GE 03 -ART APPRECIATION
Introduction
What Is Art to Humanity?
Many people have a hazy understanding of art and humanity.
We consider art to be something that deals with invention or
creation, whether through crafting, painting, architecture,
drawing, or other forms of physical activity or performance
such as singing, dancing, and theater. Furthermore, an artist
appears to be the creator.
Introduction
How far can we go with creativity?
Creativity is more expansive than solidity. There’s more to
it than that. Poets are also artists. Writers of novels,
textbooks, or other forms of writing are also considered
artists. Even a language teacher is also considered an artist
because they play with words artistically.
Humanities is simply the study of how people
understand and record their life experiences. It looks
at things like culture, traditions, beliefs, and
encounters as areas of study. But these things only
gain real meaning when people reflect on them and
connect them to their own understanding. Through
this, we can better understand a person in relation to
their culture and life situation. Culture, in turn, is
what makes people different from one another,
because it shapes how we think, feel, and respond to
the world.
Today, humanities are understood as part of the liberal arts,
which include subjects like philosophy, music, literature, religion,
ethics, and history. Philosophy, as UNESCO calls it, is a “School
of Freedom” because it asks deep questions about life. Since
human life is very broad and complex, philosophy requires
open-mindedness and critical thinking. By asking and reflecting
on important questions, philosophy helps us find meaning and
explanations about life, knowledge, truth, and existence.
Music, Literature, and Religion
Music is one of the universal forms of
communication and expression that today's
generation does not fail to connect with. It is
also one of today's most accessible forms of art.
Having love as the main theme, music is truly on
everyone's surface. Being particularly in love with
someone or with oneself, all will go to music for
entertainment, therapy, and ideas for those who
have no personal experience of romantic love. It
is because music can never fail to make us fall
into the idea of love despite its consequences.
Music warns us too, but we still try and no matter
where it leads us, we always find ourselves
listening to music.
Music, Literature, and Religion
Literature, the story of a significant human
experience, would tell us the kind of person we
are dealing with. Knowing and understanding
backgrounds and experiences could tell us
enough about the thinking and outlook of a
particular individual.
Music, Literature, and Religion
Examples of literature related to religion. Religion,
which is considered to be a controversial subject,
refers to a way of thinking and responding to the
words of God. People have different religions but
whether it be Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam,
and so on, all fall within the fundamental reality of
humanity.
Religion provides a wealth of fodder for writers. Its
religious books alone constitute great literature.
Specifically, literature is the story of a significant
human experience. It will tell us the kind of people we
are dealing with. Knowing and understanding a
person's background and experiences can tell us a lot
about their thinking and outlook.
Music, Literature, and Religion
Examples of literature related to religion. Religion,
which is considered to be a controversial subject,
refers to a way of thinking and responding to the
words of God. People have different religions but
whether it be Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam,
and so on, all fall within the fundamental reality of
humanity.
Religion provides a wealth of fodder for writers. Its
religious books alone constitute great literature.
Specifically, literature is the story of a significant
human experience. It will tell us the kind of people we
are dealing with. Knowing and understanding a
person's background and experiences can tell us a lot
about their thinking and outlook.
Music, Literature, and Religion
Mankind is religious in order to improve himself. And,
because humanity exists alongside other human
groups, its spirituality has an impact on him both
intrinsically and extrinsically. As a result, there is a
connection between religion, literature and humanity.
The ethical idea is expressed primarily by humanity.
Humanity is understood by human dignity and morality,
which are expressed through moral rights and values.
Moral rights express humanity.
Humanity can also be understood in history.
Experiences and ways of living a specific culture can
practically tell us how human beings behave. It also
brings political science, law, archaeology, and
anthropology.
Political
Science
and Law
Political Science and Law
Political science and law highly deal with humanity as well.
Politics, as an art or science of government, can tell us
everything we need to know about humanity if it is not
idealized. It is about governing people with a promise of
good1920
governance. Also, the law is a set of rules to protect
mankind. The last two disciplines are crucial to human
discourse and themes.
Aim of Humanities in the Study of Art
Learning humanities cultivates one’s attention to
particular works of art and how it becomes significant.
It evokes different responses like a mere appreciation to
intuitive responses allowing a dialogue between the art
and the individual. It elicits enjoyment, pleasure, and
understanding in the study of art through the study of
humanities.
Humanities aims to make us understand the world in a
wider context. Through understanding, it makes us
respect the distinction of every human. It includes the
boundaries established by delving into the culture.
Art in Everyday Life
Art is regularly present in our environment. Life presents itself to
us in various forms and gives us a lot of opportunities to create
something extraordinary through the arts. Art makes life
extraordinary, and with art, we make life meaningful. The littlest
thing we do gives a significant impact on our daily lives. An
example can be a parent who makes a way to feed his/her kid
vegetables by making it look different by molding it into kid-
friendly stuff. It can also be a student who wants to pass a test by
strategizing a study habit. It may be a businessperson who selects
and matches clothes for daily wear to look decent and professional.
It can also be a teacher who constructs a lesson plan to meet
lesson objectives. A street vendor who does a sales talk to market
his/her product can be another example. All of these manifest
evidence for art as inseparable to our daily life.
Warm-up Activity!
Directions: Answer the given
question below:
How do you see art in your
everyday life?
Introduction to Art Appreciation Appreciating art takes more than a quick
look at a museum. Art exists in many places, not just in grand exhibits
that only a few people see. To truly understand art, one must look at how
it connects to cultures, history, and change over time. It’s hard to
appreciate a masterpiece without knowing its background and the
materials used. Everyone has a natural urge to create, but skills need to
be developed through practice and learning. Art education helps people
deepen their understanding, improve their talents, and grow in the field.
Art reflects humanity’s past and cultural heritage,
showing how civilizations, environments, and
evolution shaped diverse cultures that became the
foundation of today’s art. This course examines art
through different methods and resources, connecting
it to society and human interactions.
With the integration of art appreciation, this
module aims to provide students with
holistic development in their professional
field. As globalization brings the world closer
together, it is increasingly necessary to
upgrade matters. Aside from transforming
students into experts in their fields, this
module also aims to cultivate learners to have
a strong sense of humanity—an individual
who has a heart and soul in appreciating a
work of hands and its intricate beauty.
Foundations of
Art and Brief
Introduction to
Humanities
Art and Humanities
The Humanities are disciplines that study human culture, values, and
experiences. They include literature, philosophy, history, religion, and
the arts. Art is a central pillar of the Humanities because it reflects the
way people express themselves, their societies, and their times. Studying
art within the Humanities helps us understand not just the product of
creativity, but also the context, meaning, and emotions behind it.
Art
Art is a form of human expression
that communicates ideas, emotions,
and experiences through different
mediums such as painting,
sculpture, music, dance, literature,
theater, and film. It goes beyond
aesthetics; it is both a reflection and
interpretation of reality. Art can
inspire, challenge, provoke thought,
or simply bring beauty into human
life.
Art Appreciation
Art Appreciation is the study of
art with the goal of
understanding and valuing it. It
does not require technical skills
like an artist, but rather an open
mind and sensitivity to how art
communicates meaning. It
involves observing, interpreting,
and evaluating works of art,
recognizing their cultural
significance, and developing a
deeper awareness of creativity
across time and place.
Imagination
Imagination is the power to create mental
images and ideas that are not present in the
senses. In art, imagination allows artists to
envision what does not yet exist and to
transform ordinary experiences into
extraordinary forms of expression. It is the
foundation of innovation and the key to
connecting the real and the possible.
Creativity
Creativity is the capacity to produce
original and valuable ideas. In art, it is
the act of combining imagination, skill,
and expression to produce something
new and meaningful. Creativity is not
only limited to artists but is present in
all individuals, shaping the way we
solve problems, design solutions, and
interpret the world.
Expression
Expression is the outward manifestation of inner feelings, thoughts,
and perspectives. Through art, individuals convey their emotions,
beliefs, and experiences. It allows for communication beyond words
and connects people across cultures and generations. Expression in
art transforms personal experiences into universal truths.
ASSUMPTIONS
AND
FUNCTIONS OF
ART
Assumptions of Art
The study of art begins with certain fundamental
assumptions—ideas that help us understand its
nature, scope, and role in human life.
1. Art is Universal
Art exists in all cultures, throughout history, and across all human
societies. From prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux, France, to
contemporary digital art installations, art has always been present.
This universality suggests that the desire to create and express is innate to
human beings.
Art transcends time and geography; while styles and techniques may differ,
the need to express emotions, beliefs, and ideas through art is shared by all
humanity.
Example:
Ancient Egyptian pyramids as monumental art forms.
Filipino traditional dances like Tinikling that reflect culture and identity.
Modern graffiti art that voices contemporary social struggles.
Insight: Wherever there are people, there is art. This proves that art is not
just an accessory to human life but an essential part of being human.
2. Art is Not Nature
Art may be inspired by nature but is not identical to it. Nature is reality as it
exists, while art is reality interpreted, transformed, or represented by human
imagination.
Art involves human intervention—selection, arrangement, stylization, or
abstraction.
Example:
A mountain is nature. A landscape painting of that mountain is art.
A flower is nature. A poem describing its beauty is art.
The sea is nature. A dance mimicking waves is art.
Insight: Art is not a mere copy of nature; it is how humans make sense of and
give meaning to nature.
3. Art Involves Experiences
Art is more than the physical object—it is an experience for
both the artist and the audience.
Creating art involves the artist’s feelings, thoughts, and
decisions. Experiencing art, in turn, involves the viewer’s
interpretation and emotions.
This experience is subjective—each individual interprets art
differently based on their personal background, culture, and
emotions.
Art is always accompanied by an emotional response. It can
inspire joy, sorrow, awe, or even resistance.
Example:
A painting like Van Gogh’s Starry Night evokes calmness
in some but sadness in others.
A protest song may inspire anger against injustice or hope
for change.
Insight: Art becomes alive not only when created but also when it
is experienced, interpreted, and felt by others.
A painting like Van Gogh’s Starry Night evokes calmness
in some but sadness in others.