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ART APPRECIATION #3 "FUNCTIONS OF 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.

  • This telos, according to Aristotle, is intricately linked with function.

  • For a thing to reach its purpose, it also has to fulfill its function.

Functions of Art

  • An inquiry on the function of art is an inquiry on what art is for.

  • Example: What is the Rizal monument for?

  • When it comes to function, different art forms come with distinctive functions.

  • Some art forms are more functional than others.

Architecture and Applied Arts

  • The value of the art in question lies in the practical benefits one gains from it.

  • Obviously made for a specific purpose.

Painting and Literature

  • One can look at the value of the product of art in and for itself.

Does it mean that paintings and literary works can never have any function?

  • Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

  • The novels accrued value and as a consequence, function.

  • They are functional in so far as they are designed to accomplish some definite end.

Personal Functions of Art

  • The personal functions of art are varied and highly subjective.

  • A function depends on the artist who created the art.

  • An artist may create an art out of self-expression, entertainment, or therapeutic purpose.

Social Functions of Art

  • Art is considered to have a social function if and when it addresses a particular collective interest as opposed to a personal interest.

  • Art may convey message of protest, contestation, or whatever message the artist intends his work to carry.

  • Political art is a very common example of an art with a social function.

  • Art can also depict social conditions such as photography (pictures of poverty).

  • Performance art like plays or satires can also rouse emotions and rally people toward a particular end.

Physical Functions of Art

  • The physical functions of art can be found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve some physical purpose.

  • Architecture, jewelry-making, interior design all serves physical functions.

Other Functions of Art

  • Music was principally used for dance and religion.

  • The ancient world saw music as an instrument to facilitate worship and invocation to gods.

  • Music was essential for synchronicity of dancers.

  • Music guarantees that warriors were simultaneous.

  • Today, music has expanded its functions and coverage.

  • There is a lot of music that has no connection to dance or religion.

  • Example: Serenade – People compose hymns to express feelings and emotions.

  • Music is also used as accompaniment to stage plays and motion pictures.

  • Sculptures have been made by man most particularly for religion.

  • In the Roman Catholic world, the employment of sculptures for religious purposes has remained vital, relevant, and symbolic.

  • Rizal and Bonifacio’s monument and commemorative coins (Pope Francis).

  • Architecture may be the most prominent functional art.

  • Unlike other forms of art, buildings take so much time to erect and destroy.

  • One cannot dismiss taking into consideration the function of a building before construction.

  • It is also in architecture where one can find the intimate connection of function and form.

I

ART APPRECIATION #3 "FUNCTIONS OF 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.

  • This telos, according to Aristotle, is intricately linked with function.

  • For a thing to reach its purpose, it also has to fulfill its function.

Functions of Art

  • An inquiry on the function of art is an inquiry on what art is for.

  • Example: What is the Rizal monument for?

  • When it comes to function, different art forms come with distinctive functions.

  • Some art forms are more functional than others.

Architecture and Applied Arts

  • The value of the art in question lies in the practical benefits one gains from it.

  • Obviously made for a specific purpose.

Painting and Literature

  • One can look at the value of the product of art in and for itself.

Does it mean that paintings and literary works can never have any function?

  • Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

  • The novels accrued value and as a consequence, function.

  • They are functional in so far as they are designed to accomplish some definite end.

Personal Functions of Art

  • The personal functions of art are varied and highly subjective.

  • A function depends on the artist who created the art.

  • An artist may create an art out of self-expression, entertainment, or therapeutic purpose.

Social Functions of Art

  • Art is considered to have a social function if and when it addresses a particular collective interest as opposed to a personal interest.

  • Art may convey message of protest, contestation, or whatever message the artist intends his work to carry.

  • Political art is a very common example of an art with a social function.

  • Art can also depict social conditions such as photography (pictures of poverty).

  • Performance art like plays or satires can also rouse emotions and rally people toward a particular end.

Physical Functions of Art

  • The physical functions of art can be found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve some physical purpose.

  • Architecture, jewelry-making, interior design all serves physical functions.

Other Functions of Art

  • Music was principally used for dance and religion.

  • The ancient world saw music as an instrument to facilitate worship and invocation to gods.

  • Music was essential for synchronicity of dancers.

  • Music guarantees that warriors were simultaneous.

  • Today, music has expanded its functions and coverage.

  • There is a lot of music that has no connection to dance or religion.

  • Example: Serenade – People compose hymns to express feelings and emotions.

  • Music is also used as accompaniment to stage plays and motion pictures.

  • Sculptures have been made by man most particularly for religion.

  • In the Roman Catholic world, the employment of sculptures for religious purposes has remained vital, relevant, and symbolic.

  • Rizal and Bonifacio’s monument and commemorative coins (Pope Francis).

  • Architecture may be the most prominent functional art.

  • Unlike other forms of art, buildings take so much time to erect and destroy.

  • One cannot dismiss taking into consideration the function of a building before construction.

  • It is also in architecture where one can find the intimate connection of function and form.