Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
1. Warmer
Is This Art?
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The Philippines is home to many contemporary arts. Its art is as rich as diverse
as its culture. It would be difficult to categorize all the different art forms found in the
archipelago due to its sheer number and variety.
Artists, including contemporary artists, are influenced by many factors such as
religion, education, and environment. The way they were brought up and the culture
they were raised in would indisputably have an effect, whether consciously or not, in
their art.
Artists would often look at their surroundings for inspiration for their art. Their
art would reflect the traits of their city and showcase the cultural traits of their
province. The celebrations in their town or the history of their city would, in one way or
another, mold their psyche and technique.
A few decades ago, the regional differences in art were quite distinct, and it was
easy to actually identify a cultural product from one region to another. These regional
differences could readily be seen in our decorative arts and crafts (fabric, jewelry,
pottery, etc.), our music, dance, and indigenous theater.
At present, these regional distinctions in the arts are not as apparent. With the
help of the Internet, Filipino artists are more connected with each other. They share
tips, techniques, and processes with others through videos and tutorials. Artists exhibit
their works and create groups and communities through social media accounts to
communicate their advocacies. This interconnection has resulted in artists inspiring each
other from all over the archipelago. This has also resulted in an integrative art that
everyone can relate to.
Instruction/Discussions
In the previous lesson, we learned that art can come in any forms. In the case of
visual arts we learned that it can be classified into three, namely fine arts, decorative
arts and contemporary art forms. Fine arts are the type of visual art that are most
frequently associated with arts such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The
decorative art forms are the category of visual arts that pertains to artworks that are
not just aesthetically pleasing but functional as well. Examples of decorative art forms
include pottery, furniture, metal crafts, etc. Contemporary art forms refer to artworks
that are a result of the use of new techniques, technology and mediums. Contemporary
art forms cannot be easily categorized between the fine arts and the decorative arts
and hence results in different classification all together. Common examples of
contemporary visual art forms include performance art, installations, digital art, virtual
reality, etc.
Fine Arts
Most contemporary visual artists in the Philippines produced works that fall into
the fine arts category. The majority of the contemporary art produced in the Philippines
are paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
There are a number of medium used for painting and other two-dimensional
work. These include oil, acrylic, water color, poster color, pastel, ink, etc. These media
are applied on a surface such as canvas, paper, wood, cardboard, etc.
The beginnings of paintings and illustrations as we know it were the result of the
Spanish colonization. Early paintings and other fine arts were primarily religious in
nature. It was used to evangelized and spread Christianity throughout the archipelago.
As time passed, paintings and illustrations started to take on more secular subjects and
themes. Contemporary forms of paintings and illustrations in the Philippines generally
stem from our interaction with the Americans. Its earliest incarnation of contemporary
paintings and illustrations were for the images and drawings for the various publications
and textbooks of the American era.
a. Paintings themes
Contemporary paintings found in the Philippines range from the academic style,
the artistic style espoused by the European Art academies of the 1800s which promoted
the depiction of idealize and classical beauty to that of the stark realism and abstraction
of many modernist and contemporary styles. The themes used are also varied. The
common thematic categories in visual arts are religious, historical, portraiture, still life,
landscapes, nudes, and genres.
A. Religious themes were the primary subject for the artworks during the Spanish
colonial times. In the present, many religious-themed paintings can be seen in the
murals of many churches and in paintings with social commentaries like that of Joey
Velasco (1967-2010) and Renato Habulan (b.1953).
Other than Joey Velasco’s Hapag ng Pag-asa, many of his paintings depict Jesus
Christ in the present day. Renato Habulan’s boceto pen and ink series shows the
similarities of the suffering of the human condition with that of the passion of Christ
through the use of Christian iconography.
B. Historical themes can be seen in the works of Angono Rizal native Carlo’s
“Botong” V. Francisco (1912-1969) whose masterpiece Filipino Struggles through
History depicts Manila’s historical events. This mural is displayed in the Manila City
Hall. Other historical-themed works include Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa,
etc.
One of the most ubiquitous portraiture paintings seen in the Philippines are the
official portraitures of the Philippine presidents. The latest as of writing is the official
portrait of President Rodrigo Duterte by Davao artist Daryl de Leon Descallar
(b.1963).
D. Still Life is a work of art that portrays
inanimate objects. It was traditionally
composed of a basket or bowl of fruits and
flowers in vases on
a table. One of the most notable and earliest
still life artists was Paz Paterno. She was born
in Sta. Cruz, Manila in 1867 and died in 1914.
More contemporary artists who were notable still life artists were the Filipino-
Chinese Ang Kiukok (1931-2005), and the cubist and kapampangan artist Vicente
Manansala (1910-1981) who created still life paintings that feature items and
ingredients one would find in a typical Filipino kitchen.
E. Landscapes depict the beauty of the outdoors. It can be that of the natural
environment such as the countryside and other rural scenery, including seascapes
which focuses on the imagery of bodies of water. Some landscapes highlight the
hustle and bustle of the city streets and scenes through urban landscapes. Many
early Filipino landscape artists made use of the academic style under the guidance
of Fernando Amorsolo. One such artist was Martino Abellana (1914-1988) who also
became a mentor to generations of Visayan artists and is referred to as the “Dean
of Cebuano Painters.” Later artist such as Diosdado M. Lorenzo (1906-1984) veered
away from the realistic scenery depictions to a more modernist take on landscape
paintings. Manuel Baldemor (b.1947) of Paete, Laguna transformed his hometown
into simple geometric forms and imbibed it
with a festive vibe, while Ilocano artist
Prudencio Lamarrosa (b.1943) was inspired
by the Amburayan River to create his surreal
landscapes.
Some genre contemporary artists include the Manila-born Mauro Malang Santos
(b.1928) known for his collection of fiesta-inspired paintings. The artist from Nueva
Ecija, Mario Parial (1944-2013), is praised for his colorful genre paintings that
feature his distinct figurative style.
Most contemporary artists do not limit themselves to a particular theme. They will
experiment and venture to other subjects to better express themselves. The same can
be different styles and techniques throughout their careers. Some contemporary artists
would also try out other visual media like sculpture, design, etc.
Name: ____________________________________ Date: _________
Grade/Section: _____________________ Score: ________
Try this!
Activity 1
Directions: Choose and research on a contemporary Filipino painting made in the last
50 years that you find interesting. Type your research on a short bond paper. Your
research should include the following information:
Enrichment
Activity 2
Title
Meaning of the painting
Details from the research painting incorporated
in your work.
2. Sculptures
Sculptures are artworks that are three-dimensional. The classifications of sculptures are
traditionally divided into two, namely: free-standing and relief.
Free standing sculptures, also known as in the round, are sculptures that
are raised independently in its given space. It can be often observed from all
points of view.
Reliefs are sculptures that are raised from a background. Depending on the
figure’s distance from the background, it can be also classified into bas-relief
and high relief. Bas-relief or low reliefs are reliefs that are slightly protruding
from their background, while high reliefs are reliefs that are prominently raised
against their background, giving the sculpture more dimensionality.
Relief Free-standing
The Philippines has a sculptural tradition dating long before the arrival of the first
colonizers. We have long been casting metal, molding clay, and carving stone and wood
to create various sculptural pieces. Examples of precolonial sculptural artworks include
the panolongs of the Torogan, the Maranao Royal house, the Sunduk or the grave
markers of the Badjao, and the many interpretations of the Ifugao Rice God, the Bulul.
Wood carving is found throughout the different regions and communities of the
country. It is used to create and decorate the items used in one’s daily life such as
furniture, utensils, shelter, and transportation. This art form has existed throughout the
history of the Philippines and is still alive in many cultural hubs in the country such as
Paete, Laguna and Betis, Pampanga,
During the Spanish colonization, the most notable sculptural pieces were the
santos, which were sculptural representations of Christ and Christian saints. Many of
these religious iconographies can be seen in Spanish colonial churches in the
Philippines.
Many of these santos are venerated, and grand religious events are centered
around them. This is especially true with the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, the Santo Niño
in Cebu, and Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga.
Contemporary sculpture in the Philippines can also depict the different themes
used in paintings and drawings. It can also be classified into two styles. The
academic/classical and modern. Classical style follows the aesthetics of the ancient
Greeks and Romans as taught by the European art academies, while the modern style is
often abstracted and is not as particular about the realistic portrayal or representation
of figures compared to the classical style.
The contemporary sculptural arts mentioned is but a drop in the river of talented
and unique sculptors the country has to offer. Every day, new talents are emerging and
discovered.
The decorative arts and crafts of the contemporary times stem from the
traditional indigenous crafts found throughout the country. Some of you might wonder
why these traditional and indigenous products and process are included in a discussion
about contemporary art. As defined earlier contemporary art are artworks produced in
the present. Many respected Filipino artists of today such as the GAMABA (Gawad ng
Manlilikhang Bayan) Awardees expresses their art through these indigenous products.
Undoubtedly, these decorative arts and crafts are part of our artistic history and
traditions. And these artworks are an important source of inspiration to present and
future Filipino artists. Many artists of today, as you will learn throughout this book, uses
their cultural artistic heritage, and decorative arts processes in their contemporary
artistic expression. Hence it is important to discuss these to be aware of these types of
traditional art. Here are some examples of contemporary decorative arts found in the
country.
Pottery
Pottery is the art and craft of making pots and other wares using clay or mud.
Pottery tradition in the country has survived for centuries. Early pottery artifacts have
shown the skills and artistry of our pottery makers. They made every day items such as
food containers and water vessels, and some are created
for formal and ritualistic purposes as burial jars or as
figurative mementos.
Bulul
https://images.app.goo.l/HmLsRsHulpZrdPbL7
Weaving
The ikat is the same dyeing process used by the tribal groups of Mindanao like
the T’boli, Bagobo, Mandaya, etc. Their ikats are designed with stylized animal figures
such as birds, lizards, frogs, and humans. The Bagobos add beads to the woven fabric
to increase its beauty.
Basket weaving is also alive in the different regions. Notable examples are the
backpacks of the Mandaya tribe in Eastern Mindanao and the decorated bags of the
Bagobo. Also worth mentioning are the woven baskets of the Tagbanua tribe in
Palawan with their iconic conical cover called basag.
Another weaving decorative art is mats. These traditional floor coverings typically
made of pandan, swamp grass, bamboo, and palm leaf provide cool relief from the
country’s humid environment. The mats of Basey, Samar are especially artistic with
them being decorated with bright lively colors and embroidered with flowers, peacocks,
and fantasy settings. These mats can be made-to-order to have the name and the
portrait of the owner. Also colorful are the sesed mats of the Maranao. The designs of
the Maranao mat are made with patterns of stripes or plaid.
Metalwork
Metal ornaments and jewelry are found in different regions. These are often
considered as one’s prized possession and are passed from one generation to another.
Metalwork Sound in the country comes in different forms. These can come as the tiny
bells by the Bagobo that they attached to their possession and small brass or gold
jewelry pieces like necklaces decorated with animal figures.
The Maranaos from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur Are the largest manufacturer of
brassware in the Philippines. One of their most popular products is the gador or
decorated brass urns made using the lost-wax process.
It is good that many of our traditional decorative arts and crafts are still made today.
Demands from local and foreign patrons have kept it alive. But continuous efforts and
patronage have to be made to make sure these ethnic traditions survive for the future
generations to experience and appreciate.
Collage
Collage is the method of combining printed images with other flat media and
pasted on a canvas or board. This contemporary art method first came about in the
early 1900s as part of the experimentation of the cubists Picasso and Braque. They
made use of cutouts of newspaper that were pasted onto their paintings. Collages
create a great variety of texture and color not found in traditional painting.
Contemporary artist Dina Gadia (b.1986), born in Anda, Pangasinan, uses collages to
highlight focal interest while creating new results, as well as Jonathan Benitez (b.1971),
a Palawan-based painter and collage artist born Iligan City, Mindanao. He incorporates
collages as a discourse on consumerist aims of advertising and environmental
awareness.
Assemblage
Mobile
The mobile is a sculptural work that is suspended from the ceiling or a protruding
base. It is typically made with a number of balancing rods dangling in different lengths
carrying one or more elements. This was pioneered by the American artist Alexander
Calder. The mobile is an example of a kinetic sculpture since it is moving due to its
interaction with the wind.
Contemporary artists who have created mobiles include bronze sculpture and
designer Eduardo Castrillo (1942-2016) and premier glass sculptor Ramon Orlina
(b.1944).
Performance Art
Performance art is a mix of visual arts and performing Arts. Its early incarnations
were the Happenings of the Dada Movement in the 1916. The medium used in
performance art is the artist himself, and the artwork is the acting and the movements
of the artist. Music and sound are often incorporated in the performance. Words and
dialogues are not given as much focus compared to the movements. A performance, to
be considered performance art, should be done in front of a live audience. Artist would
often include various disciplines in their art such as digital art, videos, fashion, etc.
Performance art can be done spontaneously or rehearsed period it can be done in a
simple manner or as a large scale event.
Some notable artists who have dabbled in the field of performance art is
international Filipino artists David Medalla (b.1948) whose performance in Brother of
Isidora gained him recognition from other artists who both here and abroad. Medalla
was born in Manila and has since based himself in cities such as London, Paris, and
New York. Other than performance art, he also expresses himself in other forms of
visual arts such as painting, sculpture, installation, and kinetic art. Danny C. Sillada
(b.1963), like Medalla, is a multi-talented artist. Born in Davao Oriental, Sillada is a
painter, poet, musician, installation artist, and a performance artist. He combines music
and art in his performance art.
Installation Art
Some contemporary Filipino artists who have gained recognition for their
installations are Leeroy New (b.1986) and Aze Ong. Leeroy New hails from General
Santos City. He uses the things around him for inspiration for his different artworks that
range from fashion, sculpture, and other fields of visual arts. One of his installations
was geared toward awareness and rehabilitation of the Pasig River. It was entitled
Bakawan Floating Island Project Which he collaborated on with urban designer Julia
Nebrija. Aze Ong is known for her trademark crocheted art pieces. Her art pieces
consists of colorful, organic, and fluid crochet pieces inspired by her stay with the ethnic
group of Talaandigs from Bukidnon. Her installations have been exhibited in many
museums in the country such as the Yuchenco Museum where she exhibited an 8.83
meter high crochet installation entitled Liwanag sa Kawalan ng Kulay and Liwanag at
the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Name: _________________________________ Date: ____________
Grade/Section: _________________________ Score: ___________
Evaluation
Directions: Create a chart of the artists mentioned in the lesson, and classify them
using the template below.
Sculptures
Decorative Arts
Contemporary Arts