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Topic 1 - What Is Art - Introduction and Assumptions

This document provides an introduction to the topic of what art is. It discusses how the definition of art has evolved over time from specialized skills and crafts to including "beautiful arts." The document outlines three key assumptions about art: that it is universal, that art is man's expression or interpretation of nature rather than nature itself, and that art requires experience to be known. It poses questions for reflection on defining art and seeing art in everyday life.

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Keen Jude Caminos
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426 views

Topic 1 - What Is Art - Introduction and Assumptions

This document provides an introduction to the topic of what art is. It discusses how the definition of art has evolved over time from specialized skills and crafts to including "beautiful arts." The document outlines three key assumptions about art: that it is universal, that art is man's expression or interpretation of nature rather than nature itself, and that art requires experience to be known. It poses questions for reflection on defining art and seeing art in everyday life.

Uploaded by

Keen Jude Caminos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topic 1: What is Art: Introduction and Assumptions

Learning Objectives:

At the end of topic 1, you must be able to:

A. Determine the role of humanities and arts in man’s attempt at fully realizing his end;

B. Clarify misconceptions about the art;

C. Characterize the assumptions of arts; and

D. Engage better with personal experiences of and in art.

Introduction

Art is perennially around us. Some of you may have denied being involved with
arts but undoubtedly that life presents us with many forms of and opportunities for
encounter with the arts. A student like you, choosing what to wear an outfit of the day
(ootd) on a washday which includes choosing the right color or dress combination for
your shoes and bag, is an example of a practice that is undeniably artistic. As one
moves through life, one locates better, more beautiful objects of desire. Human beings
are drawn toward what is good and ultimately beautiful.

This lesson is about yearning for the beautiful, the appreciation of the all-
consuming beauty around us, and some preliminary clarifications on assumptions that
people normally hold about art.

What Is Art?

- The word “art” comes from the ancient Latin ars which means a “craft or
specialized forms of skill, like carpentry or smithying or surgery” (Collingwood,
1938).
- Art then suggested the capacity to produce an intended result from carefully
planned steps or methods.

- Arts in Medieval Latin came to mean something different. It meant “any


special form of book-learning, such as grammar or logic, magic or astrology”
(Collingwood, 1938).

- The fine arts would come to mean “not delicate or highly-skilled arts, but
‘beautiful’ arts” (Collingwood, 1938). This is something more akin to what is now
considered art.

Assumptions of Art:

1. Art is Universal – Art has always been timeless and universal, spanning
generations and continents through and through.
2. Art is not nature – Art is man’s expression of his reception of nature. Art is man’s
way of interpreting nature.
3. Art involves experience – Unlike fields of knowledge that involve data, art is
known by experience. A work of art then cannot be abstracted from actually
doing. In order to know what an artwork is, we have to sense it, see or hear it,
and see AND hear it.

Points to Ponder:

• Why do people have difficulty in coming up with a single definition of art?

• “Art is subjective. It depends on how one perceives the artwork.” To what


extent do you agree with this statement?

• How can we see art in our everyday lives?

• If you were an artist, what kind of artist would you be? Are there specific
themes or messages that you would want your art to containing?

Summary

• Humanities and art have always been part of man’s growth and civilization.

• Since the dawn of time, man has always tried to express his innermost
thoughts and feelings about reality through creating art.
• Three assumptions on art are its universality, it is not being natured, and its
need for experience.

• Without experience, there is no art. The artist has to be foremost, a perceiver


who is directly in touch with art.

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