What Are the Functions of Art

First, proceed with this caution: No piece of art can be assigned a function (or functions), either in essay form or in casual conversation, if it isnt first considered within the proper context. Trying to classify function depends on context. Ideally, one can look at a piece of art and know (approximately) where it came from and when. The best-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 art mean to you, at this moment?). These are all factors that should be considered before trying to assign functions. Besides, taking anything out of context can lead to misunderstanding, which is never a happy place to visit. That said, the functions of art normally fall into three categories. These are personal, social or physical functions. These categories can, and (often) do, overlap in any given piece of art. The Physical Functions of Art The physical functions of art are often the easiest to understand. Works of art that are created to perform some service have physical functions. If you see a Fijian war club, you may assume that, however wonderful the craftsmanship may be, it was created to perform the physical function of smashing skulls. A Japanese raku bowl is art that performs a physical function 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 physical functions. The Social Functions of Art Art has a social function when it addresses aspects of (collective) life, as opposed to one persons point of view or experience. For example, public art in 1930s Germany had an overwhelming symbolic theme. Did this art exert influence on the German population? Decidedly so, as did political and patriotic posters in Allied countries during the same time. Political art (skewed to whatever message) always carries a social function. The fur-covered Dada teacup, useless for holding tea, carried a social function in that it protested World War I (and nearly everything else in life). Art that depicts social conditions performs social functions. The Realists figured this out early in the 19th century. American photographer Dorothea Lange (1895–1965) and, indeed, many other photographers often took pictures of people in conditions wed rather not think about. Additionally, satire performs social functions. Spanish painter Francisco Goya (1746–1828) and English portrait artist William Hogarth (1697–1764) both went this route, with varying degrees of success at enacting social change. Sometimes having specific pieces of art in a community can perform the social function of elevating that communitys status. A stabile by American kinetic artist Alexander Calder (1898–1976), for example, can be a community treasure and point of pride. The Personal Functions of Art The personal functions of art are often  the most difficult to explain. There are many types of personal function, 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 point to the viewer. Perhaps the artist was trying to provide an aesthetic experience, both for self and viewers. A piece might have been meant to merely entertain others. Sometimes a piece isnt meant to have any meaning at all. Recognize that this is intentionally vague. The above is a great example of how knowing the artist can help one cut to the chase and assign functions. On a slightly more lofty plane, art may serve the personal functions of control. Art has been used to attempt to exert magical control over time, or the seasons or even the acquisition of food. Art is used to bring order to a messy and disorderly world. Conversely, art can be used to create chaos when an artist feels life is too staid and ordinary. Art can also be therapeutic—for both the artist and the viewer. Yet another personal function of art is that of religious service (lots of examples for this, arent there?). Finally, sometimes art is used to assist us in maintaining ourselves as a species. Biological functions would obviously include fertility symbols (in any culture), but there are many ways we humans adorn ourselves in order to be attractive enough to, well, mate. You, the viewer, are half of the equation in assigning a function to art. These personal functions apply to you, as well as the artist. It all adds up to innumerable variables when trying to figure out the personal functions of art. Stick with the most obvious and provide only those details you know as factual. In sum, try to remember four points when required to describe the functions of art: (1) context and (2) personal, (3) social and (4) physical functions. Good luck, and may your own words flow freely!

Sylvia Plath’s “Mirror” How a Woman Matures Essay

Sylvia Plath’s poem â€Å"Mirror† is about a women maturing with time and her mirror is witness to her aging and her journey to finding herself. The mirror serves as a vivid portrayal of women’s life and stride through a very reliable persona, the mirror. Along her required journey she is faced with obstacles, such as herself and time ticking. All through life’s inconsistencies the mirror is the only one that does not hide her truth but reveals it to her even though she may not want to face reality. This poem is a representation of the idea that beauty lies in the hands of the beholder. The mirror only reflects the image to the woman, but it is the woman herself who is judging. The form of this poem is divided into two stanzas, one when the†¦show more content†¦A women bends over me† (9). She is mature and no longer is sheltered in her parents’ home; she is out in the real world. She is out in the world looking at her reflection searching for who she really is. She may be confused from all her past influences that have in some respect molded her. She may not be content with herself and is longing of an answer in her reflection; â€Å"Searching my reaches for what she really is† (10). When this woman now sees her reflection in the lake; a metaphor for adulthood, she is not happy with it. Why? Because the mirror â€Å"sees and swallows her reflection immediately† (2); leaving no room for â€Å"preconception† (1). The mirror is â€Å"not cruel only truthful† (4). Since she is not happy with the truth, she turns to candles or the moon, which Plath refers to as liars. The moon and the candles a have a correlating relationship because they are fickle and they are never constant. The moon has its different phases each month, and the candle’s wax always melts and eventually disappears. Unlike the mirror and it’s reflection which is always constant and never fickle. As the author reassures the reader in line (12) â€Å"I see her back, and it reflect it faithfully. â€Å"The author is implying that no matter what the women does the only thing the mirror does, is reflect the image to the woman, but it is the woman who is judging herself and unfortunately unhappy with who, and how she is. The poem â€Å"mirrors† is filled with word and imagesShow MoreRelatedThe Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath1211 Words   |  5 PagesSylvia Plath Research Paper Title The Bell Jar place[s] [the] turbulent months[of an adolescent’s life] in[to] mature perspective (Hall, 30). In The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath uses parallelism, stream of consciousness, the motif of renewal and rebirth, symbolism of the boundary-driven entrapped mentally ill, and auto-biographical details to epitomize the mental downfall of protagonist, Esther Greenwood. Plath also explores the idea of how grave these timeless and poignant issues can affect a fragileRead MoreThe Bell Jar By Sylvia Plath And Girl, Interrupted By Susanna Kaysen3528 Words   |  15 PagesA comparative literary study of the effect of mental illness on the central characters is the semi-autobiographical novels The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath and Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen. Comparing two women trying to deal with mental illness and are trying to cope with the mental pressures they put on themselves and by other people. Although the differences between these two novels are The Bell Jar shows Esther ’s life before she descends into mental illness whereas Susanna’s story is about

The Makropulos Case Analysis - 1765 Words

Bernard Williams’ The Makropulos Case, focuses on the topic of immortality, and the issues that would arise from being immortal. Williams’ uses the concept of the Makropulos play to refute the idea of immortality, because the protagonist kills themselves out of unbearable boredom from exhausting their categorical desires. Whereas John Martin Fischer rejects Williams’ view of immortality, due to the limiting constraints of his argument. Fischer asserts the immortal life would be livable, because it reflects a mortal life. In effect, I will further Fischer’s argument, in proposing the concept of categorical desires evolving, and then the significance of external factors occurring in society. Therefore, this essay will explain the significant†¦show more content†¦Therefore, Williams’ asserts the immortal life would be undesirable, or unlivable since we will inevitably exhaust our categorical desires (100). Whereas, Fischer denies Williams’ dilemma, because his argument is too narrow in thinking, because Williams asserts the agent would possess only one categorical desire. However, Fischer denies Williams’ assertion, because the immortal agent would not be pursuing only one interest. Fischer questions Williams’ mode of reasoning on why the agent must pursue only one interest; Fischer proposes that the individual would possess a package of categorical desires, which would enable the agent to move in to their immortal future without succumbing to eternal boredom. â€Å"Certainly, an immortal life could consist in a certain mix of activities, possibly including friendship, love, family, intellectual, artistic and athletic activity, sensual delights, and so forth† (216). Rather relentlessly pursuing one good, the packages of categorical desires enable the agent to move between pleasures and keep themselves busy. Furthermore, Fischer rejects Williams’ asse rtion that the immortal agent cannot undergo any form of boredom, and that they must constantly be absorbed in their environment. Fischer asserts all mortal lives consists of temporary moments of boredom/pains, which enable the agent to proceed to mentally stimulating environment/goods (261). Furthermore, the possible issue that the agentShow MoreRelatedThe Makropulos Case Analysis1760 Words   |  8 PagesBernard William’s The Makropulos Case focuses on the topic of immortality, and the issues that would arise from being immortal. William’s uses the concept of the Makropulos play to refute the idea of immortality, because the protagonist kills themselves out of unbearable boredom from exhausting their categorical desires. Whereas John Martin Fischer rejects William’s view of immortality, due to the limiting constraints of his argument. Fischer asserts the immortal life would be livable, because it

Skewed Moralities Free Essays

â€Å"Money for Morality,† she presumes to state her thesis which details that in today’s society we have lost the need to be self-motivated and otherwise rely on other people to bargain with us with tokens of success thus sullying our dignified good deeds. This is expressed best in Mary Regardless’ first example of a boy whom goes out of his way to return a large sum of cash to its rightful owner whilst not intending upon receiving a reward and yet however is pursued by another group of adults wishing to reimburse him for his troubles and finding that the reward is deserved of a large sum of money. Mary Regardless’ goes on to explain that through actions like these, not only are our efforts being diminished but also we are being trained to expect rewards for deeds that supersede the plane of what is Just. We will write a custom essay sample on Skewed Moralities or any similar topic only for you Order Now To give her argument strength she includes personal ties to her own relationship with her son and his personal account of his friends and their parents. In this story they describe the teacher’s and parent’s effort to set up a bargaining system with their youthful counterparts thus giving the students a bribe of sorts to achieve to a higher standard. To which of course Mary Regardless states, â€Å"Doing well is its own reward. The A Just confirms that. † To conclude Mary Regardless sums up with a knowledgeable remark about being a good example; that parents, or rather Just people in general, should make it their objective to provide good means of raising their kids through the power of suggestion. Rather than making their way to the couch or wasting time and money at some mall, spent that time instead to read a book, do some basic chores. At a developing age it only provides positive reinforcement to a child that will carry them through the rest of life In order to achieve. How to cite Skewed Moralities, Papers

Roman Coliseums Essay Example For Students

Roman Coliseums Essay Architecture of the ancient Roman Empire is considered one of the most impressive of all time. The city of Rome once was home to more than one million residents in the early centuries AD1. The Romans had a fine selection of building monuments in the city of Rome including the forums for civic services, temples of worship, and amphitheaters for recreation and play. The Romans made great use and pioneered great architecture mechanisms including arches, columns, and even mechanical elements in pulleys and early elevators. However, when one tends to think of great buildings, one building stands out in Rome. This building is the Flavian Amphitheatre, or better known as the Colosseum. When discussing such a great monument such as the Colosseum, it is very important to realize the time, place, and culture in wish it stood to fully understand both its form and function. In the beginnings, Rome was both influenced by the Etruscans of the North and Greeks of Italy and South but had its basic roots from a long time of Samnite domination2. The Etruscans were that of an interesting type as described by Peter Quennell: The Etruscans combined a passionate devotion to the ordinary pleasures of life with a haunting fear of death. They were cruel, too, and deeply superstitious their victims were ordered to fight among themselves until the last had fallen. The Etruscans would have a strong impression in Roman lifestyles and philosophies. For example, the purple robe worn by leaders would be later adopted by the Romans. They also were the influence which brought gladiatorial battles of sacrifice into the Roman culture. This was a time of blood thirsty humans who loved the site of battle. Even an early christian named Alypius proclaimed that he took away with him a mad passion which prodded him not only to return to gladatior events with those by whom he had first been forced in, but even ahead of them and dragging in others. 3 This was a time of paganism, which meant sacrifice and death. Early christians were persecuted for their beliefs in the first few centuries. Clearly in Rome, the focus was not only on religion or the emporer, but we have a focus on leisure and activities. It is said that of a three-hundred and sixty-five day year that one-hundred and fifty days were celebrated as regular holidays, with over ninety days given up to games4. This type of lifestyle would dominate the cities and architecture of the Romans for some time to come. The people of Rome enjoyed theatres, battles, races, baths, comical events, and of course the game of death. There were many forums, temples, and many amphitheaters in the history of Rome, however only a few stand out even today. The Colosseum is the greatest standing building of Rome, and one of the most recognized worldwide architectural achievements to this day. The amphitheater is a type of architecture that was without Greek precedents. This makes sense since its primary purpose was to hold gladitiator fights and brutal shows which were banned in Athens at the time. Such events held in Roman amphitheaters were horseracing, gymnastics, mock cavalry battles, footraces, prizefighting, wrestling, fights between animals, between men, animals and men, and even naumachiae, or mock sea battles5. One of the first amphitheaters was the Pompeian amphitheater of Pompeii of 30 BC. Like the Colosseum, it was oval in plan. It was supported on great masses of solid earth pierced by a broad corridor at each end. Stone seats were added at one time but most spectators sat on the earth or wooden chairs. Although this amphitheater was a great innovation, it would be eclipsed by the Flavian Amphitheater, better known as the Colosseum. The great building although fitting and plain in design to its surroundings of Rome still stood out due to its sheer monstrosity and oval shape. Although the site viewed today is still a marvel, back in the days of its prime it was a spectacular site that would be difficult to apprehend with only words. The city which held the great structure was full of great examples of the use of arches, columns from every order, and of course sheer size. When traveling the city to the Colosseum the whole area had been paved and railed off. The approach was taken by cobbled slabs of lava, and then one entered an area paved with travertine more than five thousand feet wide and surrounded by huge boundary stones6. To a spectator at the time the Colosseum from the outside is described by the romantic poet Johann Wolggang von Goethe: When one looks at it all else seems little; the edifice is so vast, that one cannot hold the image of it in onequot;s soul- in memory we think it smaller, and then return to it again to find it every time greater than before. As one looked at it from the city, there were many sights to behold, but the Colosseum stood out 19 centuries ago, and still does to this date. At the end of the Emperor Nero and the triumph of the Flavians every effort was made to forget the times of the Julio-Claudians of which Julius Caesarquot;s family and move to newer times. The focus of arhictecture and buildings shifted from the emperorquot;s creations to the publicquot;s buildings. The next prominent emperor was Vespasian. His first contribution to the public was an enormous forum with a temple of Peace in it. 7 His greatest feat was the beginning of the construction of the Colosseum for games purposes around 72 AD. Titus succeeded the ever-joking Vespasian and completed his fathers dream around 79-80 AD. The dedication of the Colesseum was a lavish gladiator show that lasted for exactly one-hundred days in which over nine thousand animals were killed. 8 A typical day at the Colesseum show usually started with a bloodless comic relief battle, often times with dwarfs, women, or cripples battling with wooden objects. A tuba would sound and the main events would begin. The gladiator fights were the most popular and prominent fights. These featured two highly trained men battling for courage, strength, and dignity. Augustine And Love EssaySome of the technology employed at the time of this building is very similar to todayquot;s buildings of similar uses for games. For instance there were 76 entrance gates of the 80 piers. The latter four were used for emperors and gladiators one of which was used to drag the bodies to an unmarked grave. The entrance gates were numbered and corresponded to numbers stamped on the fanquot;s tickets much like todays sporting events. With 80 gates one could easily maneuver to their correct gate. In the ground floor contained an intricate labyrinth of cells which housed the gladiators, animals, and workers. There were splendid uses of machinery in which to lift the gladiator or animal to the surface of the battle arena. But the most amazing construction at the Colosseum had nothing to do with the show. It was designed purely for the benefit of the audience, to keep them calm and content as the violent spectacle unfolded below. It was a roof. The roof of the Colleseum was one that was retractable and much like a sailor. So much in fact, sailors who lived in a nearby town managed the velarium, or colored awning. This was a remarkable feat considering that most stadiums now days are still not fully enclosed such as the Cowboyquot;s stadium. The use of the corbels on the uppermost deck and the use of a pulley system brought about this feat of ingenious. Some archeologists thought that the roof was non-existent or was a web of ropes, but it is now believed to be made from masts and pulleys. The masts would hold horizontal masts on which to pull the awning over. It is believed that it did not cover the whole structure, but at least the most important seatings of the emperor for the whole day. 4 Hebrew prisoners and slaves of the time employed the building of the Colesseum. All the details of the actual construction are unknown, but it is based upon a barrel-vaulted scheme that circles around. The builders used tavertine blocks to construct a framework of piers, arches, and linked walls and vaults. The cement posts go deep into the ground to support the great weight. The lower level vaults were c onstructed of tufa or pumice. On the upper floors the walls were built with brick and concrete utilizing volcanic sand to dry. Travertine was used to surround the outside and was held in place by iron clamps. 15 The experience of being outside the Colosseum was plain except for the added statues. The outside of the building was paved with boundaries and roads. One could make out the hundreds of semicircles and arches. The arches increased upwards from Truscan, Doric, and Corinthian columns to the Corinthian Pillars and wall of the fourth deck. The outside was a brilliant travertine that must have been a spectacular sight. Next to the building one would feel he is nothing but a little gnat compared to the great building. To get inside one must enter their gate, and proceed up the stairway to the designated level much like a modern stadium. Since there were 80 entrances, many people could occupy the great Amphitheater. Inside the Coloseum the arena floor was wooden and covered with sand to soak the blood. There was a great podium made of marble on the sidelines housed the dignitaries. Above that were marble seats for distinguished private citizens. The second held the middle class, the third held slaves and foreigners, and the fourth levels were for women and the poor who sat on wooden seats. 6 The great velarium was multicolored and must have been a specticle on the inside of the Colosseum when raised. This would also shadow and protect the fans from nature. The arches allowed for great ventilation, stability, and passageways to keep the crowd comfortable all day. On a whole the Colosseum is symbolized by its size which represents the greatness of Rome. The name may be attributed to its size, or some believe to the colossal statue of Nero nicknamed the crowned colossus that was nearby. With all of the circular motifs used by the arches, and of the building itself, some believe it symbolizes the sun. This also makes sense considering part of the Colosseum was built from the Golden House of Nero, also known as the solar statue, or sun statue. Many symbols used in the Colosseum were of Pagan descendent. This included the sacrifices, purple robes, battle-axes, and hammers of the Etruscan Pagans. The cross was erected to commemorate the early Christians who are believed to have died here although there is no evidence to support this belief. The great arch beside the Coliseum was erected in the third century in honor of Constantine, although much of its decoration was pilfered from monuments to other emperors. Since one of the symbols was of the sun, the arches created natural and splendid light and shadows as shown in the picture. Much poetry has been written of the light, shadows, and even smoke from the arches of the Colosseum. When it was not noon the light would create long shadows and yet have bright instances which accentuate the arches and columns in the bright light. It shows an alternating natural pattern of shadows. One of the first natural changes of the Colosseum came in 320 when lightning struck and damaged the building. In 422 it was damaged by an earthquake. However Theodosius II and Valentitian III repaired it only to be again damaged by an earthquake in 508. After the sixth century the city of Rome and the Coleseum went downhill because of some devastating disasters. Towards the end of the sixth century grass was starting to grow rampant at the Colosseum.

Photography And Art Essays - Journalism, Visual Arts,

Photography And Art For many years photography has been used to document the most significant of events, whether they affect an entire society, like a war, or a specific persons' life, such as a wedding. The reason that photography is used for such occasions instead of painting, drawing or sculpting is quite simple. It is because photography is the most remarkable of the fine arts. Other forms of art, are aesthetically pleasing and important in their own rite, but photography is so monumental because of the power that only it possesses. This is the power to depict fact. One aspect that makes photography so creditable is that it can show feeling and emotion so much more vividly and doubtlessly than a drawing can. For instance, during the Great Depression "the harsh realities were recorded thanks to the initiative of the Farm Security Administration (Daval, 186)." At this time, Dorothea Lange "documented the bitter poverty of migrant workers and their families (20th Century Photography, 1). These images, such as Migrant Mother and Cotton Picker near Firebrough, show, so clearly and almost effortlessly, the pain and despair that was occurring too frequently at this time. There is a loss of hope that is so clear and evident in these photographs from the longing in the eyes of the images shown. Such raw emotion is hard to come by in any other art form. Another reason photography is more trustworthy than other forms of art, is because the image that appears in a photograph, whether it is of a person or an event, has at one point existed or happened. This statement does not always hold true for paintings, sculptures, and drawings. It is simple and usual for an artist to conjure up an image of a person that has never existed and turn them into a work of art. For example, there has been a great deal of speculation about whether or not Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa is a portrait of a real person. Before the relatively recent technological advances, it was not possible to have a picture of a person or an incident that was fictitious. A further example that photography is perceived as more realistic than other methods of art, is that it is possible for an artist to elaborate, emphasize, erase, or even completely change an image that they are trying to capture. Once again, preceding modern advances, this was not possible for a photographer to do. Based on this, and the preceding statement, throughout history viewers have been able to trust that the images they were seeing were genuine, and therefore were able to trust the realism of photographs. Over the years, photography came to be depended on for its ability to show factual images for the reasons stated earlier. Proof of this statement, is the great demand for photographs in magazines and newspapers. "The newspaper and newsmagazine depended on his (a professional photo-reporter's) pictures, even more than on the written word. They were an international language of communication, the one language needing no translation (Daval, 190)." The rise of photojournalism made the public even more believing of photography and "the status of the photograph: from a document before, it now became evidence, irrefutable proof (Daval, 173)." Bibliography Daval, Jean-Luc. Photography: History of an Art . New York: Rizzoli International Publications Inc. , 1982. 20th Century Photography: http://www.masters-of- photography. com/L/lange/lange_articles1.html Dorothea Lange Photographs. http://www.masters-of-photography. com/L/lange/lange_migrant_mother_full.html

Get Ready to Live Abroad with These Tips

Get Ready to Live Abroad with These Tips How to Pack for Your Year Abroad? Everyone would somehow or other like to travel outside their country to visit interesting places, get a job, immerse themselves in a new culture, or see how people from other countries live. When you travel abroad first, you may not know the exact things you need to pack, what will be useful and what not, and how to pack all your things on time. Students and employees are especially interested in this issue. Well, at first glance, this activity seems complicated, exhausted and boring. We all might want to throw all the things into a suitcase, close it instantly, take a phone and a passport, and jerk off to the airport. However, often we have to deal with heavy travel bags, packages, and other trifles. For students who wish to study abroad and avoid mistakes while packing belongings, we released this article with useful tips. Well, let's get started. Check These Useful Tips for Packing Abroad! 1. Don’t pack much. This is probably the most important and difficult task for all the travelers. People need plenty of things for work, studying, or leisure time, so they want to shove as many things into their suitcase as possible. Perhaps, it happens by chance, even if that wasn’t a person’s real will. This kind of panic before traveling is typical, and there is nothing to be ashamed of. Try to accept that you take just one suitcase. That's all. Pack your most necessary belongings, select priority things, and get rid of unnecessary items. 2. Make a list. You might think we are crazy that offer you such a boring idea of making a list of things. But believe us, such lists are really helpful tools for those planning to travel abroad. Just have a try: write a list of things with subheadings, which will represent the names of the rooms. Then, go to each of the rooms of your apartment, write down what you will need to take, and leave some space for checkmarks. When it's time to pack, come to your rooms again, take and place those things in the suitcase, and put a checkmark next to each item. Besides, those traveling lists will help you pack once you need to return so that you can’t forget anything. 3. Pack for all seasons. The more you plan to live abroad, the more clothes you need to take with. Different seasons mean different garments, and this, in turn, is a minus for those who want to take the very minimum of clothing. Well, find out about the prevailing weather in another country, look through your wardrobe and take a few things for each season, and do not neglect the warm clothes. In case there is nothing suitable, you can always buy on the spot. 4. Take some nostalgic items. Leaving home is always a tough issue for anyone, especially for those who leave it for a long time. The ideal solution here is to take a piece of your home - something that strongly reminds of your loved ones, friends and family. Pack (not many, of course) pictures, photographs, letters, or gifts from your close ones. Such a piece of nostalgia will not take much place in a suitcase and will bring good mood at any moment. 5. What to put into a hand luggage? Hand luggage is just of the same importance as your main suitcase: you don’t need to put much in it. No matter what you travel on - a plane, a car, or boat, take the most necessary things, namely, hygiene means, medicines, nightwear, cosmetics (for women), chargers, travel adapters, and of course your phone and ID. 6. Start as soon as you can. As you may have noticed, travel packing is not as simple as it looks. So starting in advance is the best thing you can do, this will save your time for something more important. If you get it done soon, you will have an opportunity to hang out with friends or spend time with family members before you leave. Or, you may use it for your own purpose, for example, you may sleep well for a few days and gain strength for traveling.