PHILOSOPHICAL FUNCTIONS OF ART

Although Leo Tolstoy's art as a communication of emotion is fairly compelling, I think that
Aristotle’s art as a representation is superior. The idea of art as representation, to me, is more
broad than as communication of emotions.
An artist can make a sad song about love and he is able to communicate that emotion through
the song. But that song also represents a part of him – his sad, still-not-ever-his-ex phase, for
example. He could also produce a happy one in a different song and that song can still show us
a glimpse of what his happy side sounds like or feels like. He could compose various types of
songs and we can tell what he is like through his discography.
In a way, art is more than just an avenue to express emotions. Artists can show a reflection of
themselves through the content of their art – what they are passionate about, their struggles,
personalities, values, and even certain experiences. It is in these details, that when
accumulated, is able to construct an artist’s identity.