Art can be directly functional, like tools and architecture, or indirectly functional through aesthetic appreciation. Directly functional art meets basic human needs for shelter, clothing, and transportation, while indirectly functional art provides enjoyment and cultural understanding through mediums like paintings, music, and performances. Art serves four main functions - aesthetic, utilitarian, social, and cultural. It allows humans to appreciate beauty, provides comfort and entertainment, fosters social connections, and shares cultural traditions between generations. Both direct and indirect art are important to improving life.

1. Functions of Art
CHAPTER 3
Art Appreciation
GEC106

2. Functions of Art
• Art can be generally classified into two;
- the directly functional art
- and indirectly functional art

3. Functional Art
• Refers to art that we use in our daily lives such as;
- tools
- architectural structures
- roads
- bridges
- buildings
- furniture
- kitchen utensils
- coins
- bills
- dress
- weapon, etc.

4. Indirectly Functional Arts
• Refers to the arts that are “perceived through the senses” ;
- fine arts
- painting
- music
- sculpture
- dance
- literary piece
- theatrical performances

5. Example on how directly functional and
indirectly functional arts cross boundaries.
• the artist transforms the function of a chair into
a symbolic object, a representation of something
which eventually becomes a medium to
symbolize seat of power, knowledge, education,
statuses, etc.

6. What made Art relevant is its grasp towards
the needs of the human kind.
•Art “serves basic human needs”.

7. Four Artistic Function
• Aesthetic Function
• Utilitarian Function
• Social Function
• Cultural Function

8. Aesthetic Function
• An artwork functions aesthetically when it becomes instrumental
for man to be cognizant of the beauty of nature
• And where the real feelings of joy and appreciation to nature’s
beauty are manifested through appreciation and enjoyment when
in contact with the artwork.

9. Utilitarian Function
• Art is serving this function when it is utilized to give comfort,
convenience, and happiness to human beings.
• It is used to serve basic needs such food, shelter, clothing
medicine, comfortable environment, transportation,
entertainment , communication, and expression, and

10. Social Function
• When the arts bridges connection among people, it serves a social
function. Art here encourages good relationship-unity and
cooperation are being facilitated and established.

11. Cultural Function
• Art serves as an aperture towards skills, knowledge, attitudes,
customs, and traditions of different group of people. The Art
helps, preserves, share, and transmit culture of people from one
people generation to another..

12. Conclusion:
• Art is both directly and indirectly functional. Functional arts provide us
with ease and comfort in living with our everyday lives.
• This form of arts directly serves human basic needs such tools,
architectural structures, furniture, kitchen utensils, clothes, weapons,
etc. While non-functional arts are basically used to inform, educate and
entertain people.
• These are perceived through the senses such as painting , sculpture,
music, literary pieces, dance, theatrical performances, etc.
• Art serves several functions. In terms of functions it is differentiated by
the degree of exposure towards these arts. We utilize Art for personal
purposes. We utilize Art to go beyond from the comfort space, and to
affect and persuade other individuals. We utilize Art for physical purposes
such us tools – these tools define man. Thus, Art is utilized to improve our
way of life.

13. Activity:
• Check the appropriate column/s to identify the function or purpose of each Art
expression. Give a statement to explain your answer/s on the last column.
Artforms Personal Social Physical Explanation
Architecture
Film
Dance
Prose
Poetry
Theater Arts
Painting
Sculpture
Animation
Photography