Comprehensive Guide to Philippine Visual and Contemporary Arts

Introduction to Visual Arts

• Visual Arts is a collective term used to describe a wide array of artistic disciplines that are appreciated primarily through sight.

• Two-Dimensional (2D) Art: Refers to any artwork depicted on a flat surface. Examples include:

  • Paintings

  • Drawings/Sketches

  • Photographs

  • Prints

  • Mixed media

  • Graphic arts

• Three-Dimensional (3D) Art: Refers to artwork that possesses volume and mass. Examples include:

  • Sculpture

  • Architecture

  • Jewelry

  • Furniture

  • Monuments

  • Art installations/Installation art

  • Assemblage

  • Fashion design

Fine Arts

• Definition: A Western category of refined objects considered to be among the supreme cultural achievements of human civilization. These are created primarily for their appearance rather than practical use.

• Historical Influence: Early and mid-nineteenth century Western industrialized nations were heavily influenced by Greek, Roman, and Italian Renaissance art.

• Examples: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts, Calligraphy, Graffiti, Architecture, and Photography.

Painting

• Definition: A 2-D form of art showcasing artistic expressions on a flat surface (canvas, paper, wood, cardboard, etc.).

• Technique: Applying pigments using tools like brushes, palette knives, sprays, or fingers.

• Materials: Common paints include acrylic, oil, watercolor, tempera, enamel, and latex. Resourceful artists use alternative pigments like coffee grounds.

• Historical Context: The academic tradition of painting in the Philippines was largely influenced by the West following Spanish colonization. Early Philippine paintings were primarily religious.

Sculpture

• Definition: The art of making three-dimensional forms.

• Three Basic Methods:

  1. Modelling: Addition of material (e.g., clay).

  2. Subtraction: Carving hard materials (e.g., stone or wood).

  3. Construction: Assembling parts through adhesion or welding.

• Woodcarving Nodes: Notable centers for native woodcarving artisans are Betis, Pampanga, and Paete, Laguna. These artisans have carved icons, altars, retablos, and carozas for churches since the Spanish colonial period. Other areas include Coron, Palawan, and the Cordilleras.

Photography

• Definition: The technique of capturing optical images on light-sensitive surfaces using a camera. It involves framing, composition, and lighting.

• Classifications:

  • Fine arts photography

  • Photojournalism

  • Commercial photography

Architecture

• Definition: An imaginative and creative blend of science and art in designing environments for people, born from the human need for shelter.

• Allied Arts:

  • Interior Design: Design and coordination of decorative elements (finishes, furniture, fixtures) to achieve planned function and character.

  • Landscape Architecture: The art of composing landform, vegetation, water, and buildings to create outdoor environments like gardens and parks. Ildefonso P. Santos Jr. is hailed as the Father of Modern Philippine Landscape Architecture.

  • Urban Design: Designing towns, cities, streets, and spaces; establishing frameworks for inclusive development.

• Architectural Styles:

  • Neovernacular Architecture: Reinterprets indigenous, folk, or tribal architecture using a mix of modern and processed indigenous materials. Example: Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa's work, including the Coconut Palace and the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA).

  • Green Architecture: Aims for low environmental impact using technologies and natural materials. Example: Iloilo City Building.

Decorative Arts

• Definition: Stems from traditional indigenous crafts; used as functional items in community life as well as for aesthetic purposes.

• Examples: Pottery, carving, weaving, textile art, glassware, jewelry, furniture, metal craft, interior design, and paper craft.

Pottery

• Background: The oldest art form because the medium (earth/clay) is abundant.

• Process: Clay from dry soil is pulverized to remove lumps/stones; water is added slowly; it is kneaded for even moisture and smooth consistency.

Weaving

• Definition: Producing a surface or object by entwining a longitudinal strand (warp) with a horizontal strand (weft).

• Traditional Forms (No-loom): Palaspas (palm leaf weaving), basketry, and banig (mats).

• Loom Weaving (Textile): The finest form of weaving requiring an interweaving machine.

Textile Art

• Back Strap Weaving: Existed since Neolithic times. Known as insibet or impaod among the Cordillerans (Ifugao, Bontoc, Ilianun, and Itneg).

• Specific Patterns and Fabrics:

  • Ikat: A dye-resist process done on threads prior to weaving. The T'boli use it for t'nalak fabric.

  • Abel: Made from cotton and dyed with the sap of the sagut plant. Techniques include kinurkuros (plaid), pinilian (sorted), and sinan-bulong (palm leaf).

  • Inaul: Maguindanaon textile woven from abaca, cotton, or silk; used for tubular skirts called malong.

  • Piña and Jusi: Used by the bordadoras of barong. Piña is a translucent fabric from pineapple fibers mixed with silk (notably in Aklan). Jusi was originally from abaca, banana, and silk, later mixed with synthetic fibers. Taal, Batangas was a premier source of embroidered jusi until the $1980s$ when cheaper Chinese imports arrived.

Paper Craft

• Papier-mâché: Pulp or sheets of paper glued and molded while moist. In Paete, Laguna, it is called Taka, a traditional women's craft that reuses old newspapers.

Contemporary Art: Defining the Field

• Definition: Art created now; often encompasses new technologies, experimentation with new media, and novel methodologies.

• Chronological View: Art that is new or pertains to the present era; art produced in our lifetime.

• Historical Usage: Regarded as a specific stage in art evolution.

  • Post-1945: Marked by the end of WWII and the shift of political/cultural power from Europe to the US.

  • Post-1960s: The emergence of a generation overturning Modernist practices.

Contexts of Art

• Primary Context: Artist's personal factors (intention, biography, beliefs).

• Secondary Context: External conditions (society, politics, economy, religion).

Fundamental Components

• Form: Physical construction perceived by senses (line, shape, color, texture, mass, and composition).

• Language: The medium for communicating cultural and non-verbal meanings.

• Interpretation: Connecting visual elements with feelings to find meaning.

• Mode of Production: How artwork is created, funded, and distributed.

• Political Economy: Power dynamics, state support, and cultural heritage.

Art During the Martial Law Period ($1970s$)

• Environment: Under Ferdinand Marcos, there was strict state censorship over media and arts, alongside a heavily Western-oriented training system.

• Social Realism: An art movement born to oppose the regime and expose harsh conditions (poverty, labor issues, human rights abuses).

• Protest Mediums:

  • Visual Arts: Painters like Antipas Delotavo (Itak sa puso ni Mang Juan) and Pablo Baens Santos showcased worker struggles.

  • Theatre: The most viable medium for protest due to its live, engaging quality; used folk forms to critique social concerns.

  • Film: Directors like Lino Brocka (Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag) and Ishmael Bernal used cinema to expose fascist rule.

Regional Contemporary Philippine Visual Arts

National Capital Region (NCR)

• Neo-realism: Legacy of Victorio Edades; influenced by Western cubism; broke subjects into geometric structures to render Philippine daily life.

• Photorealism/Hyperrealism: Meticulously realistic style that resembles a photograph.

• Social Realism: Defined by Alice G. Guillermo; activist-artists (e.g., Orlando Castillo, Papo de Asis, Neil Doloricon) fighting "US imperialism."

• Abstract Art: Can be pure beauty or symbolic/metaphorical.

• Conceptual Art: Roberto Chabet (1937–2013) is the Father of Philippine Conceptual Art; emphasized that "art is all about the idea."

Luzon

• Binakul: Ilocano twill weave with abstract patterns creating optical illusions; found in Abra (Tinguian/Itneg) and Vigan.

• Bulul: Cordilleran figures representing ancestors who guard rice agriculture and health; made of ipil wood or stone.

• Angono and Paete Connection: Towns linked by boats across Laguna de Bay; known for escapist bucolic life and the Botong school of painting (following Botong Francisco).

Visayas

• Panay Islands: The NCCA established $22$ schools of living traditions in balay-turun-an. Key forms: Suguidanon (epic chanting), panubok (embroidery), and binanog (courtship dance).

• Patadyong: Traditional plaid textile from Antique, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

• Black Artists of Asia: Bacolod-based group founded by Norberto Roldan, Nunelucio Alvarado, Charlie Co, and Dennis Ascalon.

• Rock Drilon: Iloilo-born painter known for abstract expressionism.

• Samar: Mat weaving in Basey featuring floral (hibiscus, sampaguita) and leaf motifs.

• Bohol: Hermogena "Nene" Lugay pioneered studio arts (e.g., Ode in Pink for Gardy).

Mindanao

• Living Traditions: Elders teach malong weaving, bead accessories, and instrument making.

• Talaandig Artists: Based in Bukidnon (Kalatungan and Kitanglad); use earth pigments instead of synthetic paint to advocate for tradition and peace.

• Ukkil (or Okir): The distinct traditional curvilinear motif of Mindanao; represents the mythical dragon (naga) or serpent with leaf/vine patterns; found on house beams (panolong), chests, and swords.

Pre-Test and Identification Guide

• Oblation: Sculpture identified in exercises.

• Patadyong: Plaid textile from Visayas.

• Malong: Tubular skirt used in Mindanao.

• Taka: Paper-mâché from Paete.

• Chabet Artwork: Apple Painting Lesson ($1982$), Mixed Media on Canvas ($34.3 \times 25.4\,\text{cm}$ each set of $45$).

• Scoring Thresholds:

  • 6–7: Maestro!

  • 4–5: Great work!

  • 2–3: Fret not!