Nature & Definition of Art

Art, since time immemorial, is man‘s concrete product of his innermost thoughts,
feelings, observations, desires, needs, and fancy. Regardless of culture, milieu,
and space, art continues to expand linking the past, the present and the future.

But, what is art?

Perhaps this simple question has baffled every civilization and culture. Due to the
vastness of art, several definitions of it have developed out of individual
perceptions, feelings, and beliefs.

The following are some definitions:

1. “We have our Arts so we won‘t die of Truth.” Friedrich Nietzsche, made famous
all over again by Ray Bradbury in Zen in the Art of Writing

2. “ Art is an imitation of an imitation‖ Plato, philosopher

3. "Art is either plagiarism or revolution." Paul Gauguin, painter

4. "Art is the signature of civilizations." Jean Sibelius, composer

5. "Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to
understand." Pablo Picasso, painter

6. ―The role of art as a creative work is to depict the world in a completely

different light and perspective.‖ Jean Sartre, philosopher

Art is an ever -expanding form. Trying to encapsulate all great ideas pertaining to
what art is into one single definition poses a vexing challenge.

The term ‗art‘ was derived from the Latin word, ars, which means ―craft or
specialized form of skill.‖

This suggests that art is the skillful application of knowledge. Art is the expression
of the beautiful.
In the 17th century, art was attached to aesthetics, the study of beauty. In the
18th century (Renaissance), art is ―not delicate or highly skilled arts but beautiful
arts.‖

Therefore, art is the expression or application of human creative skill and

imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing
works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Art Appreciation.
Because of our varied tastes, the way we perceive and appreciate art differs at
certain levels. Ariola (2008) defines Art Appreciation as the ability to interpret and
understand man -made arts and enjoy them either through actual work
-experience with varied tools and materials for one‘s admiration and satisfaction.

Creativity
Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is
characterized by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden
patterns, to make connections between seemingly unrelated phenomena, and to
generate solutions.

Creativity involves two processes: thinking, then producing.

Rollo May (1975) states that creativity is the process of bringing something new
into being. Creativity requires passion and commitment. It brings to our
awareness what was previously hidden and points to new life. The experience is
one of heightened consciousness: ecstasy.

Anne Sheppard(1991) argues that imagination plays an important part in our

understanding of representational art, claiming that imagination is what enables
us to see a picture as a representation of something in the real world.

IN addition, she claims that imagination plays a part in our response to the
expression of emotion in art such as joy, sadness, and grief.
Expression
In his article The Expression Theory of Art: A Critical Evaluation, Haig
Khatchadourian (Spring, 1965), explains that expression may be any kind of
conscious experience - intellectual, imaginative, or emotional.

What an artist expresses is the subconscious experiences, his conceptions of or

reactions to various qualities or aspects of society in which he lives or works,
and/or the world around him.

Explanation

Now that you have learned about the basic concepts of art, you are now ready to
look into the various assumptions of art listed below. Study them carefully.

1. Art is universal.
Art has always been timeless and universal, spanning generations and
continents through and through. Most, if not all, people can relate to.
An art is not good because it is old, but old because it is good‖ (Dudley et al.,
1960). The following are some examples of what we call ―oldie but goodie‖:
• Iliad and Odyssey of Homer
• Works of Jose Rizal
• Ibong Adarna of José de la Cruz
• Florante at Laura of Francisco Balagtas
• Psalms

2. Art is not nature

The word ―Art‖ comes from the Aryan root word ―AR‖ which means to join
or to put together; Latin terms artem (nominative ars) "work of art; practical
skill; a business, craft,", and ars means ―everything that is artificially made or
composed by man.‖
In other words, Art is man‘s expression of his reception of nature. Art is man‘s
way of interpreting nature. And as Plato states in Course Pocket I, ―Art is an
imitation of an imitation.‖
3. Art is cultural
Since time in memoriam, art and culture go hand in hand, with one
influencing the other. According to John Nieto, one of America‘s most
dynamic contemporary artist,
Art and culture at their very core serve as some of the most significant,
dynamic, participation, and social influences of human behaviour and
interaction. When put together, they have the ability to generate empathy,
stir up dialogue, induce reflection and charter new relationships and
ideas.‖(2017)
It can be observed that art and culture serve as part of the basis for shaping
the values people have, some of which include:
• A sense of community or belonging
• Affiliation
• Self-acceptance
• Creativity
• Self-respect
• Equality
• Unity
• Nature
• Freedom

It can also be observed that some nations have similar, but not exactly the
same, culture. For example, the Maoris of New Zealand have their Tā moko
while the Kalingas have Pambabatok, both are tattooing culture or traditions,
but the difference is Tā moko is often on the face. Kalingas have this also but it
is very rare.
Other nations also have this face tattoo culture. For more information, read
the articles Tā moko | Māori tattoos: history, practice, and meanings and A
tattooing technique of the Butbut Tribe in the Philippines
In popular culture, or pop culture, it can be seen that culture of a nation is
embedded in art, and differences and similarities of each nation are seen. An
example of this Pol Medina‘s Pugad Baboy and American TV show Family Guy.
4. Art involves experience.
Artists, most of the time, would like to immortalize the memory they have, or
maybe the emotions they felt during a certain episode of their life.
It could be the exact image of a person or a place, or other cases, a symbol of
the experience they have.
It could also be something that symbolizes the history of one country. One
example of these artworks is BenCab‘s Homage to Sabel 9.
It was said that Sabel was a street person a.k.a. taong grasa found by Bencab
in Tondo. She became the muse of many of his art pieces, which are exhibited
in his art museum, and some of the museum goers would think that Sabel
embodies what life hardships can do to a person.
This is not exclusive to graphic and plastic arts. This is also applicable to
performing arts, e.g. music, dance, theatre, and so on, and to literature, e.g.
poetry, fiction, etc., as well.
Unlike fields of knowledge that involve data, art is known by experiencing.
A work of art that cannot be abstracted from actual doing. In order to know
what an artwork is, we have to sense it, see or hear it, and see AND hear it.

5. Art as expression
Art, as most believe, is a form of expression, and most of the time expression
of feelings of a person or a collective group of people. It can also be said that
art is an expression of a person‘s desires, thoughts, and intuitions.
Artists are people inspired by emotional experiences use their skill with
words, paint, music, movement, etc., to embody their emotions in a work of
art with a view to stimulating the same emotion in an audience.
In the previous assumption (Art involves experience) an example given was of
graphic arts. In this assumption, one example is music.
Music also expresses the tone of the scene in a play, and/or movie. Upbeat
tempo suggests a happy scene while slow tempo suggests longing or
loneliness. A sudden loud volume can produce excitement or fear, which
depends on the genre of what is being shown.
 As for songs, in the late 1970s up to 1980s, the songs of Asin, a Filipino
pop/rock band are often interpreted by the listeners as songs that depict the
emotions of the Filipinos during the Marcos Regime.
Another example of art as expression is dance. In a dance, particularly
traditional dance, every step and movement of the hands, and even the
clothes the dancers wear, has a special meaning. It shows their culture, the
hardships they have been through and still going through.

Functions of Art

Within art, there exist purposes referred to as functions for which a piece of art may be designed, but no
art can be "assigned" a function—either in scholarly studies or casual conversation—outside of the
proper context. Art forms exist within very specific contexts that must be considered when classifying
them. Whether a particular piece of art has existed for centuries or has yet to be created, it is functional
in some way—all art exists for a reason and these reasons make up the functions of art.

1. Personal Function
While it is true that an artwork is an artist‘s expression, its impact may be individualized and
personal; hence, artists create art to express personal feelings. The personal functions of art are
often the most difficult to explain. There are many types of personal functions and these are
highly subjective. Personal functions of art are not likely to be the same from person to person.
An artist may create a piece out of a need for self-expression or gratification. They might also or
instead want to communicate a thought or point to the viewer. Sometimes an artist is only
trying to provide an aesthetic experience, both for self and viewers. A piece might be meant to
entertain, provoke, thought, or even have no effect at all. Personal function is vague for a
reason. From artist to artist and viewer to viewer, one's experience with art is different.
Knowing the background and behaviors of an artist helps when interpreting the personal
function of their pieces.

2. Social Function
Feldman(1967) states that art performs a social function when it influences the collective
behavior of people. It is created to be seen and experienced by the public, and when it
expresses a collective feeling rather than an individual one. These characteristics lead to global
understanding and peace.
Artists may produce art to reinforce and enhance the shared sense of identity of those in a
family, community, or civilizations (family portraits, uniforms for bands, celebration floats,
costumes, etc.) Additionally, satire performs social functions. Spanish painter and English
 portrait artist William Hogarth (1697–1764) both went this route with varying degrees of
success at motivating social change with their art. Sometimes the possession of specific pieces of
art in a community can elevate that community's status.
. Artists may create art to express spiritual beliefs about the destiny of life controlled by the force
of a higher power. Art produced for this purpose may reinforce the shared beliefs of an
individual or a human community.

3. Spiritual Function
The statues of saints, Jesus, and Mary were all created to enhance one‘s spiritual connection.
Through these works, man feels connected with the Higher Being. Artists may create art to
express spiritual beliefs about the destiny of life controlled by the force of a higher power.
Art produced for this purpose may reinforce the shared beliefs of an individual or a human
community. The many statues of Christ crucifixion hover around the central details of Christ‘s
Passion and Sacrifice—the wounded hands and the nails of the Crucifixion. Amid the Easter
exhilaration, the message is quite provocative: The Resurrection of Christ transitions humanity
to salvation. God Incarnate means universal elevation and redemption.

4. Cultural Function
Art Cultural footprints can reveal much about the culture in which it is created. Some cultural
practices such as dances and body tattoo have been passed on to preserve not only the art but
also the culture. The appearance of ceramic artifacts generally coincides with the advent of a
sedentary lifestyle that revolved around agriculture rather than a nomadic lifestyle. Some
experts believe that pottery was discovered by accident when woven baskets were covered with
mud to make them watertight. When the basket was put over the fire for cooking, the clay
hardened.
Our forefathers once used tattoos to express themselves; their bodies were the canvas, and the
tattoos were their art. In particular, ethnic groups have been performing this practice for
centuries to mark their social status or accomplishments in the community, or as a symbol of
beauty among women.
In fact, the Spanish explorers first recorded natives covered in tattoos upon disembarking into
one of the islands during the 16th century. The ancient Visayans, as well as the highland tribes
of northern Luzon or Cordillerans, are known for their intricate art of tattooing.
In the olden days, tattoos (batuk in Visayan) were thought to be widespread in the island. The
Spaniards fought against the fierce Visayan warriors, whom they called pintados because most
of their bodies were covered in elaborate tattoos intended to intimidate the rivals.
The markings gradually increase in number depending on the number of battles one has had.
Facial tattoos are reserved only for the most valiant and strongest warriors. At present, the
ancient tattooing tradition of the Visayans and their warriors‘ courage are celebrated annually
during the Pintados Festival.

5. Utilitarian Function or Physical Function of Art

Some forms of art were and are created to be used. These works make man‘s life more
comfortable. Artist and crafts people constantly invent new ways to create functional art.
Industrial designers discover new materials that make cars lighter and stronger (jewelry,
building materials, cars, etc.)
The utilitarianism in modern architecture rejects bourgeois details such as over-abundant
decorative details in cornices and eaves.
Utilitarianism honors the functionality of the building and space rather than the grandeur of
ornamental purpose. The roots of utilitarian thinking in 21st century architecture could be
traced back to the establishment of Bauhaus School by Everyday part of commuters in the
Philippines is to ride jeepneys, the main public transportation in the country.
These colorful rides have one of the most bizarre art and color combination, which seems to
paint the busy streets.
A product of the post World War II era, surplus jeeps were left to the Filipinos by American
troops who stayed in the Philippines. Filipinos took advantage of these leftovers and made the
most out of it. With a new extended body, the remodeled jeeps became jeepneys. This made
way for inexpensive mass transportation and more importantly, a part of Philippine culture.

There are other purposes or functions of art. They are not limited to the ones presented to you
earlier because there are many more identifiable functions of art in man‘s life. To label them as
the ones discussed earlier is limiting what the arts can contribute to the world.

Art has had a great number of different functions throughout its history, making its purpose
difficult to abstract or quantify to any single concept. This does not imply that the purpose of art
is ―vague but that it has had many unique, different reasons for being created.

Some of the functions of art are provided in the outline below.

The different purposes of art may be grouped according to those that are non-motivated and
those that are motivated.

Non-motivated Functions of Art

The non-motivated purposes of art are those that are integral to being human, transcend the
individual, or do not fulfill a specific external purpose. In this sense, art, as creativity, is
something humans must do by their very nature (i.e., no other species creates art), and is
therefore beyond utility.

1. Basic human instinct for harmony, balance, rhythm .

Art at this level is not an action or an object, but an internal appreciation of balance and
harmony (beauty), and therefore an aspect of being human beyond utility. Ashanti Kente
Cloth featured in "Measure of Earth: Textiles and Territory in West Africa" opening at the
African American Cultural Center Gallery (Sept 19 - Dec 18, 2013) | Gregg Museum of Art &
Design
2. Experience of the mysterious .
 Art provides a way to experience one‘s self in relation to the universe. This experience may
often come unmotivated, as one appreciates art, music or poetry. The most beautiful thing
we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. —Albert
Einstein
3. Expression of the imagination.
Art provides a means to express the imagination in non - grammatic ways that are not tied
to the formality of spoken or written language. Unlike words, which come in sequences and
each of which have a definite meaning, art provides a range of forms, symbols and ideas
with meanings that gives the imagination an incentive and expression in a concept
determined beyond words. They furnish an aesthetic idea, which serves the above rational
idea as a substitute for logical presentation, but with the proper function, however, of
animating the mind by opening out for it a prospect into a field of kindred representations
stretching beyond its ken. ―—Immanuel Kant Ganymede with Jupiter’s Eagle, Bertel
Thorvaldsen, 1817 https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/ganymede-with-jupiter-s-
eagle/owEgDKCDQEhlWg
4. Ritualistic and symbolic functions.
In many cultures, art is used in rituals, performances and dances as a decoration or symbol.
While these often have no specific utilitarian (motivated) purpose, anthropologists know
that they often serve a purpose at the level of meaning within a particular culture. This
meaning is not furnished by any one individual, but is often the result of many generations
of change, and of a cosmological relationship within the culture.

Motivated Functions of Art

Motivated purposes of art refer to intentional, conscious actions on the part of the artists or
creator. These may be to bring about political change, to comment on an aspect of society,
to convey a specific emotion or mood, to address personal psychology, to illustrate another
discipline, to (with commercial arts) sell a product, or simply as a form of communication.

1. Communication.
Art, at its simplest, is a form of communication. As most forms of communication have an intent or
goal directed toward another individual, this is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts, such as
scientific illustration, are a form of art as communication. Maps are another example. However, the
content need not be scientific. Emotions, moods and feelings are also communicated through art.
2. Art as entertainment.
Art may seek to bring about a particular emotion or mood, for the purpose of relaxing or
entertaining the viewer. This is often the function of the art industries of Motion Pictures and Video
Games.
3. The Avante-Garde. (Art for political change.)
One of the defining functions of early twentiethcentury art has been to use visual images to bring
about political change. Art movements that had this goal—Dadaism, Surrealism, Russian
constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism, among others—are collectively referred to as the
 avante-garde arts.
Constructivist architecture- It was a constructivist style of modern architecture that flourished in
the Soviet Union in the 1920s and early 1930s. Abstract and austere, the movement aimed to
reflect modern industrial society and urban space, while rejecting decorative stylization in favor of
the industrial assemblage of materials. *The Russian Embassy building, a constructivist architecture
landmark and diplomatic compound in Miramar, Havana, Cuba
4. Art as a “free zone,” removed from the action of the social censure.
Unlike the avant-garde movements, which wanted to erase cultural differences in order to produce
new universal values, contemporary art has enhanced its tolerance towards cultural differences as
well as its critical and liberating functions (social inquiry, activism, subversion, deconstruction…),
becoming a more open place for research and experimentation.
5. Art for social inquiry, subversion, and/or anarchy.
While similar to art for political change, subversive or deconstructivist art may seek to question
aspects of society without any specific political goal. In this case, the function of art may be simply
to criticize some aspect of society.
6. Art for social causes.
Art can be used to raise awareness for a large variety of causes. A number of art activities were
aimed at raising awareness of autism, cancer, human trafficking, and a variety of other topics, such
as ocean conservation, human rights in Darfur, murdered and missing Aboriginal women, elder
abuse, and pollution. Trashion, using trash to make fashion, practiced by artists such as Marina
DeBris is one example of using art to raise awareness about pollution.
7. Art for psychological and healing purposes.
Art is also used by art therapists, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists as art therapy. The
Diagnostic Drawing Series, for example, is used to determine the personality and emotional
functioning of a patient. The end product is not the principal goal in this case, but rather a process
of healing, through creative acts, is sought. The resultant piece of artwork may also offer insight
into the troubles experienced by the subject and may suggest suitable approaches to be used in
more conventional forms of psychiatric therapy.
8. Art for propaganda or commercialism.
Art is often utilized as a form of propaganda, and thus can be used to subtly influence popular
conceptions or mood. In a similar way, art that tries to sell a product also influences mood and
emotion. In both cases, the purpose of art here is to subtly manipulate the viewer into a particular
emotional or psychological response toward a particular idea or object.
9. Art as a fitness indicator.
It has been argued that the ability of the human brain by far exceeds what was needed for survival
in the ancestral environment. One evolutionary psychology explanation for this is that the human
brain and associated traits (such as artistic ability and creativity) are the human equivalent of the
peacock‘s tail. The purpose of the male peacock‘s extravagant tail has been argued to be to attract
females. According to this theory superior execution of art was evolutionarily important because it
attracted mates.
The beauty of a work of art reveals the artist's virtuosity. This is a very old-fashioned view of
aesthetics, but that does not make it wrong. Throughout most of human history, the perceived
 beauty of an object has depended very much on its cost. That cost could be measured in time,
energy, skill, or money. Objects that were cheap and easy to produce were almost never considered
beautiful.

The functions of art described above are not mutually exclusive, as many of them may overlap. For
example, art for the purpose of entertainment may also seek to sell a product (i.e. a movie or video
game). It is also noteworthy to consider that the functions of art apply not only to the artist that created
a piece but to you as the viewer or occupier of art. Your whole experience and understanding of a piece
should contribute to the function you assign it, as well as everything you know about its context.

The space we occupy serve us various purposes. There are spaces we occupy more often than another
because of the feelings we associate with a certain space.

Soul and Space

Creating a space for the soul or inner being is something that can be emotional, for we attach meaning
to objects that surround us maybe for inspiration or spiritual support. Although material things,
including the structure of our house and the design of our space, do not exactly define who we are, they
can be reflective of our being – our cultural, religious, or philosophical identities.

The Webster Dictionary defines soul as the ―immaterial essence or animating principle of an individual
life; a person‘s total self; or even ―the cultural consciousness and pride of a person.

Space, on the other hand, may refer to ―an area; a distance from other people or things that a person
needs in order to remain comfortable; an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself.

One of the traditional structures that defines and identifies the Filipino soul is the bahay kubo.

The bahay kubo or nipa hut is a type of stilt house recognized as an indigenous icon of Philippine
culture. This type of village dwelling is a showcase of the simplicity of Filipinos which has been sustained
through the years.

The Bahay kubo is mainly constructed with the ever dependable bamboo or kawayan. The most
dominant feature of the house is its thick roof of nipa or anahaw leaves that insulate the interior from
the tropical sun; its steep roof keeps the rain to slide off; and the wide overhangs protect the walls from
water. The walls are made of nipa leaves or bamboo slats, and the floor is made of finely split bamboo.
The floor of bamboo slats conducts air into the house even if all openings are closed. There are now
many versions of the nipa hut, but the typical structure is raised with thick bamboo poles, one to two
meters above the ground to provide the occupants a safe shelter from wild animals, snakes and against
rains and floods. The awning type windows on all sides keep the interior well-ventilated. When the
windows are closed, they are sealed off by the use of sliding panels. Also, it has a kind of stairs or hagdan
which can easily be disconnected at night and placed on the porch. Some nipa huts have other features
like an open back porch or batalan, used for storage of water jars; a cellar or silong used for most
household chores, and a silid or alcove used for keeping the mats and pillows after using them. The
space beneath the house is used for ventilation and as a storage area for food, or sometimes as a shelter
for small animals like goats and poultry. The Filipino soul is reflected in the bahay kubo.

The bahay kubo follows the centuries-old Asian rural archetype of the single-room dwelling where all
family activities happen in one space; thus, there are no partitions for rooms. It is designed for family
living and all household activities like dining, recreation and sleeping. Thus, this dwelling is typical for the
Filipino concept of shared space and limited privacy.

Filipinos prefer living space that is communal. This preference shows their being friendly and
accommodating. Filipino families like to be surrounded by relatives all the time despite the problems
that may be created by their offsprings or other members of the clan. Because Filipinos adhere to close
family ties, they do not want to be separated from one another. Even if the children are already married,
their families are allowed to stay in the house or they will build their own bahay kubo next to the home
of their relatives. Three or more generations of the same family live their separate but interconnected
lives under one roof. In the one-room bahay kubo, privacy is sometimes achieved by turning one‘s back,
by facing the wall for few moments of solitude, or by hanging a thin cloth curtain to achieve a private
section.

Life in a bahay kubo is not bound by the walls of the house but goes out to include the lives of
neighbours and friends who are often considered as relatives. In the Filipino lifestyle, it is all for one and
one for all. Their communal ties allow them to give aid to a family in need like if a new house has to be
built or if a nipa hut needs to be transferred to another area. This collective activity is known as
bayanihan, meaning unity and harmony.

Bayanihan is an old Filipino tradition in which members of the community work hand in hand for the
common good by giving each other unsolicited assistance out of a sense of closeness and solidarity
without expecting recognition or personal gain or something in return. The bahay kubo is not only an
indigenous architectural masterpiece but also a national symbol reflective of the Filipino soul --- their
flexibility, resiliency, simplicity as well as solidarity. As a dwelling space, nowadays, the bahay kubo
serves many purposes – as a guesthouse, as recreational area, as a place to rest, as an embellishment in
gardens, or even as a lovers‘ nest.