Week 3 Unit 1: Art Appreciation - Functions and Philosophical Perspectives Quiz

Functions and Philosophical Perspectives on Art

• Aristotle's concept of telos (purpose) is linked to function, emphasizing that every substance has a fixed path towards its aim, and fulfilling its function is necessary to achieve its purpose.

Functions of Art

• The function of art refers to its use or purpose, and different art forms have distinctive functions.
• Architecture and applied arts are more functional, serving practical purposes, whereas painting and literature have less practical values.
• The value of art lies in its practical benefits, except for paintings and literature, which have inherent value regardless of their practical applications.

Examples of Functional Art

• The Rizal monument in Rizal Park serves multiple functions, including sentimental and aesthetic values, and conveying a message to its viewers.
• The Taj Mahal, a mausoleum, was built to memorialize the favourite wife of the emperor, Shah Jahan.
• Jewelry-making is an art form defined by its specified function, and its value lies in its practical benefits.

Non-Functional Art

• Painting and literature are forms of art that have the least practical values, and their value lies in their aesthetic or emotional appeal.
• Examples of non-functional art include poetry, novels, and statues, which have inherent value regardless of their practical applications.

Personal Functions of Art

• The personal functions of art are varied and highly subjective, depending on the artist who created the art.
• Art can serve as a means of self-expression, communication, or social commentary, and its function can evolve over time.
• Examples of art with personal functions include Dr. Jose Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which served as a catalyst for the Filipino revolutionaries to gather strength in rejecting the oppressive forces of the Spaniards in the Philippines in the nineteenth century.