Lesson 2
Assumptions of
Art
What is meant by assumption?
Before going into the discussion on the assumptions of art, let us first
make sure that we clearly know what is meant by an assumption. The
Oxford Languages (2021) defines assumption as “a thing that is accepted
as true or as certain to happen, without proof.”
The definition means that an assumption is something that you believe to
be true or taken to be true even though you do not have a solid proof yet.
For instance, you need a G-Tech .03 pen so you to go a nearby store that
sells school supplies because you “assume” that they have it there since a
G-Tech pen is a school supply but you do not have evidence that they
currently have it in their stocks or supplies. What if you went there and
found out that the G-tech pen you are looking for is currently out of stock.
It will still be delivered.
Another example. You are enrolled in BSE Major in English. So the
following are our assumptions:
1. It is assumed that you want to be a teacher someday teaching
English language and literature.
2. It is assumed that you are already proficient in the English language
because you have been learning and using the language for 10
years in your basic education.
3. You are enrolled in the program so it is assumed that you have
accomplished all the requirements for admission and that you
agreed to abide by the rules and policies of the University and of
the BSE department.
These are just some of the assumptions that we have if you are enrolled
as a BSE Major in English student. Why are these assumptions? Because
we believe these to be true even without proof. What if you were just
forced to take the course? Or what if you went to a school where you
were not really given much exposure and training in communicating using
the English language? Or what if you still lack some documents which you
can submit later to the registrar?
The same concept then, applies to the notion of assumptions of Art. These
are things assumed to be the “truth” when it comes to art.
, Art is Universal
There are several contexts where the assumption of universality is
assumed. The following are the insinuations of the universality of art:
1. Art as a universal means of communication.
People communicate through language. However, people of
different races and cultures speak different languages that there is
a need for a language interpreter. Often, even with people
speaking the same language, miscommunications may happen due
to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of what was said.
However, with art as a form of communication, language barrier is
not an issue. Art has the ability to speak to all people to all people
of any race or of all ages, no matter what the form is. One does not
have to have the ability to speak or listen to get the message that
all artwork sends to its
audience.
For instance, the message
of this picture, a painting of
Gregory Frank Harris
entitled, “A Golden Harvest,
is understood in any
language.
(Source:
https://rehs.com/Gregory _Frank_Harris_ A_Golden_Harvest.html)
2. Art is Timeless.
The timelessness of art connotes that art does not fade in terms of
beauty and in arousing interest. Famous art works like Van Gogh’s
“Starry Night” or Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” continue to be
appreciated and even studied since the artists have placed them on
canvas. Try showing a painting to children and adults from any
parts of the globe, even at different generations of the past, present
and even show to them sometime in the future, chances are, there
will always be something new and sensational about the artwork
that evokes a feeling, thought or memory out of them. In other
words, anybody can relate to art.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
Source:
https://www.liveabout.com/old-
masters-techniques-leonardo-da-
vinci-2578611
Assumptions of
Art
What is meant by assumption?
Before going into the discussion on the assumptions of art, let us first
make sure that we clearly know what is meant by an assumption. The
Oxford Languages (2021) defines assumption as “a thing that is accepted
as true or as certain to happen, without proof.”
The definition means that an assumption is something that you believe to
be true or taken to be true even though you do not have a solid proof yet.
For instance, you need a G-Tech .03 pen so you to go a nearby store that
sells school supplies because you “assume” that they have it there since a
G-Tech pen is a school supply but you do not have evidence that they
currently have it in their stocks or supplies. What if you went there and
found out that the G-tech pen you are looking for is currently out of stock.
It will still be delivered.
Another example. You are enrolled in BSE Major in English. So the
following are our assumptions:
1. It is assumed that you want to be a teacher someday teaching
English language and literature.
2. It is assumed that you are already proficient in the English language
because you have been learning and using the language for 10
years in your basic education.
3. You are enrolled in the program so it is assumed that you have
accomplished all the requirements for admission and that you
agreed to abide by the rules and policies of the University and of
the BSE department.
These are just some of the assumptions that we have if you are enrolled
as a BSE Major in English student. Why are these assumptions? Because
we believe these to be true even without proof. What if you were just
forced to take the course? Or what if you went to a school where you
were not really given much exposure and training in communicating using
the English language? Or what if you still lack some documents which you
can submit later to the registrar?
The same concept then, applies to the notion of assumptions of Art. These
are things assumed to be the “truth” when it comes to art.
, Art is Universal
There are several contexts where the assumption of universality is
assumed. The following are the insinuations of the universality of art:
1. Art as a universal means of communication.
People communicate through language. However, people of
different races and cultures speak different languages that there is
a need for a language interpreter. Often, even with people
speaking the same language, miscommunications may happen due
to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of what was said.
However, with art as a form of communication, language barrier is
not an issue. Art has the ability to speak to all people to all people
of any race or of all ages, no matter what the form is. One does not
have to have the ability to speak or listen to get the message that
all artwork sends to its
audience.
For instance, the message
of this picture, a painting of
Gregory Frank Harris
entitled, “A Golden Harvest,
is understood in any
language.
(Source:
https://rehs.com/Gregory _Frank_Harris_ A_Golden_Harvest.html)
2. Art is Timeless.
The timelessness of art connotes that art does not fade in terms of
beauty and in arousing interest. Famous art works like Van Gogh’s
“Starry Night” or Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” continue to be
appreciated and even studied since the artists have placed them on
canvas. Try showing a painting to children and adults from any
parts of the globe, even at different generations of the past, present
and even show to them sometime in the future, chances are, there
will always be something new and sensational about the artwork
that evokes a feeling, thought or memory out of them. In other
words, anybody can relate to art.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci
Source:
https://www.liveabout.com/old-
masters-techniques-leonardo-da-
vinci-2578611
