MODULE 4

FUNCTIONS OF ART
PHILOSOPHICAL IMPORTANCE OF ART

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INTRODUCTION

Functions refers to the direct and practical usefulness of the arts. Architecture is directly
and almost entirely functional because buildings and other structures are always built for some
special purpose. Painting and sculpture may be used to narrate events, to portray people or
events, to instruct, to commemorate individuals or historical events. Crafts such as metal
works, furniture, ceramics, glassware, are referred to as utilitarian arts since they are intended
for practical use or utility.

OBJECTIVES
 Characterize sources, kinds, and functions of arts
 Distinguish between directly and indirectly functional art
 Apply concept and theories on beauty and aesthetics in real life scenario.

LESSONS

1. Topic
a. Sources, kinds and functions of art
b. Categories of the function of arts
c. Purpose of art referred to as function

Within art, there exist purposes referred to as functions for which a piece of art may be
designed, but no art can be "assigned" a function—either in scholarly studies or casual
conversation—outside of the proper context. Art forms exist within very specific contexts that
must be considered when classifying them. Whether a particular piece of art has existed for
centuries or has yet to be created, it is functional in some way—all art exists for a reason and
these reasons make up the functions of art.
Ideally, one can look at a piece of art and guess with some accuracy where it came from
and when. This best-case scenario also includes identifying the artist because they are in no
small way part of the contextual equation. You might wonder, "What was the artist thinking
when they created this?" when you see a piece of art. You, the viewer, are the other half of this
equation; you might ask yourself how that same piece of art makes you feel as you look at it.

These—in addition to the time period, location of creation, cultural influences, etc.—are all
factors that should be considered before trying to assign functions to art. Taking anything out of
context can lead to misunderstanding art and misinterpreting an artist's intentions, which is
never something you want to do.

The functions of art normally fall into three categories: physical, social, and personal.

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 1. Physical - Works of art that are created to perform some service have physical
functions. If you see a Fijian war club, you may assume that, however wonderful the
craftsmanship may be, it was created to perform the physical function of smashing
skulls. Works of art that are created to perform some service have physical
functions.Architecture, crafts such as welding and woodworking, interior design, and
industrial design are all types of art that serve physical functions.

2. Social – As a social function it addresses aspects of

(collective) life as opposed to one person's point of view or
experience. Viewers can often relate in some way to social
art and are sometimes even influenced by it.Art that
depicts social conditions performs social functions and
often this art comes in the form of photography. American
photographer Dorothea Lange (1895–1965) along with
many others often took pictures of people in conditions
that are difficult to see and think about.

3.

Personal -There are many types of personal functions and these are highly subjective.
Personal functions of art are not likely to be the same from person to person. It is also
expressing personal feelings, perhaps the artist wanted to remind viewers personal
family tragedy, or perhaps he just wanted to tell them to appreciate what they had, and
to live each day as if it were their last.

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 An artist may create a piece out of a need for self-expression or gratification.
They might also or instead want to communicate a thought or point to the viewer.
Sometimes an artist is only trying to provide an aesthetic experience, both for self and
viewers. A piece might be meant to entertain, provoke thought, or even have no
particular effect at all.Personal function is vague for a reason. From artist to artist and
viewer to viewer, one's experience with art is different. Knowing the background and
behaviors of an artist helps when interpreting the personal function of their pieces.

Art may also serve the personal function of controlling its viewers, much like
social art. It can also perform religious service oracknowledgment. Art has beenused to
attempt to exert magical control, change the seasons, and even acquire food. Some art
brings order and peace, some creates chaos. There is virtually no limit to how art can be
used.

The functions of art apply not only to the artist that created a piece but to you as
the viewer. Your whole experience and understanding of a piece should contribute to the
function you assign it, as well as everything you know about its context. Next time you
are trying to understand a piece of art, try to remember these four points: (1) context and
(2) personal, (3) social, and (4) physical functions. Remember that some art serves only
one function and some all three (perhaps even more).

All arts have function, as the maker creates things because he has a particular need for
them. Arts function can be classified into:

I. Motivated (functional)-Motivated purposes of art refer to intentional, conscious actions

on the part of the artists or creator. These may be to bring about political change, to
comment on an aspect of society, to convey a specific emotion or mood, to address

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 personal psychology, to illustrate another discipline, to (with commercial arts) to sell a
product, or simply as a form of communication.
1. Communication. Art is a form of communication. Most forms of communication
have an intent or goal directed toward another individual, this is a motivated
purpose. Illustrative arts, such as scientific illustration, are a form of art as
communication. Maps are another example. However, the content need not be
scientific. Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art.
2. Art as entertainment.Art may seek to bring about a particular emotion or mood,
for the purpose of relaxing or entertaining the viewer.
3. The Avant-Garde. Art for political change. One of the defining functions of early
twentieth-century art has been to use visual images to bring about political
change. Art movements that had this goal—Dadaism, Surrealism, Russian
constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism, among others—are collectively
referred to as the avant-garde arts.
4. Art as a “free zone,” removed from the action of the social censure. Unlike the
avant-garde movements, which wanted to erase cultural differences in order to
produce new universal values, contemporary art has enhanced its tolerance
towards cultural differences as well as its critical and liberating functions (social
inquiry, activism, subversion, deconstruction…), becoming a more open place for
research and experimentation.
5. Art for social inquiry, subversion, and/or anarchy. While similar to art for
political change, subversive or deconstructivist art may seek to question aspects
of society without any specific political goal. In this case, the function of art may
be simply to criticize some aspect of society.
6. Art for social causes. Art can be used to raise awareness for a large variety of
causes. A number of art activities were aimed at raising awareness of
autism, cancer, human trafficking, and a variety of other topics, such as ocean
conservation, human rights in Darfur, murdered and missing Aboriginal
women, elder abuse, and pollution. Trash ion, using trash to make fashion,
practiced by artists such as Marina Debris is one example of using art to raise
awareness about pollution.
7. Art for psychological and healing purposes. Art is also used by art therapists,
psychotherapists and clinical psychologists as art therapy. The Diagnostic
Drawing Series, for example, is used to determine the personality and emotional
functioning of a patient. The end product is not the principal goal in this case,
but rather a process of healing, through creative acts, is sought. The resultant
piece of artwork may also offer insight into the troubles experienced by the
subject and may suggest suitable approaches to be used in more conventional
forms of psychiatric therapy.
8. Art for propaganda or commercialism. Art is often utilized as a form of
propaganda, and thus can be used to subtly influence popular conceptions or
mood. In a similar way, art that tries to sell a product also influences mood and
emotion. In both cases, the purpose of art here is to subtly manipulate the
viewer into a particular emotional or psychological response toward a particular
idea or object.
9. Art as a fitness indicator. It has been argued that the ability of the human brain
by far exceeds what was needed for survival in the ancestral environment.
One evolutionary psychology explanation for this is that the human brain and
associated traits (such as artistic ability and creativity) are the human equivalent
of the peacock’s tail. The purpose of the male peacock’s extravagant tail has
been argued to be to attract females. According to this theory superior execution
of art was evolutionarily important because it attracted mates.

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 II. Non-Motivated (non-Functional-The non-motivated purposes of art are those that are
integral to being human, transcend the individual, or do not fulfill a specific external
purpose. In this sense, art, as creativity, is something humans must do by their very
nature (i.e., no other species creates art), and is therefore beyond utility.
1. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm. Art at this level is not an
action or an object, but an internal appreciation of balance and harmony
(beauty), and therefore an aspect of being human beyond utility.
2. Experience of the mysterious. Art provides a way to experience one’s self in
relation to the universe. This experience may often come unmotivated, as one
appreciates art, music or poetry.
3. Expression of the imagination. Art provides a means to express the imagination
in nongrammatical ways that are not tied to the formality of spoken or written
language. Unlike words, which come in sequences and each of which have a
definite meaning, art provides a range of forms, symbols and ideas with
meanings that are malleable.
4. Ritualistic and symbolic functions. In many cultures, art is used in rituals,
performances and dances as a decoration or symbol. While these often have no
specific utilitarian (motivated) purpose, anthropologists know that they often
serve a purpose at the level of meaning within a particular culture. This meaning
is not furnished by any one individual, but is often the result of many generations
of change, and of a cosmological relationship within the culture.

Functions of art fall in different categories:

1. Fine art is a form of art that is known for its beauty and aesthetic value rather than
its functional value, which distinguishes it from applied art and decorative art. This
type of art includes paintings, drawings, printmaking, and sculptures. Fine art is a
wide umbrella that encompasses many different types of arts under its shadow.
2. Visual art includes all types of artwork that has a visual impact, including ceramics,
sculptures, crafts, photography, painting, drawing, film-making, and architecture.
Applied arts such as graphic design, industrial design, interior design, fashion design,
and decorative art can also be included in visual art.
3. Plastic art includes three-dimensional art, including sculptures and ceramics. It
consists of any art that involves sculpting, modeling, and carving.
4. This is a type of art that involves the design and ornamentation of functional items
and does not always have intrinsic aesthetic qualities. The term decorative art is
often used synonymously with crafts. Moreover, it forms a major category of applied
art.
5. Applied art involves applying artistic designs to everyday utility items. It is very much
unlike fine art, that has no function but to provide aesthetically pleasing items.
Applied art usually makes functional objects pretty by designing them creatively.
Such items are made by keeping both the aesthetics and function in mind.

Aristotle claimed that every particular substance in the world has an end,
or telos in Greek, which translate into “purpose.”. This telos, according to
Aristotle, is intricately linked with function. For a thing to reach its purpose, it
also has to fulfill its function.

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 An inquiry on the function of art is an inquiry of what art is for.

When it comes to function, different art forms comes with distinctive function. Some art forms
are more functional than others.

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Does it mean that painting and literary works can never have any function?

- Dr. Jose RizalsNoli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

- The novels accrued value and as a consequence. Function.
- They are functional in so far as they are designed to accomplish some definite end.

Other function of arts:

- Music has expanded its function and coverage
- There is a lot of music that has no connection to dance or religion
- Example: Serenade- People compose hymns to express feelings and
emotions.
- Sculptures have been made by man most particularly for religion.
- Rizal and Bonifacio’s monument and commemorative coins (Pope
Francis)
- Architecture may be the most prominent functional art.
- One cannot dismiss taking into consideration the function of a building
before construction.

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 The purpose of art is not to produce a product. The purpose of art is to produce
thinking. The secret is not the mechanics or technical skill that create art – but the process of
introspection and different levels of contemplation that generate it. Once you learn to embrace
this process, your creative potential is limitless.

Artwork should be an active verb (a lens by which to view the world) not a passive noun
(a painting that sits dormant in a museum). Creativity lies NOT in the done but in the doing. Art
is active and incomplete. Always shifting, always becoming. Art is a sneak peak into the future
of potential, of what could be. Not a past result of what has been already done. Art is a process
not a product.

Art is a human act. Art is Risky. Generous. Courageous. Provocative. You can be perfect,
or you can make art. You can keep track of what you will get in return for your effort, or you
can make art. You can enjoy the status quo, or you can make art. This is the purpose for why art
should not be cut from education and why creativity and innovation are critical to navigate the
future of business.

http://www.theartofvision.com/2016/08/02/the-purpose-of-art/

Five purposes of art;

1. Ceremonial – ritual celebration, artworks created to support worship ceremonies

2. Artistic expression – artwork to express or communicate emotions, ideas, feelings or to

beautify objects.

3. Narrative– artwork that tells stories, describe and illustrate experiences.

4. Functional – artistic object used in everyday life that serve an actual purpose.

5. Persuasive – artwork that promote ideas, philosophies or product.

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LEARNING PROCEDURE
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 Activities: Online Discussion
1. Individual sharing
-What art form/artwork has changed something in your life? Why?
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2. Discuss one basic philosophical perspective. Choose one from among the following:
-Art as mimesis (Plato)
-Art as representation (Aristotle)
-Art for Art’s sake (Kant)
-Art as an escape
- Art as functional
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ASSESSMNT TASK

1. “Forms follows function”

Art forms exist within very specific contexts that must be considered when
classifying them. Whether a particular piece of art has existed for centuries or has
yet to be created, it is functional in some way—all art exists for a reason and these
reasons make up the functions of art.

a. Look for or draw at least 3 objects/items in your home

b. Explain why they are shaped the way they are.

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Rubric :

Use the rubric to assess the output of the students.

20 –The students draw the items/object found in their home and explain the
function of each item/object in a clear and consistent manner .
15 - The students draw the items/object found in their home and explains the
function of each item/object in do so in somewhat consistent manner .
10 - The students have difficulty in drawing the items/objects and explaining the

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 functions of each item/object.
5 - The students make an attempt to draw, but the explanation is without
merit.

2. Reflection questions: Does art always have a function?If artwork did not have any
function, will it remain an art?
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Rubric to assess the output of the students;

Scale Description
5 Facts are consistently detailed/precise and very relevant, Uses
correct spelling and grammar effectively almost all of the time.
Addresses the question completely.
4 Most facts are detailed/precise and relevant, Uses spelling and
grammar with considerable accuracy and effectiveness.
Addresses the question, but left out few details.
3 Lacks few substantial detail and examples to support ideas.
Spelling and grammar require moderate editing. Addresses the
question, but provided few details.
2-1 More specific details and examples are needed to support
opinions. Spelling and grammar require considerate editing.
Addresses the question, but in very few details.

3.Three Circle Venn Diagram”

- This Venn diagram with 3 circles help you identify shared features of
three ideas or objects. Use the Venn diagram below to describe
similarities and differences among the personal, social, and physical
functions of art.

Personal

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Social Physical

Rubric to assess the output of the students;

Scale Description
5 Facts are consistently detailed/precise and very relevant, Uses
correct spelling and grammar effectively almost all of the time.
Addresses the question completely.
4 Most facts are detailed/precise and relevant, Uses spelling and
grammar with considerable accuracy and effectiveness.
Addresses the question, but left out few details.
3 Lacks few substantial detail and examples to support ideas.
Spelling and grammar require moderate editing. Addresses the
question, but provided few details.
2-1 More specific details and examples are needed to support
opinions. Spelling and grammar require considerate editing.
Addresses the question, but in very few detais.

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SUGGESTED REFERENCES

PRINTED MATERIALS:
Solmerano ET. (2019). Art Appreciation. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Manila , Philippines

OUTLINE RESOURCES

 The Most Important Functions of Art. (2020). Retrieved 23 August 2020, from
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-the-functions-of-art-182414

 Reading: Purpose of Art /Art Appreciation. (2020). Retrieved 25 August 2020, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-masteryart1/chapter/oer-1-2/

 Functions of Art. (2020). Retrieved 25 August 2020, from

http://mvhsibart.weebly.com/functions-of-art.html

 17 Different Types of Art for Your Home. (2019). Retrieved 26 August 2020, from
https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-art-for-your-home/

 Functions and Philosophical Perspectives on Art. (2020). Retrieved 26 August 2020,

from https://www.slideshare.net/janril/functions-and-philosophical-perspectives-
on-art

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  The purpose of art – TheArtOfVision. (2016). Retrieved 27 August 2020, from
http://www.theartofvision.com/2016/08/02/the-purpose-of-art/

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