ETYMOLOGY AND DEFINITION
ART- Latin term “ars”; means skill, talent or ability; skill in making or doing something;
the expression of the creative skill and imagination in different genres for appreciation of
beauty and emotional power.
ARTIST- French word “artiste” and Spanish “artista” which means “performer; A person
engage in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating, practicing,
demonstrating an art.
3 MAJOR PHASES: THE CREATION OF ART
• The Creation of Ideas
• The Creation of Materials
• The Creation of Forms
THE FIELDS OF HUMANITIES
• PHILOSOPHY
• LITERATURE
• LANGUAGE
• MUSIC
• RELIGION
• HISTORY
• ART
HUMANITIES: As coined from the Latin words humanus and humanitas meaning humans,
the field of humanities provides human beings opportunity to think critically and creatively, in
order to understand the values and cultures of the world and to bring clarity to the future
(Standard Humanities Center, 2015). The study of humanities includes philosophy, history,
religion, art, literature, language and music, which can be remembered through the
mnemonics: (PHALLM philosophy, history, art, language, literature and music.
ART: Is at the center of the seven fields because this provides the enhancement of the
individual human potential. Linking art and the other fields of humanities is relevant to our
religious customs and lifestyles.
PHILOSOPHY: Philosophy is derived from the Greek words philos or, philein, which means
love and sophia, which means wisdom. Hence, philosophy is defined as the love of
wisdom.
HISTORY: History is derived from the Latin word historia, which means to scribble and record
the events in the past. His intertwines with the development of civics for a democratic
citizenship. These two fields enhance either logical or sequential thinking, which is essential
to the artist's imagination and expression in the arts.
RELIGION: Religion is derived from the Latin word religare or religio, which means to bind.
It is a form of obligation that binds the faithful with one Divine power. Religion enhances the
art of meditation and reflection for discernment, good judgment, self-control, fortitude, and
sound decision-making process of the artist.
LITERATURE: Is a derivative of the Latin word litera or literatura, which means letter or
knowledge of books. It concentrates on the study of fiction like myths, epics, folktales, short
stories, poems, and drama. Non-fiction deals with prose and narratives in essays, news,
research, technical reports and other printed media that depict cultural implications of people's
life in the society.
Literature enhances the art of writing and reading of an individual. Not only are these arts
essential indicators to basic literacy of the world's humans population, these also promote
appreciation of beauty of the intangible cultures and urban legends.
LANGUAGE: From the Latin word lingua, which means tongue, language provides avenues
for better communication using the art of speaking and listening. Oration, declamation, story-
telling, news reporting and public speaking are the techniques for auditory art.
MUSIC: From the Greek word mousa, which means muse and the Latin word Musa which
denotes the goddess of music, to represent song or poetry for appreciation of beauty brings
the etymology of music.
ART GENRES
Classification of Art
• Verbal Art- include literature and oratory, which use words and language such as
poetry, fiction and essay.
• Non-verbal Art- use no words but motor skills. Motor skills can be classified into two-
fine and gross. Arts utilize the use of the dexterity of the hands and fingers or fine
motor skills demonstrated in musical compositions, drawing, architecture, graphic arts,
fashion design, lithography, painting, engraving, weaving and other handicrafts while
interior design, ceramics or pottery, film-making, photography art use gross motor or
body skills.
• Mixed Art- utilizes the combined elements of verbal and non-verbal arts such as the
advertisement or commercial purpose, theater and drama, opera, song and dance or
the performing arts and cinema. This combination enhances the auditory art of music
and sounds in the performances of these arts.
FUNCTIONS OF ART
All arts have functions, for man, the maker, creates things because he has a particular need
for them.
• PERSONAL FUNCTION- Some creations or artworks created by artists for personal
reasons also serve a motivated purpose such as for communication, for
entertainment/pleasure, and even for psychological and healing purposes. Arts are
vehicles for the artists' expression of their feelings and ideas. The arts also serve as
means of expression for us. The therapeutic value of music cannot be ignored. Works
of art make us aware of other ways of thinking, feeling, and imagining that have never
occurred to us before.
• SOCIAL FUNCTION- One cannot conceive of a society. without art, for art is closely
related to every aspect of social life.
Arts perform a social function when:
1. Influences Social Behavior - It seeks or tends to influence the collective behavior
of a people.
2. Display and Celebration- It is created to be seen or used primarily in public
situation.
One function of sculpture and painting is the commemoration of important
personages in society. The statues of national heroes that grace our parks and
plazas are commemorative works as are the commissioned paintings of leaders or
rulers. Often they serve to record important historical events, or reveal the ideals
of heroism and leadership that the community would want the young to emulate.
3. Social Description - It expresses or describes social or collective aspects of
existence as opposed to individual and personal kind of experiences. Art may
convey message of protest or whatever message the artist intends work to carry.
• PHYSICAL FUNCTION- Tools and containers are objects which function to make our
lives physically, comfortable. Functional works. of art may be classified as either tools
or containers.
1. Form and Function- The function of an object is generally determines in the basic
form that it takes. A chair is so designed as to allow the seated body to rest
comfortably on it. The shapes, sizes, and different parts are harmoniously related
to one another and integrated into an object that fulfills and tells about their
particular purpose.
2. Architecture- The design of the building is determined primarily by its operational
function. What is the building for? Who are going to use it? How many are they?
The design that a building takes is also adapted to the climate of the region. The
architect must take the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of the family
into account when he designs a house.
3. Community Planning- A community is more than just a group of buildings. It is a
group of individuals and families living in a particular locality because of common
interest and needs. Community planning involves the efficient organization of
buildings, roads, and spaces so that they meet the physical and aesthetic needs
of the community.
4. Function and Beauty- A community is more than just a group of buildings. It is a
group of individuals and families living in a particular locality because of common
interest and needs. Community planning involves the efficient organization of
buildings, roads, and spaces so that they meet the physical and aesthetic needs
of the community.
PURPOSE OF ART
Art allows expression of the individuality of the artist. Through artistic endeavors, people can
share what is important to them with others and can learn about the values of feelings of those
sharing art with them. Some of the purpose of art are the following (Marcos, et al., 2011)
1. Create Beauty- Artist has considered nature as the standard of beauty.
2. Provide Decoration- Works of art have been used to create pleasing environment.
3. Reveal Truth- Artist have pursued truth and attempted to reveal about how the world
looks.
4. Immortalize- An artist can defy mortality by creating a work that will keep his talents
in the people's consciousness.
5. Express Values- Art has been used to express hopes to symbolize great religious
event.
6. Commemorate Experience- Art serves to personal experiences of an artist and
convey the record his impression in his works.
7. Create Harmony- An artist makes use of composition to put order in the diverse
content of his work.
CLASSIFICATION OF ART
A. Visual Arts- These refer to those forms of art that create works which are primarily visual
in
nature.
1. Painting- it is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a
surface with a brush or other object.
2. Sculpture- It is a three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard
materials (typically stone such as marble or metal, glass or wood).
3. Architecture- It is the art of designing and erecting buildings and other hysical
structures.
4. Drawing- It is a visual art that makes use of any number of drawing instruments to
mark two-dimensional medium.
5. Photography- It is an art of creating portraits by recording radiation on a radiation-
sensitive medium, such as a photographic film, or electronic image sensors.
B. Performing Arts- These refers to those forms of art that artist's own body, face,use and
presence as a medium.
1. Theatre (Drama) - It is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to
present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific
place.
2. Music - It is an art form the medium of which is sound and silence.
3. Dance- It is an form of movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as
a form of expression, social interaction, or presented in a spiritual or performance
setting.
4. Film- it is a moving pictures ( the art form that records performances visually).
5. Installation Art- It is the merging of multiple genres into a coherent three-dimensional,
multi-sensory work.
6. Opera- An art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining
text ( called a libretto) and musical score.
7. Stagecraft- It is a technical aspect of theatrical, film, and video production. It includes,
but is not limited to, constructing and rigging scenery, hanging and focusing of lighting,
design and procurement of costumes, makeup, and procurement props, stage
management, and recording and mixing of sound.
C. Literary Arts- These arts are primarily centered on creative writing and the other
composition processes which intended to be read. These include prose and poetry (e.g.
novels, short stories, sonnet, ballad, epic, essay).
THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
According to the National Art Education Association (1994), knowing and practicing the arts
disciplines are fundamental to the healthy and development of students' minds and spirits.
Arts are inseparable from the very meaning of the term education. We know from long
experience that no one can claim to be truly educated who lacks basic knowledge and skills
in the arts.
LISTED BELOW ARE THE REASONS FOR THIS DECLARATION:
1. Arts are worth studying- Arts have served to connect our imaginations with the
deepest questions of human existence.
2. Arts are used to achieve a multitude of human purposes- Arts help to present
issues and ideas, to teach or persuade, to entertain, to decorate or please. Becoming
literate in the arts helps students understand and do these things better.
3. Arts are integral to every person's daily life- Our personal, social, economic, and
cultural environments are shaped by the arts at every turn.
4. Arts offer unique sources of enjoyment and refreshment- Arts explore
relationships between ideas and objects and serve as links between thought and
action. Their continuing gift is to help see and grasp life in new ways.
5. Arts help students develop POSITIVE attitudes- Arts teach self- discipline, reinforce
self-esteem, and foster the thinking skills and creativity so valued in the workplace.
They teach the importance of teamwork and cooperation.
