FUNCTIONS
OF ART
Aristotle
- Greek philosopher claimed that every particular substance in the
world has an end or “telos” (purpose). “Telos” is intricately linked
with function.
- Telos and function of a thing are both related to a thing’s identity.
- For a thing to reach it’s purpose, it also has to fulfill its function.
- Man, is bound to achieve a life of fulfillment and happiness.
(Rational purpose)
FUNCTIONS OF ARTS
– Different art forms come with distinctive functions.
– Some art forms are more functional than others.
– Architecture (Taj Mahal, made by white marble built in Agra constructed in
memory of the favorite wife of the Emperor, Shah Jahan.
– Painting and literature as forms of art that have the least to do with purely
practical reasons. (Take into consideration the novels of Dr. Jose Rizal)
PERSONAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
– highly subjective. (depends on the person)
– An artist may create an art out of the need for self-expression.
– for self-expression or entertainment.
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
– addresses a collective interest rather than personal interest.
– Example is Political art which may convey message of protest or
whatever message the artist intends his work.
– It can also depict social condition (Photography)
PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
– artworks that are crafted in order to serve some physical purpose.
– Ex: A Japanese Raku bowl in a tea ceremony, Architecture, jewelry-
making and interior design.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART
– Music was used for dance and religion. Ancient world sees music
only as an instrument to facilitate worship and invocation to Gods.
– Today, music has expanded its function since it is listened to and
made by people for other reasons such as serenade which is
composed to expressed feelings and emotions. It can be also used
as wonderful accompaniment in stage plays and motion pictures.
– Sculptures particularly for religion, for commemorating important
figures in history. ( Rizal’s and Bonifacio’s monument, Oblation of
UP, coins)
– Architecture as the most prominent functional art form. There is a
an intimate connection of function and form.
PHILOSOPHICAL
PERSPECTIVES
ON ART
ART AS AN IMITATION
– Plato in “The Republic” advises against the inclusion of
art as a subject in the curriculum and the banning of
artists in the Republic.
– The things in this world are only copies of the original,
the eternal and the true entities that can only be found
in the World of Forms.
– Plato was suspicious of arts and artists for two reasons:
1. They appeal to the emotion rather than the rational
faculty of men.
2. They imitate rather than lead one to reality.
- For Plato, art is dangerous because it provides a petty
replacement for the real entities that can only be
attained through reason.
- Example: Poetry rouses emotions and feeling and thus
clouds the rationality of people.
ART AS A REPRESENTATION
– Aristotle considered art as an aid to philosophy in
revealing truth.
– In the Poetics, poetry is a literary representation in
general. Art is endeavor to provide a vision of what might
be or possibilities in reality.
In Aristotelian worldview, arts serve two purposes:
1. Art allows for the experience of pleasure.
2. Art has an ability to be instructive and teach its
audience things about life.
ART AS A DISINTERESTED JUDGMENT
– Kant in the “Critique of Judgment”, considered the
judgment of beauty as something that can be universal
despite its subjectivity.
– based on some universal criterion.
– Every human being after perception and the free play of
his faculties should recognize the beauty that is inherent
in the work of art.
ART AS A COMMUNICATION OF EMOTION
– In Leo Tolstoy’s book “What is Art”, art plays a huge role
in communication to its audience’s emotions that the
artist previously experienced.
– Arts then serves as a language, a communication device
that articulates feelings and emotions that are
unavailable to the audience.
– Art is central to man’s existence because it makes
accessible feelings and emotions of people from the past
and present, from one continent to another.
½ Crosswise
What art form/artwork has changed something in
your life? Why? Account for the experience.
