Module 3

CONTENT IN ART

In order to appreciate any artwork, you do not only consider your own lens in
interpreting it, but also the lens of the one who made it.
Levels of meaning in art help you analyze the content of an artwork in terms of its
factual, conventional, and subjective meaning.

In order to allow the viewer to easily understand an artwork, there are components or
clues that mediate between him and the artwork. The subject of art you recently
learned contributes in drawing the message conveyed by any piece of art. To fully
understand this concept, look at the painting below. The painting is a challenging
picture for you to interpret. What emotion do you feel from looking at the painting? Is it
anger, as the hand crumples some paper in a moment of disgust? Or is it sadness, as a
hand clutches a used Kleenex? What do you think?

Let’s take a look at the next painting by David Alfaro Siqueiros. Does it show the same
emotion depicted by the above painting? What does the painting tell you? What
elements show the person’s fighting back tears? Write your answers on the space
provided.
Images, figures, and elements found in any form of art point to art’s subject and even
to its content. All these components or details help you as a viewer analyze and
eventually derive at meanings that stem from your own experiences, knowledge, and
values. Analyzing an artwork can enhance your perception and your ability to translate
to others what you see. This also improves acuity and communication skills which are
useful in your future profession.

EXPLORE
Art is everywhere. We can see them in the park, street, walls, buildings, and the like. We
can simply look at it and say “I like it”. or Ï don’t like it”. We have predetermined notions
about it, but if we try to stop for a moment and take a deep breath, we might see
some details that we haven’t noticed before. We might be able to absorb those details
if we try to slow down a bit and see how these works of art are connected to our
personal lives.

Having the skills of seeing, perceiving, asking, reflecting, and knowing (SPARK),
you would be able to understand the meaning of any work of art. Content in art refers
to the meaning or message that is expressed or communicated by the artwork. These
may be communicated feelings, reactions, and ideas connected with the subject
(Ryall, 2009).
 In understanding the content of art, it is important to note the various levels of meaning
(Ortiz, 1978).
1. Factual Meaning is the literal statement of the work because of the recognizable
figures or images.

2. Conventional Meaning refers to a special meaning that a figure, color, line or image
has to a specific group or culture.

3. Subjective Meaning stems from the viewer’s or audience’s circumstance that comes
into play when engaging with art (what we know, what we learned, what we
experienced, and what values we stand for). When subjectivities are consulted, a
variety of meanings may arise when a particular work of art is read. Thus, meaning may
not be singular, rather multiple and varied.

To illustrate this, let’s take a look at the painting, Creation of Adam of Michelangelo in
1814.

This narrates a story in the Bible, thus, its subject is biblical art. In terms of its factual meaning,
literally it shows a creation story or the creation of man. This idea is extracted from the
identifiable and recognizable forms, elements, or images (naked Adam reclining,
background, God surrounded angels and floating, etc.) In terms of conventional
meaning, man is created in the image and likeness of God. This kind of interpretation
has been acknowledged by many viewers and scholars. The likeness of the actors in
the painting, leveling and other symbols contribute to this type of meaning. Lastly, the
subjective meaning is the endowment of intellect to man from God. Michelangelo’s
painting shows God is bestowing Adam with the gift of the intellect and that it is by
 using this great gift that man may reach his highest potential and bring all things his
mind develops into creation.

EXPLAIN
In identifying content, elements and form play important roles in bringing out what the
viewers should feel and how they experience these works of art. The conveyed
messages of these artworks come from the analysis of all their compositions. In order to
understand and apply this concept in the next part of the lesson, watch the analysis
done by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris in Goya’s Third of May in 1808. Visit this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QM-DfhrNv8 and pay attention to how they
interpret the compositions of the painting leading to its conveyed message. After
watching the video, write down three (3) images that contribute to the subjective
meaning of the painting and what these images stand for.

IMAGES MEANINGS

ELABORATE
The Spolarium is the most valuable oil-on-canvass painting by Juan Luna. With a size of
4.22 meters x 7.675 meters, it is the largest painting in the Philippines. This painting,
argued by many scholars was a metaphor for the state of the Philippines under the
Spanish rule.

It is an advantage to you to use this painting for understanding the differences of

meanings since you can relate to the constructs of the circumstances depicted by it.
This will serve as a formative evaluation prior to your graded task. First, study the
painting then write in the box all the objects, actors, images, elements you see. After
writing all those important components, analyze the following statements then identify
whether it is a factual meaning (F), conventional meaning (C), or subjective meaning
(S).
___1. The painting features fallen gladiators being dragged by Roman soldiers.

___2. The fallen gladiators who are being dragged in the painting are the Filipino
people, while the men dragging them are representative of the Spanish rule.

___3. It tells the Filipinos to rise up against the political oppression.

___4.The blood thirsty crowd to the left represents the social cancer on that time.

___5. An old man carries a torch perhaps searching for his son while a woman weeps
the death of her loved one.

___6.The Spolarium shows Filipinos’ social, moral, and political life.

___7.It shows humanity unredeemed, reason and aspiration in open fight with prejudice,
fanaticism, and injustice.

___8.The painting shows a tragic event.

___9.It is believed that the woman crouched on the right side of the painting is the
Mother Country or the Inang Bayan who weeps for her Philippines.

___10. On the left side of the painting, spectators ardently await their chance to strip off
the combatants of their metal helmets and other armory.
EVALUATE
Now that you know how to differentiate the levels of meaning, apply the concept by
studying the painting below. Give its factual, conventional, and subjective meanings in
the second column then write the images, elements, symbols, or forms with short
descriptions that help you come up with those meanings in the third column.

Types of Meaning Answers in 2-3 sentences Images/Elements/ Symbols/

Factual

Conventional

Subjective
 V. References
Antliff, M. & Leighten (2008) P. Sur quelques peintre, Les Marches du Sud-Ouest, June
1911, pp. 57-64 in A Cubism Reader, Documents and Criticism, 1906-1914, The University
of Chicago Press. Arsology. Retrived from https://artsology.com/emotion-in-art.php
Ingram, C. (2019). Art criticism steps for inspired art connections and conversations.
Retrieved from SPARK Distance Learning Art Curriculum Website:
https://artclasscurator.com/art-criticism-steps/
Kuczynski, P. (2004). Satirical painting [Painting]. Retrieved from
https://digitalsynopsis.com/inspiration/36-thought-provoking-paintings- pawel-
kuczynski
Luna, J. (1884). Spolarium [Painting]. Retrieved from
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spolarium.jpg
Michelangelo. (1814).The Creation of Adam [Painting]. Retrieved from
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/652185222174998529
Rayans, R. (2005). Art Talk (4th Ed.) Glencoe, Mc Graw Hill. CA. ISBN 0-07830599-3
Sachant, P. (Ed). Introduction to Art: Design, Context and Meaning. University of North
Georgia Press, Georgia. ISBN 978-1-940771-29-8
Zucker S.and Harris, B. (2015, July 26). Art historical analysis using Goya’s Third of May.
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QM-DfhrNv8
https://differencebtwn.com/what-is-the-difference-between-subject-and-content
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sac-artappreciation/chapter/oer-1-4/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P7E01VdPYk
https://arthearty.com/understanding-nonrepresentational-art-with-examples
https://kirstenleithviscom.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/comparing-old-and-original-art-
movements-surrealism/
https://mix106radio.com/he-says-his-ex-is-art-opp/
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/435723332668284521/
https://theartling.com/en/artzine/famous-surrealist-artists-asia/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/opinion/letters/coronavirus-poems.html
https://www.saatchiart.com/paintings/impressionism/nature/philippines