How can an absurd question widen horizons and boundaries about reimagining art’s death? Isn’t this way of thinking or just the thought of it spark curiosity or even reflect our personal perceptions, beliefs, and somehow exposes our limited knowledge on art?

Although the idea of art having an end seems both enticing and elusive, Art in its end is not a final destination, but rather a call to embrace change, redefine boundaries, and explore new artistic frontiers. It challenges us to question preconceived notions, engage with the world in fresh ways, and adapt to the ever-shifting artistic landscape. As long as human creativity persists, art will continue to transform, inspire, and shape our understanding of the world around us. The concept of art's end propels us into a future where artistic expression knows no limits, inviting us to participate in its ongoing journey of innovation and discovery.

Art's journey is one without an endpoint. It exists as an eternal flame, igniting passion, provoking contemplation, and transcending the boundaries of time and space. As long as humanity persists, art will weave its threads through our lives, offering solace, beauty, and transformative experiences. The possibility of art's ending becomes irrelevant in the face of its enduring impact. So, let us embrace the ever-evolving symphony of artistic expression, as it guides us through the depths of our emotions, inspires our minds, and reminds us of the infinite capacity of human creativity. In art, we find solace, inspiration, and the eternal spark that will forever illuminate our existence.

This course - Art Appreciation - made me think deeply and see the world on a broader and artistic perspective. As the culmination of my art appreciation course draws near, I find myself immersed in a profound sense of gratitude and awe for the transformative power of art. This course has taken me on an extraordinary journey, unraveling the intricacies of artistic expression, and deepening my understanding and appreciation for the diverse forms of visual communication. It is within the realm of creativity that I have discovered a newfound lens through which to perceive the world around me. The course really lives up to its title, it made me really appreciate art not only as a necessary course in school but as a human being, to find art in all places, subjects, and contexts, as art exists everywhere.

Despite the end of the course of Art Appreciation, It does not inflict the literal end of art - its presence, feeling, and creation. The answer is simple, art can only change however it has no definite end. Not now, not ever.

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In its essence, performance art serves as a conduit for authentic human experiences. It strips away the protective layers of pretense, inviting viewers to witness raw vulnerability and unfiltered emotions. It is in this vulnerability that the true power of performance art lies. It compels us to confront our own fears, prejudices, and societal constructs. Performance art challenges the established norms, daring us to question and redefine our perceptions of art and the world around us. It pushes the boundaries, provokes discomfort, and sparks conversations that transcend artistic spaces, leaving an indelible impact on our collective consciousness.

Performance Art such as Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov’s 1994 Lillehammer Olympic - Exhibition "Rêverie" was a mesmerizing exhibition performance by Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov. It was a masterclass in artistry and storytelling on the ice. The performance showcased their ability to evoke a dreamlike atmosphere, transporting the audience into a world of enchantment. From the moment they took the ice, Gordeeva and Grinkov captivated with their ethereal grace and effortless movements. The choreography flowed seamlessly, complementing the delicate nuances of the music. Their seamless transitions and intricate footwork displayed their technical prowess and seamless connection. It exquisitely exhibits the feeling of yearning and vulnerability through this piece which profoundly touched the hearts and souls of the audience.

Moreover, performance art has the potential to enact profound transformation on both the individual and societal levels. As viewers bear witness to these lived experiences, they are invited to reflect on their own identities, relationships, and place in the world. The immersive nature of performance art blurs the boundaries between artist and audience, forging connections and fostering empathy. It is through this shared experience that performance art has the power to ignite social change and inspire collective action. By challenging oppressive systems, exposing injustices, and amplifying marginalized voices, performance art acts as a catalyst for dialogue, healing, and the pursuit of a more inclusive society.

1. Semiotic Plane: This plane emphasizes the study of signs, symbols, and the language of art. It explores how meaning is constructed through visual elements, gestures, and motifs within the artwork. Semiotic analysis seeks to uncover the underlying messages and cultural codes embedded in the artistic representation.

2. Iconic Plane: The iconic plane of analysis focuses on the subject matter and imagery depicted in the artwork. It involves examining the symbols, figures, and visual representations present and understanding their cultural, historical, or mythological significance. Iconic analysis aims to decode the narrative or thematic content conveyed by the artist.

3. Socio-Cultural Plane: This plane considers the broader social and cultural context in which the artwork was created. It involves examining the historical period, societal norms, political climate, and cultural values that may have influenced the artist. Socio-cultural analysis helps in understanding how the artwork reflects or responds to the socio-cultural dynamics of its time.

4. Existential Plane: The existential plane delves into the deeper philosophical and psychological dimensions of the artwork. It explores the artist's personal experiences, emotions, and existential concerns that might be expressed through the artwork. Existential analysis involves examining themes like identity, mortality, human condition, and the artist's subjective perspective.

The four planes of analyzing art proposed by Alice Guillermo provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and interpreting artworks. By examining art through these planes, it allows for a multi-dimensional analysis that takes into account various aspects and influences on the artwork.

Through the timelines of Artistic development and coming of age, we have countless collection of art forms discovered however it all comes down to a certain feeling of either fulfillment or being seen although experiencing it in various ways. It had always been means of communication and self-expression.

In perception of Art, no answer is definite and no one knows the true meaning, whether hidden or imposed - not even the artist - and this makes the idea of art go beyond the dimensions that humans are able to perceive by also making it seem as it is embedded in our reality.

Art is too complex of a concept to put into words, it may even surpass dimensions that we can perceive. It is both the answer and the question. Art is not only limited to beauty and perfection, it can be the raw drafts you see on a crumpled piece of paper. Art is also the feeling of both the performers and the audience (Re: Shakespeare’s “All the World’s a Stage“). To engulf your soul in Art heals and replenishes areas that can’t be revitalized.

The short film entitled “Ano Nga Ba Ang Art?“ curates the different perceptions of people representing the various branches of art such as film, painting, music, dance, etc., and gathering their personal perspectives with the same question with variations of context. This shows their own perspectives based on what they do and exhibits that art has no definite explanation as to what it is but what I have picked up is that it evokes the same sense of life and expression even in differences.

So if you were to ask me what the definition of art is, it is romanticizing life and seeing that living is the greatest form of Art we get to do everyday. We are born as a blank canvas and every day is either a colorful ink splatter or a dry charcoal stipple, in the end, every stroke is significant in the final masterpiece. And how everyone’s life is uniquely unparalleled makes the world the greatest museum it is.

Art is everywhere, all at once, even in places that light cannot reach.

How does our understanding of art evolve with history? What does this tell us about society as a whole? As you answer these questions, give your own examples of art and put it within the context when it was created. 

As far as humans have evolved, the quality of art has also improved through the ages. It took centuries for us to discover that ancient people can draw and seeing that their primeval paintings are a reflection of who they were and what they did during their time - which is not very different to what artists nowadays portray through their artworks. Art and Society goes hand in hand in overall cultural development.

The millenniums that humans have been roaming the earth is directly linear with the development of its civilization and development. Through discoveries and enlightenment, humans have also drastically evolved its art forms by exploration and experiments. The timeline and art periods are a global movement wherein there are global trends even way back that can be used as art subjects and majority of these corelates with history and current society as a whole.

For instance, we may refer to the timeline and the evolution of art below as a reference on how art is considered as a reflection of society imparting a glimpse of history to its future generations:

1. Prehistoric Art (c. 40,000 BCE - 4,000 BCE): Early humans created art such as cave paintings and stone carvings.

2. Ancient Art (c. 3,000 BCE - 500 CE): Art created by ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman civilizations, including architecture, sculptures, and pottery.

3. Medieval Art (c. 500 CE - 1500 CE): The art in the Middle Ages shows religious themes, illuminated manuscripts, and Gothic architecture.

4. Renaissance Art (c. 1400 CE - 1600 CE): During the Renaissance, classical styles and techniques were revived, and realism and perspective were prominent features.

5. Baroque Art (c. 1600 CE - 1750 CE): European-inspired art with dramatic lighting, dynamic compositions, and intense emotional content.

6. Romanticism (c. 1800 CE - 1850 CE): Art that placed strong emphasis on emotion, individualism, and nature, frequently portrayed in breathtaking landscapes.

7. Impressionism (c. 1860 CE - 1900 CE): Light and color are used in art to express fleeting moments in time, frequently depicting daily life.

8. Cubism (c. 1907 CE - 1922 CE): Art that portrays objects from various angles while disassembling them into their geometric shapes.

9. Surrealism (c. 1920 CE - 1960 CE): art that frequently used symbolism and dreamy imagery.

10. Abstract Expressionism (c. 1940 CE - 1950 CE): Large-scale, abstract paintings that are created with eloquent brushstrokes and emphasize emotional expression.

11. Pop Art (c. 1950 CE - 1970 CE): Popular culture and ordinary items were blended into the subject matter of this type of art, which frequently used vivid colors and graphic, bold designs.

12. Postmodern Art (c. 1960 CE - present): Art pieces that pushes the boundaries of traditional ideas of what constitutes art and frequently includes performance, installation, and digital media components.

From learning art theories its basics, we can all agree to the fact that there are specific elements that a piece must contain in order to be seen and appreciated as art. The five elements of art as what we have been taught are - Form, Line, Color, Texture, and Composition. Wherein:

• Form: refers to the physical shape or mass, scale, and structure of the piece

• Line: the use of straight or curved lines, shape and geometry creating movement and dynamic

• Color: both the absence and presence of colors, which can also have varying hues, tones, shades, and saturation that can also be used as symbolisms

• Texture: refers to the surface of the piece with regard to its physical quality

• Composition: the overall arrangement and organization of elements that would build cohesiveness and connection

What an art should be for a person can not and never can be dictated by any standard. For an art to be distinctive from non-art pieces are the feelings, emotions, and messages it conveys to the viewers. It is the experience and the thought that we leave with. It is the intimacy with art that we will always find unique and striking. It may even be the sentiment that we may not be able to put into words.

We should know that there are also various factors that people look for in a piece that they may personally consider as art and knowing that everyone’s perspective about what they see as art is not a one-size-fits-all. What they feel towards a certain piece, the feelings that are communicated to them, the prejudice brought by their own principles and morals, and their exposure and openness to all things conventional and unconventional is not something that follows a specific criteria or standard. How we feel towards an art reflects our personal state of mind, the experiences we have encountered, and our own outlook towards life.

However, there is one thing that I will always be certain about art, that Life is full of it.

We can think of Imagination as an artist’s window to endless possibilities on how to create art - the blend of colors that would go with it, the texture it would suit it best, what materials would replicate this vision into something tangible, and the medium of this expression.

Every unconventional invention starts off as a vision. How we are able to come this far in terms of art are all someone’s vision and with time, it somehow turned into reality. If we take a pause for ourselves we can see how crazily boundless our imaginations can be (although, not everyone has the capability to create and bring it to life). I think imagination is a superpower that makes us able to visualize and conceptualize.

An artist trying to create art through imagination is like looking through a kaleidoscope. It is with every external movement that changes our perspective and makes it appreciate the essence more. It also comes with the fact that it has endless possibilities and unique combinations of perceiving it. However, only one can see it.

So I believe that imagination goes hand in hand with art. It is a cycle of knowing that we cannot create something without envisioning it

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I am a sole believer that everyone was born an artist. We all grew up with paint in our face, halved crayons in our hands, and a wall with colorful scribbled lines. However, not everyone had the opportunity to mature with art, and we don’t have to be. As we grew old, where we constantly learn about how the world works, we realize that our current life is not as vibrant as it once was. But exposing oneself to artistic experiences, brings back the solitude and somehow revitalizes us.

I have been living with art maybe for about how old I am. I have experienced diverse encounters where I can see art, be in an art, or even make art. I have also watched theatrical plays where it really is an experience of senses - visual, auditory, and internal feelings. I somehow managed to be in different kinds of museums as well of both foreign and local where it really focuses on the culture. However I genuinely enjoy children museums more as it unleashes my inner child with all the interactive activities there are.

Through my teenage years, I have been actively practicing art traditionally and digitally. I love using watercolor as the way paint blends with water on a paper is just therapeutic to me. I have also enjoyed making digital art as a hobby where my subject of interests are mostly ikemen (or cool anime guys). Although proud of what I have experienced and accomplished, It feels an eternity to not have ever picked up a brush or a digital pen for me just to leisurely draw because of all the burn out. However I know that one day, art will make its way back to me.

Moulding an Individual

[play the sound for an immersive experience]

In another attempt to make my life a little bit better for a change, I woke up earlier than usual. Which for me, as a person who loves the comfort of my bed, struggles with. This particular morning was unusual with the rainfall in the midst of the scorching summer, and despite wanting to sleep more in this type of weather, I chose to drag myself out of bed. The solitude that mornings bring that we often take for granted, the quiescence of the atmosphere as people are still in their slumber, I wanted to start my day slowly and just romanticize this morning for once. With the pouring rain in the background, I waited until my coffee’s ready.

I proceeded with my daily read which is a self-help book entitled “Atomic Habits" by James Clear since I wanted to help myself and cure my procrastination sickness. Not so far into reading, I happened to read a chapter namely “Motivation is Overrated: Environment Often Matters More“, I learned that the topic discusses that the layout of an environment can influence the behavior without the need to understand their individual characteristics, how we can design our environment for success, and how we can be the designer of our world rather than merely being the consumer of it.

To deeply understand the concept better, the author also elaborated an example of how people talk in whispers in a church or sacred setting, how we become alert and guarded when walking in dark alleys, relating the context of environment with habits and behavior. He also stated that “We don’t have to be the victim of our environment, we can also be the architect of it” (Clear, J., 2018).

Through this reading - by applying the principles of an architecture student - It made me think to myself, how much does architecture influence an individual, a society, and a country? And as an invisible hand, how can we use it to shape us rather than destroy us?

The Grasp on Society

Architecture affects society also by impacting one’s personal life. Upon the years of studying the field, there are various branches that we apply such as theories and design regarding aesthetics, circulation, acoustics, lighting, and anthropometry - all for the purpose of the betterment of one’s lifestyle and experience. Studies have shown that well-designed spaces produces better focus and concentration for its users. Beautiful architecture is not only seen by the external qualities that a structure has but also its internal functions and how it is designed according to it’s purpose.

I personally perceive architecture as the art and science of life. We are continuously developing and innovating technology applicable to architecture to better our ways of living. As all built structures have architecture, not all its principles are applied and more often neglected. However by applying proper and appropriate design techniques - may it be macro or micro - it creates a way that would direct society to a greater environment.

There are a number of Architectural Strategies and Principles to enhance one’s experience and standard of living:

1. Improving Circulation

The main function of Architecture is to shape buildings while also controlling the movement of people. Taking circulation into account of designing creates a smooth-flowing environment and can be used to avoid congestion in areas where people gather and direct them in proper ways that they don’t necessarily notice.

2. Applying Safety

Safety is one of the primary considerations in design such as following the building code, considering the weight of loads, applying standard safety practices. This mitigates the risk of an accident from happening which sadly is being often neglected and not given importance to.

3. Considering Accessibility

I believe that architecture should be accessible to everyone and the experience should not be less for people especially who are handicapped or differently-abled. This principle should always be applied for a structure should provide optimal experience while also being without-exception.

4. Anthropometry and Ergonomics

This aspect of architecture creates spaces comfortable for the users depending on its context. This aligns the design towards the ease of use of people and this should be given importance to especially when creating spaces for children where their scale is smaller. Designing with this in mind creates spaces that are safe, functional, and age-inclusive.

5. Appropriate Lighting, Acoustics, and Temperature

In designing spaces for users considering its setting and purpose, factors of lighting, acoustics, and temperature vary. It should be applied to provide and enhance the functionality of the structure. This aspects should be applied appropriately to give the optimal experience and comfort that the users need.

Shaping and Being Shaped by Culture

Through the course of history, Architecture is the tangible and one of the most significant evidences of human life leaving the footprints of early forms of settlement and structure, showing the culture native to its location, while creating a timeline of development supporting human evolution. It is the everlasting proof of lives that were once lived and showcasing them in the future. Architecture has the capacity to be intimate whilst having the ability to influence, control, and broaden horizons providing fascination and interest in our life. It is the medium where our culture is expressed in a form of art that communicates history, culture, and tradition to us shaping our contemporary world and reality.

One favored hobby of mine is to visit museums and historical places, the thoughts that enter me is that it I am sharing the same space and present with the same air together with an object way past my ancestor’s time and it somehow overwhelms me. I purposefully take my time in exploring the establishments to feed myself of history and more knowledge about the native’s culture. When I visited ruins such as Intramuros Baluarte, Palawan’s Plaza Cuartel, Baguio’s Diplomat Hotel, and the like, it leaves the feeling of sadness and grief for the souls who have perished. And with this, I have realized the importance of cultural and historical places and its ability to transport one eras back. It conveys various emotions and imparts knowledge making us aware of the past.

Culture had been and always will shape architecture as they interact dependently and reflectively Architecture on the other hand, shapes the society as means to communicate its significance. We can visualize this by seeing culture as a masterpiece being held by a frame which is architecture. It is the structure that holds it and presents it to its people.

Here are a few notable examples that exhibits how architecture showcases its culture, beliefs, activity, and history:

1. The Pyramids of Giza

The ancient Pyramids of Giza are one of the spectacles in the world. It serves a purpose of a grand ancient tomb for pharaohs. Even up to date, people are still bewildered of its structure and leaves them fascinated on how it was perfectly built without the presence of modern technology. The fact that it is considered to be near-perfect in its alignment with the stars is also captivating. It shows the dedication of man of its time to achieve such skill and mastery in creating one of the wonders of the ancient world that is still standing today.

2. The Greek Acropolis

Greek Architecture is known for their Temples dedicated to their deity. The Acropolis is an ancient complex which translates to the term “high city“. It is the home of the renowned Parthenon containing the large statue of Athena. The Greeks also have the passion for performing arts and they showcase them by creating amphitheaters, with the Odeon of Herodes also being erected at the base of the Acropolis. Since philosophy or “love of wisdom” was prominent in this time, the Greeks also have dedicated spaces known as Agoras which are places for public gathering where one can express their thoughts and ideas. The Greek Architecture proudly expresses their beliefs and love for profound activities such as places dedicated for knowledge and art.

3. Chinese Temples

Ancient temples in China serves its purpose mainly for worship. The intricacy and craftsmanship of wooden palace are built in a way that can withstand earthquakes through its techniques in wood joinery. They express dedication to symmetry and visual balance. As we can perceive it, we can notice their peculiar roofing style that tends to slope upward upon the ends. This is called a “sweeping roof“ that is both symbolic and functional. It is believed to ward off evil spirits that would fall upon them and through this, flings them back and away. It is also built in a way to accommodate the structural purpose of draining water easily. This exemplifies the tradition, importance to spirituality, and expressing symbolism through its application in their distinctive architecture.

To conclude, Architecture conveys the message left to us by the passed inhibitors of our world making the future generation knowledgeable of the reality of their past - in culture, history, beliefs, and activities. Architects of past and present are the possessors of invisible hands that make this purpose possible. As hands, it has to potential to mold, grasp, and shape. However, it also has the power to crush, twist, and destroy.

As a student in this field, I have deeply realized how privileged and honored I am to be educated and be bestowed the hands that can create purposeful structures that would stand on this world for God knows how long, making it reach people of the future generations.