Introduction to
Art Appreciation
GNED 01- Art Appreciation
Department of Arts and Sciences
Why study Humanities ?
• Came from the Latin word “humanus” which means
• Human
• Cultured
• Refined
HUMANITIES
• Studies man and the manner
in which he conducts
himself from the time of
his existence to the
present
(Martin & Jacobus, 2004)
Philosophy
History
Arts and
Music
Branches of Religious
Literature Humanities Studies
Fundamental Principles of the
Humanities
• Human nature is inherently good.
• Free and capable of making
choices.
• Potential for growth and
development is almost unlimited.
Fundamental Principles of the
Humanities
• Self-concept plays an important
role in growth and development.
• Have an urge for self-actualization.
• Reality is defined by each person.
• Have responsibility to both
themselves and to others.
Nature of Arts
• It is subjective.
• Means of expression
developed by man.
• Provides enjoyment and
stimulation when people
try to understand what it is.
Nature of Arts
Skillful arrangement of some common but significant
qualities of nature such as sounds, colors, lines,
movements, words, stone and wood to express
feelings, thoughts, imaginations and dreams
in amazing, meaningful and enjoyable way.
(Adams, 2002)
Functions of Arts
• Functional Art Forms
- Functions that make man’s
life better
• Non- functional Art forms
- Serve purposes far beyond
mundane survival functions
Functions of Arts
• Human need for expression
• Social need for display,
celebration & communication
• Physical need for functional
object
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Aesthetics
Philosophical study of
beauty and taste
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Plato
• Known for his Dialogues
• Good literary stylist
• Great story teller
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Plato
• Physical world is a copy
of a perfect, rational,
eternal and changeless
original called FORMS.
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Plato
Two ideas of Arts
• Art is imitation
• Art is dangerous
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Aristotle
Art as imitation or a
representation of nature.
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Aristotle
Universal elements of beauty
are manifested by:
• Order
• Symmetry
• Definiteness
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Aristotle
In representing nature, arts should demonstrate:
Knowledge Disposition Passion & Action
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Aristotle
Poets imitated three things:
1. Things and even which
have been or still are.
2. Things which are said to
be seen and are probable.
3. Things which essentially
are.
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Immanuel Kant
Beauty is a matter of Taste
Art: As Viewed by Philosophy
Immanuel Kant
• Subjective taste
• Universal taste
Artists and Artisan
Artist
Artists and Artisan
Artist
Formal Expression
Two important components:
• Substance
• Forms
Artists and Artisan
Artisan
The Art Forms
Art is basically expressed through the
following art forms
Sculpting
Music
Theatre
Dance
Painting Literature Architecture
The Art Forms
Defined as the practice of creating
three-dimensional forms or figures.
Described as the art of creating
beautiful effects on a flat surface.
Art of designing buildings and other structure
which will serve a definite function.
Art of combining spoken/written words & their meaning
into forms which have artistic and emotional appeal.
Person’s gestures that express
emotion through rhythmic movements
The performance of drama. Typically
performed in front of a live audience.
Art of combining and regulating sounds of varying pitch to
produce compositions that express various ideas and feelings.
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