Subject: MAPEH 10
Quarter: 2nd Quarter
Topic: ART
Technology-Based Artworks: Their Role, Function and Characteristics
The Most Essential Learning Competencies:
Discusses the concept that technology is an effective and vibrant tool for empowering a person to express
his/her ideas, goals, and advocacies, which elicits immediate action. (A10PL-IIh-1);
Explains the role or function of artworks by evaluating their utilization and combination of art elements
and principles. (A10PL-IIh-2);
Uses artworks to derive the traditions/history of a community (e.g. landscape, images of people at work
and play, portraits studies, etc.). (A10PL-IIh-3); and
Compares the characteristics of artworks in the 21st century. (A10PL-IIh-4)
The module is divided into three lessons, namely:
Lesson 1 – Modern Technology: Its Role and Function on Artworks
Lesson 2 – Comparison of Characteristics of 21st Century Artworks
LESSON 1
Modern Technology: Its Role and Function on Artworks
Modern Technology: A Tool for Empowerment
In the 21st century, the advancement of technology is fast, and the creation of high-tech gadgets such
as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and computers upgrade from time to time. These new technologies have
become a necessity to all human beings for communication and entertainment purposes. In the field of arts,
there are developments in terms of the processes of creating an artwork. Artists became more interested to
the so-called digital-based arts, and they were able to explore and develop their skills and talents in this field.
Below are the reasons why digital artists use modern technology as a tool for empowerment:
A. A form of communication - It expresses ideas through visual elements and principles in an artistic,
advanced and creative way. Symbols and signages are typical examples that give important directions or
instructions that need to be followed. Digital posters and slogans are also powerful tools to convey messages of
different issues.
B. Accessible to mass consumption - With the availability of modern technology, digital artworks are
easier to access and share in the different social and multimedia platforms.
C. Wider range of artforms to produce - With the different applications and software available in
making digital artworks, artists have many choices to the kind of artwork they want to produce. At the comfort of
making their masterpieces, they can explore and develop their skills, talents and self-confidence further.
D. More productive and practical - Creating digital artworks uses limited materials unlike the traditional
way of making art. It is also easier to manipulate these modern art gadgets by simply undoing committed
mistakes in the art piece. In terms of the productivity, digital artworks are easier to create and sell.
ROLE/FUNCTION OF ARTWORKS AS TO UTILIZATION AND COMBINATION OF ART ELEMENTS AND
PRINCIPLES
There are two (2) roles/functions of art - the Non-motivated and Motivated.
1. Non-Motivated Function of Art
This means that art is based on one’s perspective and does not fulfill a specific external purpose. In this
manner, art as creativity is something humans must do by their very nature and is therefore beyond utility.
The following are its functions:
a. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, and rhythm - It is a personal and internal appreciation of
aesthetic value (balance and beauty).
b. Experience of the mysterious - It gives brand new experience to people by valuing the meaning of the art.
c. Expression of the imagination - It shares the experience of the artist through forms, symbols and ideas with
meaning that can be perceived in the artwork.
d. Ritualistic and symbolic function - In many cultures, art is used in rituals, performances and dances as
symbols and decorations such as part of the background, in different apparels and costumes.
2. Motivated Functions of Art
These arts are intentional, and they are used by the artist or creator. They can function to bring about
political change, to comment or to convey specific idea. Further, they can be used for medical purposes,
entertainment and communication.
1. Communication. As most forms of communication, it has an intent to give meaning and direction
towards another individual. This is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts and maps are examples of these arts as
communication.
2. Art as entertainment. Digital art gives mixed emotions and moods for the purpose of relaxing or
entertaining the viewer.
3. The Avant-Garde. This is the Art of political change. In the 21st century, digital arts were used to bring
about political change.
4. Art as a “free zone”. Contemporary art has enhanced its tolerance toward cultural differences, as
well as critical and liberating functions (social inquiry, activism, subversion, deconstruction, etc.). It paves the
way to a wider place for exploration and experimentation.
5. Art for Social Causes. Art can be used to raise awareness in the different issues in the surrounding.
For an instance, the conduct of art exhibits that aims to raise awareness of autism, cancer, human trafficking
and other issues.
6. Art for Medical Purposes. Art is also used as a therapy by therapists, psychotherapists and clinical
psychologists.
7. Art for propaganda or commercialism. Art is often utilized as propaganda to influence popular
conception or mood. In the same way, it is also used to sell products. In this case, art subtly manipulates the
viewer into a particular emotion or psychological response to an idea or object.
LESSON 2
Characteristics of the 21st Century Artworks
Art is a form of expression. It is a medium of communication that an artist uses to convey messages. In
Lesson 2, you learned that artworks reflect the history, culture, and development of people. These valuable
artworks are tools for better understanding of the past, and for the present to continue on with its development
and progress.
One product of development in artwork is the application of technology. Artworks in the 21st century
evolve from the traditional ways to a more technology-based arts. In this module you will be identifying the
different characteristics of 21st century artworks such as technology-based arts.
The beginning of the 21st century has expanded the world of artists as they are taking advantage of
endless options technology can offer them. On the other hand, younger generations are more engaged in arts
because they can create their own artworks using technologies that are more interactive.
The rise of technology-based arts like digital arts using desktop PC, laptops, phones, and tablets has
created new styles and expressions. In fact, you can be a digital artist in your own simple way by editing using
your phone. Just so, you are already creating your own style of manipulating and producing an artwork.
PROCESS
Artists of different generations have one thing in common and that is to express their personal
experiences, beliefs and to make a change. However, from generation to generation, the processes or ways of
creating artworks totally differ. Artists of the Classical Period produced masterpieces using materials that were
available at that specific time like paints from natural materials. But with the advancement of technology, artists
in the 21st century developed new processes of creating art compositions. The integration of technology became
so popular and a new norm of “do-it-yourself artworks” has invaded the mainstream of arts. Desktop computers,
laptops, and smartphone have emerged as powerful tools over paints and brushes in making artworks.
THEMES AND STYLES
The 21st century era of art is a period of free forms and styles which is characterized by experts as the
time of art without uniformity in principle or ideology. Artists drew their subjects from the day-to-day events. An
artist can create a masterpiece just simply observing this around him. These artworks are reflections of society
and culture, politics, science, and technology, etc. Therefore, it does not have a single point of view and make
audience think outside of the box. It so interdisciplinary that you need to understand other fields to point out
exactly what the artist wanted to give you.
VISUAL ARTS
Visual arts are basically art forms which are visual in nature, like drawing, painting, design, photography,
videography, architecture, and movie making. During the 20th century, visual arts were only used to describe
fine arts like sculpture and paintings. But today’s usage, they also include applied arts such as the forms. Image
and media are the two distinct elements of visual arts. Artists use these to send messages and to create
communications about specific subjects such as gender, human rights, political beliefs and ideology, culture,
poverty, and other contemporary issues. Furthermore, the emergence of technology gave the rise of computer
arts or digital arts. Computer arts, together with film making, became the mainstream of art that it expanded to a
very vast discipline. People have new ways of appreciating and looking at arts in a different perspective.
Some Artworks of the 21st Century….
Julie Mehretu's Dispersion, 2002 Olafur Eliasson: The Weather Project (2003)
Yael Bartana And Europe Will Be Stunned (2007)