UNIT 1: Introduction to Art Appreciation

CHAPTER 2: FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ART

RATIONALE. Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed that every particular substance in the world has an
end or telos in
Greek, which translates into purpose. For a thing to reach its purpose, it also has to fulfill its function. In
the topic of art, does art necessarily have an end? When an artist creates a work of art, does he have an
end in mind? What function does an artwork perform? Does it have any purpose? Do all artworks have a
function? Does the function make an object a work of art?

OBJECTIVES. At the end of this lesson, it is expected that you should

be able to: • Distinguish between directly functional and indirectly
functional art
• Apply concepts and theories on beauty and aesthetics in real life.
• Differentiate content from subject.
• Classify artworks according to subject.
• Analyze how artists present their subjects in relation to the real subject.
• Characterize sources and kinds of art.

Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed that every particular substance in the world has an end or telos
in Greek, which
translates into purpose. This telos, according to Aristotle, is intricately linked with function. For a thing to
reach its purpose, it also has to fulfill its function. Man, in Aristotle’s view of reality, is bound to achieve a
life of fulfillment and happiness, or in Greek, eudaimonia. However, happiness, the supposed end of man,
is linked with his function, which is being rational. Man’s natural end, telos, is connected with his function,
which is rationality.

Moreover, the telos and function of a thing are both related to a thing’s identity. What makes a table
a table is a fact that
it does perform its function and thereby, reaching its telos. If a table does not have a surface on which we
can put on things, then it ceases to be a table. In contemporary life, the connection between the end, the
function and the “whatness” of a thing has become closer and interlaced, suggesting sometimes that the
end is the function and vice versa, and that they determine what kind of thing a thing is. When one sees a
new kitchen appliance in the department store, one tries to know first what functions the appliance has.

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 questions “what
it is for” is the function of whatever “it” in the question refers to. Suppose one asks, what is the Rizal
monument for? Why was it erected in Rizal Park or what then was called Luneta or Bagumbayan? Is it pure
sentimental value? Is it for its aesthetic value? Or does it send a message to those who witness it?

Some art forms are more functional than others. Architecture, for example, as an art is highly
functional just like most applied arts. In this and other 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). However, it does
not mean that other forms of art like paintings and literary works can never have any function. For example,
the two masterpieces of Dr. Jose 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 the 19th century. 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” (Dudley et al., 1960). In the case of Rizal’s novels, they spelled out a
country’s independence. They continued to be treasured even a hundred years after their supposed
functions.

The functions of art are classified into three: personal (public display or expression), social
(celebration or to affect
collective behavior), and physical (utilitarian).

Personal Functions of Art

• Varied and highly subjective. Its functions depend on the person
– the artist who created the art.
• An artist may create an art out of the need for self-expression,
mere entertainment for his intended audience or not even intend
to mean anything with his work.
• Art may also be therapeutic. It is used to process their emotions
or while away their time. (The use of adult coloring books to
distress has been apparent too)
Fig. 1 Adult coloring book
Social Functions of Art
• 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 on.
Very common example is political art and performance art
like plays and satires. Often, art can depict social
condition. 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 given attention to.
Pictures of poverty may carry emotional overtones that
may solicit action or awareness from their audience.
Fig. 2 Political Art
Physical Functions of Art
• Can be found in artworks that are crafted in order to serve some physical purpose.
• Architecture, jewelry-making and even interior design are examples of physical functions.

Other Functions of Art

• Music as art - Music in its original form was principally functional (was used for religion or essential for
dance to assure synchronicity among dancers or formation).
- Today, music has expanded its function and coverage. It is listened to and made by
people for reasons that were foreign to early civilizations and has no connection to dance or religion. (e.g.,
composing hymns of love to express feelings and emotions through serenade, or as a wonderful
accompaniment to stage plays and motion plays.) • Sculpture - Made by man most particularly for
religion/divine purposes.
- Made to commemorate important figures in history. (Coins are also a manifestation of
sculpting’s function.) • Architecture - Huge, expensive and are not easily constructed and replaced.
- One can find the intimate connection of function and form. In planning out an
architectural structure, one has to seriously consider the natural conditions like topography and climate of
the place of erection and the social conditions such as the purpose of the building itself.

Does Art Always Have to be Functional?

 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 on the work itself. A functional object cannot be claimed to be
beautiful unless it can perform its function sufficiently. Consider a house that cannot even protect its
resident from the nasty weather outside or a spoon that spills the food on it. Adequate performance of the
function partly determines the beauty in these functional art forms.

Despite these, efficiency cannot be mistaken as beauty. While it certainly determines beauty in some works
of art, an efficient functional object is not necessarily beautiful. Art demands so much more than mere
efficiency. What then really comprises beauty and art? What makes something truly beautiful? What really
makes a work of art? What really is art? The next section attempts to provide different perspective on the
nature of art.

PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART

Art as Mimesis (Art as an Imitation)

• Plato in his masterpiece, The Republic, particularly paints a picture of artists as imitators and art as
mere imitation. He advises against the inclusion of art as a subject in the curriculum and the banning
of artists in the Republic.
• In Plato’s metaphysics, 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. Plato was convinced that artists merely
reinforce the belief in copies and discourage men to reach for the real entities in the World of Forms.
o i.e. World of Forms - according to Plato, it captures the essence of all that is defined
or exists. Plato asserts the physical realm is only a shadow, or image, of the true
reality of World of Forms.
• Plato was deeply suspicious of arts and artists for two reasons: (a) they appeal to the emotion rather
than to the rational faculty of men and (b) they imitate rather than lead one to reality.
o e.g. Poetry – it rouses emotions and feelings thus clouds the rationality of the people
Painting – it just an imitation of nature (imitation of reality in the World of Forms).
• Likewise, Socrates is worried that an art object represents only the things in this world. He claimed
that art is just an imitation of imitation.
• For Plato, art is dangerous because it provides pretty replacement for the real entities that can only
be attained through reason. Arts are to be banished so that the attitudes and actions of the members
of the Republic will not be corrupted by the influence of the arts.

Art as a Representation
• Aristotle (Plato’s most important student in philosophy) agrees art is a form of imitation. However,
Aristotle considered art as an aid to philosophy in revealing truth.
• For Aristotle, all kinds of art, including poetry, music, dance, painting and sculpture, do not aim to
represent reality as it is. What art endeavors to do is to provide vision of what might be or the myriad
possibilities in reality.
• Art serves two particular purposes:
1. Art allows for the experience of pleasure. Experiences that are otherwise repugnant can become
entertaining in art.
2. Art has ability to be instructive and teach its audience things about life; thus, it is cognitive as well.
Art as Art’s Sake (Art as a Disinterested Judgment)
• Immanuel Kant, in the “Critique of Judgment”, considered the judgment of beauty, the cornerstone
of art, as something that can be universal despite its subjectivity. To him, judgment of beauty and
art is innately autonomous from specific interests.
• Aesthetic judgment for Kant is a cognitive activity.
• For Kant, when one judges a particular painting as beautiful, one is effect is saying that the said
painting has induced a particular feeling of satisfaction from him and that he expects the painting to
rouse the same feeling from anyone.
• For Kant, every human being, after perception and the free play of his faculties, should recognize
the beauty that is inherent in a work of art.

Art as an Escape (Art as a Communication of Emotion)

• According to Tolstoy, in his book What is Art (2016), art plays a huge role in communication to its
audience’s emotions that the artist previously experienced. Art then serves as a language, a
communication device that articulates feelings and emotions that are otherwise unavailable to the
audience.
• In listening to music, in watching an opera, and in reading poems, the audience is at the receiving
end of the artist communicating his feelings and emotions.
• Art is given a unique opportunity to serve as a mechanism for social unity; as cohesion for everyone.

REFERENCES
Ariola, M.A (2014). Introduction to Art Appreciation: A Textbook in Humanities Second Edition. C&E Publishing, Inc.
Caslib, Garing, and Casaul (2018). Art Appreciation First Edition. Rex Book Store, Inc.
Collingwood, R.G. (1938). The Principles of Art. Worcestershire: Read Books Ltd.
Collins, M.R. and Riley, O. (1931). Art Appreciation for Junior and Senior High Schools. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.
Butcher, S.H. (Ed.) (1902). The Poetics of Aristotle. New York: The Macmillan Company.
Dudley, L. Faricy, A., and McGraw-Hill Book Company. (1960). The Humanities. New York: McGraw-Hill
Plato. (2000). The Republic. Retrieved from http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam031/00024471.pdf

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