CHAPTER 3: 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 artwork’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.

For further discussion please refer to the link provided: Functions of Art
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh2hTXycunU

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.

Art is an Imitation

• 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:
• They appeal to the emotion rather to the rational faculty of men
• 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

• Aristotle agreed 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.
• In Aristotelian worldview, art serves two particular purposes:
• Art allows for the experience of pleasure (horrible experience can be 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.
For further discussion please refer to the link provided: Philosophical Perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh2hTXycunU

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
 a. b. c.

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.
 1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

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

For further discussion please refer to the link provided: How to analyze the subject
matter of a work of art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIvzDTsaEPg