2. FUNCTIONS OF ART
Functions of art is an inquiry on what art is for. When it comes
to functions, different art form come with distinctive functions,
some may be functional more than others
The value of the art lies in the practical benefits from it. One may
look at the value based on its specific purpose or for personal
3. Personal Functions of Art
Personal functions of art is highly subjective and
depends on the artist who created the art. An art
may be created for expressing self, for
entertainment or for other purposes.
4. Social Functions of Art
If an art is opposed to personal interest and for collective
interest it is considered to have a social function. Art may
convey, message such as to support, to protest,
contestation and other messages an artist intends to carry
at his work.
Political Art is a very common example of an art with a social
function.
5. Art can depict social conditions such as
photography of industrialization and poverty.
Performance art like plays serves social
functions as it rouses emotions for a
common situation a society has.
6. Physical functions of Art
This are artworks that are crafted in order to serve
physical purpose such as jars, plates, and
jewelries.
Architecture, jewelry-making, interior design all serves
physical functions
7. Other functions of art may serve culture, history and
religion. Music is an artwork used for different
purposes such events for culture, historical and
religious gatherings. Sculpture, poems, spoken poetry,
movies and other form of arts are used for its specific
functions.
9. Art as an imitation
In Plato’s The Republic, paints a picture of artists as imitators
and art is mere imitations. In his metaphysics or view of
reality, the things in this world are only copies of the original,
the eternal, and the true entities can be found in the World of
Forms.
Art is just an imitation of imitation. A painting is just an imitation
of nature, which is also an imitation of realty in the World of
Forms.
10. Art as a representation
Aristotle, agreed with Plato, however he considered
art as an aid to philosophy in revealing the truth.
Art represents version of reality. In Arestotelian
worldview, art serves two particular purposes: art allows
for the experience of pleasure and art has an ability to
be instructive and teach its audience things about life.
11. Art as a disinterested judgment
Emmanuel Kant, in his Critique of Judgement,
considered the judgement of beauty, the
cornerstone of art, as something universal
despite its subjectivity. He recognized that
judgement of beauty is subjective.
12. Art as a communication of Emotion
According to Leo Tolstoy, art plays a huge role in
communication to its audience’s emotions that
the artist previously experienced
Art communicates emotions.
13. Assessment
Answer the following questions based on your own
understanding/ interpretation of the lesson you learned. 5 points
each.
1. Do Arts always have functions? Why? Provide your own example.
2. If an artwork has no function is it still considered as art?
3. Why perception of beauty is subjective? Support your answer by providing your own
example.
4. What kind of artwork you are capable of doing that can showcase your emotions?
5. If there is an artwork that changed your perspective in life, what is it and how it inspired you?
