Lesson 1: What is Contemporary Arts?

In this lesson we will not only talk about just the background or backdrop. We will also talk about what
art is made of, and how it is made. Art is shaped by and draws inspiration from the society and the
same time, art is honed by specific conditions that it endangered its production. In this lesson we will
learn some of the general characteristics of contemporary art in the context of Philippines' various
histories, cultures and identities.

What exactly is Contemporary?

When we hear the word contemporary the first thing that comes to our minds is the term “current”. The
word current is very closely related to present. It is a common tendency to describe present as being
modern. Being modern means being up to date and technologically advanced. Often being modern is
equated with being contemporary. Art that is new or current is also referred to as modern a opposed to
traditional or conservative.

Let’s find out the Historical overview of Philippine Arts.

CONTEMPORARY ART

Contemporary Art can be defines as art produced by artists living today.

 One of Zyza Bacani’s and HR Ocampo’s artworks has the same subject matter: the poor and ordinary
people on the streets.
 HR Ocampo’s painting was painted in the early 1960s. At that time, the painting was considered
contemporary. Today, we refer to these works as example of Modern Art. Some modern artists
continue to produce work until today. In that sense, their works can be considered as contemporary,
by virtue of being “of the present.”
 The word Contemporary is a fluid term, and its use can change depending on the context. At times,
the Modern and Contemporary can be used simultaneously or interchangeably; however, there is
also danger of using them carelessly or loosely. Thus it is important to know the historical and
stylistic contexts of the terms.

MODERN ART

Modern Art refers to arts produced between the American Colonial Period and Post-War Period.

American Period Japanese Period Post-War Period

(1898 - 1940) (1941-1945) (1946 -1969)

 The date most commonly cited as marking the birth of Modern Art is 1863 – the year when Edouard
Manet exhibited his shocking and irreverent Le Dejeuner sur I’herbe (Luncheon on the Grass).

Most influential movements of Modern Art

1. Impressionism 6. Dada
2. fauvism 7. Surrealism
3. Cubism 8. Abstract Expressionism
4. Futurism 9. Pop Art
5. Expressionism
Modern art in the Philippines

Victorio Edades

• He is a national artist credit for initiating Modern Art in the Philippines.

• “ The Father of Modern Philippine Art”
• His introduction of Modern Art challenged the Neoclassic Style, which was dominant at the time
he came from studying in America before the war.
• He led the Thirteen Moderns.

 The Neoclassic style depicts reality as closely as possible and idealizes it. The modern artists led by
Edades challenged what were described as “conservative art” seen in the works of National Artists
Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino.

 Modern artists do not aim to copy and idealize the reality; instead, they change the colors and
flatten the picture instead of creating illusions of depth nearness, and farness. Instead of the
beautiful and pastoral, they depict what might be thought of as “ugly” and unpleasant.

 Modern Art was considered new and shocking; Neoclassic Art was familiar and comfortable.

Neoclassic Art is also described by art historians like Guillermo as “Academic” along with other
established styles imported from Europe via Spanish colonization. In its simplest sense,
Neoclassicism is “academic” as it was and continues to be taught in schools, particularly the then
University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts, now UP College of Fine Arts. Neoclassic art is
included in the curriculum or informally through workshop and apprenticeships, or through self-
learning or self-study, as in the case of many artists from the regions outside Manila.

The Thirteen Moderns

1. Arsenio Capili 8. Anita Magsaysay

2. Bonifacio Cristobal 9. Vicente Manansala
3. Demetrio Diego 10. Galo Ocampo
4. Victorio Edades 11. Hernando Ocampo
5. Carlos Francisco 12. Jose Pardo
6. Cesar Legaspi 13. Ricarte Puruganan
7. Diosdado Lorenzo
Examples of Modern Art in the Philippines

• Ang Pulubi(1979) by Vicente Manansala

• The Musicians(1973) by Vicente Manansala
• Catching Chickens(1998) by Anita Magsaysay
• Eksit sa Itaas by Alfredo(1950s) Esquillo

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS

1. Site-Specific
- Created to exist in a certain place. Typically, the artists takes the location into account while
planning, creating the artwork.
- Site-specific art, which is sometimes referred to as Environment art, pertains to a modern art
form designed to exist only in a certain location. The artists behind the contemporary art
masterpiece always consider the location in which their modern artwork will be installed,
including, but not limited to, its physical element such as length, depth, height, weight, shape,
temperature, and walls. Aside from this movement’s application in the visual arts, the concept
of site-specific dance also exists.

2. Process-based
- It is concerned with the actual doing and how actions can be defined as an actual work of art;
seeing the art as pure human expression. Process art often entail an inherent motivation,
rationale, and intentionality.

3. Collaborative
- It can be defined simply as an artwork that involves working as a team to create art, and each
person contributes in some significant way to the artwork. It may be involve the cooperation
of the individuals to create art that reflects originality and complexity.

4. Interactive
- It is a form of art that involves the spectator in a way that allows art to achieve its purpose. Some
interactive art installations achieve this by letting the observer or visitor “walk” in, on, and
around them: some others ask the artist or the spectators to become part of the artwork.
- Works of this kind of art frequently feature computers, interfaces, and sometimes sensors to
respond to motion, heat, meteorological changes or other types of input their makers
programmed them to respond to. Most examples of virtual internet art and electronic art are
highly interactive. Sometimes visitors are able to navigate through a hypertext environment.
Some works accept textual or visual input from outside; sometimes an audience can influence
the course of a performance or can participate to it.
5. Mixed Media
- It is an artwork in which more than one medium or maker has been employed. Assemblages and
collages are two common examples of art using different media that will make use of different
materials including cloth, paper, wood, and found objects.
- Mixed Media Art, a visual art, is distinguished from multimedia art which combines visual art with
nonvisual art elements such as recorded sound, literature, drama, dance, motion, graphics,
music or interactivity.