What Are the Functions of Art? Name Discuss and Give Examples for at Least Five Functions

April 28, 2022 Post a Comment

Looking at sculpture — Miguel Navarro / Getty Images

Start, proceed with this caution: No piece of art can be "assigned" a function (or functions), either in essay class or in casual chat, if information technology isn't kickoff considered within the proper context. Trying to classify office depends on context.

Ideally, one tin can await at a piece of art and know (approximately) where it came from and when. The all-time-case scenario includes identifying the artist, as well, because s/he is part of the contextual equation (i.e., What was the artist thinking at the time s/he created this?). You, the viewer, are the other half (i.e., What does this piece of fine art mean to you, living right now?). These are all factors that should be considered earlier trying to assign functions. Besides, taking annihilation out of context can lead to misunderstanding, which is never a happy place to visit.

That said, the functions of art normally autumn into three categories. These are personal, social or concrete functions. These categories tin can, and (often) practise, overlap in whatsoever given slice of art.

The Physical Functions of Fine art

The concrete functions of art are often the easiest to empathise. Works of art that are created to perform some service have physical functions.

If you come across a Fijian war club, you lot may assume that, notwithstanding wonderful the craftsmanship may be, it was created to perform the physical function of smashing skulls.

A Japanese raku basin is art that performs a physical role in the tea ceremony. Conversely, a fur-covered teacup from the Dada movement has no physical function.

Architecture, any of the crafts, and industrial design are all types of art that have concrete functions.

The Social Functions of Fine art

Art has a social function when it addresses aspects of (collective) life, as opposed to 1 person'due south point of view or feel.

For example, public art in 1930s Germany had an overwhelming symbolic theme. Did this art exert influence on the High german population? Decidedly so, as did political and patriotic posters in Allied countries during the same time.

Political art (skewed to whatever message) ever carries a social part. The fur-covered Dada teacup, useless for holding tea, carried a social function in that it protested Globe State of war I (and nearly everything else in life).

Art that depicts social atmospheric condition performs social functions. The Realists figured this out early in the 19th century. Dorothea Lange (and, indeed, many other photographers) oftentimes photographed people in conditions we'd rather not think about.

Additionally, satire performs social functions. Francisco Goya and William Hogarth both went this route, with varying degrees of success at enacting social modify.

Sometimes having specific pieces of fine art in a customs can perform the social function of elevating that community's status. A Calder stabile, for example, can be a community treasure and point of pride.

The Personal Functions of Art

The personal functions of art are ofttimes the most difficult to explain. In that location are many types of personal office, and they are subjective and will, therefore, vary from person to person.

An artist may create out of a need for self-expression, or gratification. S/he might have wanted to communicate a thought or betoken to the viewer. Perhaps the artist was trying to provide an aesthetic feel, both for self and viewers. A piece might accept been meant to "merely" entertain others. Sometimes a piece isn't meant to have any meaning at all.

(This is vague, I know. The higher up is a great example of how knowing the artist can help 1 "cutting to the chase" and assign functions.)

On a slightly more than lofty airplane, art may serve the personal functions of control. Art has been used to attempt to exert magical command over time, or the seasons or even the acquisition of nutrient. Fine art is used to bring order to a messy and hell-raising world. Conversely, art can be used to create chaos when an artist feels life is likewise staid and ordinary. Art tin also exist therapeutic - for both the artist and the viewer.

All the same another personal function of fine art is that of religious service (lots of examples for this, aren't at that place?). Finally, sometimes art is used to help us in maintaining ourselves as a species. Biological functions would obviously include fertility symbols (in any civilization), but I would also invite scrutiny of the ways we adorn ourselves in order to be bonny enough to, well, mate.

You lot, the viewer, are half of the equation in assigning a office to art. These personal functions employ to yous, also every bit the artist. It all adds upwardly to innumerable variables when trying to effigy out the personal functions of art. My best advice is to stick with the most obvious and provide only those details you know as factual.

In sum, endeavour to recollect four points when required to depict "the functions of art": (1) context and (2) personal, (3) social and (4) physical functions. Skillful luck, and may your own words flow freely!