Functions of Art: Personal Function

Functions of Art

• Aristotle stated every substance on earth has an end or "telos," which means "purpose" in Greek.
• An object's purpose is the reason for its existence, directly related to its function.
• For things to serve its purpose, they must fulfill its function.

Personal Function

• This refers to the use of art for personal gain.
• It is subjective and depends on how a person uses art.
• It is one of the more confusing functions of art.
• Expressive art, art entertainment, and art therapy are examples of the personal function.
• Art can be for self-expression, providing relief and gratification, similar to how artists express themselves.
• Expression occurs through different mediums and techniques to produce an artwork.
• Art opens and educates the senses and sharpens perceptions.
• Art can express feelings, emotions, motivations, and ideas.
• Art provides awareness for other ways of thinking, feeling, and imagining.
• Psychological expression, love, sex, marriage, death, morbidity, illness, spiritual concern, aesthetic expression, and intellectual inquiry are examples.

Social Function

• Art serves social functions when it can influence other people.
• Several types of art persuade the public.
• Jose Rizal's works, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, brought about societal change by influencing Filipinos and leading to a revolution from the Spanish regime.
• Art seeks to influence proper human behavior.
• Arts are created and used primarily for public consumption.
• Arts can express or describe individual, social, or collective aspects of existence.
• Advertisement, political and ideological expression, artistic expressions of humanitarian concern, satire, and graphic communication are a few examples.

Physical Function

• The physical world is directly related to art as it serves as both the source and inspiration.
• Attempts answering basic questions about man, his life, and reality have yet to provide a definite answer.
• Man's existence is complicated by machines and modern technology replacing traditional physical functions.
• Art and skilled workmanship help lessen the effects of technology.
• Architecture, industrial design, and monumental art are examples.

Philosophies of Art

• The study of the the nature of art, including interpretation, representation, expression, and form related to aesthetics, which is the philosophical study of beauty and taste.

Art As Mimesis (Imitation)

• Plato suggests that all art is mimetic by nature, it is an imitation of life.
• "Idea" is the ultimate reality, and art imitates the idea, so art is the imitation of reality.
• Greek Philosopher Plato thought of artists as imitators and art as a mere imitation of reality in his book, “Republic”.
• Plato disagreed with art in curriculum because reasoning could be affected from the inclusion of art.
• Plato said the real world is the world of forms; everything on earth is imperfect copies of the world of forms.
• Whatever artists do is imitation, and art-making is a work of imitation.

Art as Representation

• Aristotle said that all arts have techniques and rational principles.
• He believed artists/craftsmen bring conceptions through mastery.
• Art copies nature, with representations fuller and more meaningful than what nature provides.
• Insisting on a moral purpose for art isn't necessary.
• Art is free to represent anything present, past, imagined, or required institutionally.
• Art isn't a copy of a copy but a version of realities.
• Aristotle said that art helps understand fundamental realities and has two purposes to experience pleasure and teach/reflect on life.

Art For Art's Sake

• Art does not require justification or serve political, didactic, or other ends.
• The term was from a French word coined in the early 19th century by philosopher Victor Cousin.
• Beauty is subjective; artists create for beauty based on individual preference.
• The notion of aesthetic experience originates from Immanuel Kant, an eighteenth-century philosopher; he said true appreciation is apart from concerns.

Art as an Escape

• Art brings new life/escape during self-harming thoughts and inevitable tragedies.
• Without art, life is drearily chasing yearly goals.
• Art expresses oneself and helps discover unknown parts of oneself.
• Studies have shown that looking at art can reduce stress hormones and increases joy and calmness.

Art as Functional

• Aesthetic objects serving utilitarian purposes.
• The genre includes pieces like furniture, lighting, dishes, and even books.
• Functional art is applied art, made for a purpose with aesthetics.
• Both directly and indirectly functional
• Functional art provides ease and living comfort in life.

Philosophical Import of Art

• "Philosophy": "love of wisdom."
• Systematic study of the general and topics concerning knowledge, reality, existence, reason, value, mind, etc.
• "Import": meaning or significance of something, implied.
• Connecting both words to art reflects arts qualities and provokes ideas.
• Medieval theologian St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) thought a beautiful thing had three characteristics: integritas (integrity), consonantia (consonance), and claritas (clarity).
• They are the classical qualities of beauty.
• Integritas or Integrity (Wholeness): an object has all qualities necessary, expressing its essence.
• Consonantia or Consonance (Proportionality): an object harmonized among its parts and end, its dimensions fitting other physicals and a metaphysical ideal.
• Claritas or Clarity (Radiance): object radiates essence with intelligibility/logic, impressing it on the perceiver.
• This design concept implements fullness, Integrity, harmonious parts ordained to purpose, Consonance, and clarity of essence and purpose.

Impact of Art in Life

• Art gives meaning to lives and helps understand the world as an important part of culture.
• Art allows a deeper understanding of emotions, increasing self-awareness and openness to new ideas and experiences.
• Proven that appreciation improves quality of life and makes one feel good.
• Art elevates mood, improves problem-solving, and opens minds to new ideas.

Explanation of art's functions, especially the personal function which is subjective and used for personal gain. Expressive art and art therapy are examples of the personal function. Art can express feelings and provide awareness.