Romeo Padilla School of Education &

Arts
BSN2

BSN
(Art Appreciation)
Module 1
Concepts and General Overview of Humanities
I. INTRODUCTION
Meaning and Importance of Humanities
Etymologically, the term “Humanities” is from a Latin word
humanus which means educated. It refers to the learning of arts
such as architecture, dance, literature, music, painting, theatre,
and sculpture (Sanches, 2011). They are branches of knowledge
that focuses on the human opinions, and relationships (Machlis, 2003).
As a branch of learning, the artwork is considered as the material object
while its creativity and appreciation is the formal object (Menoy, 2009 & Marcos,
et al., 2010). Likewise, Humanities is more concerned on how a person expresses
his/her feelings. These feelings can be in facial manifestations or body
movements. Laughing, crying, clenching our fists, curling our toes,
stretching out our fingers, and crossing our arms are representations of
humanities (Menoy, 2009).
As we explore Humanities and the arts, understanding their origins and
importance sets the stage. Moving forward, the following learning objectives will
help you grasp their essence and significance.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
a. appreciate the importance of Humanities and Arts Appreciation in every
individuals’ life;
b. recognize the certain purpose of arts as well as its classification and
discuss their characteristics; and
c. gain a general knowledge of creation and function of arts.
II. PRE- DISCUSSION ACTIVITY
Guide Question/s:
INITIAL TASK
1. Observe the quotation above. Do you agree
with Dr. Albert Barnes?
2. What does the
quotation implies? How can “Appreciation of works of art requires organized effort
you relate it to yourself? and systematic study”
-Dr. Arbert C. Barnes
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III.DISCUSSION
Functions of Arts
From the very beginning, arts have been part of human history. It described,
defined, and deepened the human experience. In the Prehistoric period for example,
peoples performed songs and dances to gratify their ancestors. Likewise, hunters
brushed different figures on the walls of caves to depict their day to day
experiences. Arts also serve several functions which are item outcome to its
purpose (Menoy, 2009), namely:

1. Individual Function- The artists perform arts because of the passion of their
respective art forms. A singer presents a concert for free because of his advocacy
and the love of singing. For example, Regine Velaquez (Asia’s Songbird) is well-
known for possessing extensive vocal range.
2. Social Function- Man associates with others through his art performance that
arouses social consciousness. Examples of this association are the choral singing,
group dancing, public art exhibits and other practices.
3. Economic Functions- Arts are emerging as a potent force in the economic life
of people assumes an essential role as a direct and indirect contributor to state
economies. Example of this is by generating economic vitality in under-performing
regions through crafts, tourism, and cultural attractions.
4. Political Functions- Art provides a forum for ideas that will lead to
employment, prestige, status, and power. During election period, for example, the
candidates created their artworks (poster) which expresses their propaganda,
agendas and political views about making a stable society.
5. Historical Functions- Art is an essential technique for information to be
recorded and preserved. It serves to document or reconstruct historical figure and
events. Most arts that are in Museums, for example, are filled with amazing stories
about the world most excellent and most creative people who brought us the
 Romeo Padilla School of Education &
Arts
BSN2

treasures. By looking at a work of art’s colors, materials, and symbolism, we can

learn about the story and culture that produced it in the past.

6. Cultural Functions- Art is an articulation and transmission of new information

and values. Example, when you think of Manila, you probably think of Fort Santiago,
Luneta Park, and its world-renowned churches, or the famous Intramuros.
7. Physical Functions- Buildings are artistically designed and constructed to
protect their occupants and make their life inside more meaningful. Architects,
Industrial and Graphic Designers, and Interior Decorators share responsibility in
building environment that balance forms and functions.
8. Aesthetic Functions- Any artwork means beauty. It is visual spice for gracefully
adorned interiors and can bring out the most elegant features of different décor
elements. It reasonably reproduced visual images which communicate through
fantastic persuasions and meaningful words.

Purpose of Art
Creativity or imagination is the primary basis of art. Art is created when an
artist produces a stimulating experience that is considered by his audience to have
artistic merit. The artwork is the visual expression of an idea or experience of an
artist, through the use of a medium (Frank, 2011). It allows expression of the
individuality of the artist. Through artistic endeavors, we can share what is
important to us with others and can learn about the values of feelings of those
sharing art with us. Some purposes of art are the following (Marcos et al., 2011).
1. Create Beauty- Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, and intuitions. It
is the communication of concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words
alone. The Artist has considered nature as the standard of beauty. The example of
beauty can be in a snowy mountain scene, and the art is the photograph of it shown
to the family.
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2. Provide Decoration- Artworks are used to create a pleasing environment. It is intended to

beautify things to please and amuse the viewers through its colors and patterns.

3. Reveal Truth- Artwork helped to pursue truth and attempted to reveal about
how the world works. It is a kind of language that allows artists to send a message
to the souls of the recipients that help change their attitudes, their sensibility, and
their ethics.
4. Express Values- Arts can illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional
world. Through arts, the artist will be encouraged to develop their creativity,
challenge, and communication skills. It also promotes self- esteem and wellness.
6. Commemorate Experience- Art serves to convey the personal experiences of
an artist and record his impression in his work.
7. Create Harmony- An artist makes use of the composition to put an order in the
diverse content of his work and refers to the use of colors, shapes and other
elements to create a pleasing or balanced effect.

TASK 1

Directions: Given the picture below, observe and come up with inference by writing
a 2-3 sentences. Identify what function of art and purpose of art may apply below
and discuss why?
 Romeo Padilla School of Education &
Arts
BSN2

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Classification of Art

1. Visual Arts – these arts are those forms that create works which are primarily
visual (forms perceived by the eyes). The man can take the beauty of nature
through a piece of paper so that other people may take time appreciating the
image. Examples of these arts include:

a. Mona Lisa b. The Thinker c. Philippine International Convention d. Drawings e. Photography

(Painting) (Sculpture) Center (PICC)
(Sculpture)
a. Painting – form of visual art aims to evoke an emotion from the viewers. It
is practiced by applying colors or other media to a surface with a brush or
other objects.
b. Sculpture – this form of visual arts characterized as the art of representing
an imagined or observed objects in hard materials such as glass, metals,
wood, and ice in three dimensions.
c. Architecture- this form of art provides us the physical structure we lived.
It is a profound expression of human culture in particular period.
d. Drawings – this form of art enhances the way we see the world around
and condition us to capture its details in a two dimensions medium.
e. Photography – this form of arts are arts is a process of creating portrait
by recording radiation on a radiation-sensitive medium, such as electronic
image sensor or photographic films and sensor.
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2. Performing Arts - these arts are those form in which the artistic used his/her
own body face, and presence as a medium. Example of these are:

a. Moro-moro d. Music Streaming Application c. Hip-Hop b. Indie Film (Lola Igna)

(Theatre) (Music) (Dance) Film

a. Theatre (Drama) This form of art are uses performers to present

experiences of a real or imagined events in a specific time and place.
b. Music- This form of art helps to express our mood and feel the way
through our emotions and ideas.
c. Dance – this form of art is expressed through body movement which
entails social interaction, or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.
d. Film – This form of art allows us to explore the complexities of the human
situations. This is used to work out our emotions, to make history comes alive.

Junyee, 1st 'Bantayog-Wika', public monument installed in Antique, Junyee, 'Wood Things', 1981, installation view.
e. Installation art – The fundamental nature of this form of art is the
participation of the spectators. In this work of art, viewers become active and
navigate the work in an environment that they can experience visually. It also
has the capacity of passing on particular information about any significant
event around the world and interactively represents documentary issues.
Above is an example of installation art in the
Philippines.
f. Opera- This form of art helps to tell stories through
music. This is also performed with a full orchestra
composed of the various musical instrument sections.
In this art form, singers and musicians perform a
dramatic work by combining text (called a libretto) and
musical score.

f. La Scala, Milan, Italy

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g. Stagecraft- This form of art is a technical aspect of theatrical production.

This includes constructing and arranging scenery, hanging and focusing of
lighting, the design of costumes, makeup, and procurement of props, stage
management and recording and mixing of sound.

3. Literary Arts- These arts centered on creative writing and other composition
processes which intended to read. These include prose and poetry (e.g., novels,
short stories, sonnet, ballad, epic, and essay).

Literary Art Genres