Module 1

• Arthur Schopenhauer said that Art is an escape of the inherent suffering of human existence and that music is the highest form of art
• Aristotle said that art is an act of purging emotions and that the emotions are being rejuvenated.
• Purposes of Art

  • Personal
  • Social
  • Spiritual/Religious
  • Physical
  • Educational
  • Economic
• Personal Purpose - it is a way for the artist to relate to the world, often using the feelings, emotions, experiences, thoughts and ideas of the artist
• Social Purpose - it is the reinforcement and enhancement of the shared sense of identity in a community and civilization
• Spiritual Purpose - art is where the belief of the individual is shown
• Physical Purpose - the making of functional art which is convenient
• Educational Purpose - art produces information and interpretation
• Economic Purpose - artists get financial gains through commissions
• Forms of Art

  • Visual Arts
  • Performing Arts
  • Literature
• Visual Arts - it is a broad category and is perceived through visual perception, it can be on a flat surface or three-dimensional
• Performing Arts - it is art that is performed infront of an audience, performers use their body as an instrument to deliver artistic expressions
• Literature - it primarily uses language with organized words to creatively express their thoughts and emotions, it can be presented orally or in written form
• Properties of Art

  • Subject
  • Composition
  • Content
  • Medium
• Aisthesis - greek word, coined by Alexander Baumgarten, it refers to the study of sensory appreciation of arts and beauty
• Aesthetics (Philosophy of Art) - it is a field and branch of Philosophy, it explores the nature of beauty and perception of art; it delves in the concepts of value, artistic expression, ethical implications, aesthetic experiences and purpose
• Theories of Aesthetics

  • Imitationalism
  • Formalism
  • Emotionalism
• Iminationalism - it imitates and represents what is real, it says that art is a mirror of reality and that it is the realistic presentation of a matter
• Formalism - it focuses on the quality and elements of art; to see the value it should place emphasis on the formal qualities and composition of the art
• Emotionalism - the emotional response of the viewer is important; art must arouse a response of feelings, moods or emotions in the viewer
• Art Criticism - making interpretation, evaluation and objective analysis of an artwork
• Art Criticism is helpful in making interpretations and discussions about the technicalities, materials, content and subject of an art. It s the sequential approach for looking and talking about art.
• Art Criticism helps us develop aesthetic judgements; understand perceptions to create & cultivate our sense of meaning and purpose
• Steps in Art Criticism

  1. Description
  2. Analysis
  3. Interpretation
  4. Judgement
• 1. Description - All of the visual things you see (e.g. medium and materials)
• 2. Analysis - collecting facts about the elements & principles of art; also includes the analysis of the content and theme
• 3. Interpretation - it is where you see the meaning & essence (although your interpretation is influenced, the interpretation should still be objective)
• 4. Judgement - this is where the value and artistic merit of the art work is determined