LESSON 2

I. Topic: Functions of Art and Philosophy

II. Objectives: At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
a) Identify the functions of art;
b) Explain and discuss the basic philosophical perspective on the art;
c) Apply philosophical perspective real life scenarios;
III. Content:

FUNCTIONS OF ART
Functions of art is an inquiry on what art is for. When it comes to functions, different art form
come with distinctive functions, some may be functional more than others. The value of the art lies in
the practical benefits from it. One may look at the value based on its specific purpose or for personal.

Personal Functions of Art

Personal functions of art is highly subjective and depends on the artist who created the art. An
art may be created for expressing self, for entertainment or for other purposes.

Social Functions of Art

 If an art is opposed to personal interest and for collective interest it is considered to have
a social function. Art may convey, message such as to support, to protest, contestation
and other messages an artist intends to carry at his work.
 Political Art is a very common example of an art with a social function.
 Art can depict social conditions such as photography of industrialization and poverty.
 Performance art like plays serves social functions as it rouses emotions for a common
situation a society has.

Physical functions of Art

 This are artworks that are crafted in order to serve physical purpose such as jars, plates,
and jewelries.
 Architecture, jewelry-making, interior design all serves physical functions
Other functions of art may serve culture, history and religion. Music is an artwork used for
different purposes such events for culture, historical and religious gatherings. Sculpture, poems, spoken
poetry, movies and other form of arts are used for its specific functions.

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ART

Art as an imitation
 In Plato’s The Republic, paints a picture of artists as imitators and art is mere imitations.
In his metaphysics or view of reality, the things in this world are only copies of the
original, the eternal, and the true entities can be found in the World of Forms.
 Art is just an imitation of imitation. A painting is just an imitation of nature, which is
also an imitation of realty in the World of Forms.
 Art as a representation
 Aristotle, agreed with Plato, however he considered art as an aid to philosophy in
revealing the truth.
 Art represents version of reality. In Arestotelian worldview, art serves two particular
purposes: art allows for the experience of pleasure and art has an ability to be instructive
and teach its audience things about life.

Art as a disinterested judgment

 Emmanuel Kant, in his Critique of Judgement, considered the judgement of beauty, the
cornerstone of art, as something universal despite its subjectivity. He recognized that
judgement of beauty is subjective.

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
 Art communicates emotions.

IV. Activity
Directions: Browse the internet and cite for and decide which is more functional. Activity 1 (20 points)
Functions of Statues Functions of Painting

A statue is a free-standing sculpture
in which the realistic, full-length figures
of persons or animals or non-
representational forms are carved or cast in a
durable material such as wood, metal, or
stone. Typical statues are life-sized or close
to life-size; a sculpture that represents
persons or animals in full figure but that is
small enough to lift and carry is a statuette
or figurine, whilst one more than twice life-
size is a colossal statue. Statues can teach us
about history, but they do not convey some
immutable truth from the past. Instead, they
are symbolic of the fixed ideas of a specific
community regarding its past, as captured
at a particular point intime.  creative media. It's used in some form by
The expression of ideas and emotions, with the
creation of certain aesthetic qualities, in a two-
dimensional visual language. The elements of
this languages its shapes, lines, colours, tones,
and textures are used in various ways to produce
sensations of volume, space, movement, and
light on a flat surface.
Painting is the application of pigment to a
support surface that establishes is an image
design or decoration. In art. The term “painting”
describes both the act and the result. Most
painting is created with pigment in liquid form
and applied with a brush. Painting is a medium
has survived for a thousand of years and is along
with drawing and sculpture, one of the oldest
cultures. Around the world. Painting media are
extremely versatile because they can be applied
to many different surfaces. (Called support)
include paper, wood, Canvas, plaster, lacquer
and concrete. 

Which is more functional? Explain.

Based on the difference between paintings and statues, I could say that more functional between two
are paintings. Because we might say that functional art is more concerned with efficiency than with
beauty or decoration. Drawings, paintings, dramas, and poetry of clear quality are created with an
underlying cause and motive to produce a nice aesthetic experience. Functional means have a purpose
and paintings have a purpose. Painting is about attempting to entice others to look at our artwork for
more than a few seconds, to entice them to go into and move around our painting in search of "things,"
visual gifts that cannot be noticed quickly; our main target, the most significant element, the reason that
drew the viewer in
Activity 2 (15 points)
Directions: List at least five examples for each of the following.
1. Personal function of Art
 Psychological expression. Visual images preceded written language as a means of
communication.
 Love, sex and marriage.
 Death, Morbidity and Illness.
 Spiritual Concern.
 Aesthetic Expression.
 Intellectual Inquiry.

2. Social function of Art

 languages of praise
 celebration
 anger
 protest,
 satire and ridicule

3.Physical function of art

 Architecture, crafts such as welding and woodworking, interior design, and industrial
design
V. Assessment
Answer the following questions based on your own understanding/ interpretation of the lesson you
learned. 5 points each.
1. Do Arts always have functions? Why? Provide your own example.
2. If an artwork has no function is it still considered as art?
For me it's not necessary. It has nothing to do with what anyone else wants you to do or be, and
everything to do with you and yourself. The task generates ideas, growth, and learning as a result of
completing the work in a specific way. The artist's artwork is a learning process, not a description of
what is already known. It’s a sympathetic audience is always welcome, but it should never be required
for your job. The work necessitates a high level of focus, and it can be exhausting. It takes a lot of
effort just to get started, and while continuing is largely enjoyable, it also takes a lot of effort. A
creative artist's only option is to do his or her chosen work.
3. Why perception of beauty is subjective? Support your answer by providing your own example.
4. What kind of artwork you are capable of doing that can showcase your emotions?
A kind of artwork that I am capable of doing that I can show my emotions is painting. Because on
doing paintings, it employs vibrant colors and simple designs to convey a distinct or powerful attitude
or feeling. Art connects to the emotions and feelings as an artist. Bright paintings with a sense of free
space, on the other hand, generate similar sentiments of relaxation or happiness in viewers, whereas
gloomy, intimidating works of art make people feel more worried. When we gaze at a work of art, we
are effectively gazing through the eyes of our ancestors. As an artist of paintings, it can produce art that
expresses my thoughts and feelings to the viewers to communicate their feelings, I can utilize a variety
of lines, shapes, and colors. Because every artist selects colors, lines, and shapes that are personally
meaningful to them

5. If there is an artwork that changed your perspective in life, what is it and how it inspired you?
Painting, because it gives me inspiration and motivation and taught me that there is no beauty in life;
life is beauty in and of itself, and it also helped me fill the void in my heart, so it had a significant
impact on my life

References:
Cruz, I. G., (September 24, 2019) Lesson3Ffunction of Art and Philosophy)
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/427241720