Elements of Performing Arts in Philippine Contemporary Art

Philippine Contemporary Art in the Regions

Introduction to Elements of Performing Arts

• This module focuses on performing arts and aims to enhance art appreciation.

• Students will learn to classify various art forms in the Philippines and evaluate contemporary performing arts based on learned elements.

Music

• Definition: Music is the art of arranging sounds rhythmically and combining them to produce melodies and harmonies. It is both a creative and performing art.

• Forms of Music: Common forms include song, march, fugue, sonata, suite, fantasy, concerto, and symphony.

• Importance: Music plays a crucial role in human civilization. It is a primary means of expressing societal ideas and emotions.

• Development in Children:

  • Sound is the first input received at birth. A child learns to associate sounds with experiences (e.g., recognizing a mother's voice).

  • Music ranks as a significant category of sound after parental voices, influencing societies' expression of feelings.

Elements of Music

• Melody:

  • The element that appeals most directly to listeners.

  • Defined as an orderly succession of pitches and durations.

• Pitch:

  • Refers to the highness or lowness of a sound.

  • Faster vibrations result in higher pitches; slower vibrations yield lower pitches.

• Tonality:

  • The key or tonal center in music where one pitch is emphasized over others, providing a focal point in melodies.

• Duration:

  • Refers to the timeframe a note is held, which is fundamental to the formation of rhythm.

• Tempo:

  • Italian term meaning “time”, referring to the speed of beats in a measure.

  • Music can vary in speed—fast, moderate, or slow.

• Harmony:

  • The simultaneous sounding of two or more tones, creating a rich sound texture.

Dance

• Definition: Dance consists of rhythmic movement, usually accompanied by music, serving to express ideas, emotions, or simply for enjoyment.

• Artistic Qualities: To be considered art, dance must possess:

  • A powerful impulse for expression.

  • Channeling of this impulse into skillfully choreographed movements.

Elements of Dance

• Theme:

  • The content or central message conveyed by the dance.

• Design:

  • Organized patterns of movement in time and space, integrating rhythm and visual presentation.

• Movement:

  • Actions performed by dancers using their bodies, categorized into steps, arm gestures, and facial expressions.

• Technique:

  • The skill level in movement execution; a technically proficient dancer showcases control and precision.

• Music:

  • Typically melodic and harmonious, serving as an accompaniment to motivate dancers' movements.

• Costume and Properties:

  • Visual elements that enhance the performance, reflecting cultural customs and historical context.

• Choreography:

  • Organized dance sequences essential for coherent and engaging performances.

• Scenery:

  • Sets the background for the dance, crucial for creating realism and enhancing the aesthetic.

Theater or Drama

• Definition: Theater encompasses the art of producing plays, while drama refers to the script that narrates a story through action and dialogue.

Basic Elements of Drama

• Thought/Theme/Ideas:

  • The underlying meaning of the play, which may be evident or require deeper reflection to uncover.

• Action/Plot:

  • The sequence of events, including compounding complications, rising action, climax, and resolution.

• Characters:

  • Individuals in the play contributing to plot development, each defined by distinct personalities and backgrounds.

• Language:

  • Dialogue that propels the plot and distinguishes characters, shaped by the playwright's unique style.

• Music:

  • Although not present in all plays, music can enhance the narrative and emotional connection of the audience.

• Spectacle:

  • All visual aspects of the performance including scenery, costumes, and any special effects that enhance engagement.

Cinema

• Definition: Cinema involves capturing events as moving images and presenting them as films, governed by dramatic structures but distinct in performance medium.

Elements of Cinema

• Actors:

  • Individuals portraying characters, invoking emotional engagement from the audience.

• Director:

  • Key figure in filmmaking, orchestrating actor performances, spatial movements, and camera techniques.

• Script:

  • The foundational narrative that guides the film’s production.

• Sound and Voice:

  • Initially absent in cinema, sound and voice now play crucial roles in storytelling and audience connection.

• Cinematography:

  • Art of motion images that gives depth and perspective to the film.

• Camera Shots:

  • Essential for expressing viewpoints and artistic commentary through positioning and movement.

• Redeeming Value:

  • Beyond aesthetics, art aims to improve humanity, suggesting all art must offer moral inspiration to avoid failure.

• Music:

  • Enhances emotional resonance within the film, serving as a powerful tool for audience engagement and memory.