What is Art Appreciation?

Art Appreciation is the knowledge and understanding of the universal and timeless qualities that
identify all great art. The more you appreciate and understand the art of different eras, movements, styles
and techniques, the better you can develop, evaluate and improve your own artwork.

The term art encompasses a large variety of works, from paintings to sculptures, architecture to
design, and in modern times, digital art. Everyone can appreciate and marvel at art, and being subjective in
nature, different art forms appeal to different people. Art appreciation, however, refers to the exploration
and analysis of the art forms that we are exposed to. It can be highly subjective, depending on an
individual’s personal tastes and preferences, or can be done on the basis of several grounds such as elements
of design and mastery displayed in the piece. Art appreciation also involves a deeper look into the setting
and historical implication and background of the piece, a study of its origins.

The Importance of Art Appreciation

It is important to foster art appreciation and

analysis, as it helps us value the art in how it appeals to
us and what it means to each person. It delves into the
history and the story behind the art, as well as a look
into the lives of the artists. It enables one to critically
analyze a work, along lines of design, mastery and
techniques. Most importantly, however, art
appreciation stimulates though and analysis, provokes
an individual to look past what meets the eye and open
our mind to the views of others.
 The Function of Art Appreciation

Art is meant to stimulate thought and

conversation between its viewers. By reflecting on a
piece of art, we delve into our own experiences and
nostalgia, thus a piece of art means something different
to every person that comes across it. Art appreciation
helps open up the mindset of the people, by listening to
different perspectives and views as well as
interpretations of the art, it encourages thoughtful
conversation and the understanding that there is more
than one approach to everything.

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 person's 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 we'd 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.
 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
isn't meant to have any meaning at all.

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, aren't 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.

The Purpose of Art Appreciation

Art appreciation is extremely relevant for multiple

reasons. It is a good way to understand the history behind
the work, and the period from which the piece originated.
Artists often reflect the problems that they face, and the
issues of the society in their work. By analyzing and putting
ourselves in the mind of the artist, we can better study how
differently society functioned then, compared to now. We
can empathize and relate to the problems they faced on a
personal level.

For many people, art is meant to express something

that we ourselves feel unable to express or convey. Through
its visual medium it evokes feelings of joy, sadness, anger
and pain. That is why art appreciation is so important in
bringing that one final element to complete the work, and
that is our interpretation. Our perspective brings the artwork
to life as it changes for every person around it.

Art is dynamic, with new trends and styles

emerging at a fast pace. However, the final attempt of the
artist is that it speaks to the viewer on a personal level and
can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Art opens up the
stream of subconscious and intends to personally touch
every person that comes across it.