The Purposes and

Functions of ART
 ART forms us by meeting our needs.
 Not our most basic needs but deeper
and more subtle ones.
 These needs vary with time and cultural
setting
Functions of ART

 1. Art for DELIGHT

 Visual delight in a work of art can take many
forms, including:
 An appreciation of beauty or decoration
 Delight in an element of surprise
 AESTHETIC refers to an awareness of beauty or to that
quality in a work of art or other manmade or natural
form which evokes a sense of elevated awareness in
the viewer
 Most cultures that have a definition of
“beautiful” define it as something
pleasing to the eyes and often
approximating to an ideal of sort.
 What is pleasing to the eye(and hence
to the sense of beauty) varies
considerably across culture.
 Most definitions of beauty in
painting include:
 A pleasant or inspiring subject
 Thoughtful execution
 Harmonious balance of colors in a
pleasing arrangement
 The decoration of useful objects is
another source or delight, and a
decorative urge has motivated a great
deal of creativity through out history.
 A contemporary type of delight is
SURPRISE, when we see something
recognizable but unexpected.
 2. Art as Commentary
 Art has often been used to answer our need for information
 Before the advent of photography in the 19th century, artists
and illustrators were our only source of information about the
visual account of an event or a person, or by expressing an
opinion, artists have shaped not only the way people
understand their own world but also how their culture is
viewed by others
 Artist who fulfill our need for commentary often speak in a
language easy to understand.
 They view arts primary goal as communication between artists
and viewer by means of subject matter.
 Artist commentary often include
personal judgment on
 Conditions
 Facts or
 politics
 3. Art in WORSHIP and RITUAL
 Another function of art has been to enhance
religious contemplation, and most of the
world’s religious have found ways to
incorporate artists creativity into their sacred
 Rituals
 Places
 ceremonies
 4. Art for COMMEMORATION
 As the word itself suggests, commemoration is something done as
an aid to memory.
 We all have a profound need to remember and show respect for
those who have gone before us.
 Some commemoration is personal, as we each hold memories of
people important in our lives.
 But commemoration is more often public act, perhaps celebrating a
significant person or event, or honouring patriotic actions
 Commemoration of any kind connects us with the chain of humanity
that stretches back for millennia, making human life seem more
significant and valuable.
 Visual imagery has played a decisive role in most
types of commemoration.
 TAJ MAHAL in India, one of the world’s best –known
monuments is an example of personal
commemoration which means “Crown of the
Palace” was a tomd for the Mujhal ruler Shah
Jahan’s favourite wife who died in childbirth.
 5. Art for PERSUASION
 Many artforms have a persuasive function:
 Splendid government buildings
 Public monuments
 Television commercial
 Music videos
 All harness the power of art to influence action and opinion
 They invite and urge us to do or think things that we may not
have otherwise thought of.
 Today companies and organizations use:
 Posters
 Billboards
 And advertising layouts
 To attempt to convince us to buy or believe something

 Artist have also used such media to criticize or

influence values and public opinion.
 6. Art as SELF-EXPRESSION
 When a great deal of art is sold as a private
possession, self expression has increasingly
become one of art’s most common functions.
 Art fulfills an expressive function when an artist
conveys information about his of her personality or
feelings of worldview, aside from a social cause,
market demand, commissioning ruler or aesthetic
urge.
 Self-portraiture has traditionally been
an important vehicle by which artists
reach out to us
In summary:
 As we have seen, many works of art
may fulfil more than one function; art
that is persuasive may also delight with
its beauty; a religious work may also
express the creator’s personal quest for
transcendence; a commemorative piece
may also inform us.
 Yet all art meets one human need of
another, and has the power to shape our
lives in many ways.
Assignment #2
 Visit a museum Web
site/Website and select three
pieces of Art, each from different
period and culture
(local/Philippine Art). Outline the
possible functions that each
piece fulfils or might fulfil. No
duplication.