NA

1. LESSON 3
FUNCTION AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ART

2. LESSON OBJECTIVES:
1. Distinguish directly functional and indirectly functional art;
2. Explain and discuss the basic philosophical perspectives on the art;
3. Discuss and realize the function of some art forms in daily life, and;
4. Apply concepts and theories on beauty and aesthetics in real life
scenarios.

3. What do you think
is the purpose of
building Rizal
monument in
Luneta Park?

4. Aristotle claimed that every must 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. This telos,
according to Aristotle, is intricately linked with function.
For a thing to reach its purpose, it also must fulfill its
function.

5. FUNCTIONS OF ART

6. An inquiry on the function of art is an inquiry on
what art is for. When it comes to function, different
art forms come with distinctive functions. Some art
forms are more functional than others. The value of
the art in question lies in the practical benefits one
gains from it. Obviously made for a specific
purpose.

7. Personal Functions of Art

8. The personal functions of art are varied
and highly subjective. Art functions
depends on the artist who created the
art. An artist may create an art out of the
need for self-expression. This is the case
for an artist who needs to communicate
an idea to his audience.
MiroMedium.com

9. SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF ART

10. Art is considered to have a social
function if and when it addresses a
particular collective interest as
opposed to a personal interest. Art
may convey message of protest,
contestation, or whatever message
the artist intends his work to carry.

11. Physical Functions of Art

12. The physical functions of art can be
found in artworks that are crafted to
serve some physical purpose.
Architecture, jewelry-making, interior
design all serves physical functions. A
Japanese raku bowl that serves a
physical function in a tea ceremony is
an example.
Britannica.com

13. Other Functions of Art

14. Music

15. Music was principally used for dance and religion. The ancient
world saw music as an instrument to facilitate worship and
invocation to gods. Music was essential for synchronicity of
dancers. Music guarantees that warriors were simultaneous.
Today, music has expanded its functions and coverage. There is
a lot of music that has no connection to dance or religion.

16. Sculptures

17. Sculptures have been made by man most
particularly for religion. In the Roman
Catholic world, the employment of
sculptures for religious purposes has
remained vital, relevant, and symbolic.

18. The sculpture of General Martin
Delgado located in Festive Walk,
Mandurriao, Iloilo City. This
monument is vital to most
Ilonggos because he is the first
governor of the province.
Sunstar.com.
ph

19. ARCHITECTURE

20. 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. It is also in
architecture where one can find the
intimate connection of function and form.

21. Does art always have to be
functional?

22. While it has been shown that most arts are functional, still there
are some which are not. The value of a work of art does not
depend on function but the work itself. Meanwhile, those whose
functions are ascertained have a different story. A functional
object cannot be claimed to be beautiful unless it can perform its
function sufficiently. Art demands so much more than mere
efficiency. Efficiency cannot be mistaken as beauty

23. PHILOSOPHICAL
PERSPECTIVES ON ART

24. Art as an imitation. In Plato’s The Republic,
paints a picture of artists as imitators and art as
mere imitation. In his description of the ideal
republic, Plato advises against the inclusion of
art as a subject in the curriculum and the banning
of artists in the Republic.
In Plato’s metaphysics or view of reality, the
things in this world are only copies of the
original, the eternal, and the true entities that can
only be found in the World of Forms.

25. Art as a representation. Aristotle,
agreed with Plato that art is a form of
imitation. However, Aristotle
considered art as an aid to philosophy
in revealing the truth. The kind of
imitation that art does is not
antithetical to the reaching of
fundamental truths in the world.

26. Art as a disinterested judgment..
Immanuel Kant, in his Critique of
Judgment, considered the judgment of
beauty, the cornerstone of art, as something
that can be universal despite its
subjectivity. Kant recognized that judgment
of beauty is subjective. However, even
subjective judgments are based on some
universal criterion for the said judgment.

27. Art as a communication of emotion.
According to Leo Tolstoy, art plays a
huge role in communication to its
audience’s emotions that the artist
previously experienced. In the same
that language communicates
information to other people, art
communicates emotions.

28. ThankYou for
Listening!