FUNCTIONS

OF ARTS
LESSON 2, MODULE 1
WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF ARTS
01 PERSONAL 02 SOCIAL 03 CULTURAL
Emotions, ideas & social values, unity and Traditions, & heritage
experiences change, community

04 POLITICAL 05 EDUCATIONAL 06 AESTHETIC

Justice, propaganda, Learning tool Beauty and pleasure
actvism
 PERSONAL FUNCTION
The personal function of art is primarily
focused on self-expression. Artists create
artworks to convey their emotions,
experiences, and inner thoughts. Art
allows individuals to process their
feelings, reflect on their identities, and
express what words sometimes cannot.
Psychologists have found that engaging
in artistic activities can reduce stress
Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry and improve mental well-being (Stuckey
Night (1889) reflects his emotional & Nobel, 2010).
turmoil and mental struggles during
his stay in a mental asylum
 SOCIAL FUNCTION

Art has the power to bring people

together, promote social values, and
raise awareness about important
issues. It can also serve as a
medium for protest and social
change. According to Dewey (1934),
art is not just an individual
experience but a social one that
connects people to a larger
community.
 The mural Black Lives Matter after
the killing of George Floyd in 2020
painted in different cities as a call for
The mural Guernica (1937) by justice and equality
Pablo Picasso
 cultural FUNCTION
Art preserves and celebrates the
customs, traditions, and beliefs of
different societies. It helps maintain
cultural identity by passing down
stories and historical narratives
from one generation to another.
According to Geertz (1973), culture
is expressed through symbols,
rituals, and artistic practices
Traditional Philippine Folkdances
 POLITICAL FUNCTION
Art is often used as a powerful tool
for political advocacy and protest.
It can challenge authority, expose
corruption, and inspire
revolutions. As Berger (1972)
argues, art is deeply tied to power
structures and can be used to
either support or resist political
ideologies.
BANKSY – A Graffiti Artist

Graffiti artist Banksy creates satirical artworks criticizing

capitalism, war, and government surveillance. His
anonymous street art is a form of political resistance.
AESTHETIC FUNCTION
One of the fundamental functions
of art is to provide aesthetic
pleasure. People appreciate art for
its beauty, harmony, and
emotional impact. Kant (1790)
argued that aesthetic judgment is
based on a universal sense of
beauty, though perceptions of
beauty can vary across cultures.
 EDUCATIONAL FUNCTION
Art is used as a teaching tool
to communicate ideas, tell
stories, and record history.
Studies have shown that
visual learning through art
enhances memory and
comprehension (Eisner,
2002).
Spoliarium by Juan Luna
 PENNY FOR THOUGHTS!
Art is not just about beauty—it serves essential
functions in society. It allows for personal expression,
unites communities, preserves cultural traditions,
challenges political systems, provides aesthetic
experiences, and enhances education. As students,
understanding the functions of art helps us
appreciate its significance in our daily lives.
THEORIES IN ARTS
 Mimesis (Imitation Theory)

● The theory of mimesis comes from the Greek

term meaning “to imitate.”
● According to Plato, art is simply a copy of
the physical world, which itself is already a
copy of the higher “world of forms.”
● Originating from Plato and Aristotle, this
theory suggests that artworks reflect reality,
experiences, or the world around us.
● Aristotle gave a more positive view,
suggesting that imitation is a natural human
activity and a way to learn about the world
Millet’s The Gleaners (1857)
Expression Theory
● This theory emphasizes that art is not
merely about representation but about
communicating the artist’s inner
feelings and emotions.
● According to Leo Tolstoy
(1897) in What is Art?, art is the
transmission of emotions from the artist
to the audience; through forms, colors,
sounds, or words, the artist expresses
what they feel, and the audience
“catches” that emotion.
● R.G. Collingwood (1938) also
supported this idea, claiming that art is
not about arousing emotion but about
clarifying and expressing emotions
sincerely.
 FORMALISM THEORY

● Formalism views art as valuable

primarily because of its formal qualities—
such as lines, colors, textures, balance,
and composition—rather than its subject
matter.

● Art is about the form — lines, colors,

shapes, textures, and composition — not
about representation or emotions.

Piet Mondrian’s Composition

PRAGMATIC Theory
● Pragmatic Theory (Art as
Communication and Usefulness)

● The pragmatic theory highlights

the usefulness of art, particularly
in education, politics, or moral
development.

● John Dewey (1934) in Art as

Experience stressed that art is
meaningful when it connects to
human experiences, enriching life
and community.
Diego Rivera’s Mural
HEDONISTIC Theory
● The Hedonistic theory holds that art
exists to give pleasure and enjoyment.

● The ancient philosopher Epicurus (3rd

century BCE) emphasized pleasure as
central to life, while Immanuel Kant
(1790) argued that aesthetic pleasure is
“disinterested”—we enjoy beauty without
needing it to serve a practical purpose.

● This theory reminds us that

art’s aesthetic experience itself—the
joy of beauty, harmony, or elegance—
can be its main value.
Diego Rivera’s Mural
DIMENSIONS
OF ARTS
Dimension Focus Example

Physical Tangible form, materials, medium Michelangelo’s David

Expression and evocation of

Emotional Munch’s The Scream
feelings

Culture, tradition, collective

Social Tinikling dance, Rivera murals
experience

Historical Record of past events, heritage Cave paintings, Guernica

Philosophical Ideas, intellectual reflection Dalí’s Persistence of Memory

Aesthetic Beauty, harmony, sensory delight Monet’s Water Lilies

Spiritual Religion, morality, transcendence Cathedral art, ritual dances