Bautista, Bryan N.

Humanities: Art Appreciation

11, October, 2012

Mr. Anthony Joseph Viray

1. What did the artist attempt to communicate?

When love is the base of something it is a masterpiece, said
Steve Maraboli. I would like to analyze the masterpiece of Guillermo
Tolentino- The UP Oblation Statue. He is the Father of Oblation. He
created the UP Oblation Statue in 1935. 38 years later and he was
named the National Artist in Sculpture in 1973. Tolentinos base
material on his every work is love. He simply loves what he does and
does making that work truly a masterpiece that is done in free choice
and love.
The UP Oblation Statue is characterized by a naked young man
which have symbolistic gestures- his arms oustretched , his head titled
heavenward, and eyes closed. These gestures symbolize a sacrificial
offering of service to the country and humanity. The Oblation is also the
major rallying point for all kinds of dissent, protest actions, and social
criticisms, as well as expressions of public service, nationalism and
patriotism. It has become a symbol of unity and freedom for the
missions, visions and traditions of every Filipino.
Tolentino says that the statue stands on a rural base, which
looks like the shape of the Philippine Archipelago, that is lined with big
and small rocks, each of which represent an island.
The leaf on the gonads of the statue is a representation of the
katakataka (wonder plant) whose roots are tightly implanted on
Philippine soil, is the link that binds the symbolized figure to the
allegorical Philippine group.
Katakataka is really a wonder plant. It is called siempre vivo
(always alive) in Spanish. A leaf or a piece of it thrown anywhere will
sprout into a young plant. Hence, it symbolizes the deep-rooted

patriotism in the heart of our heroes. Such patriotism continually and

forever grows anywhere in the Philippines."
There are four sides of the base of the monument and each side
of the base has inscription on them. The inscriptions are quoted from
Dr. Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. The front pedestal holds a passage
from the work of Dr. Jose Rizal entitled El Filibusterismo. On the back of
the pedestal is the second stanza of Mi Ultimo Adios and another stanza
from the same work of Rizal is inscribed on the right side. On the left
side of the pedestal is the poem of Andres Bonifacio entitled Pag-ibig
sa Tinubuang Lupa.

2. How does this work reveal the artist as a recorder or commentator of

his period?
This work did not only record the events of his time but also the
events of the past of our country. It reveal the patriotism and
nationalism of the Pilipinos during the Spanish era in which the gave
their lives for the country. The Oblation is the modern symbolism of this
patriotism and nationalism of the unknown and unheard heroes of
today.
The work also reveals the freedom sought by every Pilipino.
Freedom from oppression and freedom of choice. It is a call for
freedom.
In the modern times in the Philippines we are still in captivitynot by Spaniards or any foreign blood- but by the blood of our fellow
countrymen, the captivity of selfish people only wanting for themselves
all the wealth an possession they could garner.
The Oblation is not only a historical work of art but it speaks of
million voices needed to be heard.

3. My own reflection of the selected work of art.

Having studied and understood the different interpretation of

the UP Oblation Statue I would like to give my own personal
interpretation and reflection on it. I believe that every knower of a
subject of work of art has his own unique ways of interpretation.
As the open and outstretched arms of the oblation, I perceived
it as an intention of being open and giving lee-way for the care for
others. Selfishness should not be an attitude of a true Pilipino and there
must be a reason why every person should live here on earth.
Reflection purifies the thinking and interpreting capacity of a
person.
Voldemort (Holding an almost lifeless Harry Potter on the neck,
panting him a wand asked: Why do you live???)
Harry: Because I have SOMETHING worth living for.
An open model of consciousness involves an intending, or going
towards the object of consciousness. It is a movement from subject to
the object; from a Pilipino to the good of the whole country.
Life is more enjoyed being shared to others. This sharing of life
constitutes a sharing of the self to others. Intentionality as an aspect of
the person must be able to internalize in able to be satisfied, happy and
efficient. The self is not sufficient.
As Nietzche would put it : A person with a why to live will
overcome any hows.
It is always a two-way process. They said that life is a process.
But it doesnt end there. Life as a process is again composed of many

different processes. These processes put together give life meaning and
value in itself.
These processes are always two-way. Usually, there are two
parties involved: the person and the other. From the shallowest actions
and processes, like buying a food, to the deepest emotions and ideas,
like love and hope, the dual process is involved. In all these processes, a
mutual give-and-take relationship can be observed.
The UP oblation represents this mutual give-and-take. Life is
always a relationship between two people. It always take two to tango.