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
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.