Arts in the Philippines PDF

LESSON 1: Arts in the Philippines Art or “Sining” is defined as the different manners of expressing human skills and imagination in the creation of aesthetic conditions, objects and presentations. Art is not confined only to what is seen. Art involves the use of all the physical senses in ord...

LESSON 1: Arts in the Philippines Art or “Sining” is defined as the different manners of expressing human skills and imagination in the creation of aesthetic conditions, objects and presentations. Art is not confined only to what is seen. Art involves the use of all the physical senses in order to appreciate it. Philippines has diverse art forms from its different regions. These diverse art forms, when integrated, give a clear picture of how abundant the culture and tradition of the Philippines is. It continues to evolve up to the present and progress to contemporary art tradition. As a Filipino, we should have the knowledge about the different art forms in the Philippines to fully understand the culture, tradition, and nation’s identity.  Manunggul Jar  The Making of the Philippine Flag  Cinco Marias (Tres Marias Series) The development of the Philippine arts comes in three major traditions. These are the Ethnic Tradition, Spanish Colonial Tradition, and American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Traditions. Even before the colonization, the Philippines already has its indigenous arts. In this era, art forms were primarily influenced by the area where our ancestors prosper. However, the Spaniards came who tend to replace indigenous arts with western arts. For the period of Spanish rule, art forms were primarily influenced by religion and secularization. Consequently, after more than three centuries of Spanish colonization, Americans came. During American rule, development of Philippine art forms was mainly influenced by education and governance. Subsequently, concept of modern art was introduced and practiced by many artists. It is in this time wherein urbanization, consumerism, changes in the political system, and rise of new technology influence the development of art. Due to the technological advances, new forms of expression came in the field of arts and modern art continuously developed which led to the contemporary arts nowadays (Luzviminda & Sayseng, 2016). To describe the development of Philippine arts, read the information presented on the table below.  These art forms from various regions or from various artists contributed to the picture of Philippine’s identity as a country. And as a Filipino, it’s important that we have knowledge to describe these art forms based on its details and elements, in relation to our country’s culture and tradition, that makes it an artistic piece. In the field of arts, knowing the elements and principles of arts is important, not just to the artist but also to the viewer, to have a deeper understanding of an artwork. Now, let us know these elements and principles of arts. Elements of Art 1. Space In visual arts, space pertains to emptiness which may either be positive space or negative space. Positive space refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape, while negative space refers to the opposite part which the shape is enclosing. 2. Line In visual arts, a line is a series of connected points. It may come in two characteristics: form – curved, dotted, or broken lines; and direction – vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines. Different types of lines may convey different meanings. For example, a horizontal line usually suggests calmness, vert ical lines may convey strength, diagonal lines create an impression of action, curved lines create an expression of gradual change of direction, and circular line may pertain an abrupt change of direction. 3. Shape and Form Shape is an area that is enclosed by a line or lines. Shapes are two dimensional figures with height and width. There are different kinds of shapes and these are geometric shapes (triangle, squares, rectangle, etc.), organic shapes (shapes found in nature, e.g. shape of a leaf or cloud), abstract shapes (asymmetrical and free flowing shapes). Meanwhile, forms are three dimensional figures. Its dimensions are height, width, and volume. Unlike shapes, it has more depth. 4. Color In visual arts, color is associated with the natural phenomenon in our environment. Scientifically, when a light passes through a prism, it will produce different hues of different wavelengths. These colors may pertain to lightness, darkness, coolness, or warmth. 5. Value In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which pertains to its lightness or darkness. 6. Texture In visual arts, texture is the element that appeals to our sense of feel on things, rough, smooth, bumpy, or slippery. It pertains to the surface of an art piece. Principles of Art 1. Proportion Proportion refers to the relationship of the size of elements in a body of art. For example, when drawing a human standing beside a house, it is important to ensure that the size of the human is proportional to the size of the house. 2. Harmony In visual arts, harmony is the unity of the artwork, specifically about the arrangement of the related elements. 3. Variety In other terms, variety may be referred to as diversity. This means adding multiple, different elements to break the monotony of an artwork and make it more interesting. 4. Movement In arts, movement is the illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture design, or in a piece of art. 5. Rhythm This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern. In visual arts, repeated design elements may create a certain flow and may lead the viewer’s eyes. 6. Balance Balance refers to the even and equal distribution of elements. 7. Emphasis Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given on a certain element. These elements and principles of arts are essential to understand the meaning of a piece of art clearly and deeply. In relation to that, diverse art forms in the Philippines convey its meanings through the elements and principles present to them. So, as we described some art forms from the various regions through the development of Philippine arts, let’s use the elements and principles of arts to understand it. LESSON 2: Art: Meaning and Forms Different kinds of local artworks have sprung not only in the urban centers of the country and in schools of arts of different educational institutions but also a lot more of never before seen or heard art forms from the countryside have made known and have become renowned. The seeming isolation and distance of many communities in far flung regions have kept the beauty and significance of countless forms of Philippine art. It is really good news that they have been exposed and have been expressed. Philippine Arts from the Regions is not just a subject that has to be learned. It wants Contemporary Philippine Arts to be viewed, to be understood and to be appreciated in the context as they were created. As mentioned in the previous module, the arts come in various categories and forms. It is essential to know and understand the meaning of the term contemporary when used in defining Contemporary Philippine Arts. Understanding it would pave the way for better appreciation of the arts in the Philippine context. Understanding Philippine Arts would provide a better perception of the details, context, meaning and significance of the artworks placed in a cultural, political and historical context.  It is also important to differentiate Modern Philippine Arts from Contemporary Philippine Arts. It would be easy to misunderstand the two by treating them as interchangeably the same. The recent years revealed a conglomeration or mix of different art forms and art media that are expressions of the times where we live in. Many art forms are integrated to create artworks that are quite different from Classical and Modern Arts. Integrative Art has become part of Contemporary Art. Contemporary Art is evident when we go to the different regions and provinces of our country. Each artwork exhibiting its own uniqueness and meaning. The pictures presented in the previous activity are depictions of the artworks that are seen today. Present day art has a lot of variety. There are various expressions Philippine art that can be found right inside our homes and are found everywhere. The arrangement of furniture, home décor, the way a mother cooks a particular kind of food to the jeepney designs and signages, architecture of buildings, billboard designs and other unnoticed works of art, comprise the “art of today.” The artworks and styles of the past have evolved and have adapted to a dynamic changing world, a world immersed in the latest technology and emerging ideologies. These artworks and styles are created, witnessed and experienced in our lifetime by artists and style experts catering to Millennial and Gen Z viewers, and techy clientele. These artworks are collectively known as Contemporary Art. The term contemporary has been defined as something “happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time” (Merriam-Webster). Assuming this definition, Contemporary Art refers to art of any form and genre that produced in our contemporary time, simply put as “art created today.” It should not be confused with Modern Art which ranges from the end of the 19th Century until the 1970’s or 1980’s or the late 20th Century. It will put Contemporary Art from the late 20th Century to the present. Modern Art differs from Contemporary Art historically and contextually. Contemporary Art Contemporary Art is influenced by the economic, social, political and environmental context where the artist is immersed in. It can be said that Contemporary Art is the artist’s expression of his perception and comprehension of these contexts. Contemporary Arts in the Philippines is as diverse as our people. Contemporary Philippine Art is not confined to the usual genres of the four main art forms, namely, visual, literary, applied and performing arts. Genres are categories of artistic creation and are characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. Many other genres came up which include pure are forms as well as mixed art forms. The following are examples from each art form:  Contemporary Art is prominent in the Philippines and has been appreciated by so many people, and some of them were not even aware that they are looking at fine examples of Contemporary Art. Many contemporary Philippine artworks have earned the admiration and respect of viewers from here and abroad. These artworks are expressions of the artist’s thoughts and feelings based on their experience of the here and now. These include current events, issues and social concerns affecting the society where the artist lives in. Contemporary Philippine artists hail from the different regions of the country. They use a wide variety of art media in their creations, some of the media are materials that are readily available in the locality where the artist resides. Contemporary Philippine artworks are multifaceted and are expressive renditions of the artist’s perception of what were observed and experienced. These artists create, work and make art in their personal context. Viewers can appreciate contemporary Philippine art more by employing all of their senses. Viewing art is not just a detached experienced but a deep personal experience of dwelling into the artist’s mind and heart. Expressions of Contemporary Philippine Art are influenced by social, historical, geographical, ideational, personal and technical factors. These factors are imbibed by the artist and are combined to get immersed in the heart, to get molded in the mind and to be propelled in the hands to create an expressive reality. Elements of Contemporary Art Contemporary Arts have different elements that are put together to come up with a distinct artwork. These elements include: 1. Appropriation, this relates to the modifications made by the artist. 2. Hybridity, this refers in the use of different art mediums that are put together. 13 3. Technology, its application highlights the creativity of the artist. 4. Performance, carried out for viewers to experience. 5. Space, intricate use of space. These elements are combined in different ways to come up with Integrative Art. Integrative Art employs the use of different art elements used together in distinct different expressions. Thus, it becomes a combination of different art forms for specific groups of viewers. Integrative art is also a fusion of different art disciplines using different styles and media in creating art. It can be found in different places of the country, usually in urban areas where artists have ready access to different art forms and media. Examples of Integrative Art include the use of computer applications combined with other media, the use of non-traditional art materials in creating artworks usually done with mixed art forms. Contemporary Art Forms from the Philippine Regions With modern technology and easy access to far-flung areas of the country, many artworks have become known and many more are being created by present day artists from the different regions. All forms of art can be found throughout the country. Artworks coming from the seventeen regions of the three main island groups of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, have been exhibited in different exhibition halls and museums. Viewers have come to know and, more importantly, to understand the present-day art expressions of artists who want their culture, situation and issues be known through their artworks. The distinct features of Contemporary Philippine Art include: 1. Communal nature, as it reflects the relationships build around the bonds of community and society. 2. Intuitive, as Filipinos are immersed in their consciousness of themselves, their community and their culture. 3. Holistic, as individuals, groups of people and events are perceived in their entirety as well as the unitive use of art materials and forms. 4. Creative process, as the artist puts more emphasis on now their artwork was made than on the artwork itself. 5. Integrative, as it encompasses religious, moral, spiritual, social, and environmental concerns. 6. Multi-focal, as it considers everything and everyone, the wide perspective of the artwork as well as both artist and viewer. LESSON 3: Contemporary Art Forms from the Regions Various art forms are known from the different regions or island groups of the Philippines; generally, from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Through these various art forms, we tend to picture out the different practices of Filipinos from the different regions that, when integrated, describe what the Philippines is. The Philippine Contemporary Art can be classified into seven major art forms. These are painting, sculpture, architecture, film, literature, music and theater, and dance. Knowing these classifications will guide us in identifying and exploring different contemporary art forms from the regions of the Philippines. So, let’s start classifying and exploring the Philippine’s contemporary art forms! PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ARTS Philippine contemporary arts can be described into visual arts, literary arts and performing arts. Visual art is an expression of artistic ideas through images, structures, and tactile work. Some visual artworks are integrated which means it combines several mediums to create new and unique artwork. Painting, sculpture, architecture, and film are examples of visual arts. Painting Painting the expression of ideas and emotions, with the creation of certain aesthetic qualities, in a two-dimensional visual language. The elements of this language – its shapes, lines, colors, tones, and textures – are used in various ways to produce sensations of volume, space, movement, and light on a flat surface. The first paintings here in the Philippines are commissioned works during Spanish colonization. Here are some paintings from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Architecture Architecture is the art and practice of designing and constructing buildings (Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus). In relation to that, Philippine architecture was characterized as simple, rational, and functional. In the 20th century, the young Filipino who studied in American colleges and institutes introduced the neoclassic style in building structures. However, after World War II, real estate development started to take place (Sandagan & Sayseng, 2016). To illustrate these architectural designs, these are some examples from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.  Apart from visual arts, there are Philippine contemporary art forms that can be described as literary arts. Literary arts are an expression of ideas through writing. Literary arts can be categorized as poetry, prose, and drama. In the Philippines, literary arts are greatly encountered in literature. Literature According to Lombardi (2020), literature is a term used to describe written and sometimes spoken material. Derived from the Latin word literature meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some instances, journalism, and song. These are some examples of Philippine literature. Music and Theater Music is a collection of coordinated sound or sounds. According to Ramon P. Santos in his article entitles Contemporary Music, Contemporary music in the Philippines usually refers to compositions that have adopted ideas and elements from twentieth-century art music in the West, as well as the latest trends and musical styles in the entertainment industry. Filipino Music had already a rich and unique musical tradition long before westerners set foot on our native land. Music was present in every stage of our ancestors’ lives — from birth to death, in blissful or tragic times. Below are some Music from the different Regions of our country. Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music, or dance. Some of the Theater Play in the Philippines are the following.  LESSON 4: National Artists of the Philippines By its definition, a National Artist is a Filipino who has made a significant contribution to the development of Philippine arts in the fields of Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film and Architecture. A Filipino individual who should have been awarded the highest national recognition for the arts namely, National Artist Award. In Filipino context, it is also known as the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining. The Philippines value many significant Filipino artist who have a prominent contribution to the promotion and preservation of our cultural heritage. They have made a notable contribution in their own field of expertise, obtaining them the Order of National Artist. Categories for the Order of National Artist are, Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, film and Broadcast Arts and Architecture or Allied Arts.  The Order of National Artist The Order of the National Artists Award (Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. The order is concurrent administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation by both institutions. The award is one of the Honors conferred by the Republic of the Philippines that represents the nation’s highest ideals in the humanities and aesthetic expression through the recognizable achievements of individual citizens. The said achievements are measured in terms of their vision, unusual insight, creativity and imagination, technical proficiency of the highest order in expressing Filipino culture and traditions, history, way of life, and aspirations. Under the Proclamation No.1001 dated April 27, 1072 the Order of the National Artist Award (Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining was established. It gives an appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have acclaimed themselves and made a remarkable contribution to Philippine arts and letters. The first award was given to Fernando Amorsolo. On May 15, 1973 under the Proclamation No. 1144, CCP Board of Trustees was named as the National Artist Awards Committee. The Presidential Decree No.28 that was issued on June 7, 1973 reiterated the mandate of CCP to administer the National Awards as well as the privileges and honors to National Artist. The Order of National Artists aims to recognize: 1.The Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country. 2.The Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote creative expression as significant to the development of a national cultural identity. 3.The Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works to forge new paths and directions for future generations of Filipino artists. The following are the seven categories under which National Artists can be recognized: 1. Literature – poetry, fiction, essay, playwriting, journalism and/or literary criticism; 2. Film and Broadcasting / Broadcast Arts – direction, writing, production design, cinematography, editing, camera work, and/or performance; and 3. Architecture, Design and Allied Arts– architecture design, interior design, industrial arts design, landscape architecture and fashion design. 4. Music - singing, composition, direction, and/or performance; 5. Dance - choreography, direction and/or performance;  6. Theater – direction, performance and/or production design; 7. Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation art, mixed media works, illustration, graphic arts, performance art and/or imaging; Qualifications for the National Artist Award The qualifications for a Filipino to be nominated and selected are rigorous. Below are the qualifications for the National Artist Award. 1. Living artists who are natural-born Filipino citizens. 2. The content and form of their work have procured in building a Filipino sense of nationhood. 3. An artist who have developed a mode of creative expression or style and living a legend on succeeding generations of artists. 4. An artist who manifest excellence in the practice of their art form 5. The artwork made has attained an international and national recognition. Insignia of the Order of the National Artists The insignia of the Order of the National Artists is formed from a Grand Collar featuring circular links depicting the arts and an eight-pointed sunburst suspended from a sampaguita wreath in green and white enamel. The center of the badge is divided into three equal portions, in red, white and blue representing the Philippine Flag with three stylized letter K’s that stands for the CCP’s motto “Katotohanan, Kabutihan at Kagandahan “(The true, the good and the beautiful). The Grand Collar is made from silver gilt bronze. National Artists of the Philippines Literature The following are the National Artists of 1973 Amado V. Hernadez the Philippines grouped according to 1973 Jose Garcia Villa their categories and arranged to the 1976 Nick Joaquin chronology of National Artist Award: 1982 Calos P. Romulo Architecture 1990 Francisco Arcellana 1973 Juan Nakpil 1997 N.V. M Gonzales 1976 Pablo Antonio 1997 Carlos Quirino 1990 Leondro V. Locsin 1999 Edith L. Tiempo 2006 Ramon Valera 2001 F. Sionil Jose 2014 Jose Maria Zaragoza 2003 Virgilio S. Almario 2006 I.P Santos 2006 Bienvenido Lumbera Dance 2009 Lazaro Francisco 1973 Francisca Reyes Aquino 2014 Cirilo F. Bautista 1976 Leonor Orosa-Goquingco Music 1988 Lucrecia Reyes Urtula 1973 Antonio J. Molina 2006 Ramon Obusan 1976 Jovita Fuentes Film 1988 Antonio R. Buenaventura 1982 Gerardo de Leon 1989 Lucrecia R. Kasilag 1997 Lino Brocka 1991 Lucio D. San Pedro 2001 Ishmael Bernal 1997 Felipe Padilla de Leon 2003 Eddie S. Romero 1997 Jose Maceda 2009 Manuel Conde 1997 Levi Celerio 1999 Ernani Joson Cuenco 1973 Guillermo E. Tolentino 1999 Andrea O. Veneracion 1976 Victorio C. Edades 2014 Francisco Feliciano 1976 Napoleon V. Abueva 2014 Ramon Santos 1981 Vicente Manansala Theater 1990 Cesar Legaspi 1987 Honorata " Atang" de la Rama 1991 Hernando R. Ocampo 1997 Levi Celerio 1997 Arturo R. Luz 1997 Wlfrido Ma. Guerero 1999 J. Elizalde Navarro 1997 Rolando S. Tinio 2001 Ang Kiukok 1999 Daisy Avellana 2003 Jose T. Joya 2001 Severino Montano 2006 Abdulmari Asia Imao Visual Arts 2006 Bencab 1972 Fernando C. Amorsolo 2009 Federico Aguillar Alcuaz 1973 Carlos " Botong" V. Francisco 2014 Francisco Coching Some works of Filipino National Artist The works of National Artist can be found in different University Campuses. One example is the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. The known school symbol is based on Oblation made by the sculptor Guillermo Tolentino. This work of art depicts a male nude with arms outstretched that represents a gesture of sacrifice and freedom. Guillermo Tolentino is a pioneer of academic tradition in sculpture like Fernando Amorsolo in Painting. Fernando Amorsolo is known for its romantic paintings of bucolic landscapes and idealized portraits of well-known individuals from the Commonwealth Period and the Second World War. His works can be seen also at the National Museum.Awarded in 1976, Napoleon Abueva had contributed to the University’s Visual Arts Heritage. In the Virata School of Business, Jose Tanig Joya’s mural can be seen entitled Barter of Panay (1978). This work of art is rendered in the Abstract expressionist style and it consists of soft, overlapping planes of black, white, orange, brown and golden yellow. The Church of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman which was inaugurated in 1955 was credited to be the First Catholic Church in the country that were able to employ a circular architecture with a fine thin shell dome. Intricate mathematical computations with the increasing popularity of concrete that serve as the building material enabled the smooth rounded church construction. The said church is recognized as a National Historical Landmark as well as a Cultural Treasure by the National Historical Institute. Jose Maceda’s Pagsamba involved a hundred mixed voices and indigenous musical instruments like bamboo buzzers, clappers and the like. UP center for Ethnomusicology was also founded by him where he donated his valuable collections of sound recordings, field notes and the like in Ethnomusicology in the Philippines and South East Asia. In line with this, he was recognized by the UNESCO Memory of the World. REFERENCES: Quarter 1 - Module 1-4: CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION First Edition, 2020 Department of Education – National Capital Region, Office Address: Misamis St. Bago Bantay, Quezon City E-mail Address: [email protected]