Republic of the Philippines

Western Mindanao State University

College of Liberal Arts

A&H 100
ARTS APPRECIATION

WMSU
Anie D. Palalon
Faculty

WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

Introduction:

Everything has its purpose. But how about art?

When an artist creates using any form of
expression, his/her creativity and imagination,
does he/she consider the functions of his creation?
Must an artwork have a purpose? This lesson will
attempt to clarify all these questions. Let’s start!
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 
1. Distinguish between directly functional and indirectly
functional art.
2. Realize the functions of some art forms in daily life.

Topic Outline
1. Personal Functions
2. Social Functions
3. Physical Functions
4. Other functions
 
 What is it for?

Yakan Weaving

(source: http://www.marxtermind.com/on-vacation-to-zamboanga-city/)
 abong-abong hills

(source: http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2011/03/visiting-zamboanga-basilans-tourism.html)
The hidden meaning of kid’s shapes and scribbles

“They are trying to draw a visual equivalent,

something that is readable, something that
somebody else will understand,” said Ellen
Winner, a psychology professor at Boston
College who also works with Harvard Graduate
School of Education’s Project Zero, a research
group that focuses on arts education.

(source: https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/10/the-hidden-meaning-of-kids-shapes-and-
scribbles/543873/)
LLANO — Stone balancing, fire spinning, bellydancing, a fashion circus, and even a walking tree are just some of the features to see at the Llano Earth Art Festival.

LLANO — Stone balancing, fire spinning, bellydancing, a fashion circus, and even a
walking tree are just some of the features to see at the Llano Earth Art Festival.
Think ahead!
 
Look for an item in your house that has an
aesthetic value to it and what would that
object be? Discuss what functions it has
played in your family or does it has a
sentimental value to you?
 
 
Art comes in different expressions. Thus,
art differs also in functions. Each art is made
for a specific purpose, may it be for
aesthetic value, sentimental value or
practical value. According to Caslib, Garing
and Casaul (2018), there are three functions
of art.
Personal
 
This function is very subjective in nature.
For the artist, creating can be a form of
self-expression, form of entertainment or
therapy to relieve stress. Art work
created for personal function can be
attributed to personal reasons of the
artist.
Social

Contradictory to personal function, social

function of art refers to the artist way of
expressing a collective interest or
message. One example is political art. A
painting or a picture to create awareness
on the issue of corruption among the
audience is an apparent example of the
social function of art.
Physical
 
Art works that are crafted or created for
physical purpose are very common. A
spoon with intricate designs, jewelry
and interior designs are some of
classifications of arts with physical
function.
 
Other functions
 
Notably, there are other functions of art. Like for
example music as a form of expression. It has
function in many aspects such as religion,
entertainment and in special circumstance like to
facilitate synchronicity among marching soldiers.
 
However, though art is said to be functional. It
must be emphasized that the value of art does not
depend on its functionality or efficiency.
 
 See if you can do this!

A. Trace the history of the painting below. What are the functions of
Juan Luna’s Spoliarium? Explain.

Spoliarium displayed at the Philippine National Museum of Fine Arts.

Artist Juan Luna
Year 1884
Medium Oil on canvas
Dimensions 4.22 m × 7.675 m (13.8 ft × 25.18 ft)
Location National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila
(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoliarium#/media/File:Juan_Luna_Spoliarium.Ajpg
The painting was submitted by Luna to
the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884 in 
Madrid, where it garnered the first gold medal (out
of three). The picture recreates a despoiling scene
in a Roman circus where dead gladiators are
stripped of weapons and garments. Together with
other works of the Spanish Academy, the
Spoliarium was on exhibit in Rome in April 1884.

(source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoliarium#/media/File:Juan_Luna_Spoliarium.Ajpg
• The painting features a glimpse of Roman
history centered on the bloody carnage
brought by gladiatorial matches.
Spoliarium is a Latin word referring to the
basement of the Roman Colosseum where
the fallen and dying gladiators are dumped
and devoid of their worldly possessions.
• At the center of Luna’s painting are fallen
gladiators being dragged by Roman soldiers.
On the left, spectators ardently await their
chance to strip off the combatants of their metal
helmets and other armory. In contrast with the
charged emotions featured on the left, the right
side meanwhile presents a somber mood. An
old man carries a torch perhaps searching for
his son while a woman weeps the death of her
loved one.
• The Spoliarium is the most valuable oil-on-canvas
painting by Juan Luna, a Filipino educated at the
Academia de Dibujo y Pintura (Philippines) and at
the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain.
With a size of 4.22 meters x 7.675 meters, it is the
largest painting in the Philippines. A historical
painting, it was made by Luna in 1884 as an entry
to the prestigious Exposicion de Bellas Artes
(Madrid Art Exposition, May 1884) and eventually
won for him the First Gold Medal.
B. Create your own artwork. Present to the class and explain
its function and contribution.

 
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING AND
KEEP SAFE
EVERYONE!