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1. FUNCTIONS, SCOPE
AND ORIGIN OF ART

2. Basic assumptions of Art
Assumption is a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. It is
something that you accept as true without question or proof.
Art has been created by all people at all times, in all countries and it lives because its well-liked
and enjoyed. (ex. Works of Jose Rizal & the movie, the ten commandments.)
Art involves experience. In order to experience something, you have to make use of your five
senses.
Art is not nature, nature is not art. Art is made by man and nature by God. However, nature can
be enhanced by man.
Art is cultural. Art is the work of humans and anything that has been created by humans is part
of culture. Art becomes cultural when it depicts people’s way of life, religious practices,
traditions

3. Art is a form of creation. Art is something that is created with imagination and skill and is
beautiful or that it expresses important ideas or feelings. Human is the creator of art. No art can
be created without human which, in turn, uses his/her imagination and creativity to produce
art. An artist is the person who creates art.
Art is subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

4. Nature of arts
Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artworks,
expressing the author’s imaginative or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their
beauty or emotional power. These activities include the production of works of art, the criticism
of art, the study of the history of art, and the aesthetic dissemination of art.
Art represents reality. Representation is the use of signs that stand in for and take the place of
something else. It is through representation that people organize the world and reality through
the act of naming its elements. Art represents reality since it depicts objects or scenes from the
world.

5. Art is an expression. The expression contained in the form is an attempt to translate the
unnamed and the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence is our quest to create meaning, and art
allows that process to take place. Making meaning involves understanding our surroundings and
marking our experiences.
Art serves as a means of communication of emotions. The purpose of works of art may be to
communicate political, spiritual, or philosophical ideas, to create a sense of beauty to explore
the nature of perception, for pleasure, or to generate strong emotions. Art is an act of
expressing feelings, thoughts, and observations of human conditions. A fundamental purpose
common to most art forms is the underlying intention to appeal to, and connect with human
emotion.

6. Art matters. The arts matter because they allow us to express ourselves and illustrate the world
around us in a different light, helping us to gain an understanding of people and society, and
give hope while living in this world. Art matters because it illustrates the human experiences.
Art is universal.
Art is creation. It is the combination of already existing material elements into new forms which
become the realization of a preconceived idea. Both hut and picture rose in the imagination of
their makers before they took shape as things. The material of each was given already in by
nature; but the form, as the maker fashioned it, was new. In its essence and wildest compass art
is the making of a new thing in response to a sense of need. The very need itself creates,
working through man as its agent.

7. Functions of Art
The personal function
The social function
The physical function

8. The personal function
An artist may create out of a need for self-expression, or gratification. One might have wanted
to communicate a thought or point to the viewer.
Art can be used to create confusion when an
artist feels life is too dull and ordinary. The statue
of Venus, a Roman mythology goddess. It is
considered a national treasure.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed

9. Personal function of art
Art is also therapeutic for both the artist and the viewer. Expressive art therapy is the use of
creative arts as a form of therapy and is a fantastic field that has proven to work wonders in
people’s lives.
Ex. Jounaling, storytelling, reading literature and poetry, music,
the therapeutic value of music cannot be ignored.
Another personal function of art is that of religious service. (crucifixion, the last supper)

10. The social function of art
Social functions of art are those that go beyond personal intrinsic value to art’s social benefits.
Art performs a social function when it influences social behavior or political function. It seeks or
tends to influence the collective behavior of the people. Ex. (bayanihan)
Art performs a social function when it displays and celebration. It is created to be seen or used
primarily in public situation like fiestas, parade, etc. (statues of our heroes in public plazas) they
record important historical events, or reveal ideas of heroism and leadership that the
community want the young to emulate.

11. Physical function of art
Works of art that are created to perform some service
Form and functions. The function of an object is generally essential in the basic form that it
takes. A chair is so designed as to allow the seated body to rest comfortably on it.
Architecture. The design of the building is determined primarily by its operational function.
What is the building for? Who are going to use it? How many are they? The design that a
building takes is also adopted to the climate of the region. The architect must take the physical,
psychological, and spiritual needs of the family into account when he designed a house.

12. Physical function of art
Community planning. It involves the efficient organization of buildings, roads, and spaces so
that they meet the physical and aesthetic needs of the community. It takes into consideration
the assignment of areas for proper land use:
1. Residential districts.
2. industrial and commercial areas
3. civic centers
4. parks, plazas and malls
5. streets and roads

13. THE SCOPE OF ART
THERE ARE TWO GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF ART: (MANANOIS)
1. FINE ARTS/INDEPENDENT ARTS – MADE PRIMARILY FOR AESTHETIC AND ENJOYMENT
THROUGH THE SENSES ESPECIALLY VISUAL OR AUDITORY (MUSIC, PAINTING, SCULPTURE,
ARCHITECTURE, LITERATURE, DANCE AND DRAMA
2. PRACTICAL ARTS OR USEFUL ARTS OR UTILITARIAN ARTS – ARE INTENDED FOR PRACTICAL
USE. (INDUSTRIAL, APPLIED OR HOUSEHOLD ART, COMMERCIAL ART, GRAPHIC ART,
AGRICULTURAL ART, FISHERY ART.

14. SCOPE OF ART
ACCORDING TO SANCHEZ, ART CONSIST OF:
VISUAL ARTS
LITERATURE
DRAMA AND THEATRE
MUSIC
DANCE

15. Scope of art (Panizo & Rustia)
2 major divisions of art:
1. according to purpose (practical arts/useful arts; liberal arts; fine arts; major arts and minor arts.
a) practical/useful arts – are directed to produce artifacts and utensils for the satisfaction of human needs
(handicrafts—basket weaving, mat weaving, etc.; embroidery; ceramics; iron and metal crafts; and tin can
manufacturing
b) Liberal arts – are directed towards intellectual growth such as the study of philosophy, psychology,
literature, mathematics and sciences
c) Fine arts – focused towards creative activity for the contemplation of the mind and the upliftment of the
spirit (painting, sculpture, architecture)
d) Major art – characterized by actual and potential expressiveness such as music, poetry
e) Minor arts – concerned with practical uses and purposes
2. according to media and forms – plastic arts, phonetic arts, kinetic arts, pure arts and mixed arts.

16. Origin of art
The history of art began with that of humanity. Art dates back to the time when superstitions
and beliefs in the spirit are still very common in every culture. Indigenous art in the form of
dancing, painting, music, and poetry accompanied ancient rituals and ceremonies. Men and
women in the early times perform dances to entertain, to worship their gods and goddeses or to
invoke success and blessings. Their music and poetry chronicles the life and works of their
ancestors as well as legendary origins of heroes, heroines and gods.
Tribalist cultures wore body paintings during ceremonies. Cave paintings and drawings are
believed to reflect ancient religious beliefs and visions. Most sculptures from the early periods
are also associated with religion with gods as common subjects. Artworks made from durable
materials like metal, stone, clay, bone, and glass. The temples of the East and West bear
evidences of arts that pertain to gods, goddeses, religious animals, saints, king, queens.