Functions and Philosophical Perspectives on Art

• Functions and philosophical perspectives on art are examined.

Learning Outcomes

• Ability to distinguish between directly and indirectly functional art
• Ability to explain basic philosophical perspectives on art.
• Understanding the function of art forms in daily life.
• Applying beauty and aesthetics concepts and theories in real-life situations.

Introduction

• Aristotle stated every substance has an end "telos" or purpose.
• Every substance moves towards a fixed aim.
• Telos is intricately linked with function.
• To reach its purpose, a thing must fulfill its function.
• Aristotle believed reality should achieve fulfillment and happiness, or "eudaimonia."
• All people strive for this final end.
• Happiness is linked to rationality.
• Only rational beings can be happy.
• Plants cannot be happy because they lack rationality.
• Man's telos connects to his function, rationality.
• A thing's telos and function are related to its identity.
• A table is defined by its function and reaching its telos.
• The same context applies to human beings.
• Telos, function, and "whatness" interconnect.
• In contemporary life, end, function, and "whatness" are interwoven.
• Sometimes the end is the function, determining the kind of thing it is.
• It raises questions about the necessity of art having an end or purpose and whether all artworks have a function

Functions of Art

• Function relates to an object's use.
• "What is it for?" relates to the function of art.
• Example: Rizal Monument.
• Different art forms have distinctive functions.
• Some art forms possess greater functionality than others.
• Example: Taj Mahal.
• An art form's name indicates the product's direction/function.
• Painting and literature are forms of art with the least practical value.
• With literature, such as a poem or novel, the value lies in the art itself.
• Practical arts (pottery, jewelry, architecture) are valued for practical benefits.
• Paintings and literary works still have a function.
• Example: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
• Novels gains value beyond their literary worth.
• Art is functional because it accomplishes a definite end.
• Art continues to be treasured even years after its intended functions have waned.
• Functions of art are classified as personal, social, or physical.
• Personal functions relate to public display or expression.
• Social functions relate to celebration or affecting collective behavior.
• Physical functions are utilitarian.

Personal Functions of Art

• Personal function is subjective and varied.
• Art's functions depend on the artist.
• Artists may create art for self-expression.
• They need to communicate ideas to their audience.
• Art can serve as entertainment.
• Artists may not intend specific meanings in their work.
• Art can be therapeutic.
• Example: arts and crafts for abandoned elders and adult coloring books.

Social Functions of Art

• Art possesses social function when addressing collective interests rather than personal ones.
• Political art shows a common example of social function.
• Art conveys messages of protest, contestation, or the artist's intended message.
• Art often depicts social conditions.
• Photography delivers its function by capturing subjects in overlooked conditions.
• Pictures of poverty carry emotional weight, soliciting awareness.
• Performance art such as plays or satires rouse emotions and rally people.

Physical Functions of Art

• Physical functions are easily understood.
• These functions are found in artworks crafted for physical purposes.
• Examples: architecture, jewelry-making, and interior design.

Other Functions of Art

• Music is also interesting related to function.
• Music was initially functional.
• Music was used in dance and religion.
• Ancient societies viewed music as a means to worship and invoke gods.
• Music assured synchronicity, essential in dance.
• Music has expanded its function and coverage.
• Much music lacks connection to dance/religion.
• Example: Serenade.
• People express feelings and emotions in hymns of love.
• Music can have multiple meanings.
• Sculpture has long existed for various purposes.
• Sculptures serve religious purposes.
• People erect statues for the divine.
• Example: images in the Roman Catholic Church.
• Sculptures commemorate historical figures.
• Example: Jose Rizal monument in Luneta Park, Andres Bonifacio monument in Caloocan.
• Coins also manifest sculpting functions.
• Example: Philippine coins with heroes/personalities and commemorative coins.
• Architecture readily lends itself to multiple functions.
• Buildings are huge, expensive, and not easily replaced.
• Buildings take a while to erect and destroy.
• Examples: Pyramids of Giza, Acropolis, cathedrals from the Middle Ages.
• Function must be considered before construction.
• Architecture intimately connects function and form.
• Planning architectural structures requires consideration of natural: topography, climate, social conditions, and purpose.
• In the Philippines, climate greatly influences house construction.
• Spanish Colonial Houses were designed for air circulation.
• Social conditions play a role in architecture.
• Example: Christian churches designed for worship and assembly.
• Art's forms determine function.

Does Art Always Have to be Functional?

• Some art is not functional.
• Functional is not the sole determinant of a work of art's value.
• Example: Poetry by Robert Frost and Edgar Allan Poe.
• These are great works, despite lacking a known function.
• Functional objects must perform their function sufficiently to be beautiful.
• A house that fails to protect from weather lacks function.
• Adequate function determines beauty in functional art forms.
• Efficiency cannot be mistaken as beauty.
• Efficient functional objects are not necessarily beautiful.
• Art demands more than efficiency.

Philosophical Perspectives on Art: Art as an Imitation

Plato

• Plato viewed artists as imitators and their art as mere imitation in "The Republic."
• Plato advised against including art in curriculum or allowing artists in the Republic.
• In "Metaphysics", things in this world are copies of original, eternal entities in the World of Forms.
• Human beings strive to reach the Forms.
• Beholding real entities requires leaving shadows.
• Example: Chairs or Beauty.
• Artists reinforce belief in copies and discourage pursuit of real entities.
• Plato was suspicious of arts and artists.
• They appeal to emotion rather than the reasoning faculty.
• They imitate rather than lead.
• Plato was concerned with poetry and painting.
• Plato critiqued art's effects, especially poetry on the ideal state.
• Art distracts the cultivation of intellect.
• Socrates worried that art objects represent only copies.
• Socrates claimed art is imitation of imitation.
• Paintings imitate nature, an imitation of reality in the World of Forms.
• The arts and practitioners should be banished.
• Art provides replacements for entities only attained by reason.

Philosophical Perspectives on Art: Art as a Representation

Aristotle

• Aristotle agreed with Plato that art is a form of imitation.
• Aristotle viewed art as helping philosophy in revealing truth.
• Art's imitation does not contradict attaining fundamental truths.
• In "Poetics", poetry is literary representation.
• All art forms aim to represent reality.
• Art provides vision of myriad possibilities in reality.
• Unlike Plato, Aristotle saw art as representing possible realities.
• Art serves two particular purposes.
• Art allows the experience of pleasure.
• Art instructs the audience about life.

Philosophical Perspectives on Art: Art as Disinterested Judgement

Immanuel Kant

• In "Critique of Judgement," Kant considered judgement of beauty as a universal and subjective cornerstone.
• Art is autonomous from specific interest.
• The form of art determines it to be beautiful or sometimes sublime.
• Aesthetic judgment is a cognitive activity.
• Kant recognized that judgment of beauty is subjective.
• Subjective judgements are based on universal.
• Judgements of beauty, considered objectively.
• One judges a painting as beautiful as it creates a feeling.
• Satisfaction comes from believing the painting can rouse the same feeling in others.
• All human beings recognize beauty after perception and free play of faculties.
• Declaring something beautiful means thinking that everyone should experience it.

Philosophical Perspectives on Art: Art as Communication of Emotion

Leo Tolstoy

• Leo Tolstoy, author of "War and Peace", said art is a perspective.
• In "What is Art", Tolstoy defended operas despite the poverty in the world.
• Art hugely communicates emotions that artists felt.
• Art acts as a language; a tool for the emotions for the readers.
• The audience are in recieving end. Communication between artist's feelings.
• He is fighting for the social dimension of art.
• It is given a unique opportunity to serve as a tool in unity.
• Art is like a mechanism of cohesion.
• Example: Angkor Wat, Korean dramas.

Conclusion

• Since the dawn of civilization, art has been giving color to man's existence.