“Functional Art” “Making Usable Art” By: Sylvia Crisp

Questions  What is functional art?  Why do artist create functional art?  What are some types of functional art pieces?  Where can functional art be found?  How do you create functional art?

What is functional art?  Functional art is the blending of form, sculpture, usage as well as visual art.

Artist may create functional art to fulfill a need artistically.

Artist may use functionalism to personalize a space or object. Garden fountain Bookshelf Wall-mounted key rack TV Aquarium

Different Types of Functional Art Pieces  Non-interactive – decorative forms or pieces within a space for creative purposes.  Interactive – Forms or pieces created to interact with the viewer and evoke a response. Fountain “Note” table

Functional art can be found in many places. Here is a video link of one public functional art piece. Click on the image below

“A Look-Out Toilet” Is it Functional Art? The Look-out Toilet  An art exhibit of a usable toilet enclosed in a cube of one-way glass is seen across the road from London's Tate Britain Museum. The person inside the outhouse can see passersby while remaining invisible to them.

Video Responses  Discuss how the video piece is considered functional art.  Discuss how the community is involved with the art piece in the video.  Why would the artist create this piece?  Why would the artist choose this location for the “Look- Out Toilet”?  Would you “use” this piece?

Lesson One: Funky Chairs Plan and create a chair for a community client.