Some Thoughts on the Societal Function of Art

During the Medieval period in Europe, art served almost exclusively as a functional force in something other than art -- most frequently religious ritual. With the coming of the Renaissance, societal interaction with art moved from functional appreciation to aesthetic and intellectual appreciation. 

So we must ask ourselves..

With the ever increasing role of graphic design in new media, where does this relatively new kind of art sit on the scale of function and aesthetics? How can we define digital art's role in our society? Where do we draw the line between form and function?

I need to explore this more. Stay tuned.