UNIT 1
INTRODUCTION
what is
humanities?
• Humanities are academic disciplines
that study aspects of human society
and culture.
• Scholars in the humanities are
"humanity scholars" or humanists.
• The term "humanist" also describes
the philosophical position of
humanism.
• The Renaissance scholars and artists
were also called humanists.
VITRUVIAN MAN
LEONARDO DA
VINCI
• symmetry and balance
• workings of the human body to
be an analogy for the workings
of the universe.
WHY STUDY HUMANITIES?
• As the word humanities came from the Latin “humanus” which
means human, cultured and refined, man is taught to be as what
the term exactly means: being cultured and refined;
• contains the records of man’s quest for answers
• studies man
• devoted to understanding the different phenomena within the
human cultural contexts
• how people process and document the human experience
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF HUMANITIES
• Human nature is inherently good.
• Individuals are free and are capable of making choices.
• Human potential for growth and development is virtually unlimited.
• Self-concept plays an important role in growth and development.
• Individuals have an urge for self actualization.
• Reality is defined by each person.
• Individuals have a responsibility to both themselves and to others.
WHAT IS ART?
• Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating
visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks),
expressing the author's imaginative, conceptual ideas,
or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their
beauty or emotional power.
• The three classical branches of art are painting, sculpture
and architecture.
• Music, theater, film, dance and other performing arts as
well as literature and other media such as interactive
media, are included in a broader definition of the arts.
• The nature of art and related concepts, such as creativity
and interpretation, are explored in a branch of philosophy
known as aesthetics.
NATURE OF THE ARTS
1. Art or arts is of Aryan root “ar” which means to join or put together and has its Latin
term being “sars” or “artis” which means everything that is artificially made or
composed by man (wikipedia)
2. Art constitutes one of the oldest and most important means of expression
developed by man.
3. It refers to the skillful arrangement or composition of some common but significant
qualities of nature such as sounds, colors, lines, movements, words, stone and wood
to express feelings, thoughts, imaginations and dreams in an amazing, meaningful
and enjoyable way. (Adams, 2002)
4. Art is subjective as it employs the use of perception, insights, feelings and intuition
5. It is the heightened expression of human dignity and weaknesses felt and shared so
powerfully in a world increasingly aware of its successes and failures 6. It is man’s
expression of himself as an individual and how he views his existence, and
7. Art also provides enjoyment and stimulation specially when people understand
them
FUNCTIONS OF
ART
• Express freely oneself;
• Socially express his need for display, celebration and
communication; and
• Physically express the need for utility of functional
objects.
FORMS OF ART
FUNCTIONAL ART NON-FUNCTIONAL ART
• created for use • seek to engage with the viewer on
• need for life to be better an intellectual, emotional or
• architecture,weaving, furniture- aesthetic level.
making • paintings, sculptures, music, dance,
literature, and theater
ARTS & PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy is the study of
general and fundamental
questions about existence,
knowledge, values, reason,
mind, and language.
Art is the study of beauty and
taste. It is used as a basis for
interpreting and evaluating
individual works of art
One cannot do away with
philosophy when explaining an art
work. Also, one cannot produce an
artwork without considering the
importance of the philosophy
behind its production
“Art is a Friendly Deception”
ARTISTIC PHILOSOPHERS
Plato Aristotle Immanuel Kant
PLATO
Art is imitation
Art is dangerous.
ARISTOTLE
Art as imitation or a
representation of
nature
IMMANUEL KANT
BEAUTY is a matter of TASTE
TASTE can be both
SUBJECTIVE and UNIVERSAL
ARTISTS V ARTISANS
S
Artist is a person An artisan is a skilled
engaged in an activity craft worker who makes
related to creating art, or creates things by hand
practicing the arts, or that may be functional or
demonstrating an art. strictly decorative.
ART FORMS
Architecture
represents human ideals in buildings
Sculpture
hard or plastic materials are worked into three-
dimensional art objects.
ART FORMS
Painting
the application of pigments to a support surface that
establishes an image, design or decoration.
Dance
the movement of the body in a rhythmic way,
usually to music and within a given space.
ART FORMS
Music
medium is sound.
Theater
performing art that uses live performers, typically actors
or actresses, to present the experience of a real or
imagined event before a live audience in a specific place,
often a stage
ART FORMS
Literature
collection of written work
APPRECIATING THE ARTS
1. Give a good physical description of the artwork based on
their knowledge of art elements and materials;
2. Analyze the artwork in terms of what the artist wants his
work to represent and the learner’s subjective reaction to the
works which includes their thoughts and feelings;
3. Perceive the art work in the context of its history. This would
enlighten the learners of the artist’s intention in doing the work
and add to the understanding of the meaning the work is
supposed to convey;
4. Give meaning to the artwork based on its description,
analysis and context; and
5. Judge the artwork as to whether it is good or bad based on
the learner’s perception of it and its aesthetic and cultural
value.
ART IS NOT
MEANT TO BE
LOOKED AT
ONLY FOR WHAT
IT IS.
ART IS HERE
TO STAY
THANK YOU!
