CHAPTER 3: Functions and

Philosophical Perspectives on Art Let’s start!

At the end of the chapter, the students are expected to:

1. Discuss the functions of art

2. Explain the philosophical perspectives on arts

3. Illustrate one's interpretation of arts based on one's point of

view about it.

Let’s ponder!

After watching a movie you like, you convinced your sister to watch it

too. You told her that its cinematography and screenplay are commendable.

When your sister tried, she was bored watching it and decided to watch the

movie recommended by her friend. Knowing her reaction, you told her that

she really does not have good taste for arts. Do you make sense either for

having that judgment? Why do you think so?

Let’s talk!

Arts can trigger different emotions and reactions. It can be beautiful,

peculiar, or puzzling. It can make you laugh, think, cry, or angry. Most

importantly, people vary in the way they perceive art. No one can dictate you
how to judge it, but of course, it could teach you to arrive at logical art

appreciation. In arts, every person is entitled to his judgment about anything.

In this way, we can say that the way we perceive is influenced by our

perceptions of how it functions in our lives and how we see it according to our

background, identity, culture, and other important aspects that make us.

Arts has many functions such as aesthetic, utilitarian, cultural, social,

and political functions and is shaped according to various philosophical

views. It breaks a lot of windows of misconceptions. Its definition has evolved

through the ages as debates about it have been emerging. Nevertheless,

people are still confused about what art is because art changes over time and

context. People may say that art has to conform to some standards, but

others claim that art should be free from any criterion. It is similar to the

principle of arts for art's sake versus arts for life's sake. Arts for art's sake

mean that a work of art is absolute by itself and must reflect any political,

historical, or cultural relevance. On the other hand, arts, for life's sake, fight

for the significance of art to resemble reality, which directs that work of art

must tell about life, culture, identity, and societal crises. This conflict is

brought by art's subjectivity. No one could tell exactly what art is or what it is

for. Law (2019) expresses that art allows the arts to convey his thoughts

about his world and communicate his/her core.

 Gombrich maybe probably right when he underscores that there are no

such things as art but only artists to break the stigma behind arts. It is a

human's expression regardless of one's status in life. It is not only for the

rich, talented, and intelligent people. It is for the entire humanity of all gender,

races, orientation, beliefs, ages, and any aspect of a person. Art unites rather

than divides.

It does not only refer to paintings, sculptures, photographs, films,

songs, and literature. It can include how you decorate your house, style

yourself or others, or convince others when advertising something. Art can be

in any form that can be found everywhere. It is not only seen in museums and

galleries. You see it with human penetration such as a terminal, residential

areas, public institutions, or even comfort rooms. Art is truly ubiquitous.

Functions of Arts

Aesthetic Function. Through art, humans have learned to show love

and admiration to nature. As a result, they exert effort to conserve nature.

Utilitarian Function. Arts adds flavor to basic human needs. Food is

garnished and spiced. Lawns are landscaped. Houses are designed by

engineers and architects. Clothing and accessories are blemished by styled

resulting fashion to dominate. Moreover, the beauty of nature is even

improved either for simple beautification or tourism industry. Arts is used in

satisfying the needs and gratifying people's luxury.

Cultural Function. Apart from earning recognition, art plays an

important role in the preservation of culture. Through it, culture transcends

time and location.

Social Function. Arts unite people. People are gathered in theatres

watch play or movies which gives morals or lessons. People can be

awakened by slogans or taglines in advertisements. People are intrigued by

paintings and awed by sculptures. People could sing the same songs. Back

in the olden times, arts through riddles, folk dances, storytelling gathered

people. These forms of art do not just entertain them but tells about their

identity and culture as a race.

Political Function. Arts is used as a platform for the spread of

awakening to support or reject a certain point-of-view.

 Philosophy in Arts

Humans (Adam 3) are perceived as generally mimetic beings who are

embodied with feelings and the impulse to indulge themselves in the creation

of art. They tend to emulate what exists around them and reinterpret it

according to how they perceive the world. In ancient times, this term was used

by the great philosophers Plato and Aristotle. They both believe that art copies

nature, but they differ in their perception of how imitation is done. Plato

asserts that art is a copy of a copy of reality (Adam 1). He assumed that

reality is twice removed in arts which makes imitation misleading.

On the other hand, Aristotle (Gbenoba and Okoroegbe, 172) maintains

that this world is real but incomplete that artists need to imitate to make it

absolute. He believes that appearances are not merely a copy of the

changeless ideas. Change is regarded as a creative force with a direction that

is a fundamental process of nature that is subjected to decay and to evolve.

Unlike Plato, Aristotle does not deem art to be dangerous and futile; instead,

he argues that it is natural and beneficial. He perceives it as natural due to

humans' innate capacity to mimic and to be creative through their

imagination.
 Representational

Humankind has a collective unconsciousness that serves as a

reservoir for instincts and archetypes that store a collection of memories and

images of human experiences transmitted across changing times and

culture. This human capacity greatly affects human lives since this allows

them to perceive its symbols, signs, and meanings since immemorial times

and awaken deep emotions. Through arts, these become universally

accepted and lead people to come at the same concept as they see different

works of art, leading them to arrive at a common understanding about a

certain image projected.

Arts for Art’s Sake

According to Emmanuel Kant, arts does not need to be justified. The

substance of art should be judged based on the social reality it bears. If an

artist has the freedom to extract his true self in the creation of a work of art.

Art itself is absolute

Escape

Arts is an avenue for people to communicate this thought about

themselves and their community. It is a way for them to purge out what they

have within. It can be their source of entertainment, or a means to be

recognized. Art has been seen to be a useful way to relieve stress and find

oneself.
 Functional

Arts does not only exist for nothing. It is used by humankind in their

everyday routines. It is used to propagate their advocacy and causes. It is

used for economic purposes, self- expression, and therapies. People utilize

arts in satisfying their basic needs.