arts that are in the
museum, for example are filled with amazing stories about the world most excellent and
most creative people who brought us the treasures.

7. Cultural Function

Art is an articulation and transmission of new information and values. Example.

When you think of Manila, you probably think of Fort Santiago, Luneta Park, and its
world-renowned churches, or the famous Intramuros.

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