Philippine Contemporary Arts Study Guide PDF

UNIT 1: Integrative Art as Applied to Philippine Contemporary Art Table of Contents Introduction 2 Lesson 1: Integrative Arts Jump Start 3 Learn about It!...

UNIT 1: Integrative Art as Applied to Philippine Contemporary Art Table of Contents Introduction 2 Lesson 1: Integrative Arts Jump Start 3 Learn about It! 4 Check Your Understanding 5 Lesson 2: The Elements and Principles of Art Jump Start 5 Learn about It! 6 Check Your Understanding 12 Lesson 3: Art Forms in the Philippines Jump Start 12 Learn about It! 13 Check Your Understanding 16 Did You Know? 17 Let’s Create! 17 Check and Reflect 18 Wrap Up 19 Answers to Check Your Understanding 20 Bibliography 20 Glossary 21 1 GRADE 11/12 |Contemporary Philippine Arts for the Regions UNIT 1 Integrative Art as Applied to Philippine Contemporary Art Art is everywhere. In a modern world driven by rapid technological advancement, art is usually categorized simply as painting, sculptures, and other similar forms. Little do we know that art comes in various forms which we can integrate. Social media, print advertisement, radio programs, and even noon time television shows are results of integrated art. Fig. 1. Sipat Lawin Collective in action (Strange Pilgrims: Rizal + 150 Reverse Cosplay Parade Edition, in collaboration with Leeron New) The artwork above is an example of an artwork done through an integration of various forms of art. What are the art forms and elements present in the performance image above? 2  Learning Target In this unit, you should be able to identify various contemporary art forms and their practices from the various regions. Lesson 1: Integrative Arts You might have heard of Nick Joaquin’s “The Portrait of an Artist as a Filipino” from your literature classes. It is an important literary piece that has been adapted into a musical and, in 2017, a screenplay entitled, “Ang Larawan” (dir. Loy Arcenas). This is an example of a creative adaptation as a result of integrative art. Think-Pair-Share In pairs, discuss the function of art in your daily lives. After, answer the following question: Is there an art form which you prefer? Why do you think so? What is in a specific form of art that sets it apart from non-artistic objects? 3  Learn about It! The word art is quite difficult to define and its definition has been highly contested throughout history. The word originated from the Latin word ars which means skill and with the Greek word techne which means technology. A common definition of art is that it is used to express ideas or feelings through creative processes and imagination. This is often done through the various forms of art discussed below. Visual Arts Visual arts is an expression of artistic ideas through images, structures, and tactile work. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are considered as examples of it. Some visual artworks are integrated - which means it combines several medium to create a new and unique artwork. Literary Arts Literary arts is an expression of ideas through writing. There are many types of literary artworks, and this can be categorized into: Poetry - It is considered as one of the oldest forms of literature characterized by its imaginative and figurative language. Some poetic forms are strict with rhymes and syllabic counts, like the sonnet, while contemporary poetry pieces now go beyond the limits of form and more and more writers dwell more into free verse. Prose - When an imaginative literary piece is not written in figurative language, then it is considered as prose. Prose is usually written in complete and grammatical narratives. Examples of prose are short stories and novels among others. Generally, prose is a literary piece that is not poetry. Drama - When a text is written to be performed and not just read, then it is considered as drama. Usually, people refer to dramas as plays. Performing Arts Performing arts is an expression of an artistic idea through written lyrics, text, dramatization, and multimedia production. Performing arts usually require the musical theatre, dance, and drama, a combination of different art forms, such as literary art for the material and visual arts for stage design. 4 Different art forms are distinct from each other, but are not necessarily independent of each other. This means that two or more disciplines of art can be used in the creation of an integrated artwork. This integration calls for a combined use of various disciplines to create an expressive work. An example of a contemporary artwork is the spoken word poetry. It is when poetry is written to be read on a stage, usually in intimate settings such as a coffee shop. An integration of various art forms has become more and more evident in contemporary arts. With people of different cultures having contact with each other, it is inevitable that artists lift styles and techniques from different practices. Check Your Understanding Recall 1. The word art has its roots in the Latin word ars and the Greek word ______. 2. _________ is a literary form that is not poetry. Application 3. What art forms are present in the staging of a theatrical play? Synthesis 4. Why is integrative art more and more popular in contemporary times? Lesson 2: The Elements and Principles of Art There are certain elements which make an artwork an artistic piece. These elements and principles are socially agreed on and, when followed, usually define what is formally known as aesthetically pleasing. Knowing the elements of art is not only important to artists but also to viewers of art as this can enable a deeper understanding of the artwork. 5  Think-Pair-Share Before understanding how to integrate art forms, you must first have an understanding of the definition of art. In pairs, discuss what makes certain pieces art and others not. With that, answer the question: what are the elements principles present behind an artwork? Learn about It! The Elements of Art Space When we say space, it can vary depending on what art discipline it pertains to. In visual arts, this may pertain 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. Fig. 2.1. Positive vs. negative space In other forms of art like literature and music, space may pertain to pauses and interval between lines or notes. Line In visual arts, a line is a series of points. It may come in two characteristics: Form - curved, dotted, or broken Direction - vertical, horizontal, or diagonal 6  Fig. 2.2. Vertical curved lines vs. diagonal dotted lines Different types of lines may convey different meanings. For example, a horizontal line usually suggests calmness, as such is the case when viewing the horizon during sunset, vertical lines may convey loftiness, while diagonal lines may pertain dynamism. In other disciplines like theater, this may pertain to the lines in the script. While in dance, it is the routine of steps as executed by the dancer. Shape and Form Shape is formed by connecting both ends of a line. Shapes are two dimensional figures with height and width. There are also different kinds of shapes as described below. Geometric shapes are enclosed figures such as triangle, squares, and other structured figures Organic shapes are shapes found in nature. They do not have a structured form as they are usually free flowing. Examples of these are the shape of a leaf or a cloud. Abstract shapes are like organic shapes for they lack definition, but they are not necessarily found in nature. They are also asymmetrical and free flowing. Similar to lines, shapes may contribute to meaning making when used in an artwork. For example, a circle is usually associated with love, harmony, and infinity such as the case of an engagement ring. Triangles, when upright, are seen to suggest stability because of its solid base, while it suggests tension when upside down. Meanwhile, a square or a rectangle suggests familiarity and equality. 7  Fig. 2.3. Shapes vs. forms Forms are three dimensional; it has the same dimensions as a shape except with added volume. Unlike shapes, it has more depth and does not feel flat. 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 or darkness, coolness or warmth. Also, colors may convey different meanings dependent to cultures and traditions of a region. Value In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which pertains to its lightness or darkness. Fig. 2.4. Value pertains to the lightness or darkness of a color 8 In music, this may refer to the pitch. It is the highness or the lowness of the sound. Texture In visual arts, texture is the tactile or illusory surface of the piece. In music, texture is the mood or quality of the composition. Principles of Design The elements of art may be organized in a way that it can create a more compelling artwork. This organization of elements is called principles of design. Understanding the elements and how they may go together will be of great help in improving, not just your artistic skills, but also your capacity to understand art. Scale and Proportion Scale and proportion refer to the relationship of the elements, specifically its relative size of parts of a whole. For example, when drawing a human standing beside a house, it is important to ensure that the human is proportional to the house, which means ensuring that the size of the element suggests what they are - a human standing beside a house, as opposed to a human standing beside a doll house. Fig.2.5. The golden ratio is believed to be a universal principle of good structure and design. Harmony In general, you can say an art piece is in harmony when the different parts produce an overall 9 positive impact or effect. In visual arts, harmony is the unity of the artwork, specifically in reference to the arrangement of its parts, while in music, harmony refers to the simultaneous sounding or playing of different notes to produce a sound. 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. Movement Movement is a basic principle of nature and is associated with the environment. All living things, non-living things, and heavenly bodies move naturally. Movement serves as one of the fundamental principles in dance and theater. In visual arts, an artwork has movement when it incorporates the passage of time, even in an illusory manner. Fig.2.6. Movement in visual arts is when the piece suggests the passage of time. 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. In music, this refers to the even distribution of notes. Balance Balance refers to the even and equal distribution of elements. There are two types of balance 10 in visual arts: Informal balance, also called asymmetrical, is present when the designs are not equally distributed on both sides. Formal balance, also called symmetrical, is present when the weight of the designs is equally distributed. Emphasis and subordination Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given on a certain element. Subordination serves as the opposite of emphasis as it refers to how certain elements only serve as a supplement to the emphasized element in a design. 11  Check Your Understanding Recall 1. ________ refers to the lightness or darkness of color. 2. A form is different from shape because it has the added dimension of _______. 3. Informal balance is also called ________. 4. What type of line is usually associated with dynamism? Application 5. How can you say that a visual artwork has movement? 6. When do you say that an artwork has harmony? Synthesis 7. How can your knowledge of the elements and principles of art help you in appreciating art better? Lesson 3: Art Forms in the Philippines The Philippines is an archipelago with more than 7,000 islands. These islands are the home of people with different languages, beliefs, cultures, and distinct histories. The country’s diverse ethnolinguistic groups is testament to its rich culture and traditions. This diversity is observable in the country’s artworks. More than the geographic influences, art in the Philippines is also influenced by a rich history of its people. Think-Pair-Share Are you aware of any cultural practices or artistic productions such as festivals from your region? With a partner, discuss these practices and answer the question: What are the historical and cultural roots of the artistic practice? 12  Learn about It! Pre-Colonial Art Artistic production in the Philippines started even before the colonizers reached the Philippine islands. Art was often used by the people in their daily living. Our ancestors weaved fabrics for dresses, made weapons for battles, and chanted to bring good harvest. Unlike today, indigenous art are not classified strictly into disciplines. Art, for them, had social utility; indigenous people integrated art into their communal ceremonies. Planting and harvesting, weddings, funerals, and rites of passage are examples of communal ceremonies. Fig.3.1. The Manunggul Jars is a burial jar excavated in the Tabon Cave in Palawan. Rituals played a significant role in the everyday life of Filipino ancestors. The Kashawing ritual in lake Lanao, for example, acts as a prayer for abundance during harvesting season. It involves a reenactment of a legendary pact between ancestors and unseen spirits. A similar type of ritual for planting rice is performed by the Tagbanwas of Palawan. 13 Filipino ancestors harvest and hunt for a living. Their hunting experience also served as an inspiration to create drama, poetry, music, and dance by imitating the movements of an animal. This is considered a ritual to prepare for hunting. To accompany these rituals, the indigenous peoples also had their own musical instruments. An example of this is the agung ensemble. Musical instruments, when played, are usually complemented with dances that imitate the movements of animals. Higaonon and B’laan have banog-banog, and the Bagobos have the man-manok dances which imitate the movement of the birds. Meanwhile, courtship ritual in Ifugao is represented through the talip. Mostly, indigenous arts were inspired by animism. Indigenous peoples created statue and symbols for their beliefs. The Ifugaos carved the bulul which they depict as their granary god. Meanwhile, in the Southern Philippines, okir, a curvilinear decoration, is an evidence of Indian and Islamic influences. Spanish Colonial Art During the 16th century, upon the arrival of the Spaniards, indigenous art changed. Spanish colonization brought Catholicism and imposed their Western culture. This conversion caused the birth of the religious or Christian and folk arts. Towns or pueblos were created in a structure of plaza complex, with the church at the center of each towns. Churches and government offices were built, and the rise of Hispanic baroque structures were built across the Islands. With the rise of Catholicism, religious icons like the santos, retablos, and others became essential for religious rituals. Paintings also focused on visually representing the writings of the Bible, and therefore conveyed religious messages. Music, an essential part of worship, thus focused on liturgical music. Apart from worship music, the pasyon or pabasa, a narration of Christ’s passion portrayed during Lent season, were also observed in some places. There was also a massive emergence of secular music in Iloilo, Pampanga, Ilocos, and Bicol when the Spanish tradition of awit and korido became popularized. Spanish colonization also marks the rise of the kundiman and the balitao. This development in music also affected theatre arts, and soon the sarsuwela, senakulo, and the komedya were born in the Philippines. During then, Filipinos became enlightened of the continuous abuse by the colonial 14 government and the friars. This resulted in a rebellion. Thus, revolutionary and subversive themes became prominent. A popular example of such artwork is Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Dr. Jose Rizal. American and Japanese Colonial Art Americans introduced the public education system in the Philippines. Their schools, however, required students to learn English. This brought forth Philippine Literature in English. Initially, these pieces are characterized by a poor use of language as the Filipinos only mimicked their American teachers. Soon, in 1925, Paz Marquez Benitez published the short story Dead Stars, marking the birth of modern Philippine Literature in English. The Americans also popularized secularism, as evidenced by popular art forms of the century such as the vaudeville or bodabil in theatre. School of Fine Arts, alongside the establishment of the University of the Philippines (UP), was also founded thus giving birth to Filipino artists educated in the Western ways. For example, Fernardo Amorsolo, known for his craftsmanship in the use of light, was educated in UP’s School of Fine Arts and is highly influenced by Western artists. When the Japanese briefly occupied the Philippines during the 1940s, nationalism became more pronounced. This is the effect of the war and repression on the Filipino people. Contemporary Arts in the Philippines When the late former president Ferdinand Marcos started his administration, the birth of Contemporary Arts in the Philippines began. Culture and the arts were given focused in his vision of the “New Society.” Cultural Center of the Philippines was then established and urban planning and architecture were given more focused. However, the declaration of Martial Law (1972 - 1981) gave birth to dictatorship and numerous human rights violations. With that emerged social realism. Underground cultural circles and writers hiding in pen names were popular as censorship was popular during that time. Literary arts, visual arts, and performing arts were used to express dissent. An example of this is the poem Prometheus Unbound written by Jose Lacaba under the pen name Ruben Cuevas. The piece is an acrostic, which means the first letter of each line form a message. The acrostic revealed a strong sentiment against the administration and became a popular slogan against the regime as the piece was 15 published, the editor unaware of its hidden message, was published in Focus Magazine. When Martial Law was lifted and the Marcos regime ended, democracy was reintroduced to the Filipino people. This new found freedom paved the way for a more diverse and more expressive Filipino artists. No longer did the Filipinos exclusively made art for or against the government; now, art is a tool mainly used for self-expression. With the rapid rise of technology and the popularity of social media, Filipinos find more platforms and ways to express themselves, thereby continuously changing the art scene. Contemporary art is distinct because of how it blurs the lines across artistic disciplines, and how it integrates various elements and principles. Check Your Understanding Recall 1. _____ is the narration of Christ’s passion portrayed during Lent season. 2. ______ is a curvilinear decoration influenced by Islam and Indian culture and popular in the Southern Philippines. 3. What piece, written by Paz Marquez Benitez, marks the maturity of the Philippine literature in English genre? 4. What is the real name of Ruben Cuevas? Application 5. How did the lifting of Martial Law affect Philippine Contemporary arts? 6. How did the implementation of the public school system by the US affect Philippine literature? 7. What makes contemporary Philippine arts distinct from other artworks in other periods of time? Synthesis 8. What is the importance of understanding the history of Filipino art in understanding contemporary art? 16  Let’s Create! Gather everyday objects from your homes and bring them to class. In groups of five, create an art piece that mainly uses the gathered objects. The artwork must depict contemporary Filipino culture. Remember to integrate various practices, elements, and principles of art as discussed in the previous lessons. Once you are done with the piece, have a show-and-tell with your classmates and discuss what makes your piece distinctly of your generation and uniquely Filipino. The following rubrics will be used to evaluate your work: 4 3 2 1 Traits: 100-75 75-50 50-25 25-0 The production The production The production’s The production Novelty and features novel features slightly idea is features generic Originality ideas and can novel ideas and interesting, but and overused easily be set is recognizable not necessarily ideas and is not apart among a among a body of new and is at all body of artworks. barely distinct recognizable artworks. among a body of among a body of artworks. artworks. Effort and rigor The production The production The production The production 17  evidently went went through went through went through through rigorous planning but poor planning poor planning, if planning and a with slight need with at all, with little strong of improvement. collaboration to no collaboration Collaboration among collaboration process. among members barely among members is evident. members mostly evident. involved. Cultural The production The production The production The production relevance is easily can be can barely be is disconnected associated with associated with associated with from Filipino Filipino Filipino Filipino contemporary contemporary contemporary contemporary culture and culture due to culture. culture due to barely any evident and Integration of unsuccessful integration is successful elements is attempts at seen. integration of evident. integration. elements. Check and Reflect I think I need more I have a minimal I am confident that I Skills understanding of it. can do this with ease. time and assistance. I can identify various art forms I can assess an artwork based on its use of elements and principles I can draw connections between historical and cultural 18 events and various artworks. Reflect I find __________________________ the most interesting because ______________________. I got ____ checks because _______________________________________________________. I need to improve on _______________________because _____________________________. I need to practice _________________________ because _____________________________. I plan to _____________________________________________________________________. Wrap Up 19  Answers to Check Your Understanding Lesson 1: Integrative Art as Applied to Philippine Arts 1. Techne 2. Prose Lesson 2: The Elements and Principles of Art 1. Value 2. Volume 3. Asymmetrical 4. Diagonal Lesson 3: Art Forms in Various Regions 5. Passion o Pabasa 6. Okir 7. Dead Stars 8. Jose Lacaba Bibliography Cousins, Carrie. "The (Sometimes Hidden) Meaning of Shapes." Design Shack. May 12, 2015. Accessed February 01, 2018. https://designshack.net/articles/layouts/the-sometimes-hidden-meaning-of-shapes/. Datuin, Flaudette May, Roberto Paulino, Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez and Louise Marcelino. Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. Manila: Rex Book Store, 2016 Haley Drucker. "The Five Main Genres of Literature." Bright Hub Education. May 27, 2014. Accessed February 01 , 2018. http://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-help-literature/100292-the-five-main-genres- of-literature/. Lyn Yusi. "The Development of Art Galleries in the Philippines." National Commission for 20 Culture and the Arts. April 16, 2015. Accessed February 1, 2018. http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-heritagesch/art-galleries/the- development-of-art-galleries-in-the-philippines/. Perez, Angelita Perez. Philippine Contemporary Arts: Expressions and Experimentations. Quezon City: Brilliant Creations Publishing Inc., 2016 Sayseng, Ayesha. Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. Pasay: JFS Publishing Services, 2016 Glossary Martial Law - Known as Proclamation No. 1081, Martial Law in the Philippines as an imposition of military rule declared by former president Ferdinand Marcos in 1972. Martial Law in the Philippines was lifted on January 1981. Social Realism - an art movement focusing on the plights of the working class and the poor. Secularism- a principle that is for the separation of the government and any religious institution. 21