Contemporary Philippine Arts From The Regions PDF

CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS CHAPTER 2: PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ART LESSON 1: TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CONTEMPORARY ARTS The learners will be able to distinguish traditional and contemporary arts. __________________________________________________________________________________...

CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS CHAPTER 2: PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ART LESSON 1: TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CONTEMPORARY ARTS The learners will be able to distinguish traditional and contemporary arts. ________________________________________________________________________________________ LESSON 1: TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CONTEMPORARY ARTS TRADITIONAL ARTS The Philippines is home to many traditional arts. These are the arts that started in the pre- colonial times and have handed down from generation to generation. Traditional art is essential in a nation, for it builds posterity in the culture of its natives. There are various kinds of traditional art in the country. Most are learned informally and are usually produced in indigenous or closely knitted communities, reflecting their history and culture. These arts are passed down from master craftsmen to their apprentices. The usual theme of these arts in animism. Its intention is to depict something of the people’s gods and goddesses, thus resulting in the creation of abstract symbols of animistic figures like the sun, the moon, and other human figures. The carved figured of Bulul of the Ifugao’s is one example of this art. Bulul, God of rice of the Ifugaos Other examples of traditional arts are the woven basketry of the Mangyans, the t’nalak tapestry woven by the T’bolis in South Cotabato, the pissiyabit (head cloth) of Mindanao, and the embroidered jusi and piña cloth of Lumban, Laguna. The toothpick and papier-mâché objects made in pakil and the woodcarvings in Paete, Laguna, are also examples of folk art, which is a younger form of traditional art. Mangyan’s woven basketry T’bolis t’nalak tapestry Mindanao’s pissiyabit (head cloth) Lumban, Laguna’s jusi and piña cloth Papier-mâché objects in Paete, Laguna Woodcarvings in Paete, Laguna Philippine traditional arts also boast of rich songs and dances in the regions. Like any traditional art, these songs and dances are handed over by master craftsmen to their younger generations. The sounds, words, and choreography have remained the same throughout the years because of these craftsmen. They are nameless people who have passed their skills without the thought of being recognized, but only of preserving their culture in the constantly changing society. In literature and the performing arts, the traditional style is evident in their adherence to classical structures and standards. With this reality, these classics have gained enduring worth and are considered timeless. An example of a classic literary work is Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. Most traditional arts are representations (which we have discusses in Chapter 1). Because of the absence of photography, the artists in the past have loved imitating nature and other still life to capture its beauty. It is also limited to the structures and standards set during the traditional times. TRADITIONAL ARTS VS. CONTEMPORARY ARTS Traditional art is different from contemporary art, for the latter revolves around the artist and his/her feelings, thoughts, and messages to his/her audience. It uses diverse array of materials, media, techniques, and styles.  o Traditional art is culture-bound. In the sculpture of Northern Philippines, the sculpture may be in the form of human beings or animals. In Southern Philippines, the traditional carving okil stems from plant forms, displaying its curvilinear forms. Take sculpture as an example. Traditional sculpture usually focuses on realistic figures, while contemporary sculpture centers on the feelings and thoughts of the artist. Try to compare bulul with Ramon Orlina’s metal sculpture above. Untitled Scuplture What is your analysis of Orlina’s sculpture? by Ramon Orlina o The Philippine contemporary art is not bounded by any rule or standard. It is conceptual, innovative, expressive, and experimental compared with traditional art. In the contemporary works of art, the viewer is also allowed to participate in the experience and is urged to validate his/her own beliefs and values. Monuments and statues, since the ancient times, have long been created to commemorate heroism or other deeds of greatness. But what differs contemporary monuments from the traditional ones is the reimagining of the character or event, in order to evoke more intense emotions from its spectator. Take a look at the image of the People Power Monument near Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. It is a good example of a contemporary work that allows the viewer to recall a historical event from the past. One cannot display all the events and the heroes that came about during the 1986 People Power Revolution. However, this monument created by Eduardo Castrillo encapsulates the triumph of the EDSA phenomena perfectly. People Power Monument by Eduardo Castrillo. 1993. Metal Monument CONTEMPORARY ARTS WITH TRADITIONAL ARTS Contemporary arts can also incorporate traditional arts in a manner that is new and exciting. An example of a traditional artwork that has been adapted to a contemporary manner is Noli Foli: Dekada Dos Mil, an interpretation by Nicanor Tiongson which has been mounted as a play by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). The incorporation of both traditional and contemporary style is also evident in Philippine architecture. Most buildings in the country are combinations of traditional and modern designs. Unlike hypermodern cities like Dubai where the first rotating building has been introduced, the Philippine lacks innovative and radical designs in constructing its skyscrapers, houses, and other edifices. There are a number of probable reasons for this statis in the Philippine architecture; lack of financial support is one. Both traditional arts and contemporary arts exist in mutual acceptance and respect for each other’s freedom of expression, practices, and principles. TRADITIONAL ARTS CONTEMPORARY ARTS ✓ art presentations ✓ revolve around the artist and his/her feeling ✓ culture-bound ✓ focus on the message to his/her audience ✓ mostly focuses on realistic figures ✓ diverse array of materials, media, style, which ✓ limited structures and standards set are not bounded by any rule or standard.