Functions of Art

Read Chapter 6, pages 158-173 in online textLinks to an external site..
There are many different reasons artists create art. They can create for a need for their own self expression. They also create for the viewer. Needs in art may vary with time and cultural settings. Art can be created with more than one function in mind. The Functions of Art describe some of those reasons to better understand the work. These six functions relate to the general areas of daily use, delight, communicating information, public and personal expression, religion and politics.

FUNCTIONS OF ART

Art for daily Use – From ancient times to today, well designed, utilitarian objects and spaces bring pleasure and efficiency in our daily lives. Artists transform objects we use by design and redesign and/or by embellishingthem.
Delight (beauty)- appreciation of beauty or decoration, or delight in an element of surprise. Aesthetics-refers to an awareness of beauty or to that quality in a work of art or other manmade or natural form which evokes a sense of elevated awareness in the viewer. Idealism or Harmony.
Communicating Information- communication between artist and viewer by means of subject matter in a language easy to understand. Storytelling, Commentary
Art for the Spirit – art to enhance religious contemplation, Worship and Ritual, Spirituality

Public and Personal Expression – something done to aid in memory, fill the profound need to remember and show respect for those who have gone before us. Commemoration, Self – Expression.
Art for Political Purposes- (gov blogs and buildings, music vids, commercials, propaganda) all meant to harness the power of art to influence action and opinion. Persuasion, Protest

There are many ways of judging the quality of art. Our assessment of quality is usually connected to other values that we hold about the function of art in society. Our preferences for art are usually connected to our other beliefs. The artist applies a process of evaluating their art when they make it. They make certain choices in materials, content or subject and execution. Then the viewer and/or art critics view the work and evaluate it’s quality and relevance. We all bring our own experiences, culture, heritage with us to view work. The term art criticism refers to making discriminating judgements, both favorable and unfavorable. We all critique work, but professional critics, who write about art, tend to follow one or more of these basic theories:

THEORIES OF ART CRITICISM:

Formal Theories – focuses attention on the composition of the work, on the originality of the work, and how it may have been influenced by earlier works or influence other artists
Contextual Theories -which consider art as a product of a culture and value system, what else was going on in the culture at that time?
Expressive Theories – which pay attention to the artist’s expression of a personality or worldview, skill level, emotional state, mindset, and gender of creator.
Look at the list of the Functions of Art and the Theories of Art Criticism. Then look at the 7 artworks provided. Pick 2works, name them and identify their Art Function and the Theory of Art Criticism you would use to critique the work. (hint: the function will help pick the theory)

Then write a few sentences as to why you assigned that function and theory by the due date. You should research the work a bit for a better understanding.
Then respond to 2 other posts within 24 hours of due date.
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Who Will Write the History of Tears), 1991
Gentile Bellini and Giovani Bellini, Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria, 1504-1507

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