GE 6 - ART APPRECIATION

Module 2 – FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF ART

LESSON PROPER

FUNCTIONS OF ART

Aristotle claimed that every particular substance on earth has an end or “telos” in Greek, which
means “purpose.” Think of the purpose of things around you, such as chairs, tables, picture frames,
cups, books, chandeliers, furniture, etc. Each of them serves a purpose. This purpose is the reason
why they are made or why they exist in this world. The telos or purpose is directly related to the function.

For things to serve its purpose, it must fulfill its function. The following are different functions of art:

• Personal Function - It is the use of art merely for personal gain. It is highly subjective and depends
on how a person used an art. It is one of the most confusing functions of art to explain. Several
examples that are associated with personal function are expressive art, art entertainment, and art
therapy. A person can use art for self-expression. Similar to many artists, people find relief and
gratification when they can express themselves. The way each person expresses is through the use
of different mediums and techniques to produce an artwork. Art can also be used to communicate
personal thoughts.

a. Arts open and educates the senses and sharpen the perceptions.
b. Arts serves as a vehicle for the expression of feelings, emotions, motivations and
ideas.
c. Arts provide awareness for other ways of thinking, feeling and imagining.

Examples: - Psychological expression.

- Love, sex and marriage.
- Death, Morbidity and Illness.
- Spiritual Concern.
- Aesthetic Expression.
- Intellectual Inquiry.

• Social Function - Art serves social functions when it can influence other people (Benjy, 2016).
Several types of art are intended to persuade the public. The works of Jose Rizal, that is, Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, were not only works of art but they brought about change in society.
The novels of Rizal influenced the mind of the Filipinos during that time. Rizal awakened the mind of
the Filipinos and led to a revolution from the Spanish regime.

a. Art seeks to influence proper human behavior.

b. Arts are created and can be used primarily for public consumption.
c. Arts express or describe individual, social or collective aspects of existence.

Examples: - Advertisement.
- Political and Ideological Expression.
- Artistic Expressions of Humanitarian Concern.
- Satire.
- Graphic Communication.

• Physical Function - The physical world is directly related to art as it serves as both the source and
inspiration of it. Many attempts have been made to answer the basic questions that man asks about
himself, his life and reality yet until now it seems that man has not yet found the definite answer to
what h really is. His existence becomes more complicated since machines and modern technology
are replacing his traditional physical functions. Art and skilled workmanship help mitigate the
automatic or robotic effects of technology.

Examples: - Architecture.
- The Rise of Industrial Design.
- Monumental Art.

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 GE 6 - ART APPRECIATION

PHILOSOPHIES OF ART

Philosophy of art is the study of the nature of art, including interpretation, representation,
expression, and form that is closely related to aesthetics, which is the philosophical study of beauty
and taste. Several philosophies of art are listed as follows:

Art as Mimesis (Imitation)

In his theory of Mimesis, Plato says that all art is mimetic by nature; art is an imitation of life. He
believed that 'idea' is the ultimate reality. Art imitates idea and so it is imitation of reality.

Art as imitation came from the Greek Philosopher Plato. In his book, “Republic,” he considered
artists as imitators and art as a mere imitation of what is in the reality. Plato disagreed with the inclusion
of art in the curriculum because it highly affects human reasoning. For Plato, the true real world is the
world of forms or the eternal world. He believed that everything on earth is only an imperfect copy of
what is in the world of forms. Thus, whatever the artist is doing is already an imitation, and art=making
is considered to be a work of imitation.

Art as Representation

This view of art came from Aristotle. According to him, all arts have their techniques and rational
principles, and the artist/craftsman brings his conceptions through mastery. Arts do copy nature, but
their representations are fuller and more meaningful than what nature gives us. This factor is the
strength of art. Therefore, we do not need to insist on some moral purpose for art, which is free to
represent all manner of things present, past, imagined, or institutionally required. Aristotle believed that
art is not a copy of a copy but a version of possible realities.

Different from Plato, Aristotle believed that art will help people for the fundamental realities of
the world. According to Aristotle, art has two purposes, as follows: art allows us to experience pleasure,
and art can teach people and lead them to reflect on life.

Art for Art’s Sake

A slogan translated from the French word that was coined in the early 19th century by French
Philosopher Victor Cousin. The phrase expresses the belief held by many writers and artists, especially
those associated with aestheticism, that art needs no justification, and it needs to serve no political,
didactic, or another end. This philosophy sees beauty as something subjective, that is, an artist works
for the sake of beauty according to his definition or preference of beauty.

The idea of aesthetic experience that informed Art for Art's Sake arguably has its roots in the
work of eighteenth-century philosopher Immanuel Kant, who held that the true appreciation of art was
a process disconnected from all worldly concerns.

Art as an Escape

Art breathes new life into us during those self-harming thoughts and the inevitable tragedy that
we will experience. Art is an escape, although it's not a permanent one; rather, it's a much-needed
escape. Without art, life would be a dreary misery of yearly goals that come true occasionally.

Art exists not only for people to express themselves, but to give people a chance to discover
parts of themselves that they never knew existed. Studies have shown that looking at artwork can
reduce stress hormones and increase feelings of joy and calmness.

Art as Functional

Functional art refers to aesthetic objects that serve utilitarian purposes. The genre is remarkably
inclusive: it encompasses everything from furniture and lighting to dishes and even books. Functional
art is generally applied art - art created for use, designed to serve a purpose and with an aesthetic in
mind.

Art is both directly and indirectly functional. Functional arts provide us with ease and comfort in
living with our everyday lives

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 GE 6 - ART APPRECIATION

PHILOSOPHICAL IMPORT OF ART

The term “philosophy” means, “love of wisdom”. It is the systematic study of general and
fundamental nature of and questions concerning topics like knowledge, reality, existence, reason,
value, mind, and language, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

Import, on the other hand, is the meaning or significance of something, especially when not
directly stated.

Therefore, the marriage of both words when connected to art brings us back to art’s nature of
possessing qualities that provoke ideas.

For the medieval theologian St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a beautiful thing had three
primary characteristics: integritas (integrity), consonantia (consonance), and claritas (clarity). They
are the classical qualities of beauty.

• Integritas or Integrity (Wholeness) may be defined as an object possessing all qualities

necessary which express its essence.

• Consonantia or Consonance (Proportionality) may be defined as an object being harmonized

among its parts and according to its final end. Its dimensions should suitably correspond to
other physical objects as well as to a metaphysical ideal, an end.

• Claritas or Clarity (Radiance) may be defined as an object radiating its essence in a clear
manner; a decisive intelligibility. It should clearly radiate intelligibility, the logic of its inner being
and impress this knowledge of itself on the mind of the perceiver.

This practice will endeavor to produce a beautiful work of art in which the art's essence or design
concept will be implemented in all fullness, Integrity; its parts in a harmonious whole ordained to its
purpose, Consonance; and in a powerful and clear expression of its essence and purpose, Clarity.

IMPACT OF ART IN LIFE: How can art improve your quality of life?

Art gives meaning to our lives and helps us understand our world. It is an essential part of our
culture because it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions; it increases our self-
awareness, and also allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences. Scientific studies have proven
that art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. When we create art, we elevate
our mood, we improve our ability to problem solve, and open our minds to new ideas.

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