GEE2 – Philippine Indigenous Communities
Reading No. 1: What is Art?
October 13, 2021
Directions: After reading the given reference, answer the following questions.
1. Based on the reading, how does art communicates ideas? How does art become a form of
language? Use the four works (Katsushika Hokusai, an Egyptian artist, Frederic Edwin
Church, and Louise Nevelson) that were mentioned in the first part of the reading to support
your answer.
Katsushika Hokusai art in the 19th century in Japan stated that art could be a means to
encourage the quiet contemplation of nature, While the Egyptian artist who decorated the
coffin said that, art was a way to express profound religious ideas and to invoke beliefs in a
happy life after death. Frederic Edwin on the other side has different point of view than the
Egyptian artist. Landscape painters in Church’s Time symbolize the “Niagara River” as the
presence of God in nature and it said that it represents America and for the majority, God’s
support for the country. It is a magnificent religious, national, educational, and
entertainment statement. Lastly, Louise Nevelson’ s arts what us to closely examine her
meticulously crafted work and to imagine watching water cascade and fish swim. In
conclusion Art communicates ideas by visual means that can help us see the world in new
and exciting ways and strengthen our understanding. In other words, art is a form of
language, despite the different styles of art use of the four mentioned art works. The sole
purpose is that all of these artists arranged their compositions to communicate ideas and
emotions.
2. During our lecture meeting, we discussed the three classifications of visual arts (traditional
fine arts, contemporary/commercial arts, and decorative arts/craft). The reading also
discussed these topics briefly. Due to these varying classifications of visual arts, it became
more difficult to identify who can be considered an artist and who is not. From the things
you have learned during the discussion and in this reading, explain why we cannot simply
define an artist by what he or she is made.
It’s true that we cannot just define an artist by what he or she is made. For an
example which is dictated to the reading we can’t just define an artist because of the
fact the material they used or the type of art they do. If we based artist on how
expensive the materials they used, how can we distinct which is which. We cannot
compare a sculptor to a ceramist even how skillful they are in their respective jobs.
3. According to the reading, who were the patrons of the art and what are their contributions
in the field of arts?
Patrons are those who financially supported artist or commissioned specific works of
art. Gertrude Stein and her Leo Stein. built an outstanding collection of modern art,
which decorated their home in Paris. Patrons sole purpose is to support,
encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows
on another, with this contribution, the artist is able to finish their work. Cosimo de’
Medici, is a one of the great patrons of the arts. He founded Eleonora’s dress, which was so
sumptuous that it would have cost more than the painting itself.
4. How does art keep knowledge and culture alive? Give your own specific examples or
scenarios that were not presented in the reading.
Art in culture is a sense of communication, it able’ s people from different culture
and society to communicate through images, sounds, stories from different times. Art
is often the reason that keep us knowledgeable and how it allows us to look back to
the past, for an example, it allows and understand how our civilization evolved over
the centuries. It is a way to know ourselves better. Looking back how life was so
simple before.
5. According to the reading and our discussion, why is it important to study arts?
By doing art, we can express our inner most feelings that word isn’t enough to
describe such thing. Art can be a medium to those who can’t voice out but want to
speak up using art. By this means art is important because it give us a clear vision on
what we are inside. It gives us an understanding into our world because we are
literally surrounded by art, also keeps us open to new ideas and journeys through art.