Functions of Fine Art: Hierarchy and Inversions

Abstract

The article analyzes the functions of fine art. A brief overview of such functions described in the works of various authors is presented. It is postulated that a historical approach is necessary in the study of the functions of art. It is impossible to make a list of art functions relevant for all times. The functions of art together constitute a complex hierarchical system. As in any such system, the action of system-wide patterns is manifested here. One of such regularities is that the development of systemic inversions is possible in this hierarchy. System inversion is a form of relations in a system in which some lower, subordinate element acquires a dominant value in it, while remaining in its former, lower hierarchical position. This is exactly what happens and has happened with the functions of art as historical development progresses. The resolution of system inversions leads to the fact that the previously subordinate function of art is able to really lead the hierarchy. It is also noted that the hierarchy of fine art functions is an open system that must be considered in a general cultural context. As historical development progressed, fine art gave its actual functions to other spheres of human activity, while still retaining these functions for itself. For example, the communicative and informational functions of fine art were transferred to writing, but they were preserved in their original version, however, only as auxiliary. The mimetic function (copying reality) has passed from fine art to photography, but it has also been preserved by fine art. Currently, the leading functions of fine art remain aesthetic and individualizing functions.

References

1. Fejnberg E.L. Kibernetika, logika, iskusstvo [Cybernetics, logic, art]. Moscow, 1981, 144 p.
2. Korotov B.E. Social'nye funkcii iskusstva v istorii ego razvitiya [Social functions of art in the history of its development] // News of universities. Sociology. Economy. Politics, 2010, no. 4, pp. 63–65.
3. Sevostyanov D.A. Protivorechie i inversiya [Contradiction and inversion]. Novosibirsk, 2015, 245 p.
4. Platon. Ion [Ion] // Collected works in 4 volumes. Vol. 1. Moscow, 1990, pp. 372–385.
5. Sorokin P.A. Krizis izyashchnyh iskusstv [The crisis of fine arts] // Man. Civilization. Society. Moscow, 1992, pp. 435–462.
6. Koshaev V.B. Forma [Form] // Theory and history of art, 2022, Issue 1/2, pp. 69–104.
7. Misyurov N.N. Funkcii iskusstva v episteme antichnoj filosofii: problema potrebleniya kul'tury [The functions of art in the episteme of ancient philosophy: the problem of culture consumption] // Bulletin of Omsk State Pedagogical University. Humanitarian studies, 2020, no. 1 (26), pp. 18–22.
8. Belyakov A.A., Burovkina L.A. Filosofsko-pedagogicheskaya refleksiya principa naglyadnosti [Philosophical and pedagogical reflection on the principle of visibility] // Bulletin of Taganrog State Technical University, 2010, no. 1, pp. 212–218.
9. Aksyutina Z.A., Mavrin S.A. Social'nyj zakaz na podgotovku k social'nomu vospitaniyu v usloviyah modernizacii obrazovaniya [Social order for preparation for social education in the conditions of modernization of education] // Humanities and Social Sciences, 2011, no. 2, pp. 167–173.
10. Val'kovskij A.V. Aktual'noe iskusstvo kak sociokul'turnyj fenomen: sushchnost' i social'nye funkcii [Actual art as a socio-cultural phenomenon: essence and social functions]. Avtoref. dis. ... kand. filos. nauk. Volgograd, 2014. 27 p.
11. Zinnurova L.I. Obshchenie i kommunikativnaya funkciya iskusstva v sovremennoj kul'ture [Communication and the communicative function of art in modern culture] // Scientific notes of V. I. Vernadsky Tauride National University. Sociology. Pedagogy. Psychology, 2011, no. 1, pp. 129–137.
12. Kuzin I.V. O preobrazovanii podrazhatel'noj funkcii iskusstva sredstvami nauki [On the transformation of the imitative function of art by means of science] // Epistemology & Philosophy of Science, 2014, no. 2 (40), pp. 138–156.
13. Gibson D. D. Ekologicheskij podhod k zritel'nomu vospriyatiyu [Ecological approach to visual perception]. Moscow, 1988. 404 p.