CHAPTER 2: FUNCTIONS OF ART

Objectives:
a.) Explain the basic philosophical foundations of art.
b.) Realize the functions of some art forms in daily life.
c.) Apply theories and concepts on beauty and aesthetics in real life
scenario
d.) Differentiate representational art and non-representational art;
e.) Discuss the difference between an artwor’s subject and its content;

Within art, there exist purposes referred to as functions for which a piece of art may be
designed, but no art can be "assigned" a function either in scholarly studies or casual
conversation outside of the proper context. Art forms exist within very specific contexts
that must be considered when classifying them. Whether a particular piece of art has
existed for centuries or has yet to be created, it is functional in some way all art exists for
a reason and these reasons make up the functions of art.

Physical
The physical functions of art are often the easiest to understand. Works of art that are
created to perform some service have physical functions. If you see a Fijian war club,
you may assume that, however wonderful the craftsmanship may be, it was created to
perform the physical function of smashing skulls.

A Japanese raku bowl is a piece of art that performs a physical function in a tea ceremony.
Conversely, a fur-covered teacup from the Dada movement has no physical function.
Architecture, crafts such as welding and woodworking, interior design, and industrial
design are all types of art that serve physical functions.

Social
Art has a social function when it addresses aspects of (collective) life as opposed to one
person's point of view or experience. Viewers can often relate in some way to social art
and are sometimes even influenced by it.

Art that depicts social conditions performs social functions and often this art comes in the
form of photography. The Realists figured this out early in the 19th century.

Personal
The personal functions of art are often the most difficult to explain. There are many types
of personal functions and these are highly subjective. Personal functions of art are not
likely to be the same from person to person.

An artist may create a piece out of a need for self-expression or gratification. They might
also or instead want to communicate a thought or point to the viewer. Sometimes an artist
is only trying to provide an aesthetic experience, both for self and viewers. A piece might
be meant to entertain, provoke thought, or even have no particular effect at all.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ART
Aristotle claimed that every particular substance in the world has an end, or telos in Greek,
which translates into “purpose.” Every substance, defined as formed matter, moves
according to a fixed path towards its aim.

• In Plato‟s The Republic, paints a picture of artists as imitators and art as mere imitation.
• In his description of the ideal republic, Plato advises against the inclusion of art as a
subject in the curriculum and the banning of artists in the Republic.
• Plato was convinced that artists merely reinforce the belief in copies and discourage
men to reach for the real entities in the World of Forms.
• Plato was deeply suspicious of arts and artists for two reasons:
a. They appeal to the emotion rather to the rational faculty of men
b. They imitate rather than lead one to reality
• Poetry rouses emotions and feelings and thus, clouds rationality of people.
• Art is just an imitation of imitation. A painting is just an imitation of nature, which is also
just an imitation of reality in the World of Forms.
• Art then is to be banished, alongside the practitioners, so that the attitudes and actions
of the members of the Republic will not be corrupted by the influence of the arts.
• For Plato, art is dangerous because it provides a petty replacement for the real entities
than can only be attained through reason.

Art as a Representation

• Aristotleagreed with Plato that art is a form of imitation.

• However, Aristotle considered art as an aid to philosophy in revealing the truth.
• The kind of imitation that art does is not antithetical to the reaching of fundamental
truths in the world.
• Unlike Plato who thought that art is an imitation of another imitation, Aristotle
conceived of art as representing possible versions of reality.
• For Aristotle, all kinds of art do not aim to represent reality as it is, it endeavors to
provide a version of what might be or the myriad possibilities of reality.
• InAristotelian worldview, art serves two particular purposes:
a. Art allows for the experience of pleasure (horrible experience can be
b. made an object of humor)
• Art also has an ability to be instructive and teach its audience things about life
(cognitive)

Art as a Disinterested Judgment

• Immanuel Kant, in his Critique of Judgment, considered the judgment of beauty, the
cornerstone of art, as something that can be universal despite its subjectivity.
• Kant recognized that judgment of beauty is subjective.
• However, even subjective judgments are based on some universal criterion for the said
judgment.
• The first is clearly a judgment of taste (subjective), while the second is an aesthetic
judgment (objective).
• Making an aesthetic judgment requires us to be disinterested. In other words, we
should try to go beyond our individual tastes and preferences so that we can appreciate
art from a universal standpoint.

Art as a Communication of Emotion

• According to Leo Tolstoy, art plays a huge role in communication to its audience’s
emotions that the artist previously experienced.
• In the same that language communicates information to other people, art
communicates emotions.
• As a purveyor of man’s innermost feelings and thoughts, art is given a unique
opportunity to serve as a mechanism for social unity.
• Art is central to man’s existence because it makes accessible feelings and emotions of
people from the past and present
 SUBJECT and CONTENT of ART

Two types of subject:

1. Representational Art
§ These types of art have subjects that refer to objects or events occurring in the real
world. It is also known as “figurative art”.
§ A painting or sculpture that is clearly recognizable for what it claims to be.

Examples:
a. Mona Lisa (1503) by Leonardo da Vinci
b. Boy Leading a Horse (1905) by Pablo Picasso
c. Palay Maiden (1920) by Fernando Amorsolo

2. Non-representational Art
§ Art forms that do not make reference to the real world, whether it is a person, place,
thing, or even a particular event.
§ It is stripped down only to visual elements to translate a particular emotion and concept.
§ Best example of a non-representational art is an abstract art.

Note: Abstract art can be a representational art since even with the abstraction of an
artwork, it can still form a real image through visual elements.
SUBJECT OF ART
§ The visual focus or the image that may be extracted from examining the artwork; the
“what”

Six (6) main kinds of subject:

1. Still Life – a collection of inanimate objects arranged together in a specific way.
2. Landscape – natural scenery such as mountains, cliffs, rivers, etc.
3. Nature – a focused view or interpretation of specific natural elements.
4. Portraiture – an image of a particular person or animal, or group thereof.
5. Abstract – a non-representational work of art.
6. Day of the Dead – a Mexican holiday with a vibrant artistic tradition.

CONTENT OF ART

The meaning that is expressed and communicated by the artist or the artwork; the “why”
Three (3) various levels of meaning:
• Factual meaning – Is the most rudimentary level of meaning. Extracted from the
identifiable or recognizable forms in the artwork.
• Conventional meaning – Pertains to the acknowledged interpretation of the artwork
using motifs, signs, and symbols. Established through time, strengthened by
recurrent use and wide acceptance by its audience who study them.

Subjective meaning – A particular work of art that is consulted and read.

Meanings that came from the viewers or audience’s circumstances and experiences.
Meanings may not be singular, rather, there are multiple and varied