Lesson 1
ancient and modern languages, literature, philosophy,
ART AND HUMANITIES
Meaning, Importance, and Scope of Humanities
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 expression or application of human creative
skill and imagination, typically in a visual form
such as painting or sculpture, producing works to
be appreciated primarily for their beauty or
emotional power.
Humanities = Latin humanus, which means
human, cultured, and refined.
HUMANITIES
 To be human is to have or show qualities like
rationality, kindness, and tenderness.
 Unlike other subjects, it is not group of scientific
or technical subjects.
 The humanities are studies about human culture,
such as literature, philosophy, and history.
 Humanities, those branches of knowledge that
concern themselves with human beings and
their culture or with analytic and critical methods
of inquiry derived from an appreciation of human
values and of the unique ability of the human
spirit to express itself. (britannica.com)
 Humanities embrace literature, languages, music
and art history and philosophy.
 Concerned with the thoughts, creations, and
actions of man in the past and in the present.
 They tell man about his roots, his origin, his
neighbours, himself.
Arts and Humanities
The Arts and Humanities include the disciplines of
visual and performing arts. These disciplines explore,
share, and recreate expressions of the human
experience.
HUMANITIES
Refers to the arts :
 Visual arts such as architecture, painting, and
sculpture; music, dance, the theater or drama, and
literature.
 They are branches of learning concerned with
human thought, feelings, and relations.
 The importance of the human being and his
feelings and how he express those feelings have
always been the concern of the humanities.
 Art, like love is not easy to define. It concerns
itself with the communication of certain ideas and
feelings by means of a sensous medium – color,
sound, bronze, marble, words, film, and
literature.
 This medium is fashioned into a symbolic
language marked by beauty of design and
coherence of form.
 It appeals to our minds, arouses our emotions,
kindles our imagination, and enchants our sense
(Machlis, 1963)
Visual Art
The art that we perceive through our eyes and
architecture is part of it.
Involves not only painting and sculpture but includes
things such as:
 Visual Arts include much more than painting,
sculpture, and architecture. Out of the many
common things we use in our daily lives, we
derive real pleasure.
 A chair for example, can be beautiful as well as
comfortable.
 A great range of objects can be included in the
visual arts, from purely useful products at one
extreme to those that were designed for aesthetic
appeal on the other.
 Because of this range, we are surrounded by art
in all these things we see, hear, do, or use. The
Aesthetic aspects of any work, a painting, song,
story, dance, or play- are what make art.
 Aesthetics refers to the forms and psychological
forms of art.
MUSIC
 Art of combining and regulating sounds of
varying pitch to produce compositions expressing
various ideas and emotions.
 Primary function is to entertain.
 Thus when sounds are not regulated or when a
piece of music is played improperly or in full
blast, as in case of unrelated stereo , it ceases to
give pleasure or it fails in its purpose.
 Great artwork of our civilization along with
literature , painting, sculpture architecture, and
dance
 Deals with emotion. It’s being a “pure heart”
enables it convey emotions with great intensity
and can affect people directly.
 Great music especially, radiates infectious joy.
 The song we sing may be a tune which is popular
now but may possibly be forgotten later. It may
be a selection which has been sung or played for
several years.
Dance
 Most direct of the arts for it makes use of the
human body as its medium.
 Dance heightens the pleasure of being, and at the
same time mirrors the life of society.
Primitive and Non-Primitive Dance
Ifugaos dance
To celebrate the victory of the warriors after a fight
with their enemies.
Bagobos dance
to show gratitude to the spirits “for success war or
domestic affair”.
Indian Dance
To give thanks for a harvest
Mexican dance
To celebrate religious festival
Teenagers dance Parties
Disco = both old and young
Children dance everywhere because it is pleasurable
to express happiness through bodily movements.
Drama
 Drama activities are usually part of every school
and community program.
 Classes dramatize the events they are studying:
 Clubs ,Organizations and Institutions stage plays.
Drama
 Motion picture popular addition to the various
forms of the theater.
 Radio – makes drama available for the Auditory
sense and imagination.
 Television – brings art of the drama to many
people.
Play
 Form of literature.
Scenery and costume provide the visual arts and
music may serve as background to set the mood
or to serve as the part of the plot.
 Opera
Is a drama set to music. It is a form of the theater.
What The Arts Have Common?
 The most basic relationship is that the arts are
concerned with emotions with our feelings about
things.
 Exciting, Lovely and Stirring
 People experience excitement, pleasure, anger,
and all other emotional states in a way which is
very different from their intellectual responses.
 Emotions are part of our basic nature.
Artist
 The person who exhibits exceptional skills in
design, drawing, painting and the like who
works in one of the performing arts, like an actor
or musician.
 More sensitive and creative
 When he sees or learns something that impresses
him, he expresses himself in one medium or
another so that the others may understand it too.
Creator and Performers
A composer writes a song to be sung by talented
singers.
A dramatist or playwright writes a play to be staged by
a company of actors.
A choreographer composes a ballet or sequence
which will be performed by a troupe of dancers.
 A song cannot be considered complete until it
has been sung; or a ballet until it has been
danced.
 Individual interpretations to their performers.
Two great actors may play the same role in
Florante at Laura yet it gives vastly different
interpretations; two dancers may dance the same
ballet but render it quite differently.
 Thus, in the performing arts, the ideas and the
interpretations of the performer are added to the
original ideas of the creator. This dual
contribution gives added richness and meaning
to these fields of arts.
 The creative artists communicate directly with
the observer.
Lesson 2
Arts and humanities
The work of the creative artist
 Creativity is an artist trait developed in the course
of his life to solve problems or express his
feelings.
 His continuing reaction to emerging conditions of
nature and social life gives birth to new ideas and
new methods. These in turn, he uses to overcome
difficulties which in the process of confrontation
with reality, give the solution to a vision, create
art, or activate social transformation.
The process of creativity
Artist as the prime mover, communicating his ideas
through the performer, as his interpreter to the
audience.
The process of creation
The IDEA
 Artists are highly sensitive persons specially
aware of the things that surround them.
They notice the sounds, colors, and movements
of people and things.
 A study of arts is the study of humankind, for
through the arts we can discover man’s major
interests, feelings, and problems through the ages.
 The art of the ancient Egypt shows clearly how
the people of that time were pre occupied with
the life after death, for many of their most
impressive monuments were erected as tombs for
the pharaohs. (Compton’s Encyclopedia, Vol 3,
1974)
THE MATERIAL AND PROCESS
 The second phase of creation in art concerns the
material which the artist uses to give form to his
idea.
 A painter uses pigments; a sculptor uses stone,
metal or wood; an architect, various building
materials. An author uses words; a composer,
musical sounds which he sets down as notes. A
choreographer uses people and their movements
as the materials for his creations.
ORGANIZATION AND FORM
 The third phase of creating is organizing the idea
and giving it form in the selected material.
 Artists have developed a host of different forms
to express ideas they work on.
 Style refers to the development of forms on art
that is related to particular historical periods.
 Forms in the space arts are often symmetrically
balanced in their design; that is, the two sides of
the object are identical.
 The symmetrical balance tends to emphasize the
center, creating a logical focal point for
something one wishes to emphasize.
 Asymmetrical balance is the kind of organization
found in the most paintings and others two-
dimensional graphic works. Here, the forms and
colors on one side are balanced by different
forms and colors on the other.
VISUAL ARTS
The visual arts are those that we perceive with our
eyes. They may be classified into (two dimensional-
surface) and plastic arts (three dimensional arts).
A. Graphic Arts
I. Painting
Art of creating meaningful effects on a flat surface by
the use of pigments.
The materials of the painter are pigments applied to
wet plaster, canvas, wood, or paper.
II. Drawing
Is the art of representing something by lines made on a
surface or the process of portraying an object, scene or
forms of decorative or symbolic meaning through
lines, shading, and textures in one or more colors.
Mediums used include pencil, pen and ink, crayon,
brush, and charcoal.
III. Graphic Process
These are processes for making multi-reproduction of
graphic works. All processes involve the preparation
of a master image of the drawing or the design on
something durable material such as wood, metal, or
stone from which printing is done. Processes may be
classified by the nature of the surface from which the
printing is done: raised (relief); depressed (intaglio); or
flat (surface, or plane).
a. Relief Printing
the process whereby unwanted portions of design are
cut away on the master image. Printed image is
formed by the remaining surface.
e.g. linoleum cuts, woodcuts, and wood engravings.
Japanese prints are made from woodcuts.
b. Intaglio
Is a method of printing from a palate on which incised
lines, which carry the ink, leave a raised impression.
1. Dry point. The artist draws directly on a metal plate
with a sharp needle and scratches lines, or grooves,
into the metal. For each print, ink is rubbed into the
grooves and the unscratched surface is wiped clean. In
printing, the ink in the grooves is transferred to paper.
2. Etching. This is the art or process of producing
drawings or designs on metal plates covered with wax.
The needle penetrates wax to the surface of the plate.
The plate is then dipped in acid, which eats the lines
into the metal. For printing, etched (bitten) lines are
filled with ink which transferred to the paper.
3. Engraving. This is done on a metal plate with a
cutting tool called a barin, which leaves a V-shaped
trough. Drawings or designs on the plate are entirely
composed of lines and/or dots.
c. Surface Printing
includes all processes in which printing is done from a
flat (plane) surface.
1. Lithography is the art or process of printing from a
flat stone or metal plate by a method based on
repulsion between grease and water. The design is put
on the surface. The surface is then treated so that the
ink adheres only to areas where drawing has been
done; ink is then transferred to the paper printing.
2. Silkscreen. Silk is stretched over a rectangular
frame and unwanted portions in the design are blocked
out. Pigment is forced through the clear areas. For
multi color prints, a separate screen is used for each
color.
IV. Commercial Art
This includes designing of books, advertisements,
signs, posters, and other displays to promote sale or
acceptance of product, service or idea.
V. Mechanical Processes
These are developed by commercial printers for rapid,
large-quantity reproduction of words and pictures in
one more colors.
VI. Photography
This is a chemical-mechanical process by which
images are produced on sensitized surfaces by actions
by action of light. Reproductions may be in black or
white or in full colors of the original.
B. Plastic Arts
This group includes all fields of the visual arts in
which materials are organized into three-dimensional
forms.
Architecture
Is the art of designing and constructing buildings and
other types of structures. Varied materials used
include stone, concrete, brick, wood, steel, glass, and
plaster.
Landscape Architecture
Is planning outdoor areas for human use and
enjoyment, especially gardens, parks, playgrounds,
golf courses. Chief materials are plants, trees, shrubs,
City Planning
This refers to planning and arranging the physical
aspects of a large or small community. Structures and
areas concerned with all phases of living and working
are attractively and efficiently organized and related.
Interior Design
The term is used to designate design and arrangement
of architectural interiors for convenience and beauty.
It includes backgrounds (walls, floors, ceilings),
furnishings and accessories.
Design of wallpapers, furniture, textiles for curtains
and upholstery are important fields of interior design.
Sculpture
Refers to the design and construction if three-
dimensional forms representing natural objects or
imaginary (sometimes abstract) shapes.
Common materials are stone, wood, clay, and metal;
but ivory, jade, wire, string, and other materials are
also used. Sculptures of figures are called statues.
Crafts
The term refers to the designing and making of objects
by hand for use or for pleasure. It includes such fields
as ceramics, jewelry, leatherwork, and weaving. If
these fields are mass-produced, they are classed as
industrial design.
Industrial Design
Refers to design of objects for machine production.
Examples are designs for automobiles and household
appliances.
Dress and Costume Design
This covers the design of wearing apparel of all types :
dresses, coats, suits, shoes, ties, and the like.
Theater Design
Is the design of settings for dramatic productions.
Literature
The art of combining spoken or written words and
their meanings onto forms which have artistic and
emotional appeal.
Drama
Is a form of literature. It is listed or defined in the next
page.
Essay
This is non-fiction, expository (descriptive or
explanatory) writing ranging from informal, personal
topics to closely reasoned critical treatments of
important subjects.
Prose Fiction
It includes narratives (stories) created by the author, as
distinguished from true accounts. The word fiction
comes from the Latin word which means “to form”,
“to invent”, or “to feign”.
Fiction is generally divided into novel, novelette, and
short story forms. A novel or a short story describes
characters and events which the author has invented.
Poetry
Is a literature of a highly expressive nature using
special forms and choice of words and emotional
images. Narrative (story telling) poetry, includes epics,
romances, and ballads. Lyric forms include the sonnet,
ode, elegy, and song.
Miscellaneous
History, biography, letters, or journals, diaries, and
other works not formally classed as literature often
have definite literary appeal and status due to the high
quality of the writing.
Music
Is the art of arranging sounds in rhythmic succession
and generally in combination. Music is both a creative
and a performing art.
Common forms are song, march, fugue, sonata, suite,
fantasy, concerto, and symphony.
Vocal Music
Is composed primarily to be sung. The voice/s are
generally accompanied by one or more instruments.
Instrumental Music
Four general types
Keyboard (piano, organ); stringed (violin, cello,
guitar); wind (flute, clarinet); brass winds, (trumpet,
saxophone); percussion (drums, xylophone)
Music Combined with Other Arts
Opera
Is a drama set to music. It is mostly or entirely sung
with orchestral accompaniment. It is spectacularly
staged with accomplished singers, elaborate scenery
and costumes.
Operetta and Musical Comedy
This is also a set of drama set to music but is light,
popular, romantic, and often humorous or comic.
Operetta use spoken dialogue instead of recitative.
Oratorio and Cantata
These are sacred musical drama in concert form.
These are made up of recited parts (recitative), aria,
and choruses, with orchestral accompaniment. No
action, sets, and costumes are used. Oratories are
usually based on Biblical themes.
Other forms of arts are the ballet music and
background music for notion.
Drama and theatre
A drama or play is a story re-created by actors on a
stage in front of an audience.
Tragedy
This is one of literature’s greatest dramatic art forms.
It is a drama of serious nature in which the central
character comes to some sad or disastrous end. All
tragedies portray suffering.
Melodrama
The emphasis is on action rather on character.
The action is sensational or romantic and usually has a
happy ending.
Comedy
Generally includes all plays with happy endings.
a. Romantic Comedy is a light, amusing tale of lovers
in some dilemma which is finally solved happily.
b. Farce is a light, humorous play. The emphasis in a
farce is on jokes, humorous physical action, ludicrous
situations, and improbable characters.
c.Comedy of Manners sometimes called “drawing
room comedy” is sophisticated, sometimes satirical.
The characters are usually high-society types, and
situations have a little to do with real life. The
emphasis here is on witty dialogue.
Miscellaneous
a. Tragicomedy
A drama blending tragic and comic elements but
which ends happily.
b. Miracle and Mystery Plays
Are dramatized stories from the Bible and of the lives
of Saints.
c. Morality Plays
Are those in which characters represent specific vices
and virtues.
d. Closet Drama
Is a term used to designate plays written for reading
rather than staging.
e. Piano Drama
Is based on piano works which revolve around the
musical pieces composed under the inspiration of a
literary work. This piano drama which is a recent
innovation is combining the interpretation of music
with the recitation of poetry and the literary source of
the music.
Dance

Involves the movement of the body and the feet in

rhythm.

Ethnologic

This includes folk dancing associated with national

and cultural groups.

Social or Ballroom Dances

These are popular types of dancing generally

performed by pairs. They include such forms as waltz,
foxtrot, rumba, and tango.

The Ballet

This is the formalized type of dance which is

originated in the royal courts of the Middle Ages.

Ballet dances may either be solo or concerted dances

with mimetic actions accompanied by music. These
are generally built around a theme or story.

Modern

Are sometimes called contemporary or interpretative

dances. These dances represent rebellion against the
classical formalism of ballet: they emphasize personal
communication of moods and themes. In the past,
movements usually based on the current trend.

Musical Comedy

Refers to those dances performed by soloists, groups,

choruses in the theaters, nights clubs, motion picture,
and television. It combines various forms of ballet,
modern, tap, and acrobatic.