AESTHETI

CS
LESSON 2 (WEEKS 2-3)

Prepared By: Mr. Gercov Wong Batoctoy

 AESTHETICS
Aesthetics is the philosophical argument about the nature of beauty.
Aesthetics deals with notions of taste, and cultural conventions – ideas
of art being ‘good’ and ‘bad’ based on specific cultural information and
beliefs and the judgments we make based on our perceptions.
 AESTHETICS
the branch of philosophy that deals with the principles of beauty and
artistic taste. It is closely related to the philosophy of art, which is
concerned with the nature of art and the concepts in terms of which
individual works of art are interpreted and evaluated.
Art has had a great number of different functions throughout its
history, making its purpose difficult to abstract or quantify to any
single concept. This does not imply that the purpose of art is
“vague” but that it has had many unique, different reasons for
being created.
 NON-MOTIVATED
FUNCTIONS OF ART
The non-motivated purposes of art are those which are
integral to being human, transcend the individual, or do not
fulfill a specific external purpose.
 #1: BASIC HUMAN INSTINCT FOR
HARMONY, BALANCE, RHYTHM.
Art at this level is not an action or an object, but an internal
appreciation of balance and harmony (beauty), and therefore an
aspect of being human beyond utility.
 #2: EXPERIENCE OF THE
MYSTERIOUS
Art provides us with a way to experience ourselves in
relation to the universe. This experience may often come
unmotivated, as we appreciate art, music or poetry
 #3: EXPRESSION OF THE
IMAGINATION
Art provide a means to express the imagination in non-
grammatic ways that are not tied to the formality of spoken or
written language.
#4: UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATION
Art allows the individual to express things toward the world
as a whole. Earth artists often create art in remote locations
that will never be experienced by another person.
 #5: RITUALISTIC AND SYMBOLIC
FUNCTIONS
In many cultures, art is used in rituals, performances and dances as a
decoration or symbol. While these often have no specific utilitarian
(motivated) purpose, anthropologists know that they often serve a
purpose at the level of meaning within a particular culture.
 MOTIVATED FUNCTIONS
OF ART
The purposes of art which are motivated refer to
intentional, conscious actions on the part of the artists or
creator.
#1: COMMUNICATION
Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of
communication have an intent or goal directed toward another
individual, this is a motivated purpose. Emotions, moods and
feelings are also communicated through art.
#2: ART AS ENTERTAINMENT
Art may seek to bring about a particular emotion or mood, for
the purpose of relaxing or entertaining the viewer
#3: THE AVANTE-GARDE
Art for political change. One of the defining functions of early
twentieth-century art has been to use visual images to bring
about political change.
#4: ART FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND
HEALING PURPOSES
Art is also used by art therapists, psychotherapists, and clinical
psychologists as art therapy
#5: ART FOR SOCIAL INQUIRY,
SUBVERSION, AND/OR ANARCHY
While similar to art for political change, subversive or
deconstructionist art may seek to question aspects of society without
any specific political goal.
#5: ART FOR SOCIAL INQUIRY,
SUBVERSION, AND/OR ANARCHY
While similar to art for political change, subversive or
deconstructionist art may seek to question aspects of society without
any specific political goal.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL, AND
PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS OF
ART
 PERSONAL FUNCTION

The first function of art is individual or personal.

Most artists produce work done specifically to satisfy their

own desire to produce work. It can be that simple: the artist
simply enjoys painting, drawing, or sculpting. They are
pleased with their ability to represent the world and derive a
certain satisfaction from doing so.
 PERSONAL FUNCTION

It’s probable that the artist gets positive feedback for his/her
works, which motivates him/her to do more, or perhaps the
artist finds the process of recording the world “therapeutic”.

It calms them or relieves stress.

 PERSONAL FUNCTION
Utilitarian: The word utilitarian was coined by the philosopher
and judge Jeremy Bentham, who argued that his principle of
utility would create the "greatest happiness for the greatest
number of people." The noun form utilitarian refers to a person
who adheres to this philosophy of usefulness.
 PERSONAL FUNCTION

The personal function of art is quite obvious when we

consider German artist Käthe Kollwitz, who produced
numerous poignant depictions of suffering reflected through
personal tragedy. In Death and the Mother, Kollwitz seems to
effortlessly describe a myriad of powerful emotions exposed
in the confrontation of death.
 SOCIAL FUNCTION
We simply can’t categorize works of art as serving either a
personal or social function, because in most situations, they
are combined. Kollwitz’s works are deeply personal, but they
have the power to affect all of us. The more you think about
it, the more you’ll think of works of art that fill a social
function.
In Death and the Mother by Käthe Kollwitz
 PHYSICAL FUNCTION

The third function of art is the physical function.

The physical function of art can be realized through the objects
and environments we create which fill a utilitarian need.
 PHYSICAL FUNCTION

A functional thing might be so eloquently simple, that it seems

to define the very term "aesthetic." We might think of
“aestheticizing" utilitarian things in two ways. The first is
through decoration, the second is through the creation of an
aesthetic form itself.
 PHILOSOPHERS ON ART
ART as MIMESIS
Problems with imitation:

 Epistemological: An imitation is at three removes from the reality

or truth of something.

 Theological: Poets and other artists represent the gods in

inappropriate ways.

 Moral and Psychological: A good imitation can undermine the

stability of even the best humans by making us feel sad,
depressed, and sorrowful about life itself.

PLATO,
REPUBLIC Source of picture: Kennisgeving voor omleiding. (n.d.-c). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i
 ART is REPRESENTATION
 Imitation is natural to humans from childhood.

 Imitation is how children learn, and we all learn from imitations.

 Tragedy can be a form of education that provides moral insight

and fosters emotional growth.

 Tragedy is the imitation (mimesis) of certain kinds of people and

actions. Good tragedies must have certain sorts of people and
plots. (Good people Experience a reversal of fortune due to some
failing or hamartia.)

 A successful tragedy produces a katharsis in the audience.

ARISTOTLE, POETIC
 Katharsis = purification through pity and fear

Source of picture: Kennisgeving voor omleiding. (n.d.-b). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i

 ART FOR ART’S SAKE
 The purpose of art is to be “purposeless”

 Content, subject matter, and any other external

demands are obsolete.

 It should not have to justify any reason of existing and

being valued other than the fact that it is art.

IMMANUEL KANT,
THE CRITIQUE OF
JUDGEMENT

Source of picture: Kennisgeving voor omleiding. (n.d.). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i

 OUR EXPERIENCE OF ART
the ways we appreciate and criticize work –
is therefore wholly commanded by aesthetic
pleasure and delight, separate from the rest
of the world.
REFERENC
ES
 https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/bago-city-college/nursing/art-appreciation/9769545

 Picture #1: Kennisgeving voor omleiding. (n.d.-c). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i

 Picture #2: Kennisgeving voor omleiding. (n.d.-b). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i

 Picture #3: Kennisgeving voor omleiding. (n.d.). https://www.google.com/url?sa=i

 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/mcc-artappreciation/chapter/oer-1-2/
THANK
YOU