CHAPTER 1: THAT'S ART, SO WHAT?

INTRODUCTION:
What is Art for: Functions, Relevance, and Significance

"I'm not an artist, I don't know how to appreciate art!"

Some of you may have this dilemma in mind. However, for others, they may have a glimpse of what
art means to them because they may be skillful at some techniques; but, have you ever had this
lingering curiosity about how and where does one begin to study art? In the age of Instagram and
Facebook, it is very easy to come across a work of art which is made, remade, or reused to fit a certain
purpose or value.
You must have pressed that "like" or "love" button as you deem a graphic post so relatable. YouTube
offers lots of tutorials and techniques for painting, calligraphy, watercolor et al; lots of young artists
have been exposed to a wide range of art techniques because of them. Art and information are now
within our reach. There are so many sources available to learn from. The downside of this quick
information is that it is very scattered. We do not know which to prioritize and are unsure if we are
getting the right information. Art Appreciation on the other hand is a discipline offered in an academic
setting but probably less likely to be consumed here in this country. However, it has one strength: its
premise being in the academe. To direct our often-ambivalent feelings toward art, let us learn and
discuss it from which, I believe, is a good starting point: you. The beginning of this chapter is about
understanding the functions of art in relation to your context, your needs, and your belongings as a
person in the context of the millennial age. The rest progresses from this starting point.

COMPETENCIES:
At the end of the chapter, the students should be able to:
* integrate the value of art in their personal life experiences through the functions presented;
* practice the art of criticism and analyzing artwork; a skill that can be applied to other areas
of thinking;
* create some works that are thought-provoking, well-thought of, and show some
technical knowledge;
* increase their vocabulary on the language of art and awareness of its platform;
* develop a good attitude toward art institutions and art issues of varying degrees; and
* apply their knowledge of art history to the changing landscape of the art scene.

LESSON 1:
WHAT IS ART TO ME? UNDERSTANDING HOW ART CAN
MEET SOME HUMAN NEEDS
Objectives:
* Understand the role of art as a tool to aid human limitations
* Relate art to yourself: to your context, experiences, and longings as a person
* Challenge one's critical thinking skills through creative ways of confronting life's problem
* Inculcate values and humanistic attitude toward art

INTRODUCTION:
Do you agree with the assumption that our generation today is called the "anxious generation"?
When you talk to those who were born during the age of "baby-boomers," most of them would
probably describe a life formed out of simple choices to make: go to school, study, work, and get
married. However, the time today pose a stark contrast to such simplicity. We have never been so
detached from the primary values of our humanity: we are distracted by illusions and "ideal lives" that
the internet age suggests.

Hence, in this lesson, you will learn and relearn the value of art in our lives. Even if you are not
an artist, hopefully you will understand that the arts are actually meant to aid some human limitations
that we have often ignored or set aside because of so many distractions in our generation today.

These are some proposed functions of art in our lives but are not supposed to limit other
presumed ideas. There is definitely more, but considering the scope and limit of our time, we will focus
on the following:

1. Beauty
2. Happiness and hope
3. Identity and understanding one self
4. Grief and healing
5. Remembering and mark-making
6. Raising awareness
7. Culture and togetherness

Inspired by the book "ART AS THERAPY" by Alain de Boton, this version of the seven functions of
art are common human experiences with which, I believe, we as Filipinos can mostly adhere to. Hence,
by taking off from these ideas, we can all relate to the role of art through our shared humanity.
Choose any of these activities which are most feasible to do for you. Afterward, answer the analysis
potion.

ABSTRACTION:
The exercises offered us some of the ways that artists addressed human issues. Read the
following elaborations on each of the functions to further aid your understanding:

1. BEAUTY
Why do you think some people hang artworks on their wall? What is the most common answer?
The connotation of beauty is a debatable topic, but let us talk about prettiness and the aesthetic
value of art. One of the innate qualities that “pretty art” can give is that it makes our dull, lifeless
walls come to life. The contrast of having something “alive” and dynamic to look at on something
ordinary and common, let us say a pristine white wall, evokes in us an affinity towards its beauty.
Though we have different notions of beauty, still it is a common denominator when we are talking
about appreciating forms of arts. Beauty makes sense to most of us.

2. HAPPINESS AND HOPE

There is something about art that mirrors the soul of those willing to confront it. In a societal
tone, artworks tend to echo the hopes and anxieties of an age. There is a wide range of
properties of art why it gives a sense of joy and hope to its audience. These are example:
a. When paintings are placed in a daunting environment such as hospitals;
b. The experience and process of creating art itself;
c. The bliss of looking at a piece of imagery evoking a happy memory: e.g., the painting
of a do;
d. Direct words from typography and graphic messages that are so relatable as if
the author has read your mind and feeling; and
e. Identifying oneself with properties of an artwork: a homage to something;
works addressing diaspora, displacement, and other social issues.

3. IDENTIFY AND UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Today’s generation, being the “me” generation, is also sometimes tagged as the anxious
generation”. A lot of social issues evidently reflect this struggle for identity: gender issues,
disconnectedness brought on by social media, regionalism, and even mental health issues. How
do you think art can be a tool to address such challenges? Do you agree that we need something
outside of us and tangible enough to define what we are feeling and struggling against?
Sometimes we see ourselves in an artwork. Sometimes we see ourselves in an artwork.
Sometimes we see ourselves in the process. Art can serve as a powerful tool to help us
communicate and relay our confusion. Even psychological interventions use art as therapy to aid
in processing some sensitive experiences.

4. GRIEF AND HEALING

Many of the most poignant and humanistic products of art were made after the Word
War II. Twentieth-century art mostly expressed human suffering and darkness in its themes.
Artists such as Rachel Whiteread talked about this haunting remembrance of holocaust victims
in her work “Ghost Library”. Here, she used an experiential type of artistic expression, exploring
the themes of place and memory in an architectural setting.
Throughout the years, artists have interpreted these shared human experiences in
different ways, which also help us process our grief. Some may use art as a tool to express pain
and process it in therapy. Nonetheless, it plays an important role in making grieving somehow
dignified.

5. REMEMBERING AND MARK-MAKING

How do you think has art helped us remember? How have artists shaped our landscape?
The monument of Rizal in Luneta Park is one example of a type of art that helps us remember.
Without the tangible characteristic of art, we will not be able to sustain our nationalistic values
well enough. We have picture, films, and paintings that depict heroism and nationalism. Try to
look up these artists: “Angel of the North” by British sculptor Antony Gormley and Anish
Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate” in Chicago. Gormly’s work has been considered as the largest sculpture in
the world and one of the Gateshead, England, and was commissioned to become an identifying
 landmark of the region. On the other hand, Kapoor had this humongous, bean-shaped metallic
sculpture placed at the certainly builds a sense of mark and identity to that place where the
traffic of pedestrians is usually heavy.

6. RAISING AWARENESS
Have you seen large sculptural effigies (those papier-mache-made-to-be-burned protest
art) during rallies in Manila? Some art can be categorized as activist art. But not all are as loud
and garish. Some are subtle painting which might use satire. In the Philippines, many socially-
concerned artists have emerged in the age of modernism portraying politicians and the
governments system in their most hateful actions. A more subtle type of inducing awareness
can be observed in architecture such as the stained-glass windows of Gothic churches and even
their illuminated manuscripts. Such is also the case of our local churches with the large domes
at the altar part and huge stained-glass windows.

7. CULTURE AND TOGETHERNESS

Lastly, forms of art often localized so that they bring identity also to certain regions. This
is very evident here in the Philippines, which is geographical separated by thousand of islands —
very regionalized. In a way, there is a sense of redemption for the past weakness of Philippines
when the Spaniards strategized the divide and conquer method. Do you remember the national
costume of Miss Universe 2019? Here, we see how reigning queen Catriona Gray wore the
“whole Philippines,” symbolically uniting us through her Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao-inspired
national costume. Indeed, it is an attempt to represent our unity and national identity as
Filipinos. What do you think about the costume?
LESSON 2:
HOW DO I STUDY ART?
MAKING ART
OBJECTIVES:
 Learn how art communicates colors, symbolic quality of shape, line movement, quality
of texture, the drama of lightning, and many others
 Be able to read design principles behind some effective and thought-provoking art
forms and graphic designs
 Explore materials and techniques through firsthand experience

wheel throwing process

INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever watched something being made: a time-lapse of a building construction, a short
video on how to bake muffins, a potter spinning his wheel and pulling up clay into the shape of a vase?
There is something satisfying in seeing these processes and how things are created. One can have a clue
on the skill set, material, and methods required to get the task done.
In the same way, we can all learn to appreciate art by taking time to carefully look at the
“ingredients” that make up the different art forms.
This lesson will cover three topics: Elements and Principles, Design Psychology, and Materials
and Techniques. These are meant to help you gain first-hand experience on the creative process and
what goes on inside an artistic pursuit.

ABSTRACTION: What’s in a circle? Art Elements and Principles

Elements of art are the formal or tangible aspect of art. These are termed as elements because they are
the “medium of language” of visual arts. The following are art elements:
a. Line – Lines can be expressive and have a quality of its own like: scribbles, whimsical or naïve
lines, implied lines, blurred lines (lines that are smudged, shaded or erased), aggressive lines,
and calligraphic lines.
b. Shape – three basic kinds: geometric, biomorphic, and amorphous. Shapes can also be implied
(shapes produced by the negative space).
c. Form – three-dimensional shape. Can refer to the quality or likeness of an entire mass, let
us say, the form of a woman. It employs several techniques like shading, perspective, and
lighting.
d. Value – the lightness and darkness of a hue or a color. Often represented in a tonal value scale,
it has two parts: the tints (lighter tones) and the shades (darker tones). A tone is a general term
for a certain value.
e. Color – also known as hue. Scientifically, it is the light that bounces off a surface. In art we use
subtractive colors, i.e., colors that are from pigment. Addictive colors refer to a property of light.
f. Texture – can be used in paintings like impasto, stamping, and scratching in pottery, embossing
when making prints, and many others. Contemporary artists have also used the element of
texture to convey a certain emotion.
g. Light – without light, all the previous elements will not be possible. Light creates the illusion
that color, form, and texture exists. Light can be implied, natural, or artificial (as with a digital
rendition). The lightning of an artwork has very strong effect on its overall impact. An example
of strong and theatrical lighting is called chiaroscuro.
h. Space – an area where the other elements can interact. Two types: positive and negative space

What is representational, abstract, and nonrepresentational art?

 Representational simply means it mimics what is real or what can be seen. The image is
recognizable as interpreted by the artist.
 Abstract on the other hand is a modified interpretation of something that exists, but it
becomes hardly recognizable. Lastly,
 Nonrepresentational art is purely concerned with forms, shapes, colors, and the rest of the
elements. It does not represent any other subject matter outside of itself.
 Double negative space refers to a blank space as negative space by, let us say, a field of or
pigment.

After learning about the elements, let us now study how they interact with each other
in some of our works or designs.
There is a certain appeal to the eyes when something is repeated on the-ceiling of a
restaurant, like an undulant of wood. The well though arrangement of colors in an interior
makes it appealing to clients.
Principles of Design are long held composition techniques which have been proven and
used by both fine and graphic artists to communicate ideas and concepts effectively. There is a
variety of proposed principles but there are some:

Contrast Design principles which uses the element of

value to create depth and dimension. Light also
plays an important role in creating good
contrast.
Harmony Elements are related to each other in term of
form, color theme, etc.
Balance (Symmetrical and Asymmetrical) Aesthetic quality of a work marked by a
sensible balance between two area: right and
left; top and bottom.
Rhythm and Movement Creating a sense of direction through
repetition of elements. Movement direct the
viewer’s eye toward something.
Unity and Variety Elements should be seen as a whole in unity,
variety still gives a sense of wholeness but
the elements differ in some aspects and
provide more interest to work.
Emphasis and Subordination An area or a specific subject is given focus;
hence other parts of the picture are
subordinated.
Scale and Proportion This can be either an appropriate use of scale
and proportion or it can also be an effective way
of changing the scale to achieve a certain visual
goal. It also shows relationship
between the object and the space.
Depth and Perspective Shows three-dimensionality of a space
through the use of perspective line and
vanishing points.

Psychology In Art
Why include this idea in the study of art-making? Relating art to how the brain
receives and interpret symbols and images can benefit one’s decision in effective composition
and visual communication. Art, in a way, is a method of psychology and in understanding how
people perceive images, create meaning and connect to those meaning together. In this topic,
we now integrate the “why” of art-making into the previous topics of elements and principles.

Gestalt Theory – this strategy tends to “sum up” an idea into one iconic imaginary. It
 often plays with the negative and positive space and makes use of both. Consider the example
on the left.
This us an example of Gestalt. Since it seems to become a summary of the information
that the artist wants to present, this approach is very effective in making logos. Look up the logo
of WWF (World Wildlife Foundation). You will notice the form of the panda right away.
However, upon close examination, the image was actually formed using disconnected
shapes and lines. such is a principle of Gestalt that communicates the whole as the
summation of its parts. If you are more inclined toward math, you can understand the idea
of summation here and probably relate it to aesthetics.

Color Psychology – Colors have imbibed certain meaning. Whether it is social or a

product of association, these hues certainly appeal to our understanding of the world based on
how they are used. Here are some examples:

White: pure, Yellow: Violet: royal, Black: glamor,

pristine, clean optimism, luxury, quality, integrity,
and neutral confidence, authenticity stability,
hope, efficiency,
status.
Blue: trust, Red: strength, Gray or Silver: Pink: childish,
longevity, formal, power, neutrality, comfort,
l Blue: trust, reliability, cleanliness, fragrant,
longevity, formal,
warmth, classy, friendly, calm,
logic, calm,
nature, heat, dependable, and innocent
support,

What is your favorite color? Can you find its meaning among the examples mentioned in the previous
page?
Compositional function of lines and shapes – A composition is basically how the
elements are arranged in space with the intention of artistic expression. Here are some
compositional devices used by classical artists and are still evident these days: (give sample
imagery)
a. A half circle, often used in domes for some classical painting and even modern
architecture, symbolizes femininity because of its womb-like shape. Since it has no
corners, it also resonates eternity. Socialism in art has a different connotation for
the circle, which states about people’s equality.
b. A triangle, when used in a composition suggest relationship. In Leonardo Da Vinci’s
“Madonna of the Rocks” the triangular arrangement of the figures, with the
Madonna at the apex may suggest stability and inclination toward the central figure.

“Madonna of the Rocks” by Leonardo Da Vinci

c. An implied line or line movement in a painting may intentionally lead a viewer to a

focal point of the subject matter.
 “Green Wheat Fields, Auvers” by Vincent van Gogh

Quick Facts:
What is a medium?
A medium, like in language, is the tool or the material used in realizing the expression.
In visual arts, this is the term for the materials used in specific types of technique, let us say,
dry media for drawing. It can include pencil, charcoal, or pastels. Water color is an example of
wet medium. Nonconventional types may include mixed media, computer graphics, and even
found objects.

ABSTRACTION:
More often than not, you might encounter a time in your life where you can envision a painting or a
sculpture that depicts an idea, an emotion, or an experience of your own. As one writer says, we all have a
work of art in our minds. However, not all of us can translate this into reality. This is where the skill or the
knowledge of techniques and materials become essential. This is why there are artists – skilled and talented
individuals who can help us address our non-verbal yet significant human expressions. Also, we should not
miss the fact that because lots of materials are now available and have become valid forms of art, our
expressions need not be limited to drawing or painting. Technique, on the other hand, takes time and
practice. Combining the two, excellent techniques applied to materials, art expression becomes more
successful.
LESSON 3:
HOW DO I STUDY ART?
READING ART

Objectives:
 Learn about art history, art criticism, and art theories (methodologies)
 Relate art history to significant events that transpired in the last few decades
 Construct proper art criticism by asking appropriate and relevant questions
 Learn the different methodologies of looking at and reading art

INTRODUCTION:
The most boring topic: How did Art begin?
History may be quite a sedentary topic, often associated with memorizing events and becoming
familiar with chronological events. However, if we want to have sensible knowledge about art, it is
appropriate to just look into the lens of the past. How can we better understand the climate of art now
if we do not know how it has been influenced by artists who strove to evolve the meaning and
expression of art?
In the first lesson, we will have a quick run through of historical markers in the art scene.
Through this, we cam better understand the present and where some analogies and appropriations in
art came from. Writing about art will also be easier if we have knowledge of historical context: the
experience of art will become more holistic and more fulfilling
A detail of neoclassical relief at the National Museum old senate session hall

Weaved into this lesson is the topic of ART CRITICISM that will help and guide you in knowing what
kinds of works to select and hopefully enhance your taste in art.
Quick Facts:
An art period is a specific length of time in history with a prominent movement, trend, or
creed in artistic
practice.
Art movements are sets of distinguishing styles and artistic tendencies often
characterized by major trend in techniques or approach. Usually, they are named with the suffix
“-ism” at the end. It suggests a certain attitude toward painting or any art-making.
Art History Quick Map:
This quick guide to Art History is intended to be brief and concise but should also prod you
into the further exploration of some art periods.
Prehistoric
- Cave paintings, Venus figurines which are considered portable sculptures
- Greek standard of beauty: the birth of the “Classical” Age
- Romans: the competitor of Greece; created realistic sculptures of human figure
Middle Ages
- The “death” of artistic freedom due to canonical standards of visual interpretation
- The rise of Gothic art especially in Gothic Churches
- Popular art: Stained glass window and illuminated manuscripts
Renaissance
- Revival of artistic genius
- Where the term “Renaissance Man” was derived because of man’s intellectual
achievements in the arts and science
- The time of “Master” e.g., Donatello, Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Van Eyck
 Baroque
- Grandiose and ornate art
- Artistic innovation: “spotlight effect” called chiaroscuro or in extreme usage, it is called
tenebrism
- Artists to note: Caravaggio (Italy), Velazquez (Spain), Poussin (France), and Antonio Gaudi
(designer of “Sagrada Familia” chapel in Barcelona)
19th Century
- Emergence of “isms”
- Neoclassicism: Greek and Roman Classics revived
- Romanticism, Realism, Art Nouveau, Impressionism
- Photography comes into the scene
- Post-impressionism, early expressionism, and symbolism

20th Century Modern Art

- Art become more non-representational

- Garish colors explored in Fauvism
- Abstracted sculptures emerged
- Simplified forms in paintings by Picasso and Matisse
- Art movements: Cubism, Futurism, Constructivism, Expressionism
- Modrian’s purely geometric art

Art During the Wars

- Dadaism: the art movement that defies logic

- Surrealism: stepping into the dreamworld
- American art blossoms: Jackson Pollock became famous as “Jack the Dipper” and paved
the way for American Abstract Expressionism
- Mobile Sculptures (Alexander Calder) and Color Field (Rothko) painting also became
prominent

20th Century to Contemporary

- Highly experimental and radical

- Pop art defines consumer culture; dominated mostly by works of Andy Warhol
- Minimalism: glorifying the simplest art elements
- Birth of conceptual art
- Birth of conceptual art
- Photography is further developed which paved way to art movement, Photorealism
- Neo-expressionism or new expressionism is characterized by strong subject matters
- Contemporary Art: a very diverse art scene; the rise of appropriation, photography-derived
works, graphic style of art, experimental works, multimedia and multi-modal art.

ART CRITICISM
Artworks are didactic in nature; therefore, they demand a response. However, oftentimes, being
confronted by artworks is quite perplexing. Meaning is sometimes inaccessible to the commonplace
person.
However, if you are a work of art, how would you like to be criticized? Do you want to be judged
or dismissed right away? Or would you rather be examined carefully first before arriving at a
conclusion?
Most of us will choose the latter. It is the same with artwork analysis and art criticism. Indeed, it
is more proper to know more about an artwork before arriving at a judgement.

ABSTRACTION:
Art Criticism as mentioned by James Elkins in the essay, what Happened to Art Criticism, is a
discipline of the arts that seems to be both healthy and dying. If you live in a city where there are art
galleries and museums, you will notice that these institutions produce exhibit notes and pamphlets that
give a little bit of informative and elaborative writing about the artworks on display. However, this is not
widely practiced in the academe, especially in terms of General Education. Do you think this is an
important skill to learn? Why or why not?

Methods in Reading Art:

What is a method?
Think of methods as filters that help you appreciate aspects of art in different lenses. There are
some “filters” that are more effective than others, especially when we talk about context and content.
Have you encountered philosophy as required subject to study? Philosophy has been man’s
attempt to make sense of why we do what we do. If we want to become more diverse in our approach
to learning, art methodologies is one of the means and these are mainly hinged on long-held
philosophies. Depending on what art is talking about and where it is from, we can read it in a non-biased
way through these approaches:

1. Formalism and Style

Basically, gives importance to the formal qualities (art elements, materials, and design
principles) as basis for the meaning of art. Roger Fry is a major purveyor of this thinking.
The form is the content per se and does not take history and context into account.

2. Iconography
Focuses on the subject matter primarily over form. When using this method, you will
answer questions like: who is this person the artist painted and what does it represent?
Why did the artist choose this mage and what for?

3. Contextual Approaches
From the term itself, context become an important factor in criticizing artworks here.
We can take many approaches to contexts like Marxism, Orientalism, Colonialism, Racial
Iconography, Feminism, and Gender. As you can observe, these are mainly schools of
thought and philosophical movements which place an artwork within a certain
parameter. For example, Marxism is about is about art in relation to economics. On the
other hand, Feminism is bent toward the societal context of art wherein gender
becomes a strong factor in the forces behind an artistic creation.

4. Biography and Autobiography

Considers the life and context of the artist. This approach is based on the assumption
that the artist’s life, beliefs, choices, and personality are directly connected to the works
that he or she creates.

5. Semiotics
From the Greek word “sema, “which means sign. Hence, an artwork or art form is
assumed to be composed of a set of signs that may have significant cultural and
contextual meanings beyond itself.

6. Psychoanalysis
Freud is probably a familiar name in the field of psychology and he is one of the basis of
this theory. In psychoanalysis, one is concerned about the unconscious mind in relation
to the artist, the viewer, and the cultural context it is involved in.

7. Aesthetic and Psychoanalysis

Individual notion of what is considered acceptable, beautiful, or attractive in works of
art are in part influenced by psychological factors. This approach then connects
psychology to one’s constructed philosophy of art.
LESSON 4:
WHO IS AN ARTIST?

Objectives:
 Understand and appreciate the lives of artists and craftsmen: why they create art and for whom
 Be aware of issues surrounding the lives of artists and relate it to your own set of experiences
 Develop an attitude of inclusivity when it comes to artists, especially those with physical disabilities
and mental incapacities

INTRODUCTION:
"...there is an art of the future, and it is going to be so lovely and so young that even if we give up our youth
for it, we must gain serenity by it," Vincent Van Gogh in his letter to his brother, Theo.

Why did Van Gogh dedicate so much of his life to the future achievements of art? His presence is now often
seen in restaurant interiors, in the web, and even on novelty items. The price of his works has skyrocketed
to millions of dollars. His renowned, and a favorite of most, "Starry Night" rings a bell to a lot of people.