Republic of the Philippines

CEBU ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL COLLEGES

Bogo City, Cebu

College of Teacher Education

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LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET # 1.1

Course Title : GE 15 – READING VISUAL ARTS

Topic : What is Art
Teacher : JANEL E. ARTIAGA

UNIT 1 ART

Etymology:
 It came from the Latin word “ars/astis” which means to do or man-made.
Definition:
 It is a medium of expression because through arts we express our ideas, emotions,
feelings without using words.
 Creative activity which involves skill or expertness in handling materials and
organizing them into a new.
Work of Art:
 A thing of beauty having aesthetic value. Obra Maestra, provides aesthetic values to
the viewers.
 It must have an artistic merit and literary merit
 It is a symbolic state of meaning rather having a practical functions

Importance of art:
 Driven our existence
 Satisfies the needs for personal expression
 Develop our skills to express ourselves
 Challenge us to see things differently
 It unleashes our hidden desires and passion
 It can change our ways in life
 To see the truth that we might understand before
 It gives pleasure, satisfaction and gratification
Functions of Art:
To express beauty
It gives man moment of relaxation and spiritual happiness
It serves as a channel of man’s passion
Arts reformed man
Overcomes the feelings of restlessness and loneliness

Categories of Work of Art considered to be great:

  Best Selling - it is very popular in its day, or is produced by an artist who has done other very
popular piece.
 Ground Breaking – that it does not follow regular convention or already tried artistic methods
real closely. It is not, in short, just one more soap opera following an old, old formula, no
matter how well done.
 Inherently Beautiful – means just as the art critics do require and demand that a work of art
have an inner harmony, beauty and emotional/intuitive meaning that are unified, strong and
intense and deeply moving to us. Something that appeals to your senses and emotions.
Different Classifications of Art
1. By the Audience – focus in how audience classified arts
2. By the Critics – focus on how people judge arts
3. By an Artist – characterize by special sensing, physical and special sense

I. By the Audience
1. Performing Arts - something an artist used body as a medium. An art form that is
moving from one place to another.
Example: play, movies, music, movies/TV, operas, mime, puppetry, acrobatic, dance
and ballet

2. Visual Arts – usually exist in two dimensional form and stay in one place. Something that
we see and hear.
Examples: painting, photography, drawing, films, sculpture, engraving, wooden
materials, silk screen, cartoon, stained glass, mosaic and stage setting

3. Literature – talks about language that affects our imagination and make us think
Examples: non-fiction, fiction, stage play, poetry, screenplay and song

4. Sculptural – a three dimensional form that we can touch see and climb. It stays in one
place.
Examples: monument, architectural designs, rice terraces, rock garden, Eiffel tower,
Statue of Liberty, flower gardens, water fountain and buildings.

II. By Critics
1. Major Arts or Fine Arts - those that includes music, literature, sculpture, painting,
dance, theater, photography and architecture

2. Minor Arts or Applied Arts – those that includes ceramics, furniture, weaving,
photography and letterings

3. Pure Art – created and performed for other sake and to satisfies the audience.
Example: watching movie

4. Practical Art – with a purpose for practical use that something is useful
Example: chair and table

III. By an Artist
1. Sight Art – something that you can see, imagine and create
Example: painting, drawing, mosaic, drafting, design, stage design, light displays and
graphic design.

2. Sound Art – something that you can hear

Example: Literature, Poetry, plays and music
 3. Touch Art – something that you can feel or touch
Example: sculpture, carving, wood craft, pottery, dance Movement and building

Other Classifications:
1. Real Art - something that is understandable “what you see is what you get”, objective and
representational
Example; Photography, stage play, dance, sculpture and architecture

2. Abstract Art – non subject matter, non representational that we cannot understand on the part
of the listener.
Example: Grey Tree by Piet Mondrian

Importance

2. Do you ever stop to think about how you share yourself with others?

We all have our own unique quirks and traits, and we all have our own preferences and style for
sharing pieces of ourselves with those around us.

You likely have a different level of sharing comfort with each person in your life—like a sort of
security clearance in which those closest to you have a “Level 5” clearance while acquaintances have
a “Level 1” clearance.
How we share and express ourselves to others forms the basis of our personality, as understood by
everyone but us, and sets the tone for our entire lives. It’s a vital aspect of life to pay attention to,
especially if you want to feel more understood and more in tune with the people you care about.

The way that we share ourselves is known as self-expression, and it turns out there are a lot of ways
to do it. There are few “wrong” ways of expressing yourself, but there are some things you can do
that give you a better chance of hearing and being heard than others.

3. The motivation to dance comes naturally to human beings, as we are moveable creatures.
Tune into an upbeat song on the radio in the presence of a two-year-old, and watch their face
light up, hands wave and bodies bounce! This concept applies equally to visual arts. Give a
toddler a crayon and he or she will naturally start to scribble!

As we grow, art-making progresses from a flurry of off-beat wiggles and undefined scribbles, to
images, shapes, words and experiences that mold our perception of the world.

In fact, the creative arts, (drawing, painting, sculpture, drama, dance, music, etc…) are not only a
great way to create something beautiful, but also a fun and inspiring way to relieve stress and
enhance creativity. Accessing the arts at any age is a simple way to maintain or develop skills
relating to problem-solving, teamwork, communication and healthy coping.

Visual and performing arts can lead to positive self-expression, and assist in building
confidences. When art is inspired by persons’ individualized interests, ideas, emotions, needs or
preferences, the accomplishments are most rewarding and self-esteem is boosted. Research suggests
that when people have opportunities to explore and express who they are, they gain confidence that
translates into success, both in adolescence and throughout adulthood.

4. The idea that some people see more possibilities than others is central to the concept of
creativity.

Psychologists often measure creativity using divergent thinking tasks. These require you to generate
as many uses as possible for mundane objects, such as a brick. People who can see numerous and
diverse uses for a brick (say, a coffin for a Barbie doll funeral diorama) are rated as more creative
than people who can only think of a few common uses (say, for building a wall).

The aspect of our personality that appears to drive our creativity is called openness to experience, or
openness. Among the five major personality traits, it is openness that best predicts performance on
divergent thinking tasks. Openness also predicts real-world creative achievements, as well as
engagement in everyday creative pursuits.

the creativity of open people stems from a “drive for cognitive exploration of one’s inner and outer
worlds”.

This curiosity to examine things from all angles may lead people high in openness to see more than
the average person.

5. 5 Ways Express Yourself Through Art

Unleashing your artistic side can open the mind to new and compelling ideas and engender discovery
of passions and intellect. Thus, finding ways to be more creative, through art and science, will enrich
the soul and provide inspiration for future ventures.

Explore new designs, principles, and cultures can manifest an appreciation for life and its beauty and
innovation. Living life to its fullest is a common goal, and it can be possible if you let your guard
down and be open to new adventures and growth. Sometimes people get locked into certain personas
and thoughts, where the monotony of an average workweek hinders spontaneity, novelty, and the
imagination. By shaking things up in creative and artistic ways, it paves the way for enlightenment
and personal development.

Doodle

While high school teachers might have scolded you for doodling in class, science advocates a
wandering hand, as doodling boosts creativity and productivity. Take time in the day to doodle
between work tasks or when on a phone call. Such artistic skill can inspire new thoughts, leading to
greater success at work. You can also purchase an adult coloring book, as coloring is both soothing
and stimulating, and it has been shown to enhance mental health and reduce stress.

Visit A Museum Or Gallery

Instead of taking a standard lunch break at a nearby coffee shop or scarfing down your meal at your
desk, go to a museum or art gallery and browse a few exhibits, surrounding yourself with art, science,
and innovation. If your office is too far away, plan to stop into a gallery after work or head to the
museum on a weekend. Aim for consistency, as honoring an appreciation for art on a regular basis
will keep your mind stimulated.

Take Photos

Snapping a few photos on your phone or camera will allow you to capture life’s finest moments and
display them in an artful and creative manner. Once you’ve taken the photos, go through a few filters
and settings on your phone to add more personality and warmth. You can also develop the pictures to
create a photo album or scrapbook, as a fun, artistic project to balance out more tedious, work tasks.

Take An Art Class

Whether you want to learn the practice through an art program or simply take a class with a friend for
a fun, Friday night activity, signing up for an art class can activate the mind and act as an outlet for
stress release and self-expression. There are plenty of creative and artistic classes to choose from,
such as, painting, pottery, sculpture, and poetry. Even less obvious options, such as a cooking class,
can spark new culinary adventures and hone your craft.

Get In Touch With Your Inner Child

There’s an innocence and buoyancy to childhood, and as we age, that lighthearted nature seems to
fade, due to stress and life obligations that come with adulthood. Being playful can engage the mind
and body in stimulating, inspirational, ways to drive personal growth and create a balanced life. Plan
a laser tag or bowling event with friends, or head to a nearby karaoke bar and belt out a few tunes.
You can also go to a local comedy or improvisation show to boost spontaneity and cultivate curiosity
for new activities that urge you to step outside your comfort zone.

Taking the time to release inhibitions and enjoy experimentation can foster the creative spirit and take
the mind and body to new and exciting heights. By opening yourself up to different avenues and
experiences, you’ll make room for greater balance and fulfillment in your personal and work
ventures.
6. Art is genuinely a gift to the world. It's what we crave in the human experience. Art gives
meaning to our lives and helps us understand our world. It is an essential part of our culture
because it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions; it increases our self-
awareness, and also allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences. Art therefore
continues to open our minds and our hearts and shows us what could be possible in our
world. Art can transform our lives. When we connect with art, we are ultimately connecting
with our inner selves. Art enables us to look within and to listen to ourselves, realize who we
 are, and what we care about. It connects us to our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and our
outer realities and experiences.

When we connect with a work, it is possible to encounter a rise in emotions because it introduces us
to new experiences, provides us with a deeper understanding of our emotions, and shines light on
questions we never knew we even had. As a painter, I love to create because I connect with who I am
to my inner core, and I continue to learn more about myself and what I am truly capable of.

But as humans, it is essential to surround ourselves with art created by others. Art introduces us to a
whole new set of experiences and ideas that we may have never witnessed before. These experiences
allow us to look within because as people, we decide what we’re seeing and feeling based on the
emotional connection that we have with that work of art. As people, we tend to make emotional
choices that are passionate to us, which allows us to realize what we care about and what we stand
for. When we are aware of this, we tend to be happier and healthier as individuals because we are
able to figure out our purpose in life.

7. One of the things that has been alleged to be the purpose of art is its cognitive function: art as
a means to the acquisition of truth. Art has even been called the avenue to the highest
knowledge available to humans and to a kind of knowledge impossible of attainment by any
other means.

Knowledge in the most usual sense of that word takes the form of a proposition, knowing that so-and-
so is the case. Thus, it can be learned from sense observation that the sun is setting, and this is
knowledge. Is knowledge acquired in this same sense from acquaintance with works of art? There is
no doubt that there are some propositions (statements) that can be made after acquaintance with
works of art that could not be made before:

8. The key role that arts can play is increasing the wellbeing, satisfaction and happiness of us all.
Pleasure is indeed one thing one can obtain from art, although some artists are consciously
trying to give pleasure, while others reject it, and attempt to arouse other emotions, stir
political feelings, or even evoke pain.

But art is an acquired taste; as with many drugs, it takes a while to become addicted. If pleasure is
what you are looking for, try seeking out the art that gives you the most, then, if you feel you can
handle it, gradually increase the dosage by looking at even more. You may find that works which
previously gave you a real kick begin to pall; then you start seeking stronger stuff, ultimately finding
satisfaction in works which you previously never would have thought pleasurable.

The experience of loving art is also directly parallel to the love of music—give it some effort, then
you find yourself drawn in. This will vary by individual temperament—many people never know
what they are missing, or in spite of exerting effort, they never really get it. Others become totally
obsessed. Then there are those who get satisfaction from hating it—it takes all kinds…
 Function of Art
1. Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires, but it is even more personal
than that: it’s about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of
personality. It is the communication of intimate concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by
words alone. And because words alone are not enough, we must find some other vehicle to carry
our intent. But the content that we instill on or in our chosen media is not in itself the art. Art is to
be found in how the media is used, the way in which the content is expressed.
2. Exercising our creativity can give us an outlet from our daily routines, helping us express
emotions and boost our happiness levels.

3. The personal functions of art are often the most difficult to explain. There are many types of
personal functions and these are highly subjective. Personal functions of art are not likely to be the
same from person to person.

An artist may create a piece out of a need for self-expression or gratification. They might also or
instead want to communicate a thought or point to the viewer. Sometimes an artist is only trying to provide an
aesthetic experience, both for self and viewers. A piece might be meant to entertain, provoke thought, or even
have no particular effect at all.

Personal function is vague for a reason. From artist to artist and viewer to viewer, one's experience
with art is different. Knowing the background and behaviors of an artist helps when interpreting the personal
function of their pieces.

Art may also serve the personal function of controlling its viewers, much like social art. It can also
perform religious service or acknowledgment. Art has been used to attempt to exert magical control, change
the seasons, and even acquire food. Some art brings order and peace, some creates chaos. There is virtually no
limit to how art can be used.

Finally, sometimes art is used to maintain a species. This can be seen in rituals of the animal kingdom
and in humans themselves. Biological functions obviously include fertility symbols (in any culture), but there
are many ways humans adorn their bodies with art in order to be attractive to others and eventually mate.

4. MUsic and art have given expression to the most profound of human longings and emotions. Since
ancient times, music and art have plumbed the depths of man's interpretation of his experience
with the physical and spirihIal worlds. Even a casual ShIdy of the history of music and art in the
West will reveal not only a wide range of styles and motifs, but also the progression of Western
thought from premodern to modem to postmodern. Music and art are frequently known to
transcend the writings and the speeches of great men and women who have attempted to give
voice to the ceaseless human desire for that which is both beautiful and eternal. Long after the
words of great orators have been forgotten, the work of masterful musicians and painters has
served to inspire.

5. the purpose of art was to provide a bridge of empathy between us and others, and a way
to exorcise our emotional excess. But the highest achievement of art might be something that
reconciles the two: a channel of empathy into our own psychology that lets us both exorcise and
better understand our emotions — in other words, a form of therapy. 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.