The Assumptions of Art | Art Appreciation

Summary

This video delves into the fundamental assumptions of art appreciation: art's universality, its distinction from nature, and the experiential aspect of creation. It illustrates art's pervasive presence across cultures and time, debunks the myth that age defines art's value, and highlights the necessity of personal experience in the creative process. Examples from global art pieces and a Philippine TV series underscore the video's points, encouraging viewers to reflect on their understanding of art.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Art is considered universal because it is present in every country and generation, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries.
• 🖼️ Famous artworks such as 'Spoliarium' from the Philippines, 'Mona Lisa' from France, 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' from Japan, and 'The Scream' from Norway exemplify the global presence of art.
• 🕰️ Age is not a determinant of art's value; rather, art is deemed valuable because of its quality, which allows it to endure through time.
• 🎨 Art is a human creation that expresses individual interpretations and receptions of nature, often involving imaginative distortions or modifications of reality.
• 🌿 The distinction between art and nature is clear: nature is a divine creation, while art is a human-made expression reflecting one's perception of nature.
• 📺 Examples from popular culture, like the Philippine TV series 'Encantadia,' illustrate how art diverges from nature by incorporating fantastical elements that do not exist in reality.
• 🤹‍♂️ Art involves experience and practical knowledge; one cannot be an artist without understanding and engaging in the process of creating art.
• 💃 For instance, a choreographer must know how to dance, a sculptor must be familiar with tools like a chisel, and a painter must know how to handle a paintbrush.
• 👩‍🎨 The assumption that 'art involves experience' underscores the importance of hands-on involvement and skill in the creation of art.
• 📝 This video aims to clarify three key assumptions about art: its universality, its distinction from nature, and the experiential aspect of artistic creation.

Q & A

What is the first assumption about art discussed in the video?

The first assumption discussed is that 'ART IS UNIVERSAL.' It suggests that art is a constant presence across every country and generation.

How does the video explain the universality of art?

The video explains the universality of art by citing examples of famous paintings from different countries like the 'Spoliarium' from the Philippines, 'Mona Lisa' from France, 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' from Japan, and 'The Scream' from Norway.

What is the misconception about art that the video aims to clarify?

The video clarifies the misconception that art is only considered valuable if it is old, stating that 'An art is not good because it is old, but old because it is good.'

What is the second assumption about art mentioned in the script?

The second assumption is that 'ART IS NOT NATURE.' It is an expression by humans of their interpretation of nature, not a creation of nature itself.

How does the video use the example of the TV series 'Encantadia' to illustrate the assumption that art is not nature?

The video uses 'Encantadia' to show that art can involve fantastical elements, like powerful gems controlling elements, which do not exist in reality, thus demonstrating that art is a creative interpretation rather than a replication of nature.

What is the third assumption about art discussed in the video?

The third assumption is that 'ART INVOLVES EXPERIENCE.' It implies that art is an experience that requires practical knowledge and execution of the craft.

Can you provide an example from the video that illustrates the assumption that art involves experience?

The video gives examples such as one cannot be a choreographer without knowing how to dance, a sculptor without knowing how to use a chisel, or a painter without knowing how to handle a paintbrush.

How does the video address the idea that locally produced TV series and movies in the Philippines are unrealistic?

The video refutes the contention that locally produced TV series and movies are unrealistic by stating that art involves creative imagination influenced by nature, which may include distortions or modifications of reality.

What does the video suggest about the relationship between the age of art and its value?

The video suggests that the age of art is not a determining factor of its value, as it is the quality of the art that makes it endure through time.

What is the significance of the famous paintings mentioned in the video in relation to the assumptions about art?

The famous paintings mentioned serve as examples that art is universal and timeless, as they are appreciated across cultures and have stood the test of time due to their artistic merit.

How does the video encourage viewers to engage with the content after presenting the assumptions about art?

The video encourages viewers to engage by inviting them to leave comments, sharing their insights and furthering the discussion on the assumptions of art.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Art's Universality and Timelessness

This paragraph introduces the first assumption of art: its universality. Art is considered universal because it is present in every country and generation, transcending time and cultural boundaries. The script uses examples of famous paintings from the Philippines, France, Japan, and Norway to illustrate this point. It emphasizes that art is not defined by its age but by its quality, as stated by the quote 'An art is not good because it is old, but old because it is good.' The paragraph concludes by asserting that the creation of art is not limited by time or place, and that great works of art continue to exist because of their inherent value.

Keywords

💡Art Appreciation

Art Appreciation is the ability to understand and value works of art. It involves recognizing the aesthetic qualities and the cultural or historical significance of art pieces. In the video, Art Appreciation serves as the overarching theme, guiding the discussion on the assumptions of art, which are fundamental to understanding and appreciating art from various cultures and time periods.

💡Universal

The term 'universal' in the context of the video refers to the idea that art is a common and pervasive aspect of human culture across different countries and generations. The video uses examples such as the 'Spoliarium' from the Philippines, 'Mona Lisa' from France, 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' from Japan, and 'The Scream' from Norway to illustrate how art is universally present and appreciated, regardless of geographical or temporal boundaries.

💡Nature

In the video, 'nature' is contrasted with 'art' to emphasize that art is a human creation, an expression of human interpretation and reception of the natural world. Nature is depicted as something divinely created and given to humans, while art is a product of human creativity and imagination. This distinction is highlighted through the discussion of how art can involve distortions or modifications of natural elements to satisfy the artist's vision.

💡Experience

The concept of 'experience' in the video refers to the notion that art is not just about observing but also about the process of creating and engaging with it. It implies that to truly appreciate art, one must have some form of personal involvement or practice in the art form. The video uses the examples of choreographers, sculptors, and painters to illustrate that experience in the creation process is essential for a deeper understanding and appreciation of art.

💡Assumption

An 'assumption' in this context is a fundamental belief or postulate that forms the basis for understanding and discussing art. The video outlines three assumptions about art: its universality, its distinction from nature, and the experiential aspect of art creation. These assumptions guide the viewer's understanding of why and how art is valued and appreciated across different cultures.

💡Spoliarium

The 'Spoliarium' is a famous painting by Filipino artist Juan Luna, mentioned in the video as an example of a universally recognized artwork. It represents the Philippines' contribution to the global art scene and is used to argue that art is not limited to any one country or era but is a universal human endeavor.

💡Mona Lisa

The 'Mona Lisa' is a renowned painting by Leonardo da Vinci, housed in France. It is used in the video to exemplify the universality of art, showing that masterpieces like this are celebrated across the globe, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries.

💡The Great Wave off Kanagawa

'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' is a painting by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, highlighted in the video to demonstrate the global presence of art. It serves as a symbol of Japan's artistic heritage and contributes to the argument that art is a universal language that communicates across cultures.

💡The Scream

Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' is a famous Norwegian artwork used in the video to illustrate the timelessness and universality of art. Despite being created in 1893, it continues to resonate with audiences today, emphasizing that art's value is not determined by its age but by its quality and impact.

💡Creativity

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; it is a key element in the production of art. The video discusses how art is not a direct replication of nature but a creative interpretation of it. It mentions the Philippine TV series 'Encantadia' as an example of how art can involve the creation of fantastical elements that do not exist in nature, showcasing the power of human imagination.

Highlights

Art is universal because it is present in every country and generation.

The Philippines' famous painting 'Spoliarium' exemplifies the universality of art.

France is home to the renowned 'Mona Lisa', showcasing art's universal appeal.

Japan's 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' is a testament to art's global presence.

Norway's 'The Scream' is a universal piece of art that transcends borders.

Art's universality is not limited to one country or artist, such as Juan Luna's 'Spoliarium'.

Art is not defined by its age but by its quality, as stated 'An art is not good because it is old, but old because it is good.'

Art is timeless, as seen in the enduring presence of masterpieces like 'Spoliarium' and 'Mona Lisa'.

Art is created by humans as an expression of their interpretation of nature.

Nature is a divine creation, while art is a human-made interpretation of it.

The Philippine TV series 'Encantadia' illustrates art's distinction from nature through creative storytelling.

Art can involve distortion or alteration of reality to fulfill creative imagination.

Art's interpretation can be influenced by nature, leading to unique and varied expressions.

Art involves experience, as one cannot be a choreographer without knowing how to dance.

To be a sculptor, one must have hands-on experience with tools like a chisel.

A painter's expertise is expected to include knowledge of how to hold and use a paintbrush.

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to comment and share their insights on the assumptions of art.

Transcripts

Hi! Welcome! In this video, we will talk  about one of the relevant topics covered in  

Art Appreciation, the 3 assumptions  of art – that art is universal,  

art is not nature, and art involves experience. 

First on the list, it is assumed that "ART  IS UNIVERSAL." Now, what makes art universal? 

Art is universal because in every country and  in every generation, art is constantly present. 

For example, Philippines has the  famous painting titled “Spoliarium.” 

*France* houses the famous  painting titled “Mona Lisa.” 

Japan has the famous painting titled  “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” 

And Norway has the famous  painting titled “The Scream.” 

For a deeper view on this assumption, it is safe  to note that Philippines is not the only country  

that creates artworks and houses old but good  artworks such as the painting titled “Spoliarium"  

of Juan Luna because art is universal. Other countries like *France*, Japan,  

and Norway also create arts and house  their old but good and famous artworks. 

Oftentimes, people feel that what is  considered artistic are only those  

which have been made long time ago. However, it is important to note that  

this is a misconception because age is not a  factor in determining art, because accordingly,  

“An art is not good because it is  old, but old because it is good.” 

Regardless of the time, art exists  and is crafted because the process  

of art is not restricted by time and place. The famous paintings titled “Spoliarium” of  

Juan Luan in 1884, “Mona Lisa” of Leonardo da  Vinci in 1498, “ The Great Wave off Kanagawa”  

of Katsushika Hokusai in 1831, and “The Scream”  of Edvard Munch in 1893, regardless of their age  

according to time creation recorded are still  existing today because they are good paintings. 

Next, second on the list is the assumption  that "ART IS NOT NATURE." It is not nature  

because it is made by humans as expression of  their reception or interpretation about nature. 

Please note that nature is created  by God and is given to humans.

To gain a broader insight on this assumption, let  us take one of the famous Philippine TV fantasy  

series titled Encantadia. The series is a complete  manifestation of the assumption that art is not  

nature but is made through the writer’s creative  mind as a product of her reception about nature,  

because there are no such  powerful gems existing in reality  

that are used to control the elements such as  water, fire, air, and earth. It is then important  

to note that one’s reception about nature may  include distortion, modification, or alteration  

of the reality to satisfy his creative imagination  that is influenced of course by nature.  

This notion is a complete refute of the existing  contention that in the Philippines accordingly,  

some viewers of locally produced TV series  and/or movies find them very unrealistic. 

Lastly, third on the list is the  assumption that "ART INVOLVES EXPERIENCE."  

You may take note that Art is just an experience  that depicts the actual doing of something.  

For instance, one cannot be a choreographer if  he/she cannot even execute a single dance step,  

or a sculptor cannot produce a work if he does not  know what chisel is, or a painter is expected to  

know how to hold and use a paintbrush. If not,  he/she cannot claim himself/herself a painter.

And that’s all for the assumptions of art. May  this video help you understand these assumptions.  

Please don’t forget to leave a comment  to hear your insight on this video.