CONTEMPORARY ARTS REVIEWER

LESSON 1:
Contemporary Arts
Newest form of arts that is used by the people of 19’s up to 21st century.

 According to Plato (427-347 BC) is merely an imitation or a copy of reality. Art

is an illusion, a collection of reflections.
 According to Leo Tolstoy, art is the production of objects or elements from
the external environments that pleases the senses.
 Eugene Veron, art is an external manifestation creates and produces by
lines, movement, sound, colors, and emotions; subjectivity of an art.
 Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is “the Queen of all sciences” communicat ing
knowledge to all generations of the world; art is a powerful form of
communication.
 Aristotle, a realist, claimed that humans have instincts for imitation and
harmony. He described that human beings are the “most imitative of living
creatures”.
Medium- canvas color
Subject- content
Fernando Amorsolo- the 1st ever national artist in the Philippines.
Art- is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing
artifacts, expressing the author’s imaginative or technical skills.

SUBJECTIVE OF AN ART:
Subject or Topic is any person, animal, thing, or issue that is described or presented in
a work.
Every work of art regardless of the period in which it belongs has a subject, the very
core of its conception.

(4) DIFFERENT WAYS/STYLES OF DEPICTING A SUBJECT

Realism
Which the subject is done the way it actually looks. (Example: Arceli Dans)
Distortion
Wherein the artist uses his/her imagination and alters the subject according to
his/her desire. (Example: Norma Belleza)
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Abstraction
Artist breaks apart a subject and rearranges in a different manner. (Example:
Vincente Manansala, cubism painter)
Non-objectivism
Totally no subject at all; just interplay of pure elements like line, shape, color, and
so on. (Example: Roberto Chabet)

(6) ELEMENTS OF ARTS

1. Line
i. Refers to a prolongation of a point, or a mark on a surface
2. Space
i. An area that is occupied by an object or subject
3. Shape and Forms
i. An area with boundaries identified or drawn using lines
4. Color
i. Visual representation that allows a person to differentiate objects
due to the way various wavelengths of light are reflected
5. Value
i. The lightness or darkness of an area
6. Texture
This element refers how the surface’s appearance feels.
(3) KEY ELEMENTS

1. Form
Surface feature of an artwork
2. Content
To study in observing an artwork; what the work is about; contains the
subject matter that carries message of the work.
3. Context
Clarifying a word or a subject by describing the relevant circumstances;
refers to the varied situations in which works have been produced or interpreted.
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(3) CLASSIFICATION OF ARTS

1. Visual Arts
-perceived by eyes
- include paintings, sculpture, and architecture
- also called “spatial art”

 Graphical Arts
- consist of length and width; flat arts
- 2 dimensional arts
 Plastic Arts
- consists of length, width, and volume
- 3 dimensional arts

2. Audio-Visual Arts
- forms perceived by ears (audio) and eyes (video)
- called “Performing Arts” in as much as the artist render a performance in
front of an audience.

3. Literary Arts
- presented in a written mode and intended to be read
 Prose
 Poem

(9) FUNCTION OF ARTS

- Art serves several functions which are corralling to its purpose

1. Personal or Individual
- Artists have personal reason in indulging in art.
2. Social Function
- Man is a social being and as such he/she associates with his/her fellow
beings
3. Economic Function
- Many people believe that it does not pay to be an artist. However, this
belief is negated by this fact.
4. Political Function
- Political programs by mean of the arts.
5. Historical Function
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- Paintings, sculptures, architectural works, and other forms serve to

record historical figures and events.

6. Cultural Function
- Paintings, sculptures, architectural works, songs, dances, dramas, and
literacy pieces are embodiment of a nation’s culture.
7. Religious Function
- Arts involved from religion (glass art on churches)
8. Physical Function
- Visual experience when viewing a beautiful work of an art.
9. Aesthetic Function
- Set designs that are appealing to the audience.

LESSON 2: FOUR TRADITIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE ART

Ethnic Tradition
Art, in historical forms, we refer art before coming of the first colonizers as “pre-
conquest”
In stylish forms, we refer to it as “indigenous”.
INTEGRATED TO RITUAL

 Mark significant moments in a community’s life

 Planting and harvesting
 Rites of Passage
 Funerary Ceremonies
 Weddings, etc.
LITERATURE, THEATER, MUSIC, AND DANCE

 When they told the stories of hunt, this form of oral story telling mark the
beginning of literature.
 When they imitate the movement of the animals, they hunted this mark as the
beginning of theater or play acting.
 When they learned to add drum beating and attach a rhythm to their
movements, they had given birth to music and dance.
(4) EARLIEST FORM OF THEATER (RITUAL)
Mayvanuvanua
Ritual for the start of the fishing season (Batanes)
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Canao
Is a socio-religious ritual where chickens, pigs, and/or carabaos are butchered
or feasted on.

Kashawing
Ensure abundance during rice planting and harvesting (Lake Lanao in
Mindanao)
Tagbanwa
Believe that every thirteenth moon, three goddesses descend from heaven
and bless the planting of rice.

(5) ETHNIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

 Kudyapi
 Stringed Guitar
 Kulintang
 Gansa
 Agong

NATIVE DANCE FORMS

Pangalay
- Movement of sea birds (Sulu)
- Mandaya’s kinabua, the banog-banog of higaonon and the b’laan communities,
and manmabok of the Bagobos of Mindanao imitate the movement of predatory bird.
Tinikling
- a popular tagalog folk dance.
Bulul from CAR
- regarded as a granary god that plays important role in ritual.
Habagi
- A wooden bench that mark the socio-economic status of the owner. (Ifugaos)
Carving Santos- sculpture of saints in Laguna and Pampanga.
Manunggul Jar
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 Discovered at Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point Palawan dated to the late Neolithic
period (890-710 BC)
 Burial Jar, National Treasure
 Palayok, Banga, Tapayan

Textile

 Another cherished living tradition is weaving.

 Not just functional also impart knowledge about people’s belief system.
 Malong- woven by Tausug of Sulu

Pis Siyabit

 Examples of Woven textiles

 Headpiece woven by Tausug of Sulu
Boxer Codex

 Featured representations of various ethnolinguistic groups

 An ancient document about the early Philippines societies, defines a Bayani as a
person with a high status and dignity.
VARIOUS ETHNOLINGUISTIC GROUP
Tagalog
Upper class tagalog couple portrayed wearing gold jewelry.
Visayans
Shown fully covered tattoo, referred to as “Islas de los Pintados”.
Tattoo

 Aside from aesthetic function, tattoos were valued because it was believed to
protect individual from evil spirit.
 Tattoo also symbolize maturity and bravery.
OTHER ETHNIC THAT PRACTICE TATTOO

 Kalinga
 Kankanay
 Ibaloy
 Ifugao
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Jewelry

 Considered pleasing to the Gods.

 T’boli – known to wear brass chains, bells, and colorful beads to complete their
elaborate ensemble.

LESSON 3: SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1521-1898)

Art Development During Spanish Colonization
The art forms from this period are referred to stylistically and culturally as:

1. Religious Art
2. Lowland Christian Art
3. Folk Art
Philippines was colonized by Spanish 333 years ago.

1. Plaza Complex
- Relocating became means of organizing and gaining control of the native
populace.
2. Municipio
Spanish need to focus on Church
Baroque Style – an architectural design…
Church are mostly build in stone or bricks to make it matibay.
Painting, Sculpting, and Engraving

 Made of Ivory of wood

 Imagery of santo
 17th Century
 Chinese artisans, under Spanish Supervision were engaged in making icons or
saints.
Provinces Engage
Nuestro Senora del Rosario, Bohol

 A painting
 Image of which was said to be inspired from Kaunyanin
 Deity of mercy in East Asian Buddhism
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Retablo

 Colonial churches that displayed santos in a decorative altar niche

 Integrates architecture and sculpture
 Embellished with rosette, scrolls, pediments, and solomonic columns.
Via Crusis

 The four stations of the Cross

 Important inclusion in colonial churches
 Presented either as a series of 14 paintings or relief Sculptures depicting Christ’s
crucifixion and resurrection.
Other Spanish Contribution

 Pasyon or Pabasa – Christ Passion

 Kundiman and Balitao – sentimental loves songs and lullabies
 Harana
Baybayin

 Root word “Baybay” which means spell

 Other common name is “Alibata”, invented during 20th century by Paul Versoza
 Script used to compose short poems that tell courtship and other emotional
concern.
Zarzuela or Sarsuwela

 Type of Spanish musical theater both spoken and sung.

 The first Spanish Opera
 Other word for Zarzuela is “Egloga Pastoral”
Severino Reyes and Hermogenes Ilagan

 Wrote in Tagalog
 Most distinguish play of their day with Honorata ‘Atang’ dela Rama (national
artist for Theater and Music. Awarded 1987). – Most celebrated leading actress.
Gaspar Aquino de Belen

 He wrote the first Senakulo or Passion play in 1704

 Biblical account of Christ’s passion and death on the cross.
Komedya

 Jk
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Two Types of Komedya:

 Komedya de Santo
 Secular Komedya
- showing the conflict
Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas

 Regarded as the first scientific map of the Philippines

 Francis Suarez, who drew the map
 Nicolas dela Cruz Bagay, who did the engraving
 Prepared by Pedro Murillo Velarde
Flora de Filipinas

 Extensive compilation of Philippines plants in 1878

 Fr. Manuel Blanco, Augustinian Botanist that produced Flora de Filipinas.
Spoliarium

 Painting by Juan Luna

 Luna won gold in Madrid exposition, 18

 Latin term referring to the basement of the Roman coliseum
 Most valuable painting or work
 Largest painting in the Philippines
Espana Y Filipinas

 1886 featuring two women ascending a flight of stairs

 Personified by a woman in a flowing red gown, mother Spain patronizingly lead
her charge, a petite brown-skinned woman representing Filipinas
 Viewed at Lopez Museum.
 To represent the colonial relationship between Spain and Philippines

LESSON 3: AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD

Philippines was colonized by Americans 48 years ago.

 American settlement in the Philippines began during the Spanish colonial period.
 On February 04, 1899 started the Philippine and American War led by Emilio
Aguinaldo
 The greatest contribution of American period was the “Introduction of the
American System of Education”.
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Play

 Tanikalang Guinto “Golden Chain”, Juan Abad 1902

 Hindi Ako Patay “I am Not Dead”, Juan Matapang Cruz 1903
 Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”, Aurelio
Tolentino 1903
A Modern Filipina

 The first Filipino play written in English.

 Authored by Lino Castillejo and Jesus Araullo
De la Rosa

 Known for his naturalist paintings

 Examples: Planting Rice 1921 and El Kundiman 1930
Fernando Amorsolo

 First National Artist in Visual Arts in terms of Paintings

 Known for his romantic paintings that captured the warm glow of Philippines
sunlight
 Example of his work: dalagang Filipina, idyllic landscape, and historical paintings.
 Textbook: The Philippine Reader
 The Illustration for Newspaper “The Independent”
Guillermo Tolentino

 National Artist in Visual Arts in terms of Sculpture

 Oblation (1935). It depicts a man facing upward with arms outstretched,
symbolizing selfless offering of oneself to his country.
 Studies fine arts in Rome and was influenced by classical tradition.
 Proclaimed national artist in1973

JAPANESE
Colonized by 3 years

 The invasion of the Philippines started on December 08, 1941

 Japanese influence; strict curfew, adding japanese…
 Philippine gains full independence in July 04, 1946
 Help us in terms of construction and improve infrastructures
 English language was prohibited by the Government
 Focuses on the character education
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CONTEMPORARY ARTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 Permits possibilities of exploring either subject

 Jk
Contemporary Arts

 It is an art produced
 Combination of past and present arts.
Art in Contemporary Times

1. Appropriation
2. Pastiche
3. Bricolage
4. Installation
5. Performance
6. Space
7. Hybridity
8. Technology