NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A A. ART Art is a diverse range of (products of) human activities involving creative imagination to express technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no generally agreed definition of what constitutes art, and ideas have changed over time. The three classical branches of visual art are painting, sculpture, and architecture.[7] Theatre, dance, and other performing arts, as well as literature, music, film and other media such as interactive media, are included in a broader definition of the arts. Until the 17th century, art referred to any skill or mastery and was not differentiated from crafts or sciences. In modern usage after the 17th century, where aesthetic considerations are paramount, the fine arts are separated and distinguished from acquired skills in general, such as the decorative or applied arts. The nature of art and related concepts, such as creativity and interpretation, are explored in a branch of philosophy known as aesthetics. The resulting artworks are studied in the professional fields of art criticism and the history of art. Figure 1: An example of art. Clockwise from upper left: an 1887 self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh; a female ancestor figure by a Chokwe artist; detail from The Birth of Venus (c. 1484–1486) by Sandro Botticelli; and an Okinawan Shisa lion Different kinds of art and their art forms The world is but a canvas to our imagination – Henry David Thoreau Art they say is an expression of the truest form of our imagination and gives wings to our inner thoughts. Art finds expression on different kinds of mediums, the more known amongst them are canvas, paper, digital and time-based media, sculpture, etc. In recent times, art has no longer been confined to the connoisseurs but has also expanded its NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A outreach, and is now being appreciated and proudly displayed in common man’s home. Such has been the expansion both in terms of reach, access and affordability. This has been possible only because of the expansion and encouragement to different kind of artists and their art. Art is now experienced rather than just being ‘’seen’’ as seen in the various interesting art forms in the Annual Art Fair in Delhi. In this piece, let’s look at the different kinds of art and their art forms… Paintings, prints, drawings, craft, design, photography, performance art, sculpture, installations, mixed-media and new media are just some of the many categories. Figure 2: Painting as an art Paintings are the oldest form of art and the most common category and the first paintings are said to have originated from South West France. Painting is a two-dimensional art form made up of layers of pigments applied on a surface. Paintings are done on different types of surfaces and as such, the material and the pigments used to create it also differ. Figure 3: Printmaking as an art NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A Print is also a two-dimensional art form created by an impression made by a method involving transfer from one surface to another. Prints come in a lot of multiples to create an edition. Nowadays artists create relief prints to create other types of prints. Figure 4: Photography Photography is an art – with the explosion of sophisticated camera equipment in the Indian market, people are turning to photography for giving expression to their thoughts. Craft, the name often taken together with art, involves working with hands. This has always been the most popular form now with artists creating interesting artwork with cloth patches, crochet, etc. Figure 5: Performing art NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A Performing art is an artwork which takes the form of action done by artists or performers as told by the artists. Performance art can be experienced and seen but not really collected. Figure 6: Installation art Installations are another popular expression of art. It is three-dimensional art and placespecific since it is installed in a particular location. Art is as old as mankind itself and as such, provides a glimpse of the surreal into our daily, mundane life. Art and Identity Art choice speaks volumes about an individual’s Identity. Art choice is largely dependent on an individual’s way of thinking, feelings, and concerns. Individuality or personal identity is defined by how an individual thinks feels and all that is of concern to such a person. Artists create what is representative of objects in their life. What an artist produces is necessarily representative of something in his or her world view. Therefore, in an artist’s workmanship, one can learn a lot about the artist as an individual and the society he or she hails from. Individuals choose or take art works or art forms that speak to them. If one buys an artwork for someone else, the intention normally is that the art speaks a given specific message to the receiver. It is for this reason that art plays a great role in preserving historical perspectives. Whatever is communicated in a piece of art is representative of the general world view or aspirations of a people. NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A B. Music Music is the art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition through the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre.[1] It is one of the universal cultural aspects of all human societies. General definitions of music include common elements such as pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics (loudness and softness), and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture (which are sometimes termed the "color" of a musical sound). Different styles or types of music may emphasize, de-emphasize or omit some of these elements. Music is performed with a vast range of instruments and vocal techniques ranging from singing to rapping; there are solely instrumental pieces, solely vocal pieces (such as songs without instrumental accompaniment) and pieces that combine singing and instruments. The word derives from Greek μουσική (mousike; "(art) of the Muses"). Figure 7: Musical notes Music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace. When music was only available through sheet music scores, such as during the Classical and Romantic eras, music lovers would buy the sheet music of their favourite pieces and songs so that they could perform them at home on the piano. With the advent of the phonograph, records of popular songs, rather than sheet music became the dominant way that music lovers would enjoy their favourite songs. With the advent of home tape recorders in the 1980s and digital music in the 1990s, music lovers could make tapes or playlists of their favourite songs and take them with them on a portable cassette player or MP3 player. Some music lovers create mix tapes of their favourite songs, which serve as a "self-portrait, a gesture of friendship, prescription for an ideal party... [and] an environment consisting solely of what is most ardently loved." Music Genres in the World Classical Country NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A Electronic dance music (EDM) Hip-hop Indie rock Jazz K-pop Metal Oldies Pop Rap Rhythm & blues (R&B) Rock Techno Music of the Philippines Music of the Philippines include musical performance arts in the Philippines or by Filipinos composed in various genres and styles. The compositions are often a mixture of different Asian, Spanish, Latin American, American, and indigenous influences. Figure 8: Famous musical artists in the Philippines Music seems to be a key to identity because it offers, to intensely, a sense of both self and the collective. Social groups only get to know themselves as groups (as a particular organization of individual and social interests, of sameness and differences) through cultural activity and in this case it would be music. Music constructs our sense of identity through the direct experiences it offers of the body, time, sociability, experiences which enable us to place ourselves in imaginable cultural narratives. NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A C. Literary Literary means concerned with or connected with the writing, study, or appreciation of literature. Literary words and expressions are often unusual in some way and are used to create a special effect in a piece of writing such as a poem, speech, or novel. Pertains to or of the nature of books and writings, especially those classed as literature. Literature broadly is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. In recent centuries, the definition has expanded to include oral literature, much of which has been transcribed. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment, and can also have a social, psychological, spiritual, or political role. Literature, as an art form, can also include works in various non-fiction genres, such as biography, diaries, memoir, letters, and the essay. Within its broad definition, literature includes non-fictional books, articles or other printed information on a particular subject. Literary Terms Literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers and speakers to masterfully emphasize, embellish, or strengthen their compositions. Literary terms can refer to playful techniques employed by comedians to make us laugh or witty tricks wordsmiths use to coin new words or phrases. They can also include the tools of persuasion that writers use to convince and drive audiences to action. With their carefully crafted speeches geared towards both logical and emotional thinking, they challenge our everyday modes of thinking. Literary terms also include powerful figurative language that writers use to summon emotion ranging from guilt to anger to bliss, and to allow us to see the world in new and magical ways. Words can be arranged to give poems, songs, and prose alike, rhythm and musicality. They can animate a story with such wealth of detail, character development, and action that as readers, we are taken by a story, and feel as if the people on the page are real. Literary terms have a wide range of application, from the poet’s beauty, to the speaker’s persuasion, to the novelist’s story development. Common Literary Devices (Mini Magnum by hobvias sudoneighm via CC) 1. Alliteration. This is one of the easiest go-to devices to use. Alliteration involves the quick repetition of the first letters, and therefore the first sounds, of words. The white witch wanted to write a new spell. New aunt Anita aimed to avoid annoying her tired sister. 2. Personification. Giving inanimate objects and other phenomena human traits. The leaves danced in the wind, twirling round and round before bowing out and resting on the cold ground. NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A 3. Simile. Comparing two unrelated things to creating new understanding and meaning. They are marked by the use of “like,” “as,”or “such as.” She ran like the wind. His eyes were as blue as the sky. 4. Foreshadowing. Words, phrases, or events that hint or suggest to the reader what’s going to happen in the story. In To Kill a Mockingbird, finding the presents in the oak tree foreshadows the truth about Boo Radley. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” foreshadows the narrator’s actions from the start of the story: I can’t say how the idea first entered my brain, but once it was there, it haunted me day and night. There wasn’t any reason for it. I liked the old man. 5. Satire. Using humor, wit, or sarcasm to expose human vice or folly. In television, the creators of South Park have built their success on satire. My favorite example is Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” 6. Symbolism. Using objects or action to mean something more than what appears on the surface. The dawn of a new day often is used to symbolize a new beginning. The albatross in in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” symbolizes a burden: Ah ! well a-day ! what evil looks / Had I from old and young ! / Instead of the cross, the Albatross / About my neck was hung In daily life, people often associate colors with ideas. Black with death. Red with love. White with purity or peace. 7. Onomatopoeia. Words whose sound mimics natural sounds or sounds of an object. These words help bring the reader into the scene by working on the senses. Bang! Flutter. Buzzzzz! Hum. The birds tweet in chipper chatter outside the window. A loud bang jarred me from sleep. 8. Metaphor. A device that asserts that one object is another, bringing new meaning to the original subject for a fresh understanding. A common metaphor: it’s raining cats and dogs. From Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”: But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Advertising is the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket. – George Orwell 9. Hyperbole. Exaggerating a statement or idea to emphasize a point or emotion. If I take another step, my feet will fall off. She’s so thin she could thread a needle. If his teeth were any whiter, I’d be blind. 10. Oxymoron. A device that puts two contradictory ideas together to create complex meaning. (See top photo) Their relationship was an open secret. The sight of the living dead shuffling below sent a blazing chill down her spine. It’s hard to explain that comforting pain to those who don’t understand. NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A Main Literary Genres Poetry- Poetry is the most intense form of writing. It allows a writer to express his or her deepest emotions and thoughts in a very personal way. It relies heavily on figurative language, rhythm, and imagery to relay its message to readers. Primary Sub-Genres of Poetry Songs and Ballads Lyric Epic Dramatic Narrative Drama- Drama is a literary work written to be performed in front of an audience. It contains dialogue, and actors impersonate the characters. It is usually divided into acts or scenes, and relies on props or imaginative dialogue to create a visual experience for the audience. Primary Sub-Genres of Drama Tragedy Comedy History Melodrama Musical NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A Prose- Prose is the most common form of writing. It is not restricted by rhythm or dialogue, and it most closely resembles everyday speech. It is usually straightforward, and may utilize figurative language, dialogue, characters, and imagery. Prose writing is often divided into two primary categories: Fiction Fiction is narrative writing that originates from the author’s imagination. It is designed to entertain, but it can also inspire, inform, or persuade. Primary Sub-Genres of Fiction Novel Novella Short Story Myths and Legends Fables Nonfiction Nonfiction is writing that is based on true events, people, places, and facts. It is designed to inform, and sometimes to entertain. Primary Sub-Genres of Nonfiction Autobiography Biography Essay Diaries and Journals Narrative Nonfiction NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A D. Mass media Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Broadcast media transmit information electronically via media such as films, radio, recorded music, or television. Digital media comprises both Internet and mobile mass communication. Internet media comprise such services as email, social media sites, websites, and Internet-based radio and television. Many other mass media outlets have an additional presence on the web, by such means as linking to or running TV ads online, or distributing QR Codes in outdoor or print media to direct mobile users to a website. In this way, they can use the easy accessibility and outreach capabilities the Internet affords, as thereby easily broadcast information throughout many different regions of the world simultaneously and cost-efficiently. Outdoor media transmit information via such media as AR advertising; billboards; blimps; flying billboards (signs in tow of airplanes); placards or kiosks placed inside and outside buses, commercial buildings, shops, sports stadiums, subway cars, or trains; signs; or skywriting. Print media transmit information via physical objects, such as books, comics, magazines, newspapers, or pamphlets.[2] Event organizing and public speaking can also be considered forms of mass media. The organizations that control these technologies, such as movie studios, publishing companies, and radio and television stations, are also known as the mass media. Characteristics Five characteristics of mass communication have been identified by sociologist John Thompson of Cambridge University: "[C]omprises both technical and institutional methods of production and distribution" – This is evident throughout the history of mass media, from print to the Internet, each suitable for commercial utility Involves the "commodification of symbolic forms" – as the production of materials relies on its ability to manufacture and sell large quantities of the work; as radio stations rely on their time sold to advertisements, so too newspapers rely on their space for the same reasons "[S]eparate contexts between the production and reception of information" Its "reach to those 'far removed' in time and space, in comparison to the producers" "[I]nformation distribution" – a "one to many" form of communication, whereby products are mass-produced and disseminated to a great quantity of audiences NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A Forms of Media Broadcast Film Video games Audio recording and reproduction Internet Blogs (web logs) RSS feeds Podcast Mobile Print media Magazine Newspaper Outdoor media Functions of Mass Media There are four major functions of mass media. The first is for surveillance. This is to provide information about issues, events and developments in society. The second is correlation. Media must interpret events and issues and ascribe meaning so that individuals understand their roles in society. A term that best fits with correlation is agenda setting, which means the media doesn’t tell you what to think, but what to think about. Media tells you what is and isn’t important and to what degree, but that will be covered in a later chapter. Next is cultural transmission. This is where the media aids the transference of dominant cultures and subcultures from one generation to the next or to immigrants. The last function of mass media is to simply entertain (Pavlik & McIntosh, 2004, p. 24-25). According to Pavlik & McIntosh, 2004, there is a standard, overarching model for mass communication that has been used since the invention of the first printing press. The model has four main points. The first is “communication flow is largely one-way, from sender or source to receiver or audience” (p. 22). The second, “communication is from one or a few to many” (p. 22). Third, “communication is anonymous (sources generally do not know their audiences and audience do not know the sources, except at a general level)” (p. 22). Fourth, “audiences are largely seen as passive recipients of the messages distributed by the media, with little opportunity for feedback and practically no opportunity for immediate feedback or interaction with one another” (p. 22). So what does this all mean? This model refers to movies/films, books, newspapers, television, radio, or any other form of mass media. It states that mass NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A communication isn’t interactive, audiences and senders are unknown to one another and it can only flow one way. Digital media and convergence (terms that will be covered later in the chapter) of media changes all of that. Consumers aren’t just passive. They are actively participating and not just consuming media; an example of this is through blogs (“a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites”) (Blog, 2013, p.1). What about email? It’s possible for me to send a mass email to all of my contacts (a total of 739 people) stating that I am having a Christmas party and that I want everyone to attend. Well, that’s sending a message to a large group of people in a relatively short amount of time (because I type really fast), but the sender (myself) and receivers (my contacts) are not unknown. Examples like this show that the way we use mass media is changing. Effects of Mass Media Media today is forever changing. The fact that technology evolves and changes “drives the development of media” (Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, 2013, p. 1). Because we as a society are always using mass media there are consequences and effects that have been laid on the forefront of mass media. Certain scholars, scientist and researchers “believe that the mass media shape the way people view the world, especially when people have little direct experience; others point to the media as providing role models—positive and negative—imitated by members of the audience” (p. 2). The portrayal of violence in the media seems to be the most talked about issue, but other “behavioral areas are of concern” (p. 2). These arguments tend to be based on “the supposition that the experience of the content presented by contemporary mass media differs in some qualitative way from other material that people have been exposed to since the beginning of social communication” (p. 2). Attempts to “hold massmedia corporations legally responsible for the criminal acts of the consumers of their products have failed, and a general consensus has been reached that people will have to continue to be responsible for their own behaviors in the age of mass media” (p. 2). NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A E. Social Media Social media is a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. By design, social media is Internet-based and gives users quick electronic communication of content. Content includes personal information, documents, videos, and photos. Users engage with social media via a computer, tablet, or smartphone via web-based software or applications. Understanding Social Media Social media originated as a way to interact with friends and family but was later adopted by businesses that wanted to take advantage of a popular new communication method to reach out to customers. The power of social media is the ability to connect and share information with anyone on Earth, or with many people simultaneously. Globally, there are more than 3.8 billion social media users. Social media is an everchanging and ever-evolving field, with new apps such as TikTok and Clubhouse coming out seemingly every year, joining the ranks of established social networks like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. By 2023, the number of social media users in the United States is forecast to increase to approximately 257 million. According to the Pew Research Center, social media users tend to be younger. Nearly 90 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 29 used at least one form of social media. Further, these users tend to be better educated and relatively wealthy, or earning over $75,000 per year. Types of Social Media Social media may take the form of a variety of tech-enabled activities. These activities include photo sharing, blogging, social gaming, social networks, video sharing, business networks, virtual worlds, reviews, and much more. Even governments and politicians utilize social media to engage with constituents and voters. For individuals, social media is used to keep in touch with friends and extended family. Some people will use various social media applications to network career opportunities, find people across the globe with like-minded interests, and share their thoughts, NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A feelings, insights, and emotions. Those who engage in these activities are part of a virtual social network. For businesses, social media is an indispensable tool. Companies use the platform to find and engage with customers, drive sales through advertising and promotion, gauge consumer trends, and offering customer service or support. Social media's role in helping businesses is significant. It facilitates communication with customers, enabling the melding of social interactions on e-commerce sites. Its ability to collect information helps focus on marketing efforts and market research. It helps in promoting products and services, as it enables the distribution of targeted, timely, and exclusive sales and coupons to would-be customers. Further, social media can help in building customer relationships through loyalty programs linked to social media. Examples of Social Media While social media has its positive side, many point to the platform and call out negative features, likening its overuse to an addiction. Some contest it contributes to inattentiveness, stress, and jealousy. The National Center for Biotechnology Information links heavy social media use to depression. Also, many times, social media may be a conduit for misleading information and falsehoods. The 2016 American presidential election has well-documented accounts of the impact of the ability to spread false information through the platform. Such a phenomenon leverages the power of social media, allowing anyone to reach an audience of millions with content that lacks oversight or fact-checking. Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world, with a clear advantage over other social media, though it has similar audiences to others like Twitter and Instagram. The figures for the most popular social media websites as of January 2021 are as follows: 1. Facebook (2.74 billion users) 2. YouTube (2.29 billion users) 3. WhatsApp (2 billion users) 4. Facebook Messenger (1.3 billion users) 5. Instagram (1.22 billion users) 6. Whatsapp (1.21 billion users) 7. TikTok (689 million users) 8. QQ (617 million users) 9. Douyin (600 million users) 10. Sino Weibo (511 million users) Benefits of Social Media Social media has changed the way that we all interact with each other online. It's given us the ability to discover what's happening in the world in real-time, to connect with each other and stay in touch with long-distance friends, and in order to have access to NEIIL CHRISTOPHER T. HUCAMIS BSECE 3A endless amounts of information at your fingertips. In many senses, social media has helped many individuals find common ground with others online, making the world seem more approachable. According to a survey by Pew Research Center, the use of social media is correlated with having more friends and more diverse personal networks, especially within emerging economies. For many teenagers, friendships can start virtually, with 57% of teens having met a friend online. Businesses are also using social media marketing to target their consumers right on their phones and computers, building a following in order to build a loyal fan base, and create a culture behind their own brand. Some companies, such as Denny's, have created entire personas on Twitter in order to market to younger consumers using their own language and personas.
