Understanding Contemporary Art

Contemporary Art

• Contemporary art reflects present-day events and passions
• It represents an artist's statement about life, thoughts, and beliefs

Characteristics of Contemporary Art

• Contemporary art is displayed in various locations like galleries, schools, streets, and parks
• Artists use online platforms to increase sales of their artworks
• Many contemporary artists are self-taught, developing skills independently
• Contemporary art uses a variety of materials and mediums due to technology
• Conceptual artists often incorporate physics and construction technology
• Originality is not an issue, artists redesign existing works.
• The artwork's message and experience are more valuable than monetary gain

Subject Matter in Contemporary Art

• Contemporary art depicts people, animals, things, issues, or artistic techniques
• It can include subjects like children, women, the environment, and abstract themes
• Conceptual art requires deeper engagement to understand its meaning

Styles in Contemporary Art

• Abstract Expressionism: Uses emotion-driven spontaneous painting, such as "Dimension of Fear" by Jose Joya
• Kinetic Art: Sculptures move with wind, machines, or electricity, such as "Bubble Machine" by David Medalla
• Op Art: Creates optical illusions through repeated lines or images, such as "Perpetual Motion" by Constancio Bernardo
• Performance Art: Features artistic theatrical expression before a live audience
• Environment Art: Manipulates space like landscape and architecture, such as "Cordillera Labyrinth" by Roberto Villanueva
• Feminist Art: Tackles identity, sexuality, and gender roles, such as "Filipina: A Racial Identity Crisis" by Pacita Abad
• Minimalism: Stripped-down, detail-free, yet expressive art, such as "Precincts" by Mario Yrisarry
• Video Art: Digital images recorded and displayed on screens, such as "Haiku" by Mark Salvatus
• Graffiti Art: Public art found on walls and surfaces
• Postmodern Art: Uses an extreme mix of materials, such as "Faith and Devotion 1" by Ian Quirante
• Body Art: Uses the human body as a medium, like tattooing or pambabatok by Apo Whang-od
• Digital Art: Computer-generated images printed on various media

Techniques in Contemporary Arts

• Collage: Sticking materials like photos, paper, or fabric onto a surface
• Decalcomania: Transferring pictures and designs from prepared paper
• Decoupage: Decorating surfaces with cutouts and multiple finish layers
• Frottage: Rubbing over an object to create a design
• Montage: Rapid image succession in a motion picture
• Trapunto: Creating a quilted design with high-relief padding
• Digital Applications: Software-based art creation and display

The Order of National Artists

• Established under Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972
• It is the highest national recognition for Filipino artists
• Administered by the NCCA and CCP
• Awarded by the President of the Philippines every three years

Objectives of the Order of National Artists

• It recognizes artists contributing to the country's cultural heritage
• It promotes creative expression as part of national identity
• It honors artists paving the way for future generations

Criteria for Selection as a National Artist

• Must be Filipino citizens, living or deceased (after 1972), including dual citizens for at least 5 years
• Work must contribute to a Filipino sense of nationhood
• Must pioneer a creative style or expression
• Work must be substantial, significant, and excellent
• Must have broad recognition through prestigious awards, critical acclaim, or respect from peers

Honors and Privileges of National Artists

• Entitled to the title of National Artist, conferred by the President
• Receive a gold-plated medallion from the BSP and a citation
• Lifetime benefits include:
  • ₱200,000 for living awardees, ₱150,000 for posthumous awardees (given to heirs)
  • ₱30,000 monthly stipend (since 2013)
  • Life insurance (if insurable)
  • State funeral (up to ₱500,000)
• Given a place of honor in state functions & cultural events

National Artists by Category

Architecture

• Pablo S. Antonio (1976): Pioneer of modern Philippine architecture, known for functional designs and natural light; Works include: FEU Buildings, Ideal Theater, Manila Polo Club
• Juan F. Nakpil (1973): "Dean of Filipino Architects," promoted Philippine traditions in design; Works include: UP Admin, Rizal Theater, Magsaysay Building
• Ildefonso P. Santos (2006): "Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture"; Works include: Tagaytay Highlands, Mt. Malarayat Golf Club
• Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014): Specialized in modern ecclesiastical architecture; Works include: Meralco Building, Sto. Domingo Church, Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
• Leandro V. Locsin (1990): Merged Oriental and Occidental designs; Works include: CCP Complex, PICC, Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei

Visual Arts

• Fernando Amorsolo (1972): "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art," known for backlighting technique; Works include: Planting Rice, Dalagang Bukid, The Mestiza
• Cesar Legaspi (1990): "Neo-Realist," refined cubism in Philippine art; Works include: Gadgets, Bayanihan, Struggle
• Hernando Ocampo (1991): Self-taught artist, known for vibrant Philippine landscapes; Works include: Genesis, Slum Dwellers, Fiesta
• Arturo Luz (1997): Professionalized Philippine art galleries; Works include: Bagong Taon, Candle Vendors, Procession
• Jose Joya (2003): Pioneered abstract expressionism in the Philippines; Works include: Rice paper collages, Philippine landscapes
• Benedicto Cabrera / BenCab (2006): Best-selling painter, known for "Sabel" figure; themes include social issues and isolation
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009): Painter & sculptor, known for acrylic & oil art; Works include: exhibits in Spain, abstract works
• Francisco Coching (2014): "King of Komiks," shaped the Philippine comics industry; Works include: 1950s-60s comic books

National Artists By Region

• Victorio Edades (1976) – Ilocos Region – "Father of Modern PH Painting," used dark & somber tones; Works include: The Sketch, The Wrestlers
• Guillermo Tolentino (1973) – Central Luzon – "Father of PH Arts," sculpted Bonifacio Monument & UP Oblation
• Vicente Manansala (1981) – Central Luzon – Cubist painter, mixed realism & abstraction; Works include: Madonna of the Slums, Banaklaot
• Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1973) – CALABARZON – Revived mural painting in PH; Works include: First Mass at Limasawa, Bayanihan
• J. Elizalde Navarro (1999) – Western Visayas – Painter & sculptor, known for mixed media works; Works include: I’m Sorry Jesus, A Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus
• Napoleon Abueva (1976) – Central Visayas – "Father of Modern PH Sculpture," youngest awardee; Works include: Kaganapan, The Transfiguration

Fashion Design

• Ramon Valera - A renowned designer from Abra who revolutionized the Philippine terno

National Artists in Literature (National Capital Region)

• Jose Garcia Villa (1973): Introduced reversed consonance rhyme scheme and comma poems; Notable works: Footnote to Youth, Many Voices, Poems by Doveglion, Poems 55, The Essential Villa
• Nick Joaquin (1976): Known for "Joaquinesque" writing style; Notable works: The Woman Who Had Two Navels, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, Manila, My Manila, Cave and Shadows
• Francisco Arcellana (1990): Pioneer of lyrical prose-poetic short stories; Notable works: Selected Stories, The Mats, Divided by Two, Poetry and Politics
• Levi Celerio (1997): Known for Literature and Music; Guinness World Record for making music with a leaf; Notable works: Lyrics for O Maliwanag Na Buwan, Ako ay May Singsing, Alibangbang
• Rolando S. Tinio (1997): Known for Theater and Literature; Inventor of "Taglish" poetry; Notable works: Sitsit sa Kuliglig, Dunung-Dunungan, Kristal na Uniberso
• Alejandro Roces (2003): Renowned writer of comic short stories who Advocated for changing Independence Day to June 12
• Cirilo F. Bautista (2014): Founded several literary groups and workshops; Notable works: Summer Suns, Words and Battlefields, The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus

National Artists in Literature by Region

• Francisco Sionil Jose (2001) – Ilocos Region – Focused on class struggles and colonialism; Notable works: The Rosales Saga, The Pretenders, Mass.
• Edith L. Tiempo (1999) – Cagayan Valley – First female National Artist for Literature; Notable works: A Blade of Fern, The Native Coast, The Alien Corn.
• Amado V. Hernandez (1973) – Central Luzon – Used literature for social consciousness; Notable works: Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Luha ng Buwaya
• Carlos P. Romulo (1982) – Central Luzon – First Asian UN General Assembly President and only Asian Pulitzer Prize winner in Journalism
• Virgilio S. Almario (2003) – Central Luzon – Chairman of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino; Notable works: Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina
• Lazaro Francisco (2009) – Central Luzon – Known as the "Master of the Tagalog Novel"; Notable works: Maganda Pa ang Daigdig, Daluyong
• Bienvenido Lumbera (2006) – CALABARZON – Introduced "Bagay" poetry to Tagalog literature; Notable works: Tagalog Poetry, 1570-1898, Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology
• Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997) – MIMAROPA – Fictionist, poet, and essayist; Notable works: The Bamboo Dancers, The Bread of Salt and Other Stories, A Grammar of Dreams

Historical Literature

• Carlos Quirino (1997) – National Capital Region – First and only recipient in historical literature; Notable works: The Great Malayan (biography of Jose Rizal), Maps and Views of Old Manila, Quezon: Man of Destiny, Magsaysay of the Philippines, and Filipinos at War

National Artists in Dance

• Alice Reyes (2014) – National Capital Region – Pioneered Filipino modern dance, combining indigenous, modern, and classical ballet
• Francisca Reyes Aquino (1973) - Central Luzon - "Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing."; Researched and documented folk dances; notable works: Philippine Folk Dances and Games, Philippine National Dances.
• Ramon Obusan (2006) – Bicol Region – Promoted Philippine traditional dance through the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG); Notable choreographies: Vamos a Belen!, Noon Po sa Amin, Obra Maestra
• Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1988) – Western Visayas – Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company’s dance director; choreographed Singkil, Vinta, Pagdiwata, Banga
• Leonor Orosa-Goquingco (1976) – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – "Trailblazer" in Philippine theater dance; Notable works: Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend and Lore, TREND: Return to Native, Vinta!

National Artists in Music

• Antonio J. Molina (1973) - National Capital Region – Introduced musical innovations; best known for Hating Gabi
• Honorata "Atang" de la Rama (1987) - National Capital Region – "Queen of Kundiman," starred in Dalagang Bukid
• Jose Maceda (1997) - National Capital Region – Promoted indigenous music; notable works: Ugma-ugma, Udlot-udlot
• Andrea Veneracion (1999) - National Capital Region – Founder of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, developed choral music
• Ramon Santos (2014) - National Capital Region – Leader in contemporary Filipino music, integrating Southeast Asian elements
• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag (1989) - Ilocos Region – Fused Filipino ethnic music with Western influences; notable works: Legend of the Sarimanok, Philippine Scenes
• Antonio R. Buenaventura (1988) - Central Luzon – Researched folk songs, composed Triumphal March, Ode to Freedom
• Felipe Padilla de Leon (1997) - Central Luzon – Filipinized Western music; notable works: Mariang Makiling Overture, Payapang Daigdig
• Ernani J. Cuenco (1999) - Central Luzon – Elevated Filipino ballads; notable songs: Bato sa Buhangin, Gaano Kita Kamahal
• Lucio D. San Pedro (1991) -CALABARZON – Known for Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Lahing Kayumanggi
• Francisco Feliciano (2014) - CALABARZON – Promoted Asian musical identity; major works: La Loba Negra, Pamugun
• Jovita Fuentes (1976) - Western Visayas – Acclaimed opera singer, famous for Madame Butterfly portrayal in Italy

National Artists in Film

• Gerardo De Leon (1982) - National Capital Region - Most awarded film director in the history of FAMAS; classics include Daigdig ng Mga Api, El Filibusterismo, Dyesebel, Sisa
• Ishmael Bernal (2001) - National Capital Region - "Genius of Philippine Cinema" whose films serve as social commentaries; notable works include Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989), Broken Marriage (1983), Himala (1982)
• Roland Allan K. Poe (2006) - National Capital Region - Cultural icon and cinema artist who Known for portraying the underdog; notable films include Apollo Robles, Batang Maynila, Ang Probinsyano, and the Panday series
• Lino Brocka (1997) - Bicol Region Influential filmmaker known for highlighting marginalized sectors with landmark films like Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang and Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag
• Manuel Conde (2009) - Bicol Region- Known for producing and directing films based on Filipino tales and recreating world history in films like Genghis Khan and Sigfredo
• Lamberto V. Avellana (1976) - Cordillera Administrative Region - National Artist for Theater and Film, known as "The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies," with notable films like Sakay and Sergeant Hassan

FILM REGION 18

• Eddie Romero focused on history and politics in cinema whose notable works included Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Aguila, and the 13-part series Noli Me Tangere

National Artists in Theater

• Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997) - National Capital Region – Director of UP Dramatic Club, Founder of UP Mobile Theater, and writer of plays humorously reflecting Filipino behavior
• Salvador F. Bernal (2003) – Ilocos Region – "Guru of Contemporary Filipino Theater Design," who Used local materials due to budget constraints and Founded PATDAT
• Severino Montano (2001) – Region not specified – Forerunner in institutionalizing "legitimate theater" who Established Arena Theater and Founded graduate program at Philippine Normal College
• Daisy Avellana - Western Visayas- Elevated Philippine theater and founded Barangay Theater Guild with notable roles in Othello and Macbeth in Black and directorial credits including Diego Silang

Key Questions on Philippine Art

• What makes Philippine art Filipino?
• To what extent does Western art influence Philippine art?
• Can certain art movements like the Manila Wyeth school be uniquely Filipino?
• How do the works of Amorsolo, Francisco, and Ocampo reflect Filipino identity?

Genre and Filipino-ness in Art

• Genre paintings became the primary basis for identifying "Filipino-ness" in art through depictions of everyday life.
• Fernando Amorsolo Known for pastoral paintings, was seen as the epitome of Filipino ethos by representing agricultural countryside.
• Carlos Francisco: Known for historical and mythical themes, deeply connected to Filipino history and legends.
• Hernando R. Ocampo’s uniquely painterly style by combining surrealism and cubism was described as "the most Filipino".

Art and Nationalism

• Ocampo believed that an artist's work would naturally reflect their Filipino identity through excellent painting.
• Amorsolo, Francisco, and Ocampo were considered Filipino in their art because of their deep passion and execution.
• Their primary role was as painters, not messengers of nationalistic ideas.

Western Influence in Philippine Art

• Philippine art follows Western traditions in materials and styles but artists retained their national and Asian identities like other Southeast Asian Artists such as Sudjojono and Affandi (Indonesia), Mohidin (Malaysia), and Srisouta (Thailand).

Filipino Identity Among Expatriate Artists

• One consideration is whether artwork created abroad is still considered Filipino.
• Luna’s Spoliarium which while painted in Europe, remains an iconic Filipino artwork reflects this issue.
• The same applies to Macario Vitalis, Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab), and Romeo Tabuena who while painting in London and Mexico maintained their Filipino identity

Conclusion

• Filipino identity in art depends on the artist’s connection to their culture and personal expression, not location or genre.
• Despite Western influences, Filipino artists maintain a unique artistic voice that reflects their heritage.