Social Function of Art - Essay Example

 Social Function of an Art To begin with the words of Former President of USA, John F. Kennedy, “I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his/her vision wherever it takes him/her.” Art nourishes culture and society. Art helps in the communication of ideas, views and opinions. It encompasses various human activities, creation and expression.

It, therefore serves a social function. Art engages one’s mind, body and senses and creates an authentic learning experience. Art function with the human experience. It is the expression of imagination ( Shelley) it purges emotions through pity and terror (Aristotle ),it promotes the class struggle (Max)it advance brotherhood (Tolstoy)it is criticism of life (Mathew Arnold) It helps live the good life (Pater, Dewey); it is to contemplate (Schopenhauer); it brings you “face-to-face with reality” (Bergson); it helps one relax (Matisse); and, of course, it serve no function at all, but simply to exist for its own sake.

Since time immemorial art has served as a medium of communication. Various changes in the society have been brought by the cumulative efforts of the artists. They raise questions on the issues and seek for the answers. They remain perturbed till the proper response is found .They use their medium to extract the solution and are able to change people’s opinion and views .They can motivate and de motivate. They have the courage to challenge and experiment thus they are able to involve and influence society thereby bringing social change.

The Art functions in two ways. First is Non Motivated function of Art and the second is Motivated function of Art.Non Motivated function of the art serves no specific purpose and utility. As Aristotle defines it, imitation is one instinct of human nature, therefore creativity is human instinct and it by no means has motivated purpose. Experience of mystics, expression of imagination and universal communication all these are the examples of aesthetic attributes of an individual, there is no reasoning and logic but are meant solely for pleasure.

Motivated function of the art, on the other hand, refers to the intentional and conscious actions on the part of the artist. It could be to communicate major social change, political view and specific emotions. Art is a source of entertainment and communication. The nineteenth century saw new developments in the art forms. The three major movements in the art form in this century were-Neoclassicism, Romanticism and Impressionism. As discussed earlier, art is the expression of change or response to the change in the society.

The world was going through rapid urbanization during this era and various art movements are the reflection of the way world responded to the change. For instance, the Neoclassicism was the intellectual movement that was inspired by the of Classicists of Greece and Rome. The art of this movement is identified by its idealized form and stable composition. The artists recognised themselves above other members of the society as pathfinders’ .The function of art is to reform therefore the artists of that era sort the ways to reform society of all the evils and odds.

Romantic artists were fascinated by the nature, the genius, their passions and inner struggles, their moods, mental potentials, the heroes. They investigated human nature and personality, the folk culture, the national and ethnic origins, the medieval era, the exotic, the remote, the mysterious, the occult, the diseased, and even satanic. Romantic artist had a role of an ultimate egoistic creator, with the spirit above strict formal rules and traditional procedures. He had imagination as a gateway to transcendent experience and spiritual truth.

The impressionist artist laid much emphasis on the subject matter or the object. They were realistic with their pictures so with the real life. Thus, the work of the Nineteenth century artists was mainly the reformation. They reformed not only the paintings, literature but also the people and the society. Works citedThe purpose of Art, Adapted from Reuben Abel’s ‘Man is the Measure’ (Chapter 21) Web 6th May 2011General Concept of Art.

Web 6th May 2011. Nineteenth Century Art, Smart Art. Web 6th May 2011.