Traditional, Modern, and Contemporary Arts Study Notes

TRADITIONAL, MODERN, AND CONTEMPORARY ARTS

TRADITIONAL ARTS

  • Origin: Traditional arts began during Pre-colonial times, passed down through generations.

  • Learning Method: Typically learned informally, originating in indigenous communities, reflecting their unique history and culture.

  • Common Theme: The prevalent theme is animism, depicting gods and goddesses through artistic expression.

    • Examples of This Theme:

      • Ifugao's Bulul: A representation of rice spirits.

  • Composition: Rich in songs and dances that maintain their original sound, words, and choreography throughout the years.

MODERN ARTS

  • Timeframe: Encompasses works produced from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (1880-1960s).

  • Theme: Focuses on expressions of individuality primarily through canvas art.

CONTEMPORARY ARTS

  • Timeline: Covers art produced from the 1960s to the present.

  • Focus: Concentrates on social impact, emphasizing society's role and reflecting the artist's personal feelings, thoughts, and messages toward an audience.

  • Mediums: Embraces a broad spectrum of mediums including:

    • Object design

    • Technology-enabled artwork

    • Graphic arts

  • Characteristics:

    • Not confined by rules or standards.

    • Conceptual, innovative, expressive, and experimental.

INTERACTION OF TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY ARTS

  • Mutual Acceptance: Acknowledge each other's freedom of expression, practices, and principles, leading to a harmonious coexistence.

PHILIPPINE ART PERIOD TIMELINE

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (6185 BC - 1520 AD)

  • Age Characteristics: Consists of horticulture, neolithic, metal, and iron ages.

  • Indigenous Art: Focuses on ancestral heritage, significance of communal rituals for events like planting, harvesting, rites of passage, weddings, and funerals.

  • Common Art Forms: Pottery, weaving, tattooing, jewelry, carving, and metal crafts.

SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1521-1898)

  • Art Characteristics: Art began conforming to the church and state at this time.

  • Introduction of:

    • Formal painting

    • Sculpture

    • Architecture influenced by Byzantine, Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo styles.

  • Plaza Complex: Established as town centers encompassing local government offices.

AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1898-1946)

  • Shift in Identity: Filipino artists searched for their identities; education and values were influenced along with fine arts, illustration, advertising, and commercial design.

  • Painting Themes: Focuses on landscapes, still life, and formal portraits for officials.

ART STYLES

  • Rococo:

    • Origin: Derived from the French word "rocaille" (rock work based on sea shell forms).

    • Style: Characterized by whimsical, curvy, and elaborately decorative features.

  • Gothic:

    • Features: Distinguished by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

  • Byzantine:

    • Focus: Heavy emphasis on Christian religious expression.

  • Baroque:

    • Style: Exaggerated motion and detail designed to convey clarity.

POST-MODERN ART (1970-1980s)

  • Influences: Post-war art saw a surge in Philippine Modern Art and the establishment of the Art Association of the Philippines leaning toward modernism.

  • Cultural Centers: Establishment and support for arts leading to venues like the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

  • Dominant Themes: Artistic works articulated social realism reflecting the political and social landscape of the Philippines.

    • Quote from Roy Lichtenstein: "Pop Art looks out into the world. It doesn't look like a painting of something, it looks like the thing itself."

AVANT-GARDE ART

  • Definition: A French-origin term meaning 'vanguard,' it represents artists, groups, or styles ahead of most in technique or subject matter.

  • Characteristics of Being Avant-Garde:

    • Exploration of innovative artistic methods.

    • Emphasis on design and uniqueness in artworks.

POPULAR ART STYLES DURING COLONIAL AMERICAN PERIOD

  • Art Nouveau:

    • Characteristics: Represents the machine age and liberal outlook using stylized forms, linear motifs, and geometrical patterns.

  • Art Deco:

    • Characteristics: Long, sinuous, organic lines based on natural forms.

PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ART (1980s - Present)

  • Influence of Technology: The rise of personal computers introduced new mediums and revitalized old styles, steering art appreciation in new directions.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS

  • Reflection: Contemporary art mirrors society and issues relevant to current times.

  • Definition: Not restricted by distinct features but defined by innovative expressions that represent modern masterpieces.

  • Global Context: Created within a culturally diverse, technologically advancing environment.

  • Dynamic Elements:

    • Combination of materials, methods, and concepts challenging traditional definitions.

    • Reflects current culture, offering resources for contemporary discussions.

KEY ELEMENTS IN CONTEMPORARY ART

  1. Innovation in Art:

    • Pioneering new forms and combined art types.

  2. New Materials:

    • Incorporation of non-traditional, waste-like materials in artwork.

  3. Use of Color:

    • Exploration of color textures stepping away from convention.

  4. New Techniques:

    • Usage of collage, kinetic art, and various photography forms.

    • Examples: Junk art and assemblage.

  • Expressionism:

    • Dominantly vibrant color use for innovative artworks.

NEWEST TECHNIQUES AND ART TYPES

  • Minimalism:

    • Focused on reducing unnecessary elements, emphasizing essentials.

  • Found Objects:

    • Repurposing perceived ‘junk’ for new unique artistic expressions.

    • Example: Assemblage art.

  • Large-Scale Art:

    • Huge creations intended for expressing diverse perspectives (e.g., land art).

TECHNIQUES INVOLVING AUTOMATIC ART

  • Automatic Drawing:

    • Creation without conscious thought, tapping into the unconscious mind.

  • Decalcomania:

    • Technique of pressing paint between two surfaces.

  • Frottage:

    • Rubbing textures to produce patterns and images.

    • Grattage:

      • Scratching surface textures for experiments.

POSTMODERNISM (1980s - 2010)

  • Rejection of Modernism: Artists sought to explore existing art for new combinations rather than creating entirely new works.

  • Result: Emergence of integrative arts across regions.

FEATURES OF THE POSTMODERNISM PERIOD

  • Pastiche:

    • Art that mimics different artist styles or periods, paying homage through recombination of existing works.

  • Bricolage:

    • Construction from repurposed objects transformed into a new artistic entity.

  • Appropriation or Borrowing:

    • Use of existing images with minimal transformation to recontextualize and renegotiate meaning.

  • Installation Art:

    • Large mixed-media structures designed for specific placements or temporary displays.

CLASSIFICATION OF ART FORMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

  • Integration of various arts creating a cooperative artistic landscape. Examples include:

    • Choreography: Arrangement of dance movements synced with music.

    • Musical Instruments: Artifacts designed to produce sound with distinct designs.

    • Literary Compositions: Literature meant for performance or delivery.

    • Visual Design: Artistic layouts on various platforms such as textiles.

    • Theatrical Performance: Execution of artistic production including drama and festivals.

    • Cinema: Youngest art form manifested in the early 1900s in Manila.

INTEGRATIVE ART IN PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ART

  • Explanation: Collaborative and community-focused art fostering camaraderie and local pride.

ROLE OF NATIONAL ARTIST

  • Definition: A highly recognized Filipino who contributes significantly to the development of Philippine arts, with the rank conferred through Presidential Proclamation.

  • Administration: Managed jointly with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

  • Purpose: To embody and celebrate a national identity within arts and literature.

CREATION OF THE ORDER OF NATIONAL ARTISTS

  • Established by Presidential Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972, recognizing exceptional contributions to Philippine arts.

CRITERIA FOR THE ORDER OF NATIONAL ARTISTS

  1. Eligibility: Living artists or those deceased but recognized during their lifetime.

  2. Impact: Contribution to building a Filipino sense of nationhood through work content and form.

  3. Innovation: Pioneering expressions or styles earning distinction.

  4. Quality: Producing significant body of work representing excellence.

  5. Recognition: Achieving critical acclaim and respect within the artistic community.

INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF NATIONAL ARTIST

  • Description: A grand Collar featuring links portraying the arts, topped with an eight-pointed sunburst and stylized letters ‘KKK’ representing the motto promoting truth, goodness, and beauty.

HONORS AND PRIVILEGES FOR NATIONAL ARTISTS

  1. Rank and title conferred by the Philippines' President.

  2. Insignia of a National Artist and citation.

  3. Lifetime benefits equivalent to high governmental positions.

SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR NATIONAL ARTIST

  • Candidates can be nominated across multiple artistic categories, including but not limited to dance, music, visual arts, literature, theater, cinema, and architecture.

  • Nominations originate from government, educational, and non-governmental bodies, requiring comprehensive documentation that outlines the artist's qualifications and accomplishments.

GAMABA (Gawad Sa Manlilikha Ng Bayan)

  • Known as “National Living Treasures Award.” Honors individuals or groups preserving and promoting traditional folk arts.

  • Purpose: Support and recognize contributions to traditional arts and passages of skills to future generations, guided by Republic Act No. 7355.

EMBLEM OF GAMABA

  • Representation of traditional fabric and the phrase "Manlilikha ng Bayan" inscribed in Baybayin.

GAMABA CRITERIA

  1. Must be a Filipino citizen from an indigenous cultural community engaged in traditional arts.

  2. Active engagement in traditional crafts for a documented period (minimum 50 years).

  3. Unique and high-quality artistic contributions.

  4. Mastery of necessary tools and materials relevant to the craft.

  5. Commitment to teaching and preserving traditional crafts.

SELECTION PROCESS FOR GAMABA

  • Managed by a committee representative of key cultural institutions, involving expert reviewers to assess nominations based on laid down criteria.

WORLD-CLASS PHILIPPINE ARTISTS

  • Recognition of Philippine artists on the global stage.

    • El Gamma Penumbra: A shadow play group winning Asia's Got Talent in 2015.

    • Philippine Pavilion: Participated again in the Venice Biennale showcasing contemporary art representation since 1895. Curated by Patrick Flores.

    • Recognition of artists like Cecil Licad, Lea Salonga, and Lisa Macuja- Elizalde for excellence in their fields.

    • Contributions bought to the field evidenced through international awards, performances, and outreach programs, reinforcing the pursuit of artistic excellence.