Republic of the Philippines

President Ramon Magsaysay State University

Zambales
Telefax : 047-8111683/email address: prmsu.edu.ph

GEE 12: READING VISUAL ARTS

Chapter 2
ASSUMPTIONS AND FUNCTIONS OF ART

Learning Objectives

• Characterize the assumptions and functions of arts;

• Clarify misconceptions about art;
• Differentiate art from nature;
• Appreciate and understand art by following the steps of Artistic Criticism;
• List down their most striking encounters with art and explain why they think each
encounter is an experience.
As we see, hear, or feel any artwork, we realize that something in that artwork is also
a part of our experience, because art is the transmission of feelings the artist has
experienced or the expression of the ineffable emotion of the artist.
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART
1) Art is Universal. Art exists because it is important to people’s lives. It is the
oldest and most important means of expression developed by men and women in any
culture. Art immortalizes man and his marvelous achievements. Literature and history
provide us with all evidences about the timelessness and universal value of art and its
unique contribution to mankind.
2) Art is not Nature. In understanding this assumption, we should first see the
meaning of the two terminologies.
Art is made by man using his skills, craftsmanship, creativity and imagination. It is
far different from nature. Man may consider nature as an inspiration to create an artwork.
Nature- Divine model, work of God, or God made. We are often caught in a
dilemma or situation wherein we get confused if we can consider nature as art. Art and
nature are two different things, art is not nature and nature is not art. Art is human-made
and nature is God-made.
3) Art involves Experience. All art requires experience. Experience is the actual
doing of something. One can never experience art just by hearsay alone. One cannot judge
a song or painting not unless he heard or saw it in an actual sense. No one can speak of

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts

pains and hurt from a failed relationship, the heightened emotions of falling in love not
unless he experienced it for himself. The first and last demand of art is experience.
Two Characteristics of Experience:
1. Experience of art is subjective. Our judgment of art is highly personal
and individual. Any claims that his/her experience with art is better than others
proves to be impossible. Not everybody will agree with our own experience with
art.
2. Art experience is accompanied by emotional response. Initial
reaction in such experience of art is inevitable. We may either like or dislike it. We
can say that it’s beautiful or it’s not good at all. Others will say it’s frustrating, and
some will say it’s great. For this reason, our reaction to arts differ from one another.
4. Art is cultural. Art contributes to the understanding of past and present cultures.
Through art, people learn about their culture’s values and strengthen their culture’s
identity. Through art, the people feel proud of their customs, traditions, and beliefs because
they give sense of belonging.
5. Art as Expression. Art is an expression of an individual, making known his
thoughts or feelings. It means that the work of art reflects the artist’s personality,
background or even personal circumstances. Expression is an avenue for the artist to
explore more about his emotion and creating something beautiful out of them.
FUNCTIONS OF ART
Art plays an important role in the society. Every art form has definite function
since it satisfies particular needs. Different art forms have its unique functions and
different reasons for being created. Architecture is directly and almost entirely
functional because buildings and other structures are always built for some special
purpose.
1. Personal or
Individual
Function.
Artists have their
personal reason as
they try to express
themselves. An
artist may create
out of a need for
self-expression, or
gratification. She/
He might have
wanted to communicate a thought or point to the viewer.

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts

Ex. Fernando Amorsolo, painted “Mango Pickers, 1936” (and others to showcase the life
and real experience of Filipinos working in the field and for some audience to appreciate
the beauty of nature.
Ex. Some OPM singers render concerts
for free because of their passion for
music and because of their generosity.
2. Social Function. As a social
being, man associates with those
around him. Art is avenue to extend his
sense of belongingness and connection
with people. Through art, man learns to
love and help each other. Art gathers man as one family and community, through
celebration like festivals, choral singing or group dancing in religious rituals. Architectural
structure like houses are built to unite families.

Sinulog Festival- Cebu

3. Economic Function. Any art production will definitely involve money.
Reproduction of any art works that would still become the highest-paid, or even the
reproduction of songs by great singers like Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Whitney
Houston will gain millions of dollars. Film industries that spent millions of pesos for the
production. J.K. Rowling, the author of the best-selling Harry Potter series, became one of
the most highly paid woman in British history.

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts

4. Political Function. Political aspect of one particular country play a very
distinctive role nowadays. Arts became the political medium to promote their political
programs and political status.

5. Cultural Function. Tangible representations of one culture like architectural

structures like buildings, sculpture like furniture and intangible representations like music,
dance, and language or literary piece form part of a nation’s culture. These cultural
representations through art forms serve as a channels to share and transmit from one
generation to another generation.

“Pandanggo sa Ilaw” “Ati-Atihan Fesival”

6. Religious Function. Art forms like architecture, music, dance, and sculpture
play an important role in one cultural spirituality. People from the past worshipped their
gods through sculptures with music and dance. Nowadays, people are gathered in an
architectural structure like churches, arenas and other venues to worship and they
incorporate music and dance.

“Senakulo “The Basílica de la Sagrada Família” also known

” as the “Sagrada Família”

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts

 A synagogue is a Jewish or Samaritan
house of worship.
7. Physical Function. Our
health is our first priority, architectural
structure like hospitals, physical
therapy center and laboratories are
there to assist us for health care. Music
and dance perform an important role when our bodies need to rejuvenate and revitalize,
one example is Zumba dance and reflective music for yoga. Painting therapy was proven
as therapeutic by some cancer patient.

Zumba Dance Yoga

8. Aesthetic Function. Beautification adds appeal and excitement like displays of

paintings in an empty area on a wall. Fashion always aims for beauty that is appealing to
the eye. Film industries, Opera’s and Theater provide extravagant and beautiful props and
costumes for its realistic impact and appeal.

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American

musical drama film
Aesthetic Mural

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts

ARTISTIC CRITICISM
An art criticism is an evaluation of a work of art. It is considered as formal analysis
of work of art.
It is a tool to fully understand an artwork that would lead to a better art appreciation.
One way of seeing how the elements and principle works is through art analysis.
Advantage of Art Criticism
▪ It will give you confidence to discuss works of art without worrying about what
other people might think.
▪ It will help you organize your thoughts.
▪ Develop the courage to speak your mind and make sound aesthetic judgments.
▪ Art criticism can make the study of art less mysterious and more logical.
▪ It will help you to interpret works of art.

• A quick reference to help you understand, appreciate and analyze art is to follow
the following steps: Describe, Analyze, Interpretation and Judgment
1. Observation – Say something about the details of the artwork and the artist.
Answering these questions would lead to a better description and background of the
artwork.
• What is the name of the artist who created the artwork?
• What kind of artwork and medium is it?
• What is the name of the artwork?
• When was the artwork created?
• Name some other major events in history that occurred at the same time this
artwork created.
• What do you notice first when you look at the work(s)? Why?
• Are there lines in the work(s)? If so, what kind of lines are they?
• What kinds of colors do you see? What kind of edges do the shapes have?
• What is the overall visual effect or mood of the artwork(s)?
2. Analysis – Mentally separate the parts of elements, thinking in terms of textures,
shape, colors, form, value or lights and shadows, lines and space. Describe how the
artist used them to organize the elements.

• How did the artist use the colors in the work(s)?

• How did the artist use the shapes within the work of art?
• Did the artist use the lines as important or dominant parts of the work?
• How was the overall visual impact or mood of the work(s)?
3. Interpretation – An interpretation seeks to explain the meaning of the work
based on what you have learned so far about the artwork. What do you think the artist
was trying to say?

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts

• What was the artist’s statement in his work? What does it mean to the artist?
• What does it mean to you?
• How does this relate to you and your life?
• What feelings do you have when looking at the artwork?
• Do you think there are things in the artwork that represent/symbolize something?
• Why do you think the artist chose to work in this manner and made these kinds of
artistic decisions?
4. Judgment – After careful observation, analysis, and interpretation of an
artwork, you are ready to make your own judgment. This is your personal evaluation
based on the understandings of the work(s). Here are some questions you might
consider:

• Why do you think the work has intrinsic value or worth?

• Does the artwork communicate idea, feeling or principle that others can value?
• Is the subject matter unappealing, unimaginative, or repulsive? How?
• What kind of effect do you think the artwork may have for others?
• Rather than seeing the work as being very effective or without total value, does the
work fall somewhere in between?
• Does the artwork lack on personal expression? Does it lack major focus?

Explore your criticism of the work as much as you would have any positive
perceptions. Realize that your own tastes and prejudices may enter into your
criticism. Give your positive and negative perceptions.

Humanities ǁ Reading Visual Arts