Lesson 2 VISUAL ARTS Subject and Elements of Visual Arts, Principles of Design

Summary

This video script delves into the principles of visual arts, focusing on balance, emphasis, and subordination, with a strong emphasis on analyzing the form, context, and content of artworks. It uses various examples, such as Pascua's painting, to explain these concepts, illustrating how visual weight and positioning affect composition. The script highlights how elements like visual weight and symbolism create meaning in artworks. Students are encouraged to apply their understanding through activities, analyzing works like *Kalbaryo* by Anoy Catague. The session concludes with a quote from Leonardo da Vinci, emphasizing the timeless nature of art.

Takeaways

• 😀 Emphasis in visual design highlights specific elements, giving them more importance or dominance in the artwork.
• 😀 Subordination in design reduces the visual importance of certain elements, allowing others to stand out more.
• 😀 Visual weight is influenced by factors like color contrast, size, and proximity to the viewer, as seen in Pascua's painting.
• 😀 The children in Pascua's painting are emphasized through bright colors and their proximity to the viewer, while the kiosk appears heavy but distant.
• 😀 Emphasis can be achieved by making elements larger or more prominent, while subordination achieves the opposite effect by using size, color, or placement.
• 😀 The artist Anoy Catague's *Kalbaryo* artwork symbolizes the struggles of the Lumad people and environmental destruction in Mindanao.
• 😀 In *Kalbaryo*, Christ is depicted as a Lumad, linking religious symbolism with social and environmental issues in the Philippines.
• 😀 The strange headgear worn by Christ in *Kalbaryo* symbolizes the merging of military, mining, and land surveyor influences in the struggle of indigenous peoples.
• 😀 The juxtaposition of Christ holding an armalite and a machete in *Kalbaryo* conveys the theme of violence and exploitation faced by the Lumads.
• 😀 The artwork *Kalbaryo* is relevant to the current context in Mindanao, where indigenous peoples face exploitation, militarization, and environmental degradation.
• 😀 The session encourages viewers to apply principles of design to analyze art through activities, such as exploring the form, content, and context of *My Left Breast* by Elenita Dumlao.

Q & A

What are the main principles of design discussed in the video?

The main principles of design discussed in the video include balance, emphasis, subordination, and visual weight. These principles help in creating a harmonious and purposeful composition in visual arts.

How does the concept of balance work in Pascua's painting?

In Pascua's painting, balance is achieved through the careful arrangement of visual elements. The children on the left side, wearing bright colors, are numerous, while the kiosk on the right side is dark and large. Despite the kiosk's size, the children are emphasized due to their proximity to the viewer, maintaining a visual balance.

What is the difference between emphasis and subordination in design?

Emphasis refers to giving importance or dominance to a specific element or area within a composition, while subordination involves reducing the importance of other elements. Together, they create a dynamic visual hierarchy.

What role does visual weight play in Pascua’s artwork?

Visual weight in Pascua's artwork is influenced by the contrast between the bright-colored children and the dark, large kiosk. Although the kiosk is enormous, the children appear closer to the viewer, drawing more focus, which balances the visual weight between the two elements.

What is the context and significance of the artwork *Kalbaryo* by Anoy Catague?

The artwork *Kalbaryo* portrays Christ as a Lumad, standing amidst a devastated landscape caused by militarization and environmental destruction. It comments on the exploitation of indigenous peoples and the ongoing destruction of their ancestral lands, reflecting the challenges faced by the Lumad in Mindanao.

How does *Kalbaryo* integrate the theme of Christ's suffering with the struggles of the Lumad?

In *Kalbaryo*, Christ is depicted as a Lumad, symbolizing the suffering of the indigenous people. The use of militaristic imagery, such as an armalite and a warrior's machete, emphasizes the dual impact of both spiritual and physical suffering caused by the exploitation and violence faced by the Lumad.

What is the significance of the strange headgear worn by Christ in *Kalbaryo*?

The strange headgear worn by Christ in *Kalbaryo* combines elements from land surveyors, miners, and the military, symbolizing the exploitation and militarization of the Lumad's ancestral lands. It emphasizes the destructive forces that have invaded and ravaged these communities.

What historical and social issues are addressed in *Kalbaryo*?

The artwork addresses the exploitation of the Lumad peoples, their displacement by militarization, and the environmental destruction in Mindanao. It draws a parallel between the suffering of Christ and the struggles of indigenous peoples who face violence and the degradation of their land.

How does the principle of emphasis apply to *Kalbaryo*?

In *Kalbaryo*, emphasis is placed on Christ, who is depicted as larger and more dominant in the composition. His size, combined with the sad expression and symbolic elements, draws attention to his role as a figure of suffering, mirroring the plight of the Lumad people.

What activity is suggested for viewers to engage with after learning about design principles?

After learning about the design principles, viewers are encouraged to analyze Elenita Dumlao's artwork *My Left Breast*. They are prompted to answer questions in a worksheet that explores the form, context, and content of the artwork, applying their understanding of design principles.