Philippine Arts Overview

Arts in the Philippines

Introduction

The arts in the Philippines encompass a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional art forms, including folk architecture, music, dancing, literature, and visual arts. The Philippines has a rich tradition of art that reflects the country's history, culture, and resilience.

National Artist of the Philippines

The National Artist of the Philippines is the highest award given to a Filipino artist or artisan in the field of music, dance, theater, literature, film, visual arts, and architectural design. The award recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields and have inspired younger generations.

Arts and Practices in Region 1 - BARMM, Philippines

Region 1, also known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is composed of five provinces: Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Here, traditional arts are preserved and promoted, with each province having its own distinct cultural identity. For example, in Basilan, the Bongo Drums Festival showcases the centuries-old Bonggang Hegulungan, a traditional dance accompanied by the bongo drum. Similarly, Lanao del Sur is known for its traditional crafts, such as gold jewelry, brassware, and the world-renowned Kumbirawe, a traditional woven mat made from banana fibers.

Principles of Arts

Principles of arts refer to the guidelines or rules that guide the creation of artwork. These principles help artists achieve balance, rhythm, harmony, unity, and contrast in their compositions. Some of the principles include:

• Balance: Equal distribution of visual weight on both sides of a central axis.
• Rhythm: The pattern of a repeated element or the pattern created by how elements are arranged.
• Harmony: The relationship between elements in a work of art that create an overall pleasing effect.
• Unity: Elements in a work of art that contribute to an overall cohesive whole.
• Contrast: The relationship between complementary elements, such as color, texture, or value, that creates interest and depth.

Elements of Arts

Elements of arts are the building blocks of any artwork. They include line, color, shape, form, texture, tone, and space. These elements combine to create a visual composition that conveys meaning and emotion to viewers.

Contemporary Art Forms

Contemporary art refers to works created within the last few decades. In the Philippines, contemporary art tends to address current social issues, incorporate non-traditional materials, and blur the lines between fine art and commercial art. Some popular contemporary art forms include street art, performance art, and digital art.

Elements of Music

Music is an integral part of Filipino culture. Key elements of Filipino music include:

• Harmony: Multiple voices singing together in combination.
• Rhythm: Pattern of sound against time.
• Meter: Regular pattern of accented and unaccented beats.
• Form: Structural plan of a musical composition.
• Texture: Combination of independent melody lines at different pitches.

Elements of Visual Arts

Visual arts encompass all the arts that involve creating something intended to be looked at. Elements of visual art include:

• Line: The path that the artist makes to define the edges of the subject or object.
• Shape: Flat areas defined by lines or color.
• Color: All colors can be described in terms of their hue (red, green, yellow, etc.), saturation (purity of color), and brightness (value), or shade (black vs white).
• Value: Lightness or darkness of a color.
• Space: The area around or between objects.
• Texture: The surface quality of an artwork, whether smooth or rough.
• Light and shadow: How light falls on an object or appears to fall away from it.

Elements of Dance

Dance is an essential part of Filipino culture, with traditional dances representing different regions and occasions. Elements of dance include:

• Movement: Body parts moving in space.
• Time: The rhythm of movement and silence.
• Energy: Physical force expressed through body movement.
• Expression: Emotion conveyed through facial expressions and body posture.