Lesson 2

Basic Assumptions, Functions and Nature of Arts

Introduction

Art is an expression made visible by a form. The expression contained in the form is an attempt
to translate the unnamed and the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence as humans is our quest to create
meaning, and art allows that process to take place.

Making meaning involves understanding our surroundings and marking our experiences. Art, as
its root, is an expression and the artist is an expresser, translating in order to create meaning. Art
expresses and translates, art acknowledges and reveals, art transfers and art intervenes.

Art is an expression, an expression of feeling, belief, and character. The simplicity of that
sentence is rather deceptive and seems tidier than its implications. Just the statement that art is an
expression is complex and raises questions: What does art express? Why does art express? How does art
express? What does art express? The second part of the statement above seeks to expound upon this
question. Feelings, beliefs, characteristics – these are what art expresses, although often they are not
easily distilled. Our lives as humans are full of complications and complexities, and our thought and
experienced feelings, beliefs and characteristics are reflective of these complexities.

Basic Assumption of Arts

Assumption is a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof. It is

something that you accept as true without question or proof. Many assumption has been written about
arts and some of these are:

Art has been created by all people at all times, in all countries and it lives because its well-
liked and enjoyed. Naturally, arts linger on particularly if it is popular and love by the people. Example,
the works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal and the movie, The Ten Commandments.

Arts involves experience. In order to experience something, you have to make use of your five
senses. Hence, there can never be appreciation of art without having experienced it.

Art is not nature; nature is not art. Art is made by man and nature by God. However, nature can
be enhanced by man. The enhanced beauty and artistry of nature, then, can be classified as an art.

Art is cultural. Art is a work of humans and anything that has been created by humans is part of
culture. Art becomes cultural when it depicts people’s way of life, religious practices, mores and
traditions, etc.

Art is a form of creation. Art is something that is created with imagination and skill and that is
beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings (Source: Merriam-Webster). As it said, human is
the creator of art. No art can be created without human which, in turn, uses his/her imagination and
creativity to produce art. According to the word’s most basic definition, an artist is simply a person who
creates art.
 Art is subjective. Henceforth, it cannot be measured by its significance or the level of skill with
which it is created. Its subjective nature makes art’s only measurable quality is whether or not it exists.
Example “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” meaning, every individual has his/her own perception
and/or interpretation about the subject. It would never be the same for every individual.

Nature of Arts

1. Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artworks,
expressing the author’s imaginative or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their
beauty or emotional power. In their most general form these activities include the production of
works of art, the criticism of art, the study of the history of art, and the aesthetic dissemination
of art.
2. Art represents reality. Representation is the use of signs that stand in for and take the place of
something else. It is through representation that people organize the world and reality through
the act of naming its elements. Signs are arranged in order to form semantic constructions and
express relations. Art represents reality, since it is often depicting objects or scenes from the
world. An artwork can depict a scene as a café or restaurant, or a park or garden. So, there is a
sense in which art represents the mind’s eye or what the imagination perceives.
3. Art is an expression. The expression contained in the form is an attempt to translate the
unnamed and the unknown. Intrinsic to our existence as humans is our quest to create meaning,
and art allows that process to take place. Making meaning involves understanding our
surroundings and marking our experiences.
4. Art serves as a means of communication of emotions. The purpose of works of art may be to
communicate political, spiritual or philosophical ideas, to create a sense of beauty to explore the
nature of perception, for pleasure, or to generate strong emotions. Art is an act of expressing
feelings, thoughts, and observations of human conditions. A fundamental purpose common to
most art forms is the underlying intention to appeal to, and connect with, human emotion.
5. Art matters. The arts matter because they allow us to express ourselves and illustrate the world
around us in a different light, helping us to gain understanding of people and society, and give
hope while living in this world. Art matters because it illustrates the human experiences.
6. Art is universal. Literally, art can be found in every corner of the world. Art is everywhere and it
is embedded into the way of life of the people. Exclusivity is out of bounds when we speak of
arts because it is for everyone. Art is the true Esperanto, an artificial international language, the
one form of culture that is genuinely beyond national limitations. Art knows no barriers; not
even language is a barrier in understanding it. Example, foreign arts displayed in museums
throughout the world, paintings such as the Mona Lisa, Sistine Chapel, and photos of well-
known places are readily viewed. We have also some foreign performers performing in the
country.
7. Art is creation. It is the combination of already existing material elements into new forms which
become the realization of a preconceived idea. Both hut and picture rose in the imagination of
their makers before they took shape as things. The material of each was given already in nature;
but the form, as the maker fashioned it, was new. In its essence and widest compass art is the
making of a new thing in response to a sense of need. The very need itself creates, working
through man as its agent.
Functions of Art

No piece of art can be assigned a function either in essay form or in casual conversation, if it is
not first considered within the proper context. Trying to classify function depends on contexts.

That said, the functions of art normally fall into three categories. These are personal, social and
physical functions. These categories can, and do, overlap in any given piece of art (Esaak, 2018).

The Personal Function

An artist may create out of a need for self-expression, or gratification. He/She might have
wanted to communicate a thought or point to the viewer. Perhaps the artist was trying to provide an
aesthetic experience, both for self and viewers. A piece might have been meant to “merely” entertain
others. Sometimes a piece isn’t meant to have any meaning at all.

On a slightly higher level, art may serve the personal functions of control. Art has been used to
attempt to exert magical control over time, or the seasons or even the acquisition of food. Art is used to
bring order to a disorganized and disorderly world. Conversely, art can be used to create confusion
when an artist feels life is too dull and ordinary.

Example is the statue of Venus, a Roman mythology goddess. One may wonder why the statue
has no arms yet it is considered to be a national treasure.

Art can also be therapeutic for both the artist and the viewer. Expressive art therapy is the use
of creative arts as a form of therapy and is a fantastic field that has proven to work wonders in many
people’s lives.

It can help someone express themselves, explore their emotions, manage addictions, and
improve their self-esteem. Example, music. The therapeutic value of music cannot be ignored. Works of
art make us aware of another ways of thinking, feeling, and imagining that have never occurred to us
before.

Another personal function of art is that of religious service. Religious art usually expresses
collective ideas about human life in relation to the divine. For our purposes, then, an art of spiritual
concern is any search for ultimate values through the use of visual form. The crucifixion is an example of
visual form in relation to our religious belief. Another is the “The Last Supper” painting.

The Social Function

One cannot conceive of a society without art, for art is closely related to every aspect of social
life. Social functions of art are those that go beyond personal intrinsic value to art’s social benefits.
Individuals and their society are dynamically related. Art communicates. Most often it is constructed
with the intention of sharing responses to and opinions about life with others. Art enriches, informs, and
questins our world. When highly valued, it can be both a social and financial asset. Art can have
powerful transformative and restorative effects within a society as well.

Art perform a social function when:

 1. Influences Social Behavior (Political Function). It seeks or tends to influence the collective
behavior of a people. Example is the “Bayanihan”. Some people think that art designed to
influence social behavior is corrupt, impure, “mere” propaganda, and so on.
2. Display and Celebration. It is created to be seen or used primarily in public situation like fiestas,
parade, etc.

The Physical Function

The physical functions of art are often the easiest to understand. Works of art that are created
to perform some service have physical functions.

1. Form and Function. The function of an object is generally essential in the basic form that it
takes. A chair is so designed as to allow the seated body to rest comfortably on it. The shapes,
sizes, and different parts are harmoniously related to one another and integrated into an object
that fulfils and tells about their particular purpose.
2. Architecture. The design of the building is determined primarily by its operational function.
What is the building for? Who are going to use it? How many are they? The design that a
building takes is also adapted to the climate of the region. The architect must take the physical,
psychological, and spiritual needs of the family into account when he designs a house.
3. Community Planning. A community is more than just a group of buildings. It is a group of
individuals and families living in a particular locality because of common interests and needs.
Community planning involves the efficient organization of buildings, roads, and spaces so that
they meet the physical and aesthetic needs of the community.
Community planning takes into consideration the assignment of areas for proper land
use. These are:
3.1. Residential districts. Special areas are assigned for residential purposes. The present trend
is to get away from overcrowded downtown districts and the attendant problems and settle
in areas where it is possible to blend the charms of rural living with the conveniences of
urban living.
3.2. Industrial and commercial areas. These areas are usually located near the source of source
of raw materials. A commercial area can be a cluster of small neighborhood stores, a
shopping complex in the suburbs, or a central downtown district. It is usually situated where
it can be reached easily by car or public transport.
3.3. Civic centers. A community governs itself; it, therefore provides structures where the
functions of government can be efficiently carried out, and which would, in appearance, be
symbolic of community dignity and pride.
3.4. Parks, plazas, and malls. The need for a balance between man-made structures and natural
areas is answered in the design of plazas and malls. These may provide some relief from
problems such as air and water pollution, inadequate facilities for recreation, and lack of
parking space.
3.5. Streets and roads. Transportation must function with reasonable ease and rapidity from one
area to another. Streets are large or small, according to their function.
 4. Function and beauty. Many things remain the same in shape throughout the years because
their functional requirements do not allow for greater variations in their form. Time has proved
that their designs best enable them to accomplish their purpose.

Reference:

Leaño, Roman D. Jr. et. al., (2018). Art Appreciation for College Students. Mindshapers Co., Inc.