Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Office of the Vice President for Branches & Satellite Campuses
BANSUD BRANCH

Module 3
Art and the Process of Art Appreciation

OVERVIEW:
This module gives a basic understanding of how art is defined and the different ways it
functions in societies and cultures. It covers the following topics:

What is Art and what is the Process of Art Appreciation

Art appreciation is the knowledge and understanding of the universal and timeless
qualities that identify all great art. The more you appreciate and understand the art of different
eras, movements, styles and techniques, the better you can develop, evaluate and improve your
own artwork. Art understanding requires a heavy and quiet considering the pieces of art. This
could allow us to speak intelligently concerning the pieces of art.
This composed of this lesson, this is designed for the people who wants to gain
knowledge about the arts and to improve their skills in being creative. Aside from the
comprehensive discussion of art, this report also gives inspiration and knowledge and
opportunities and extending activities towards the end of the report.

MODULE OBJECTIVES:
Explain what is art
Identify the process of art appreciation
Give examples and identification for a better understanding
It encourages to develop creative expression and sharpens senses through keen
observation of the environment.
Describe what is art appreciation all about

COURSE MATERIALS:
Art Appreciation is a general introduction to the visual arts, media, techniques, and
history. The course is designed to create a deeper appreciation of the creative processes
involved in the visual arts. This course reviews two- and three-dimensional art forms, methods,
and media; examines the visual elements and principles of design; and briefly surveys art styles
from the prehistoric to the 20th Century. It is oriented to students who have not been exposed to
the formal study of these disciplines. It is a beginning level class to familiar students with the
different types of art and to learn how to speak/write intelligently about art.

Art appreciation is a journey about learning, the discovery of cultures, and their art,
which has survived after they have abandoned long-ago settlements. Art is a form of creative
human expression, lasting longer than cultures, buildings, government, or religion and providing

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a window into the past. Art is a tangible element of a bygone culture we can hold today, even
though it is 30,000 years old, a small remnant of past life.
We study art to learn how to be responsible for human cultural art and to accept the
diversity of people and their lifestyles. Looking at the past, we can see the influence of
civilizations and time on culture and art today

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION
A variety of instructional methods may be used depending on content area. These
include but are not limited to: lecture, multimedia, cooperative/collaborative learning, labs and
demonstrations, projects and presentations, speeches, debates, and panels, conferencing,
performances, and learning experiences outside the classroom. Methodology will be selected to
best meet student needs.

ART APPRECIATION AND THE HUMAN AND HUMAN FACULTIES

Art Appreciation – center on the ability to view art throughout history, focusing on the cultures
and people, and how art developed in the specific periods. It is difficult to understand without
understanding the culture, use of materials and a sense of beauty.

Who Am I? – Basic question in the humanities

I am a Human Being – Basic answer

Human being – composite of body and soul

Three Human Faculties

1. The Senses – capable of Perception
 Eyes Sensation Seeing Ears Hearing Nose Smelling Tongue Tasting Skin
Touching Imagination
Imagining
- The Will – has emotions and feelings
- The Mind – capable of reasoning and thinking
- Art – based on how we perceive reality

Analysis of Art Based on the Three Human Faculties

Level of the Senses
1. Perceptual Elements – Sense-Data: Lines, Color, Shapes, etc.
2. Representations – Things, People, Objects, Events
Level of the Will

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3. Emotional Suggestions – Happy, Sad, Afraid, etc.

Level of the Mind
4. Intellectual Meaning – Ideas, Concepts, Symbolism

Art – traditionally speaking, it is meant for the pleasure of the eyes

Person as spectator/viewer Appreciate Work of Art as object, and vice-versa

Art as Therapy: The 7 Psychological Functions of Art

“Like other tools, art has the power to extend our capacities beyond those that nature has
originally endowed us with. Art compensates us for certain inborn weaknesses, in this case of
the mind rather than the body, weaknesses that we can refer to as psychological frailties.”

Remembering – preserving experiences, of which there are many transient and beautiful
examples, and that we need help containing.

Hope - cheerfulness is an achievement, and hope is something to celebrate. If optimism is

important, it’s because many outcomes are determined by how much of it we bring to the task.

Sorrow - art can offer a grand and serious vantage point from which to survey the travails of our
condition.

Rebalancing - art can save us time — and save our lives — through opportune and visceral
reminders of balance and goodness that we should never presume we know enough about
already

Self-understanding - despite our best efforts at self-awareness, we’re all too often partial or
complete mysteries to ourselves. Art can help shed light on those least explored nooks of our
psyche and make palpable the hunches of intuition we can only sense but not articulate

Growth - Besides inviting deeper knowledge of our own selves, art also allows us to expand the
boundaries of who we are by helping us overcome our chronic fear of the unfamiliar and living
more richly by inviting the unknown.

Appreciation - One of our major flaws, and causes of unhappiness, is that we find it hard to
take note of what is always around us. We suffer because we lose sight of the value of what is
before us and yearn, often unfairly, for the imagined attraction elsewhere.

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THE PROCESS OF ART APPRECIATION

As you go through the process, take notes on the relevant information you discover. Appreciate
the art as you go through the process.

What is Art?
For many people art is a specific thing; a painting, sculpture or photograph, a dance, a
poem or a play. It is all of these things, and more. They are mediums of artistic expression.
Webster’s New Collegiate dictionary defines art as “The conscious use of skill and creative
imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” Yet art is much more than a
medium, or words on a page. It is the expression of our experience.

Art appreciation can be a process that’s adopted to create one conscious of bad features
and all of the good this one says considers and learns of a thing of beauty. It’s an easy method
of speaking experienced in a thing of beauty and answering works of art which are speaking
intelligently of a function of art.

The process is divided into four steps:

Step 1 – Descriptive
Descriptive art is a form of art by itself. However, it can be used by writers who are
learning how to be more visual in their descriptions of things. By taking an art piece and
breaking it down into words, a writer can enhance their craft and learn to write more visually.
In the description step you will make observation about what you see. For this first step
your observation must be objective. Try not to express your opinions yet. Describe only the
facts. Make sure you include the information from the credit line.
The credit Line contains some very useful information helping to provide you with
information about the work.
1. The name of the artists, his or her nationality, and date of birth (and death)
2. The name of the art and the year or years it has made
 Bow really look at the artwork and describe in great detail what you see.
Use the appropriate visual arts vocabulary (line, shape, form, space, texture,
color, and value)

Step 2 – Analysis
Analysis = determining what the features suggest and deciding why the artist used such
features to convey specific ideas. · It answers the question, "How did the artist do it?"

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In this step consider the most significant art principles that were used in the artwork.
Describe how the artist used them to organize the elements.

 BALANCE - Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture,
and space. If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a
design feel stable.

 CONTRAST - As one of the major art principles, contrast in art, is by many considered to
be the golden rule for creation. In essence, the definition of contrast is the juxtaposition
of difference, used to intensify the properties within the work, the contrast in art is closely
related to the variety.

 EMPHASIS - EMPHASIS is used to attract a viewer's attention to the focal point, or main
subject, of an artwork. For example, in a portrait the artist usually wants you to see the
subject's face first, so the artist will use color, contrast, and placement to direct where
your eye is attracted.

 HARMONY -Harmony is the visually satisfying effect of combining similar or related

elements. Adjacent colors. Similar shapes.

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 VARIETY - Variety refers to how artists and designers add complexity to their work using
visual elements. Contrast, difference and change, and elaboration all add visual interest
to an artist's work.

Step 3 – Interpretation
An interpretation in philosophy of art, is an explanation of the meaning of some work of
art. An aesthetic interpretation expresses a particular emotional or experiential understanding
most often used in reference to a poem, or piece of literature, and may also apply to a work of
visual art, or performance.
 Based on what you have learned so far about the artwork, what do you think the artist
was trying to say?
 Why did the artist create this artwork?
 What do you think it means?
 What feelings do you have when looking at this artwork?
 Do you think there are things in the artwork that represent other things for symbols?

Step 4 – Judgement
Judgment: Judging a piece of work means giving it rank in relation to other works and of
course considering a very important aspect of the visual arts; its originality.
 Do you like this artwork?
 Do you think it is a good artwork?
 Do you think it is important artwork would display this artwork in your home?
 Is this artwork good enough to put in a museum? Justify your opinion
 Explain why you feel the way you do about this artwork based on what you have
learned about it. What criteria do you base your judge mention?

References
 https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/
A_World_Perspective_of_Art_Appreciation_(Gustlin_and_Gustlin)/
01%3A_A_World_Perspective_of_Art_Appreciation/1.07%3A_Art_Materials_an
d_Methods
 https://studylib.net/doc/9030901/art-appreciation-process--the-four-steps

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ACTIVITIES/ASSESSMENT:
1. Identify what is art in your own perspective and give at least three examples?
2. Produce an artwork.

Art and the Perception of Reality

OVERVIEW:
Art is reality. It is the talent, skill, passion, emotion, idea, beauty, expression, and
representation.
Daily, one may perceive beauty. However, not everything that is beautiful can be seen or
experienced, be considered a work of art. It is the result of man's inventiveness, expression,
and imagination. Everyone is a spectator of art, but not everyone is an artist. We can tell what is
fine and beautiful from what isn't and vice versa. What distinguishes good quality from poor
quality? This allows us to play a role in the field of art appreciation. Furthermore, perception in
art refers to the complex relationship between visual stimuli and one's personal interpretation of
them. It is a theoretical postulate that seeks to clarify the relationship between artworks and
individual perceptions and assessments.
This composed of Lesson about Art and the Perception of Reality which is under the
topic of Art Appreciation and the Human Faculties. It explains and analyze the concepts
regarding the mentioned topic.
This learning material provided activities and assessments for the further understanding
about art with regards to how we perceive it. This offers a comprehensive discussion about the
subject Art Appreciation (GEED 10073).

MODULE OBJECTIVES:
Explain and analyze the concept of art appreciation and the human faculties
Differentiate content from subject
Classify artworks according to subjects
Analyze how artists present their subjects in relation to the real subject

COURSE MATERIAL:

WHAT IS PERCEPTION IN ART?

Perception is conditioned by a context from which observation and evaluation are made,
rather than being a universally established matrix of understanding art. It is influenced by a
variety of factors, including political, social, cultural, gender, and racial factors, rather than
general models of understanding. It influences how we perceive art and the meanings we

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assign to it, but it is also an active factor in artistic creation.

Making assertions about the meaning of art would be difficult without previously
established notions of value derived from multifaceted perceptual conditionings. The
perspectives of an artist and an observer both contribute to our understanding of art, and the
importance of the first does not differ from that of the second. Perception affects the meaning
we attribute to art, as evidenced by numerous historical examples, and such understandings
Johann Anton Eismann, Meerhaven. 17th c.
frequently change over time.

Some universal postulates may persist, but the majority are contingent on the specific
social mores of a given time. Perception and opinion are inextricably linked. Turning to art, we
can see that throughout history, the evaluation of artistic styles has changed over time,
supporting the above assertion of a connection between our opinions and perception of art.

THREE BASIC COMPONENTS OF A WORK OF ART

 Subject – the visual focus or the image that may be extracted from examining the
artwork; the “what”
 Content – the meaning that is communicated by the artist or the artwork; the “why”
 Form – the development and configuration of the artwork – how the elements and the
medium or material are put together; the “how”

SUBJECT
When people look at a holding for sculpture for the first time, the initial question but they
usually ask is "What is it?" or "What does it show?" Somehow, expect to see a recognizable
image and this works of art.

To a majority of people, that appeal of most works of art lies and the representation of
familiar objects. Their enjoyment of painting, sculpture, and literature comes not from their
perception of the "meaning or composition" but from the satisfaction they get out of recognizing
the subject or understanding the narrative content.

The subject of art refers to any person, object, scene, or event described or represented
in a work of art. Some courts have subject, others do not. The arts that have subject are called
representational or objective arts. Those that do not have subject are known as non-
representational or non-objective art.

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NON-REPRESENTATIONAL/ NON-
REPRESENTATIONAL / OBJECTIVE ARTS
OBJECTIVE ARTS

Artworks that depict something easily Artworks that have no resemblance to any
recognizable by most people. (Human figure, a real subject.
banana, a tree, and so on. Such images need
not be true to life. So, a tree does not have to be They do not represent anything, and they are
green, or even upright, but it must clearly what they are
represent or be recognizable as a tree.)

Representational art describes artworks— They rather appeal directly to the senses
particularly paintings and sculptures–that are primarily because of the satisfying
clearly derived from real object sources, and organization of their sensuous and expressive
therefore are representing something with strong elements.
visual references to the real world. Most, but not
all, abstract art is based on imagery from the By contrast to representational art,
real world. The most “extreme” form of abstract nonrepresentational or abstract art consists of
art is not connected to the visible world and is images that have no clear identity and must
known as nonrepresentational. be interpreted by the viewer.

Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts, Literature, and Music architecture, and many other functional
Theater Arts arts
Although a great number of paintings, Some musical compositions have subject.
sculptures and prints are without subject They are generally referred to as program
music. This kind of music imitate natural
sounds (e.g., Rimsky Korsakov’s “The Flight
of the Bumblebee); set a mood (e.g.,
Debussy’s “Claire de Lune”); or narrate a
story (e.g., Duka’s “The Sorcerer’s
Apprentice).

NON-REPRESENTATIONAL ART AND ABSTRACT ART

- Is non-representational art eh same with abstract art?
- There is no clear-cut divide; rather, they exist in a spectrum.

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Looking at the combination of lines, shapes, and colors of the sculpture will point to a
head of a woman. Even with the abstraction of the image, the work is arguably representational
art.

WAYS OF REPRESENTING SUBJECT

The manner of representing subject matter varies according to the inventive miss and
purpose of each artist. Although they would seem to be like some people we know or have met.
We may employ realism, abstraction, or distortion.

Realism
When things are depicted in the way they would normally appear in nature, the
representation is said to be realistic.
Strictly speaking, no work of art is truly realistic, since no work of art is an accurate copy of what
exist in the natural world. Anyone who has watched a painter at work knows how many details
he leaves out, alters, and adds; departing from recording optical reality. Many great artists have
been able to create the illusion of reality through a selective use of details.

A realistic novel is not just a narration of events which actually took place. Rather, it is an
imaginative narrative, the details of which the author has so manipulated that the situation
appears as something that could have really happen or may possibly happen. It could, in fact,
be anchored on historical fact, but it's characters would be imaginary people, although they
would seem to be like some people we know or have met.

Abstraction
Some paintings seem to be photographic renderings of fact. But most paintings and
sculptures are abstract to a certain degree. Abstraction is a process of simplifying and / or
reorganizing objects and elements according to the demands of artistic expression. The artist
selects and renders the object with their shapes, colors, and positions altered.

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In some abstract works, enough of a likeness has been retained to represent real things.
In others, the original objects have been reduced to simple geometric shapes and they can be
your rarely identified unless the artist has named them in his title. His concern is the rendering
of the essence of the subject rather than the natural formed itself.

Distortion
When figures have been so arranged that proportions differ noticeably from natural
measurements, the objects are said to be distorted. Distortion could also mean twisting,
stretching, or deforming the natural shape of the object.
Distortion is usually done to dramatize the shape of a figure or to create an emotional effect. El
Greco and elevated the bodies of Christ and the saints in his paintings to enhance the illusion of
spirituality. Caricatures employ distortion so that their target of ridicule would appear grotesque
and hateful.

KINDS OF SUBJECTS
The subjects depicted in works of art, particularly the visual arts can be grouped into:
 Landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes
 Still life’s
 Animals
 Portraits
 Figures
 Everyday Life
 History and Legend
 Religion and Mythology
 Dreams and fantasies

SUBJECT AND CONTENT

Recognizing the subject is not necessarily grasping the content of a work of art. Subject
and content are two different things. But subject refers to the objects depicted by the artist,
content refers to what the artist expresses or communicates overall and his work. Sometimes it
is spoken as the meaning of the work. In literature it is called the theme. In fact, we may define it
as the statement we apprehend or the feeling or mood we experience with a work of art.
Content reveals the artists attitude towards his subject. The subject of Hidalgo's Wounded
Soldier is a soldier nursing his one, but its content is more than this. It is the soldier’s stoicism
and dignity that the artists wanted us to see.

One does not always see content, but it is transmitted by the way the subject and form

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interact in a work. It is easier to grasp the content in arts with explicit subject matter then
abstract art. Subject matter may acquire different levels of meaning. Cleaver classifies them as
(1) factual meaning, (2) conventional meaning, and (3) subjective meaning.
The factual meaning is the literal statement or the narrative content in the work which
can be directly apprehended because the objects presented are easily recognized. This
meaning is often supplemented by other levels of meaning hear it

The conventional meaning refers to the special meaning that a certain object or color
has for a particular culture or group of people. The flag is the agreed-upon symbol for a nation.
The cross is a Christian symbol of thing; the wheel is a Buddhist symbol for the teachings of
Gautama Buddha.

Subjective meaning is any personal meaning consciously or unconsciously conveyed by

the artist using a private symbolism which stems from his own association observing object,
actions, are colors with past experiences. This can be fully understood only when artists and
self-explain what he really means, as in the case of the poems of T.S. Eliot where he provides
footnotes. Otherwise, it tends to be interpreted differently by feature of leader who may see it in
the light of these associations.

ACTIVITIES/ASSESSMENT:
Answer the following question based on your knowledge
1. How would you explain to a fellow student the concept of art appreciation and the human
faculties?
2. Give the difference between content and subject.in your own words.
3. What kind of art do you prefer if you are going to choose between objective and non-
objective arts? And why?
4. How artists present their subjects in relation to the real subject?
5. Explain this quote from Picasso:
“We all know art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that
is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others
of the truthfulness of his lies.”

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