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Module 3 Functions and Philosophy of Art

Art has several functions and philosophies. It satisfies particular needs and purposes such as shelter, clothing, entertainment, and spiritual expression. The seven main functions of art are aesthetic, utilitarian, cultural, social, political, educational, and spiritual. Philosophy of art studies the nature, concepts, and forms of art. The five main philosophical perspectives are art as mimesis (imitation), representation, art for art's sake, escape, and being functional.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
466 views3 pages

Module 3 Functions and Philosophy of Art

Art has several functions and philosophies. It satisfies particular needs and purposes such as shelter, clothing, entertainment, and spiritual expression. The seven main functions of art are aesthetic, utilitarian, cultural, social, political, educational, and spiritual. Philosophy of art studies the nature, concepts, and forms of art. The five main philosophical perspectives are art as mimesis (imitation), representation, art for art's sake, escape, and being functional.
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MODULE 3: FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHY OF ART

Every art forms have a definite function since it satisfies a particular


need. To the layman, art may have little function. Some find meaning in art
its ability to serve the purpose for which it was designed. Obviously,
architecture is directly and almost entirely functional because building and
other structures are always built for some special purpose. Music and dance
were used in ancient rituals and worship of the gods, for social and folk
entertainment, as well as in the military. Paintings and sculpture may be
used to narrate events, to portray people or events, to instruct (as in the
case of Christian art), to commemorate individuals or historical events, and
to serve as vehicles of personal expression. Metal works such as gates, grills,
lamps, Christian religious objects, armor, weapons, and tools, ceramics,
glassware, stained glass, mosaic, tilework, textile and furniture are among
the many types of arts or crafts. Each of these examples is made for some
definite and specific use.
The seven functions of art are:
1. Aesthetic Function- Through art, man becomes conscious of the
beauty of nature, it benefits from his work and form those done by his
fellowmen. He learns to use, love, and preserve them for his
enjoyment and appreciation.
2. Utilitarian function- With the creation of the various forms of art,
man now lives in comfort and happiness. Through art, man is provided
with shelter, clothing, food, light, medicine, beautiful surroundings,
personal ornamentals, entertainment, language, transportation, and
other necessities and conveniences of life. Art does not only enrich
man’s life. It also improves nature through landscape gardening,
creation of super highways, and through propagation and
conversation of natural resources.
3. Cultural function- Through the printed matter, art transmits and
preserves skills and knowledge from one generation to another. It
makes man aware of his cultural background, making him more
knowledgeable making his life more enduring and satisfying.
4. Social function- Through civic and graphic arts, man learns to love
and help each other. International understanding and cooperation are
fostered and nations become more unified, friendly, cooperative,
helpful, and sympathetic.
5. Political function- Art reinforces and enhance a sense of identify
and ideological connection to specific political views, political parties
and politicians.
6. Educational function- There are art symbols and sign to illustrate
knowledge and attitudes that are not expressed in words.
7. Spiritual functions- Some art works express spiritual beliefs,
customs, ceremonies, and rituals about the meaning and destiny of
life.
PHILOSOPHY OF ART
Philosophy of art refers to the study of the nature of arts, its concept,
interpretation, representation, expression and form. Philosophy of art is
closely related to aesthetics, which is the study of beauty and taste.
There are five philosophical perspectives of art. These are:
1. Art as Mimesis
The word mimesis is a Greek word which means ‘’imitation’’ or
‘’copying’’, although it may also mean representation.
2. Art as Representation (Aristotle)
Art represents something. When an artist uses signs and
symbols to take the place of something else, he is using art as a
representation of such signs and symbols.
3. Art for Art’s Sake (Kant)
It was Victor Cousin, a French philosopher who translated this
slogan which means ‘’I art pour art’’. Artists associated with
aestheticism believes that art needs no justification. Art does not
serve political didactic or other hand.
4. Art as an Escape
According to Allen Weinstein, without mental escape, we build
up a lot of anxiety within ourselves. Artist have to get rid of this
anxiety and pressure because if we keep these worries and anxieties
within our mind, they will come out in the form of anger and even
hatred. Unfortunately, such anger and hatred are often taken out on
the wrong people.
5. Art as Functional
The artist in creating a functional piece of art is to bring
creativity, beauty, and usefulness into people’s everyday lives.
Whether it’s a curvy chair made of cardboard, a Banca made of paper,
functional art makes us rethink and re-assess the way we look at
ordinary things, sometimes by using unusual materials in their
construction.

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