Notes on Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Region

Core Subject

  • The subject covers various contemporary arts practices and aims to provide students with an appreciation of a broad range of styles across disciplines.

  • Focus on elements and principles of art and an integrative approach in studying arts.

  • Outcome: broaden and acquire creative tools that open opportunities for students’ individual career goals and aspirations.

Most Essential Learning (Overview)

  • Duration describes various contemporary art forms and practices from the various regions.

  • Week 1: discuss various art forms found in the Philippines.

  • Week 2: research on various contemporary art forms.

  • Weeks 3–5: explain Filipino artists’ roles and identify their contributions to contemporary arts; evaluate contemporary art forms based on the elements and principles; compare forms across regions and relate significance.

  • Weeks 3–5 (additional emphasis): compare forms from different regions; relate significance of regional art forms; promote arts from the region; research techniques and performance practices applied to contemporary arts; discuss local materials used in creating art; critique available materials and appropriate techniques; explicate the use of materials and application of techniques.

Most Essential Learning (Further Details)

  • Week 3–5 continues: conceptualize and evaluate based on elements and principles; explore techniques and performance practices; critique materials and methods; align regional forms with contemporary contexts.

  • Week 6–8: further conceptualizes contemporary art based on locality techniques; applies artistic skills and techniques in the creation process; incorporates contemporary characteristics to one’s creation with attention to detail; creates the intended final product using appropriate materials for the best possible output.

Art Forms Covered (Foundational List)

  • Painting

  • Sculpture

  • Architecture

  • Film

  • Music

Contemporary Art: Definition and Context

  • Contemprary art refers to art made and produced by artists living today.

  • Today’s artists operate in a global, culturally diverse, technologically advancing, and multifaceted environment.

Integrative Art as Applied to Contemporary Art

  • Lesson 1: Contemporary Art Forms

Learning Competencies (Lesson 1)

  • 1. Define art, artworks, and contemporary arts.

  • 2. Describe various contemporary art forms and their practices from the region.

  • 3. Appreciate the significance of arts in daily life as a student.

  • 4. Design a contemporary art form using coffee as a medium.

Opening Reflections on Art as a Concept

  • Art exists beyond simple drawings; embrace broader forms encountered from childhood (e.g., everyday objects, sculpture, design, and multimedia).

  • Examples cited include Gundam-inspired sculpture made from clothespins (sipit) by Filipino children (Titos of Manila).

  • Music and rhythm aid memory and learning (e.g., beats used to memorize terms).

  • Commercial and media contexts (fast-food photography, food styling, prop styling) illustrate how art forms permeate everyday life.

  • Thought-provoking prompts encourage recognizing additional art forms such as jingles, fashion, literature, film, and online content.

Nature of Art (Foundational Concepts)

  • Nature of ART (definitions and perspectives):

    • Derived from Latin ars/artis meaning to do or man-made.

    • A medium of expression to convey ideas, emotions, and feelings without words.

    • Creative activity requiring skill and expertise with materials.

    • Express ideas through skill and imagination in creating objects/experiences shared with others.

    • Italian origin artis; craftsmanship and mastery between material and technique.

  • Source: A. Tan

Perspectives on Art (Quotes and Philosophies)

  • R. Zulueta: Art is a product of man’s need to express himself.

  • C. Sanchez: Art is the communication of ideas and feelings via medium, color, sound, sculpture, etc.

  • Plato: Art is the beauty of the world.

  • J. Dewey: Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of mind seeking satisfaction and fulfillment.

  • Rustia: Art is the skillful arrangement of nature (colors, sounds, lines, movements, etc.) to express human feelings.

Importance of Art

  • Satisfies personal expression needs.

  • Develops skills to express oneself.

  • Challenges viewing things differently.

  • Unlocks hidden desires and passions.

  • Reveals truths not understood before.

  • Provides pleasure, satisfaction, and gratification.

Functions of Art

  • Primary means of expression developed by humans.

  • Expresses beauty.

  • Offers relaxation and spiritual happiness.

  • Serves as a channel for human passions.

  • Helps overcome restlessness and loneliness.

Art Appreciation

  • The ability to interpret or understand man-made arts and enjoy them through experience or ownership.

Work of Art: Definition and Merits

  • Aesthetic value; a thing of beauty with artistic and literary merit.

  • Must have artistic and literary merit; symbolic meaning beyond practical function.

Subject of Art

  • Varies; typically anything represented in artwork: a person, object, scene, or event.

The Contemporary Arts from the Region (Overview)

  • Contemporary Arts and Contemporary Philippine Arts showcase forms across Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and indigenous materials.

  • Regional forms utilize local materials and reflect regional identities.

Contemporary Arts and Regions: Key Points

  • Contemporary art forms are globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced (examples include photography, graphic design, animation).

  • Regional forms rely on local materials: Vacul (Batanes headgear), vases/statues (Cordillera), Moriones masks (Marinduque), Maskara masks (Visayas), Pinta tattoos (Panay), Vintas (Mindanao), T'nalak (T'bolis), Sarimanok (Maranao), etc.

Regional Art Forms: Regional Examples and Materials

  • Vacul: Headgear of Batanes/Ivatans, made from fibers of vuyavuy palm; sunshade and rain umbrella substitute.

  • Cordillera: Vases and statues used in rituals for harvest, repelling evil, weddings; indigenous art forms.

  • Moriones Festival (Marinduque): Morion masks portraying Roman soldiers; seven-day procession; intricate designs.

  • Maskara (Visayas): Masks ornamented with smiling faces; Bacolod known as the City of Smiles.

  • Pinta (Panay/Visayas): Tattoos symbolizing kaisugan (valor/bravery); Pintados; festival identity.

  • Vinta (Mindanao): Colorful outrigger boats; log sails (bukay); crocodile-mouth prows/sterns; fishing, cargo, houseboats.

  • T’nalak (T’bolis, Lake Sebu): Hand-woven Abaca fiber cloth; three primary colors (red, black, natural); natural dyes from bark/root/leaves; dream-derived designs; the people are called Dream Weavers.

  • Sarimanok (Maranao): Legendary bird; symbol of good fortune; colorful wings and tail; fish held in beak or talons; decorative head motifs.

Indigenous Materials in Filipino Contemporary Art

  • Abaca: Fiber from the banana family; natural luster; colors from white to ivory to dark brown; used for slippers, ropes, twine, hammocks.

  • Bamboo: Used in construction, textiles, musical instruments, weapons, etc.

  • Buri: Fibers from mature buri palm leaves; durable and moisture-resistant; used for hats, bags, baskets, boxes, trays.

  • Pandan: Processed into splints; used for baskets, hats, picture frames, bags.

  • Rattan: Palm-family; multiple types; used for baskets, frames, furniture; examples include chairs and beds.

Regional Terminology and Study Guide (Key Terms)

  • Vacul, Sarimanok, Maskara, Abaca, Buri, Vinta, Statue, Bamboo, T’nalak, Rattan, Kaisugan, Pandan, Vinta

  • Practice: Map terms to descriptions and regional origins.

Regional Terminology—Quiz Prompts (Sample Matches)

  • 1. Natives of Batanes or the Ivatans use a headgear: Vacul

  • 2. Symbol of good fortune: Sarimanok

  • 3. Always ornamented with smiling faces, giving rise to Bacolod: Maskara

  • 4. Fiber with natural luster from white to ivory to dark brown: Abaca

  • 5. Extracted from matured buri leaves; durable and moisture resistant: Buri

  • 6. Panay tattoos symbolizing valor: Kaisugan (Pinta)

  • 7. Used in manufacturing baskets, picture frames, furniture, and other items: Rattan

  • 8. Traditional outrigger boat of Mindanao: Vinta

  • 9. Intended for harvest thanksgiving, repel evil, and wedding/funeral rituals: T’nalak (T’boli context) or related ritual objects

  • Pandan fibers processed into splints for weaving: Pandan

The Elements of Art

  • Space: Defined as a void; can be positive or negative.

    • Positive Space: Space enclosed within a shape.

    • Negative Space: Space around or between shapes.

  • Line: A mark with length; direction can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal.

  • Direction: vertical, horizontal, diagonal.

  • Form: A line-based shape that is three-dimensional (contrast with two-dimensional shape).

  • Shape and Form: Shape is 2D; Form is 3D; example: square (shape) vs cube (form).

  • Color: Sensation from visible wavelengths; sets mood or tone.

  • Value: Degree of lightness or darkness of a color; pitch in music relates to high/low tones.

  • Texture: Tactile quality of a surface (rough, smooth, bumpy, slippery).

Unit 1: Integrative Art as Applied to Contemporary Art (Lesson 2)

  • Learning Competencies (recap):

    • Describe various contemporary art forms and their practices from the region.

    • Discuss various art forms found in the Philippines.

    • Appreciate the significance of arts in daily life as a student.

    • Design a contemporary art form using coffee as medium.

Various Art Forms and Classifications

  • Various Art Forms (Overview):

    • Includes classifications of art forms and examples of GAMABA awardees (Living National Treasures).

  • Classifications by Audience:

    • Performing Arts: Body as medium; movement; e.g., plays, movies, live music, ballet, etc.

    • Visual Arts: Two-dimensional, stationary.

  • Classifications by Critics:

    • Major Arts (Fine Arts): Music, literature, sculpture, painting, dance, theater, photography, architecture.

    • Minor Arts (Applied Arts): Ceramics, furniture, lettering, etc.

    • Pure Art: Created for audience satisfaction (e.g., watching a movie).

    • Practical Art: For practical use (e.g., chair, table).

  • Classifications by Artist:

    • Sight Art: Paintings, drawings, mosaics, stage design, graphic design.

    • Sound Art: Literature, poetry, play, music.

    • Touch Art: Sculpture, woodcraft, pottery, dance movement.

  • Other Classifications:

    • Real Art: Representational, what-you-see-is-what-you-get (photography, stage play, dance, sculpture, architecture).

    • Abstract Art: Non-subject matter; technique-focused and style-oriented (e.g., Mondrian's Grey Tree).

Local Filipino Contemporary Artists (GAMABA)

  • GAMABA: Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures).

  • The list includes artists who weave pre-colonial traditions into contemporary forms.

Let Us Discover: Artwork Analysis Activity (Pages 61–65)

  • Activity prompts students to choose a masterpiece (e.g., The Fisherman by Ang Kuikok, Fish Vendors by Sey Perez, L’amore, Dedelta’e Crudelta by Dandy Robosa) and analyze:

    • Title, artist, and region.

    • What the artwork is about.

    • What the artist wants to convey.

    • Evidence that it is contemporary Philippine art.

    • Relation to the social context of its era.

How Art Affects Daily Life

  • Discussion prompts on how art intersects with daily living and personal development as a student and individual.

Creative Exercise: Coffee as Medium

  • Instruction to create a painting using coffee on Oslo paper; include samples for guidance.

  • Process questions guide planning:

    • Subject selection and justification.

    • Classification of the artwork.

    • Definition of art based on the work.

    • Whether the work qualifies as artwork and why.

    • Mediums used and community relevance.

Assessment (Key Concepts and Sample Items)

  • Assessment 1: Art Appreciation definition (e.g., identify related term options A–D).

  • Assessment 2–10: Multiple-choice questions covering GAMABA, artworks, art forms, classifications, and functions of art.

  • Example topics in assessment:

    • Distinguishing art appreciation from other domains.

    • Identifying GAMABA awardees and their art forms (e.g., textile weaving).

    • Differentiating painting from sculpture and other forms.

    • Identifying categories such as Real vs Abstract Art.

    • Understanding responsibilities in museum contexts and ethics of vandalism.

Reflection and Closing Activities

  • Reflection prompts (5 points each) on:

    • How to use art in daily life.

    • Personal view of oneself as a creation of the divine.

  • Closing: Thank you.

Summary of Key Terms and Concepts to Remember

  • Contempoary Arts forms across the Philippines include regional variations and indigenous materials.

  • Major indigenous materials used in contemporary Filipino art: Abaca, Bamboo, Buri, Pandan, Rattan.

  • Regional examples provide context for how materials and motifs reflect local identity (Vacul, Vinta, Moriones, Pinta, T’nalak, Sarimanok, Kaisugan).

  • The Elements of Art (Space, Line, Form, Color, Value, Texture) form the basis for evaluating art works.

  • Classifications of art forms help organize understanding of how art is produced, evaluated, and appreciated across audiences, critics, and artists.

  • GAMABA Living National Treasures illustrate the enduring relevance of traditional crafts within contemporary settings.

Connections to Foundational Principles

  • Art as a universal form of human expression that adapts to cultural contexts while maintaining core principles of design (balance, harmony, contrast, rhythm).

  • The integration of traditional techniques and regional identities within global, technology-driven art environments.

  • Ethical considerations in art-making and viewing, including preservation of cultural heritage and responsible engagement with artworks.

Practical Implications and Real-World Relevance

  • Students gain awareness of how local materials and regional practices inform contemporary art production.

  • Opportunities arise to pursue artistic career goals that leverage traditional crafts and modern media.

  • Understanding art’s role in daily life fosters critical thinking, aesthetic appreciation, and cultural empathy.

Core Subject

  • Covers contemporary arts practices, fostering appreciation across disciplines.

  • Focuses on art elements, principles, and an integrative approach.

  • Aims to broaden creative tools for career goals.

Most Essential Learning (Overview)

  • Week 1: Discuss various art forms in the Philippines.

  • Week 2: Research contemporary art forms.

  • Weeks 3–5: Explain Filipino artists' roles, identify contributions, evaluate art based on elements/principles, compare forms across regions, and relate their significance. Research techniques, discuss local materials, critique materials/techniques, and explicate their use.

  • Weeks 6–8: Conceptualize and evaluate contemporary art based on locality and techniques; apply artistic skills; incorporate contemporary characteristics; create final products using appropriate materials.

Art Forms Covered (Foundational List)

  • Painting

  • Sculpture

  • Architecture

  • Film

  • Music

Contemporary Art: Definition and Context

  • Refers to art made by living artists.

  • Artists operate in a global, diverse, technologically advanced environment.

Integrative Art as Applied to Contemporary Art

  • Lesson 1: Contemporary Art Forms

    • Learning Competencies:

    1. Define art, artwork, and contemporary arts.

    2. Describe various contemporary art forms and practices from the region.

    3. Appreciate art's significance in daily life.

    4. Design a contemporary art form using coffee as a medium.

Nature of Art (Foundational Concepts)

  • Derived from Latin ars/artis, meaning 'to do' or 'man-made'.

  • A medium of expression for ideas, emotions, and feelings without words.

  • Creative activity requiring skill and expertise.

  • Italian artis: craftsmanship and mastery of material and technique.

Perspectives on Art (Quotes)

  • R. Zulueta: Art is a product of man’s need to express himself.

  • C. Sanchez: Art is the communication of ideas and feelings via medium.

  • Plato: Art is the beauty of the world.

  • J. Dewey: Art is an attitude of spirit.

  • Rustia: Art is the skillful arrangement of nature to express human feelings.

Importance & Functions of Art

  • Satisfies personal expression.

  • Develops self-expression skills.

  • Challenges perspectives.

  • Unlocks desires and passions.

  • Reveals truths.

  • Provides pleasure, satisfaction, and gratification.

  • Primary means of expression; expresses beauty; offers relaxation/spiritual happiness.

  • Serves as a channel for human passions; helps overcome restlessness/loneliness.

Art Appreciation

  • The ability to interpret, understand, and enjoy man-made arts through experience or ownership.

Work of Art: Definition and Merits

  • A thing of beauty with aesthetic, artistic, and literary merit, carrying symbolic meaning.

Subject of Art

  • Anything represented in artwork: person, object, scene, or event.

The Contemporary Arts from the Region

  • Showcases forms across Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, utilizing indigenous materials and reflecting regional identities.

  • Examples:

    • Vacul (Batanes): Headgear from vuyavuy palm fibers.

    • Cordillera: Vases and statues for rituals.

    • Moriones Festival (Marinduque): Morion masks portraying Roman soldiers.

    • Maskara (Visayas): Masks with smiling faces (Bacolod).

    • Pinta (Panay/Visayas): Tattoos symbolizing kaisugan (valor).

    • Vinta (Mindanao): Colorful outrigger boats.

    • T’nalak (T’bolis): Hand-woven Abaca fiber cloth, dream-derived designs by Dream Weavers.

    • Sarimanok (Maranao): Legendary bird, symbol of good fortune.

Indigenous Materials in Filipino Contemporary Art

  • Abaca: Fiber from banana family; for slippers, ropes, hammocks.

  • Bamboo: Used in construction, textiles, instruments.

  • Buri: Fibers from buri palm leaves; for hats, bags, baskets.

  • Pandan: Used for baskets, hats, frames.

  • Rattan: Palm-family; for baskets, frames, furniture.

Regional Terminology and Study Guide (Key Terms)

  • Vacul, Sarimanok, Maskara, Abaca, Buri, Vinta, Statue, Bamboo, T’nalak, Rattan, Kaisugan, Pandan.

The Elements of Art

  • Space: Void; positive (enclosed) or negative (around shapes).

  • Line: Mark with length; vertical, horizontal, diagonal direction.

  • Form: Three-dimensional line-based shape (e.g., cube vs. square).

  • Color: Sensation from visible wavelengths; sets mood.

  • Value: Lightness or darkness of a color.

  • Texture: Tactile quality of a surface (rough, smooth).

Various Art Forms and Classifications

  • By Audience:

    • Performing Arts: Body as medium (plays, music, dance).

    • Visual Arts: Two-dimensional, stationary.

  • By Critics:

    • Major Arts (Fine Arts): Music, literature, sculpture, painting, dance, theater, photography, architecture.

    • Minor Arts (Applied Arts): Ceramics, furniture.

  • By Purpose:

    • Pure Art: For audience satisfaction (watching a movie).

    • Practical Art: For practical use (chair, table).

  • By Artist:

    • Sight Art: Paintings, drawings, graphic design.

    • Sound Art: Literature, music.

    • Touch Art: Sculpture, woodcraft, dance.

  • Other:

    • Real Art: Representational (photography, sculpture).

    • Abstract Art: Non-subject matter; technique-focused.

Local Filipino Contemporary Artists (GAMABA)

  • GAMABA: Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures).

  • Artists who integrate pre-colonial traditions