Physical Function of Art

MODULE 2
●​ Art serves a practical purpose.
★​ FUNCTIONS AND PHILOSOPHICAL ●​ Includes architecture, jewelry, and interior design.
PERSPECTIVES ON ART Other Functions of Art
Aristotle - every particular substance in the world has an end, ●​ Music was used for dance and religion.
or telos in Greek, which translates into “purpose.”
●​ Ancient societies used music for worship.
●​ Every substance, defined as formed matter, moves
●​ Music helped dancers stay synchronized.
according to a fixed path towards its aim.
Telos is a Greek term used by philosopher Aristotle to refer to ●​ It ensured coordination among warriors.
the final cause or purpose of a natural organ or entity, or of ●​ Sculptures are often made for religious purposes.
human art. ●​ Religious sculptures remain significant in Catholicism.
●​ For a thing to reach its purpose, it also has to fulfill its ●​ Examples: Rizal and Bonifacio’s monuments,
function.
commemorative coins.
FUNCTIONS OF ART
●​ Architecture is a major functional art form.
●​ Personal expression
●​ Buildings require time and careful planning.
●​ Tell us things (to inform) Shows beauty
●​ Shows injustice
●​ To influence people ★​ PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ART
●​ Elevate our spirit Art as an Imitation (Plato’s View)
●​ Made delight to the eye
1.​ Plato’s Metaphysics and the World of Forms
●​ Serve useful functions
Reality consists of two realms:
●​ For worship - prayer, ceremony / rituals
●​ The World of Forms (eternal, perfect, and
IMPORTANCE OF ART
unchanging).
●​ Change our way of life
●​ The Physical World (a flawed copy of the
●​ Challenges us to see things differently
●​ Develop our skills to express ourselves World of Forms).
●​ Driven our existence Objects in the physical world are imperfect copies of their ideal
●​ Gives, pleasure, satisfaction and gratification Forms.
●​ Unleash our hidden desires and passion Example: A physical chair is merely an imperfect copy of the
●​ To see the truth
perfect "chair" in the World of Forms.
●​ Satisfies the need for personal expression
2.​ Art as Mere Imitation
●​ Artists do not create true reality; they only imitate the
-​ When it comes to function, different art forms come
with distinctive functions. physical world, which is already an imitation of the
-​ Some art forms are more functional than others. World of Forms.

ART FORMS ●​ A painting of nature is just an imitation of nature,

1.​ Architecture and Applied Arts which itself is an imitation of the true reality in the
●​ The value of the art in question lies in the practical World of Forms.
benefits one gains from it ●​ Art is an imitation of an imitation, making it further
●​ Obviously made for a specific purpose removed from truth.
2.​ Painting and Literature
3.​ Plato’s Criticism of Art
●​ One can look at the value of the product of art in and
●​ Art appeals to emotions rather than rational thought.
for itself
●​ It misleads people, distracting them from the pursuit
PERSONAL FUNCTIONS OF ART
of true knowledge.
●​ varied and highly subjective.
●​ Poetry and other forms of art cloud rationality and
●​ Functions depend on the artist who created the art.
●​ An artist may create an art out of self-expression, promote emotional responses.
entertainment, or therapeutic purpose. 4.​ Plato’s Suspicion of Artists
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF ART ●​ He believed that artists and poets reinforce false
●​ Art addresses collective, not personal, interests. beliefs by encouraging people to focus on mere
●​ It can convey protest or social messages. copies instead of seeking the truth.
●​ Political art is a common example.
●​ Two main reasons for his distrust of art:
●​ Photography can highlight social issues like poverty.
-​ It appeals to emotion rather than reason.
●​ Performance art can inspire action and change.
-​ It imitates rather than leads to reality.
 5.​ Plato’s Conclusion: Art Should Be Banned Example:
●​ In his ideal Republic, Plato argued that art and artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Two Sisters (On the Terrace) (1881)
should be banished to prevent corruption of people's Fernando Amorsolo: Dalagang Bukid (Woman with Banga)
attitudes and actions. (1926)
●​ He saw art as dangerous because it offers a poor ●​ Non-Representational Art (Without Subject)
substitute for the real truth that can only be attained -​ Does not depict real-world objects but focuses on
through reason. aesthetics and emotions.
Example:
Art as a Representation (Aristotle’s View)
Wassily Kandinsky: Composition VII (1913)
1.​ Aristotle’s Agreement with Plato
Jose Joya: Hills of Nikko (1964)
●​ He agreed with Plato that art is a form of imitation.
3.​ Sources of Subject in Art
●​ However, unlike Plato, he saw art as an aid to
●​ Primary Sources (First-hand evidence)
philosophy in discovering truth.
-​ Personal letters, diaries, records, documents created
●​ Art’s imitation is not opposed to understanding
during the time of study.
fundamental truths.
-​ First-hand accounts of events, practices, and
2.​ Art as a Representation, Not Just Imitation
conditions.
●​ Unlike Plato, who viewed art as an imitation of an
●​ Secondary Sources (Second-hand evidence)
imitation, Aristotle believed that art represents
-​ Written interpretations of past events.
possible versions of reality.
-​ Documents that analyze or discuss primary sources.
●​ Art does not aim to mirror reality exactly but explores
4.​ Main Sources of Subjects in Art
different possibilities of existence.
●​ Nature
3.​ Functions of Art in Aristotle’s View
●​ History
●​ Pleasure: Art provides enjoyment, even turning
●​ Greek and Roman Mythology
negative experiences into humor.
●​ Judeo-Christian Tradition
●​ Instruction: Art serves an educational purpose,
●​ Sacred Oriental Texts
helping audiences understand life and gain wisdom.
●​ Other Works of Art
Art as a Disinterested Judgment (Kant)
●​ Kinds of Subjects in Art
●​ Immanuel Kant, in Critique of Judgment, argued that
●​ History
aesthetic judgment (beauty) is subjective yet
●​ Still Life
universal.
●​ Animals
●​ He distinguished between personal preference ("I like
●​ Figures
this painting") and aesthetic judgment ("This painting
●​ Nature (Landscape, Seascape, Cityscape)
is beautiful").
●​ Mythology & Myths
●​ True aesthetic appreciation requires being
●​ Dreams & Fantasies
disinterested—free from personal biases—allowing for
5.​ Content in Art
a universal standard of beauty.
●​ Content refers to the overall meaning or intention of
Art as a Communication of Emotion (Tolstoy)
an artwork.
●​ Leo Tolstoy believed art is essential for expressing and
●​ It reflects the artist's message, influenced by subject,
communicating emotions.
techniques, and colors.
●​ Art acts like language, conveying emotions and
Levels of Meaning in Art
uniting people socially.
1.​ Factual Meaning
●​ It connects individuals by making past and present
●​ The most basic interpretation, based on recognizable
feelings accessible.
forms.
★​ SUBJECT AND CONTENT OF ARTS 2.​ Conventional Meaning
1.​ Subject in Art ●​ Uses symbols, motifs, and cultural signs to derive
●​ Main focus in the artwork meaning.
●​ Most recognizable thing in the entire work of art, 3.​ Subjective Meaning
regardless of its size. ●​ Personal interpretations that vary from viewer to
2.​ Types of Subject in Art viewer.
●​ Representational Art (With Subject) 4.​ Iconography
-​ Represents real-life objects, people, or scenery. ●​ The study of symbols, elements, and composition
within art.
Methods of Presenting the Subjects in Art ●​ Sculpture: Metal, Wood, Stone, Glass, Terracotta,
1.​ Realism Assemblage
●​ Depicting subjects as they appear in real life, with Music, Dance, and Theater Mediums
accurate details. ●​ Music: Instrumental, Vocal, Ensemble
2.​ Abstractionism ("drawing away from realism") ●​ Dance: Folk/Ethnic, Social, Interpretative
The subject is altered or distorted using various techniques: ●​ Theater: Script, Performer, Audience
●​ Distortion – Changing the natural shape (e.g., Curation
caricatures). ●​ The process of assembling, managing, and
●​ Mangling – Cutting or mutilating parts (e.g., presenting an art collection.
collages/mosaics). Technique
●​ Elongation – Stretching the subject’s form. ●​ The method and skill used in art creation.
●​ Cubism – Using geometric shapes (e.g., cubes, ●​ A technique can define an artist’s unique style.
rectangles). Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) – National Living
●​ Abstract Expressionism – Using bold colors, rough Treasures
textures, and uneven brush strokes. ●​ Established in 1992 (Republic Act No. 7355).
3.​ Surrealism ●​ Recognizes traditional Filipino artists and ensures
●​ "Beyond realism" – depicting subjects as if they exist their craft is passed on to future generations.
outside reality. ●​ First awarded in 1993 to three artists.
4.​ Symbolism Qualifications to Become a Manlilikha ng Bayan
●​ Using symbols to represent deeper meanings while 1.​ Must belong to an indigenous cultural community.
keeping realistic elements. 2.​ Must practice a folk art tradition for at least 50 years.
5.​ Fauvism 3.​ Must produce high-quality, superior works.
●​ "Optimistic realism" – bright and bold color choices. 4.​ Must have a mastery of tools and materials.
6.​ Dadaism 5.​ Must pass on knowledge to the community.
●​ "Shocking realism" – absurd, anti-traditional art. Awardee Benefits
7.​ Expressionism ●​ Gold medallion
●​ "Emotional realism" – intense, expressive brushwork ●​ ₱100,000 initial grant
and color. ●​ ₱10,000 monthly stipend (lifetime)
8.​ Impressionism ●​ Additional ₱14,000 monthly personal allowance
●​ "Realism based on the artist’s impression" – capturing ●​ Medical and hospitalization benefits (up to ₱750,000
fleeting moments with soft brushwork and light annually)
effects. Notable GAMABA Awardees
9.​ Futurism 1.​ Ginaw Bilog – Poet (Hanunuo Mangyan)
●​ "Realism in the future" – emphasizing movement, 2.​ Masino Intaray – Musician and Storyteller (Palawan)
technology, and progress. 3.​ Lang Dulay – Textile Weaver (T’boli)
4.​ Teofilo Garcia – Casque Maker (Ilocano)
★​ ART AND ARTISANS: PRODUCTION PROCESS,
MEDIUM, TECHNIQUES, AND CURATION
What is an Artistic Medium?
●​ The artistic medium refers to the materials used to
create a work of art (e.g., oil on canvas, marble
sculpture).
Mediums of Art
1.​ Visual Arts: Includes painting, drawing, sculpture,
ceramics, and photography.
2.​ Literature Arts: Expresses emotions and imagination
through poetry, fiction, playwriting, and epic poetry.
3.​ Performing Arts: Includes music, dance, and theater.
Visual Arts Mediums
●​ Painting: Oil, Acrylic, Tempera, Watercolor, Fresco
●​ Drawing/Illustration: Comics, Typography,
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