Local Materials, Dance, Drama and Theatre Arts Notes

Local Materials Used in Creating Art

• Local materials are used in Dance, Drama, and Theatre Arts.

Objectives:

• Discuss the importance of the choice of local art materials.
• Cite the different local art materials coming from the different localities and regions of the country.
• Infer from the choice of local art materials the creation of a purposeful artwork.

Local and Indigenous Art Materials

• Indigenous art materials are natural or inherent from the place or locality; they have been there from the start.
• All indigenous art materials are local materials, but not all local art materials are indigenous.
• Local art materials can be a mix of indigenous and introduced materials.

Kinds of Local Art Materials

1. Abaca

   • Also called Manila hemp, extracted from the leaf sheath around the trunk of the abaca plant.
   • Scientifically known as $Musa textilis$, related to the banana plant.
   • Initially used for rope, now found in the arts.
   • Found in plantations in the Bicol Region and different regions of Mindanao.

2. Coconut Shells (Bao)

   • Used for wood carving, improvised cooking utensils, and other uses.
   • Laminated coconut shells are considered almost the same in quality and appearance as turquoise shells or ivory.
   • Coconut palm trees, scientifically known as $Cocos nucifera$, are planted throughout the country.
   • Shells are byproducts of coconut fruit processing.

3. Bamboo (Kawayan)

   • Mistakenly identified as a tree, but actually a kind of grass.
   • Classified scientifically as a plant of the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae.
   • Found almost throughout the archipelago.
   • The bamboo stem has plenty of uses, including creating art.

4. Capiz Shells (Kapis)

   • Come from the windowpane oyster, a bivalve marine mollusk in the family of Placunidae.
   • Abundant in the Philippines, commonly found along coastal waters.
   • Cleaned and processed capiz shells are used for various artistic applications like windows, lanterns, and walling.

5. Rattan

   • A naturally renewable palm belonging to the subfamily Calamoideae of climbing palms.
   • Widely used as furniture, handicrafts, and building material.
   • Grown in plantations in Western Visayas and Mindanao.

6. Small or Cowrie Shells (Sigay)

   • Scientifically named $Cypraea chinensi$, measure about 2 centimeters each.
   • Often used in shell jewelry and shell craft work.
   • Popular for their vibrant color.
   • Found on sandy seafloor around the Philippine islands.

7. Junk

   • Old or discarded articles, considered useless or of little value, but essential for creating junk art.
   • Discarded materials stored or hidden away inside homes or thrown in garbage bins are usually made up of plastic, wood, and metal.

8. Dried Leaves

   • Falling off from branches of trees and plants are inexhaustible.
   • Ranging from pale yellow to dark brown, dried leaves are plentiful throughout the year.
   • Dried leaves art is already considered a craft of its own.
   • Palm, pandanus, or sea grass leaves are used to create artistic mats or banig.

9. Plant Seeds

   • Can be acquired from farms and rural areas, or bought commercially (corn, sorghum, mung beans, sunflower, etc.).
   • Seed art can be found in certain localities.
   • Distinct for their creative and colorful designs.

10. Rocks and Sand

    • Of various types are abundant.
    • They vary in size and color, allowing for varied art forms.

Classification of Local Art Materials

• Traditional: Usually bought from department stores and bookstores (crayons, oil pastel, watercolor, colored pencils, etc.).
• Non-Traditional: Materials not usually used in creating art (coffee, plastic bottles, recyclable materials similar to those used in junk art).

DANCE

• Dance is a form of artistic expression that involves purposeful movement of the body, often set to music or rhythm.
• It is used to communicate emotions, stories, ideas, or cultural traditions.

Elements of Dance

• Remembered through the acronym B.E.S.T.R. (Body, Energy, Space, Time, Relationship)

1. Body

   • Refers to the physical instrument of the dancer—the human body—and how it is used in movement.
   • Body parts: arms, legs, head, torso, etc.
   • Body shapes: straight, curved, twisted, angular
   • Body actions: bending, stretching, jumping, twisting, etc.

2. Energy

   • Refers to the force, flow, or intensity of movement. It affects how the movement is executed.
   • Qualities of energy: Sharp vs. Smooth; Tense vs. Relaxed; Explosive vs. Sustained
   • Types of energy: Percussive, Vibratory, Swinging, Suspended, Collapsing

3. Space

   • This is about how the dancer moves in and interacts with the physical space.
   • Direction: forward, backward, sideways, diagonal
   • Level: high, medium, low
   • Pathways: curved, straight, zigzag
   • Size: big movements vs. small movements
   • Focus: where the dancer looks or directs their attention

4. Time

   • Time refers to rhythm, speed, and duration of movement.
   • Tempo: fast or slow
   • Rhythm: repeated patterns or beats
   • Timing: synchronized (with music or with other dancers)
   • Duration: how long a movement lasts

5. Relationship

   • This element involves the connection between dancers, or between dancer and props/environment.
   • Dancer to dancer: mirroring, unison, opposition
   • Dancer to object or prop: interacting, using, or responding
   • Group dynamics: solos, duets, groups
   • Spatial relationships: close, far, above, below, etc.

Characteristics of Dance

• Movement – The primary element; includes gestures, steps, and body motions.
• Expression – Dance conveys emotions or tells a story through physical action.
• Rhythm and Music – Often performed to music, but not always; rhythm helps guide the movement.
• Creativity and Style – Dance can be improvised or choreographed, and styles vary widely across cultures and genres.
• Cultural Significance – Many dances reflect the beliefs, traditions, and history of a community or people.

Dance Forms

• Traditional/Folk Dance – e.g., Tinikling, Singkil (Philippines)
• Contemporary Dance – Modern, expressive movements
• Hip Hop / Street Dance – Urban, freestyle-based
• Ballet – Classical, graceful movements
• Ballroom Dance – Partner dances like waltz, tango

Dramatic and Theatre Arts

• Dramatic and Theatre Arts is the art of storytelling through live performance, using dialogue, movement, sound, visual elements, and the human body to portray characters and events.
• It includes plays, musicals, monologues, and other stage performances.

Characteristics of Dramatic and Theatre Arts

1. Live Performance

   • Performed in real-time in front of an audience
   • Creates an immediate connection between actors and viewer

2. Use of Dialogue and Action

   • Characters express their thoughts and emotions through speech and movement

3. Script or Storyline

   • Based on written or improvised scripts; includes plot, characters, setting, and theme

4. Collaboration

   • Involves actors, directors, writers, designers, and stage crew working together

5. Use of Theatrical Elements

   • Lighting, costumes, set design, sound, and props are used to enhance storytelling

6. Reflection of Society

   • Explores social, political, historical, and personal themes
   • Often challenges norms or inspires change

Types of Theatre

1. Traditional Theatre

   • Based on cultural rituals and folk performances
   • Examples: Senakulo, Komedyante, Moro-Moro

2. Modern or Contemporary Theatre

   • Focuses on current themes using innovative techniques
   • Often experimental or symbolic

3. Musical Theatre

   • Combines songs, spoken dialogue, and dance
   • Example: Rak of Aegis

4. Street or Community Theatre

   • Performed in public spaces with minimal props or stage
   • Usually advocates social or political issues

5. Children’s Theatre

   • Designed to educate and entertain young audiences

6. Improvisational Theatre

   • Performances are created spontaneously without a fixed script

Forms of Dramatic and Theatre Arts

1. Drama - Serious narrative that explores real-life situations.
2. Comedy - Light-hearted, humorous play with a happy ending
3. Tragedy - Story with serious themes and a tragic ending
4. Melodrama - Exaggerated emotions and moral polarization (good vs. evil)
5. Farce - Over-the-top comedy with absurd situations
6. Musical - Integrates songs, music, and dance with a storyline
7. Monologue/Solo Act - A single character speaks alone to express thoughts or tell a story
8. Pantomime - Acting without words; uses gestures and expressions