• The physical functions of art are

often the most easy to

understand. Works of art that
were primarily made to perform
certain functions or service to
make our lives comfortable have
physical functions.
• Obviously, architecture is directly and
almost entirely functional because
buildings are always built for some
special purpose. The applied arts are
also functional. Metal works such as
gates, grills, lamps, Christian religious
objects, armor, weapons, tools,
ceramics, glassware, stained glass,
mosaic, tile work, textile, and
furniture are among the many types of
arts or crafts.
Pictures (example)
• Art that has a
physical function
usually relates to
items that can be
used for a
practical purpose
because of their
physical
structure, despite
their artistic
appeal.
• Consider the chair: Until we sit on it, a
chair is work of abstract sculpture; it
is also a complex engineering problem.
As sculpture, chairs possess symbolic
value, they can look like thrones, beds,
couches, swings, saddles, or wire
cages-reminding us of kings, queens,
bishops, cowboys, or canaries. Chairs
are masculine or feminine, juvenile or
adult, shy or assertive. Their aesthetic
and functional values are impossible to
separate.
• Functions change according
to form, and if there are
many functions, there will be
many forms.
• The problem of the artist in
designing a functional object
depends, to a large extent, is
making the thing specifically
adopted to its particular use.
• Whenever art has function,
this function influences and
often determines the form.
• Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright's teacher, originated
the phrase "Form follows function." It means that the
outer shape or appearance of an object results from its
inner operation; an object should look like what it is
and does.
• SCULPTURE
– Art of carving, molding, welding
or producing works of art in three
dimensions.
– More functional than painting
and literature.
• Religion has for ages made great
functional use of sculpture.
• The church doors with elaborate
carvings are magnificent
examples.
• In the Medieval and Renaissance
churches, sculpture was
frequently used for instructional
purposes.
• Another important functions of
sculpture is the commemoration
of the lives of important people.
• One very common functional use
of sculpture is seen in the coins.
• The work of an artist is not the
mechanical reproduction of a picture
through a camera, but a translation of
the most relevant characteristics of
the original model.
• It involves the process of selection,
interpretation, arrangement, and
execution.
• Art tends not to imitate but to
express nature with clarity and
meaning.
• Art, therefore, is not a mere
copying of a nature but a creative
activity.
• Anything man conceives in his
mind or makes with his hands is
a creation.
• Art appreciation means more than
aesthetic enjoyment.
 Art appreciation – involves an
ability to judge and to
appreciate art.
 Aesthetic Enjoyment – related to
the experience derived from the
contemplation of artistic works.
• According to the impressionists,
the criteria to determine the
excellence of the works of art
depend on individual feelings and
opinions.
• All men have the capacity to
develop aesthetic pleasures and
art appreciation but only those
who seriously apply themselves to
the study of history and
evaluation of the arts are qualified
to discuss about aesthetic
standards and art appreciation.
• Once we are awakened to the
appreciation of the arts, we can
develop a critical attitude and
reflection toward them. It is then
that we can comment, criticize,
pass judgments, write reviews,
and make recommendations.