Functions and

philosophical perspectives
on Art
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Recognize the role that some forms of art play in
everyday life;
• Explain and discuss the fundamental philosophical
perspectives on art;
• Apply theories and concepts of beauty and aesthetics
in practical situations; and
• Distinguish between directly and indirectly functional
art.
• Distinguish between directly and indirectly functional art.
Introduction
• Aristotle claimed that
every particular substance
in the world has an end,
or telos in Greek, which
translates into "purpose."

• Every substance,
defined as formed matter,
moves according to a
fixed path towards its
aim.
Aristotle
 • This telos, according
to Aristotle, is
intricately linked with
function.

• For a thing to reach

its purpose, it also has
Aristotle to fulfill its function.
Function of Art
Functions of Art
When one speaks of function, one is practically
talking about the use of the object whose
function is in question. An inquiry on the function
of art is an inquiry on what art is for.
Alternatively, the answer to the question "what is
it for" is the function of whatever "it" in the
question refers to.
what is the Rizal monument
for?
Why was it erected in Rizal
Park or what then was
called Luneta or
Bagumbayan?
Is it for pure sentimental
value?
Is it for its aesthetic value?
Or does it send a message
to those who witness it? Rizal Monument
When it comes to function, different art
forms come with distinctive functions.

There is no one-to-one correspondence

between an art and its function

Some art forms are more functional than

others.
Architecture, for example, as an
art is highly functional just like
most applied arts. A building as
a work of art is obviously made
for a specific purpose.
The Taj Mahal, a massive
mausoleum of white marble
built in Agra was constructed in
memory of the favorite wife of
the then emperor, Shah Jahan.

Taj Mahal
On the other hand, jewelry-making as an art
is known by its product. The name of the art
in these applied arts is basically denoted by
its specified function. In this and other such
functional arts, "...function is so important
that it has usurped the name of the art on the
identification of individual works" (Dudley et
al., 1960).
Other examples are paintings,
poems, and statues. The name of
the art basically points toward
the direction of the product or its
function.
On the other end of the spectrum, one can only think of painting and
literature as forms of art that have the least to do with purely practical
values. When one examines and thinks of a painting or a work of
literature such as a poem or a novel, one looks at the value of the art
in itself and not because of what it can do and benefit us. Unlike
practical arts where the value of the art (in pottery, jewelry-making,
architecture, among others) in question lies in the practical benefits
one gains from it (a pot, a jewelry, or a house or building), with
painting and literature, one can only look at the value of the product
of art in and for itself. A poem is beautiful regardless of its possible
ramifications in the society.
“Trees" has maintained its
popularity through the years
regardless of its application o
practical benefit. This definitely
is not to say that paintings and
literary works can never have
any function.
Joyce Kilmer's
The two masterpieces of our
national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal,
the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo served as a
catechist for Filipino
revolutionaries to gather
strength in rejecting the
oppressive forces of the
Spaniards in the Philippines in
Noli Me Tangere and El
the nineteenth century.
Filibusterismo
The novels accrued value and as a consequence,
function. This function as it turns out, may be over and
beyond its literary worth. They are
functional "in so far as they are designed to accomplish
some definite end".

In the case of Rizal's novels, they spelled out a country's

independence. They continue to be treasured even a
hundred years after their supposed functions.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE
FUNCTION OF ARTS
Personal Functions of Art

The personal functions of art are often the most difficult to

explain. 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.

An artist may create an art out of the need for self-

expression.
An art may also be
therapeutic. In some
orphanages and home
for abandoned elders,
art is used to help
residents process their
emotions or while away
their time. Adult Color books
Social Functions of Art

Art has a social function when 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.

Political art is a very common example of an art with a

social function.
Photography, as an art form, delivers
this kind of function by taking photos
of subjects in conditions that people
do not normally take a look at or give
attention
 Pictures of poverty may
carry emotional
overtones that may
solicit action or
awareness from their
audience.

Poverty
Moreover, performance art like plays
or satires can also rouse emotions and
rally people toward a particular end. In
these and more, the social function of
art is apparent.
PHYSICAL FUNCTION OF ART

• The physical functions of art can be for in artworks that are crafted in
order to serve some physical purpose.

• Architecture, jewelry-making, interior design all serves physical

functions.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART

• Music was principally used for dance and religion.

The ancient world saw music as an instrument facilitate

worship and invocation to gods.

• Music was essential for synchronicity of dancers.

• Music guarantees that warriors were simultaneous.

OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART

• Today, music has expanded its functions an 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.

• Music is also used as accompaniment to stage plays and motion

pictures
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART

• Sculptures have been made by man most particularly for religion.

• In the Roman Catholic world, the employment sculptures for

religious purposes has remained vital, relevant, and symbolic

• Rizal and Bonifacio's monument and commemorative coins (Pope

Francis)
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF ART

Architecture may be the most prominent functional art.

• Unlike other forms of art, buildings take so much time to erect and
destroy.

One cannot dismiss taking into consideration the function of a building

before construction

t is also in architecture where one can the intimate connection of

function and form.
 Philosophical
Perspective Of Art
 ART AS IMITATION
- a principle in art that suggests
artists imitate reality or other art.

-according to Plato, artists are

imitators and art is just a mere
imitators.

-the things of this world are only

copies if the original,the eternal
and true entities that can only be
found in the WORLD OF FORMS.
 ART AS IMITATION
-art is an imitation of imitation

-for Plato art is dangerous because

it provides a petty replacement for
the real intities that can be only
attained through reasons.
ART REPRESENTATION
-form of art that depicts or copies a
person, object,event or landscape
from the world.

-Aristotle conceived of art as

representing possible versuons of
reality.
sculpture
ART AS DISINTERESTED
JUDGEMENT
Immanuel Kant, in Critique of Judgment, argues that
judgments of beauty, while subjective, have a
universal aspect. He believes that aesthetic judgment
is independent of personal interests and is based on
the form of the artwork itself. Beauty, according to
Kant, is a cognitive activity involving the harmonious
interaction of imagination and understanding.
Although each person experiences beauty
individually, Kant suggests that certain qualities in
art evoke a shared sense of pleasure among all
viewers. This creates a kind of universality, where
one expects others to recognize and appreciate
beauty in the same way.
• Beauty as Universal Yet Subjective

‎• Disinterested Judgment

‎• Cognitive Aspect of Aesthetic Judgment

• Criteria for Beauty

• ‎Expectation of Shared Experience

‎• Universality of Beauty
ART AS COMMUNICATION OF
EMOTION
Leo Tolstoy views art as a powerful means of
communication, conveying the artist’s emotions to the
audience. In What is Art? (2016), he argues that art,
like language, expresses feelings that might otherwise
be inaccessible. Through music, literature, and visual
arts, people can connect with emotions across time
and cultures. Tolstoy emphasizes art’s social role,
uniting individuals by sharing human experiences. Art
allows us to understand past and present societies,
such as feeling the struggles of ancient Cambodians
through Angkor Wat or relating to historical Korean
royalties through dramas.
• Art as a Language

• ‎Expression of the Artist’s Emotions

‎• Art’s Social Role

• Bridging Past and Present
• Creating Social Unity
 LET'S WRAP IT UP
Since most art has served a purpose for humans, it has continued to be
relevant in our daily lives. Art has been at the forefront of bringing color
to human existence since the beginning of civilization. Art serves a variety
of purposes that can be categorized as physical, social, or personal. If an
art function is dependent on the artist or, occasionally, the art's audience,
it is considered personal. When art serves a specific social purpose, such
as meeting a group of people's needs collectively, it is considered to have
a social function. Finally, physical function relates to the direct, material
applications of art. Not every work of art serves a purpose. However, this
should not rule them out as works of art. As some of the greatest thinkers
in history have explained, art can be used for representation or imitation.
a dispassionate assessment, or just an expression of feeling.