ART IS EVERYWHERE

The contemporary arts in the Philippines encompass a vast range

of forms, reflecting the nation’s diversity. Filipino artists harness
this diversity to create art that resonates deeply and evokes strong
emotions in their audience. Moreover, as society progresses
technologically and embraces innovation, artists become more
adventurous and resourceful in creating art, bringing a liberal
perspective to their audience.

Understanding modern and contemporary art allows us to connect

with the artist’s intended message by looking at their social,
historical, and cultural backgrounds. This exploration reveals that
art is an ever-evolving, dynamic process. It continuously
contributes to our cultural literacy and fosters a deeper
appreciation for the arts.

Why is contemporary art important in society?

"Contemporary art plays a crucial role in shaping society's Contemporary Art vs. Modern Art
identity and preserving its traditions and culture. Artists
serve as the bridge that helps express and share our rich The term contemporary is flexible, and its usage can vary
depending on the context, particularly in terms of historical and
heritage with a wider audience. Without contemporary art,
stylistic perspectives. While modern and contemporary can be
our traditions and culture will gradually be lost."
used interchangeably, using them thoughtfully and accurately is
Contemporary Art vs. Modern Art crucial. Understanding these terms' historical and stylistic contexts
is essential to avoid careless or loose usage.
Commonly, the term modern is used to describe the present. Being
modern implies being up-to-date and technologically advanced, Victorio Edades, the National Artist for Painting, pioneered the
often associated with being contemporary. modern art movement as a response to the neoclassic style. While
the neoclassical style aimed to faithfully depict reality, modern
Art that is new or current is often labeled as modern in contrast to artists viewed it as conservative. Instead of seeking to replicate and
traditional or conservative. These terms are often used idealize reality, modern artists altered colors and flattened images,
interchangeably in everyday language, indicating similar meanings. and avoided illusions of depth, proximity, and perfection.

Neoclassical Style

 Modern art emerged as a groundbreaking and provocative

movement, while neoclassical art offered a sense of
familiarity and comfort.
 Guillermo Tolentino referred to neoclassical art and other
established European styles brought through Spanish
colonization as academic.
 Neoclassicism continues to be taught in academic
institutions like the University of the Philippines College of
Fine Arts, maintaining its place within the academic
curriculum.
 The neoclassical style, associated with prominent artists
like Amorsolo and Tolentino, continues to influence many
artists.

The Birth of Social Realists

 Modern artists such as Romeo Tabuena, Hernando Ocampo,

Vicente Manansala, Victor Oteyza, Ramon Estella, and Cesar
Legaspi actively addressed the social conditions following
World War II.

 These artists, as pointed out by Aguilar Cruz, portrayed the

issues and challenges faced by society.
 The social realists are recognized as inheritors of this artistic
tradition.

 Social realism remains a significant influence on

contemporary artists.

 An example of this is Imelda Cajipe-Endaya's artwork

Filipina: Dh, Installation (1995), which embodies social
realism. However, it distinguishes itself through its unique
style and medium, as it adopts installation art as a means
of expression.

Modern art and contemporary art are often associated, yet

Stylistic Overview they possess similarities and differences, such as the
following:

1. Historical Differences. In terms of history,

contemporary art refers to the art created in the
present era, constantly representing the present. In
contrast, modern art is often characterized by the
techniques and styles used by the artist during the art’s
creation. Nonetheless, the terms modern and
contemporary can be used simultaneously or
interchangeably.

2. Social Differences. Social realism heavily influences

contemporary art as it addresses current societal issues.
On the other hand, modern art is known for its unique
artistic styles used by the artists. As societal issues arise,
artists increasingly experiment with techniques to
create groundbreaking art.

3. Cultural Differences. With the ever-changing landscape

of technology, contemporary artists often display their
work in traditional galleries. On the other hand, modern
artists embrace digital platforms to showcase their
creations, although their work predates the digital era.

Lesson 2: ART MEANING AND FORMS

CONTEMPORARY ART

Cultural Overview ■Contemporary Art is influenced by the economic, social, political

and environmental context where the artist is immersed in. It can
 Aside from style, it is also beneficial to understand the be said that Contemporary Art is the artist's expression of his
background and circumstances of the artists and how perception and comprehension of these contexts. Contemporary
their art is disseminated. Arts in the Philippines is as diverse as our people. Contemporary
Philippine Art is not confined to the usual genres of the four main
art forms, namely, visual, literary, applied and performing arts.
Genres are categories of artistic creation and are characterized by
similarities in form style, or subject matter.

EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS

 VISUAL ARTS
 PERFORMANCE ART
 APPLIED ARTS
  LITERARY ARTS These elements are combined in different ways to come up with
Integrative Art. Integrative Art employs the use of different art
VISUAL ARTS elements used together in distinct different expressions. Thus, it
 POP ART becomes a combination of different art forms for specific groups of
 WORD ART viewers. Integrative art is also a fusion of different art disciplines
 CONCEPTUAL ART using different styles and media in creating art. It can be found in
 INSTALLATION ART different places of the country, usually in urban areas where artists
 PHOTOREALISM have ready access to different art forms and media. Examples of
 CONTEMPORARY REALISM Integrative Art include the use of computer applications combined
 GRAFITTI ART with other media, the use of non-traditional art materials in
creating artworks usually done with mixed art forms.
PERFORMANCE ART
 MUSIC: BLUES, ELECTRONIC, EXPIREMENTAL, FUNK, HIP-
HOP, JAZZ, METAL, POP, ROCK, ROOTS DISTINCT FEATURES OF CONTEMPORARY ART
 THEATER ART: STAGE, FILM AND STREET PLAY COMMUNAL NATURE
 DANCE: FLASH MOB, STREET DANCES COMPROMISING
HIP-HOP, FUNK, HOUSE AND RAVE  as it reflects the relationships build around the bonds of
community and society.
APPLIED ARTS
INTUITIVE
 VIDEO ART
 PHOTOGRAPHY  as Filipinos are immersed in their consciousness of
 COMPUTER ART themselves, their community and their culture.
 FILM AND BROADCASTING ART ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN
AND ALLIED ART HOLISTIC

LITERARY ARTS  as individuals, groups of people and events are perceived

in their entirely as well as the unitize use of art materials
 ILLUSTRATED NOVEL and forms.
 DIGI-FICTION
 GRAPHIC NOVELS CREATIVE PROCESS
 DOODLE FICTION  as the artist puts more emphasis on now their artwork
 TEXT-TALK NOVELS was made than on the artwork itself
 FLASH FICTION
 BLOG INTEGRATIVE
 as it encompasses religious, moral, spiritual, social, and
environmental concerns
ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
MULTI-FOCAL
APPROPRIATION
 as it considers everything and everyone, the wide
 this relates to the modifications made by the artist. perspective of the artwork as well as both artist and
viewer
HYBRIDITY
 this refers in the use of different art mediums that are put
together. LESSON 1: Contemporary Art Forms and Practices from the
TECHNOLOGY Regions

 its application highlights the creativity of the artist.

PERFORMANCE Why contemporary art is essential?

 Not only because it belongs to your time, but it also serves
 carried out for viewers to experience.
as a form of expression of the people's present feelings
SPACE and longings.

 intricate use of space. What does contemporary works of art means?


 means through which the artists of today communicate
their sentiments.
 example of this is the painting of Roberto Chabet which is
on Acrylic paper.
Contemporary Art
 The art that springs out of the present-day events and
passions of the society. The Subject and Elements of Art
 It is the newest form of art, amusing people from the
middle to the late 20th century up to this very minute. Elements of Art
• Art forms in the different regions vary in subject, theme, style,
medium, and technique.
Contemporary Art vs. Modern Art
 The main distinction between modern art and
contemporary art is the time period in which they have 1. SPACE
existed.  refers to the area that is occupied by an object or a
 Modern art emerged in the late 1800s and continued to subject, as well as the area surrounding that object or
grow for more or less a century. subject
 It slowly waned in the middle to late 20th century when
postmodernism Two types of perspective: atmospheric and linear
 Postmodernism then give birth to what we know now as
contemporary art. ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE
 This art exists up to this day, and no one knows when a • atmospheric perspective, which utilizes the properties of light
new period will arrive to veil contemporary art in its and air in depicting the illusion of distance
shadow.
LINEAR PERSPECTIVE
linear perspective, which involves the use of vanishing points and
The Subject and Elements of Art receding hidden
The Subject of Art
2. LINE
 Contemporary piece, understand what makes an artwork
 The extension of a point, a short or long mark drawn or
a true work of art and explore the subject of art.
carved on a surface.
 Visual design, different ways or styles of depicting a
 Refers to a prolongation of a point or a mark on a surface.
subject
 Solid lines can be used in order to define form while
broken lines are typically used to suggest hidden forms.

1. Realism 3. Shape and Form

 The first style is realism in which the subject is done the  When the ends of a line meet, they form a shape.
way it actually looks. An example of this is the painting of  It can also be described as a figure separate from its
Araceli Dans, the Bridal White. surrounding area or background.
 A shape may be natural or living forms called an organic
2. Distortion shape and can be irregular or rounded
 It may also be measured forms called geometric shape.
 The artist uses his or her imagination and alters the
subject according to his or her desire. A stylized work is a
form of distortion like Norma Belleza's painting, the
Fiesta. 4. COLOR

3. Abstraction  the most striking art element that catches the eye is color.
 It is a sensation created by visible wavelengths of light
 The artist breaks a part a subject and rearranges it in a caught in a prism.
different manner. The paintings of the National Artist  refers to visual perception that allows a person to
Vicente Manansala belong to this category. differentiate objects due to the way various wavelengths
of light are reflected.
4. Non Objectivism
 very important element because it can communicate
 There is no subject at all-just an interplay of pure information and emotion to the viewer.
elements, like line, shape or color, and so on. A good
Three properties of color:
  Hue - refers to the basic or pure color, and is represented
in the color wheel.
Elements of Dance
 Value - refers to the lightness and darkness of color.
 Saturation - which refers to brightness and dullness of 1. Theme - most basic element of a dance. It conveys the message
color of a dance.

Value -In visual arts, value is the degree of lightness and darkness 2. Design pattern of movement in time and space.
of a color.
3. Movement - the bodily actions of the dancer that include his
Time and Motion - Movement in the visual arts can either be an steps
illusion or an actual motion. An illusion of movement is more
common in two-dimensional artworks. On the other hand, actual 4. Technique - the skill of movement executed by the dancer
motion is easily seen in kinetic sculpture that moves with the wind
5. Music the auditory background to which a dancer moves
or are vibrating with the surrounding air.
6. Costume & body paraphernalia properties worn by the dancer
Kinetic sculpture
that help reflect the message, customs and beliefs
Texture
7. Choreography - the figures and steps in dancing that enable
 the surface of an artwork. the dancers to perform in an organized manner
 can be actual or tactile, meaning, it can really be felt by
8. Scenery the background or setting where the dance is
touch, or it can be simulated or illusory, which mean it can
only be seen, not felt. performed to make it more realistic and enriching

Philippine Art Forms in Modern and Contemporary Era in

Various Regions Examples of Contemporary (Folk/Ethnic) Dance in
 Artistic works produced in the period beginning in the
Mindanao
1860s and ended in the 1970s.

Philippine Arts in Modern Era Pangalay: A Tausug Dance

 It has evolved into a wide variety of expressions and a traditional Tausug dance, from Jolo and Tawi-Tawi, characterized
medium turning the country into a situation of creative by elaborate body postures and gestures and the graceful arm and
upheavals hand movement of the dancer, amplified by the use of janggay or
 Modern Filipino Artists have more freedom to explore on metal claws. The dance is performed to the music of the
his own. kulintangan, gandang, agong and gabang. Commonly referred to as
 Their style is from cross-cultural exposures in the Eastern the fingernail dance, Pangalay is usually performed during
and Western world yet they have not forgotten their weddings and other festive celebrations.
Filipino roots.
 Many of them use color for their emotional rather than
intellectual values.
Kulintang/Kulintangan
Contemporary Era
Refers to a racked gong chime instrument played in the southern
 It follows modern art, beginning from 1970s to now and islands of the Philippines, along with its varied accompanying
ongoing. ensembles.
 Contemporary artworks use a variety of materials and
• Pangalay is a living link to the traditional dance cultures of Asia
techniques, including new technologies such as
with closest affinity to the Indian, Javanese, Thai, Burmese and
computers, three-dimensional, live elements and
Cambodian styles of classical dancing.
performances, etc.
• Pangalay is basically pure dancing. A sense of anti-linear time
pervades the slow, refined, meditative, elegant and almost
Example of Contemporary Art in Some Regions in the hypnotic movements. The dancer's serious face with downcast
Philippines eyes creates a mask-like expression, matched by a countenance
generally refined,
Dance - a performing art that involves rhythmic body movement
within a given space, choreographed based on musical beat.
Performed either in front of an audience or by everyone on a
The Pangalay Courtship is one of the versions of the dance
dance floor.
wherein a pair of dancers imitate the graceful courtship dance of
birds. During wedding performances, it is a tradition that guests  concurrent administered by the National Commission
would tuck money between the fingers of the female dancer. for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Cultural Center of
the Philippines (CCP) and conferred by the President of
the Philippines upon recommendation by both
Painting institutions
 Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or
other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" o r  measured in terms of their vision, unusual insight.
"support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base creativity and imagination, technical proficiency of the
with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, highest order in expressing Filipino culture and
sponges, and airbrushes, can be used. traditions, history, way of life, and aspirations
 In art, the term painting describes both the act and the
result of the action (the final work is called "a painting"). • Proclamation No.1001 dated April 27, 1972 the Order of
The support for paintings includes such surfaces as walls, the National Artist Award (Orden ng Gawad Pambansang
paper, canvas, wood, glass, lacquer, pottery, leaf, copper
Alagad ng Sining was established
and concrete, and the painting may incorporate multiple
other materials, including sand, clay, paper, plaster, gold
leaf, and even whole objects. • The first award was given to Fernando Amorsolo

The Order of National Artists aims to recognize

Among the famous artist in the field of painting is Fernando
Amorsolo. Below is one of his paintings.  1. The Filipino artists who have made significant
contributions to the cultural heritage of the country.
Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972) was a dominant figure in the  2.The Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest
visual arts of the Philippines during the decades before the Second level and to promote creative expression as
World War and into the post-war period. The 'Planting Rice with significant to the development of a national cultural
Mayon Volcano, Exhibits the happiness across from the difficulties
identity,
in planting rice. The Filipino Villagers in their bright clothes and
 3.The Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives
straw hats plant together with a fresh and green landscape of
plenty. Behind the Filipino villagers is the peaceful flume of steam.
to their works to forge new paths and directions for
future generations of Filipino

The Mayon Volcano by Fernando Amorsolo, Luzon Qualifications for the National Artist Award
(Philippines)
 1. Living artists who are natural-born Filipino citizens.
National Artist  2. The content and form of their work have procured
in building a Filipino sense of nationhood.
• a Filipino who has made a significant contribution to the  3. An artist who have developed a mode of creative
development of Philippine arts in the fields of Music, Dance, expression or style and living a legend on succeeding
Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film and Architecture generations of artists.
 4. An artist who manifest excellence in the practice
• A Filipino individual who should have been awarded the of their art form
highest national recognition for the arts namely, National  5. The artwork made has attained an international
Artist Award and national recognition.

• a.k.a Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining 7 CATEGORIES under which National Artists can be
recognized
The Order of the National Artists Award (Orden ng Gawad
Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) 1. Literature - poetry, fiction, essay, playwriting, journalism
and/or literary criticism
 the highest national recognition given to Filipino
individuals who have made significant contributions to Literature
the development of Philippine arts 1982 Carlos P. Romulo
1990 Francisco Arcellana
1997 N.V. M Gonzales
1973 Amado V. Hernadez 2006 Ramon Valera
1997 Carlos Quirino 2014 Jose Maria Zaragoza
1973 Jose Garcia Villa 2006 I.P Santos
1999 Edith L. Tiempo
1976 Nick Joaquin 4. Music - singing composition, direction, and/or
He wrote largely about the Spanish colonial period, the performance
diverse Filipino heritage and the dimensions of the human
psyche. He was named national artist for literature in 1976 Music
2001 F Sionil Jose 1973 Antonio J. Molina
2003 Virgilio S. Almario 1976 Jovita Fuentes
2006 Bienvenido Lumbera 1988 Antonio R. Buenaventura
2009 Lazaro Francisco  versatile musician, composer music educator was the
2014 Cirilo F. Bautista lost of the musical triumvirate, two of whom were
Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco Santiago who elevated
2. Film and Broadcasting/Broadcast Arts - direction, writing, music beyond the realm of folk music
production design, cinematography editing, camera work,
and/or performance  Molina's most farmillar composition is Hatinggabi, a
serenode for solo violin and piano accompaniment.
Film Other works are (orchestral music) Misa Antoniana
1982 Gerardo de Leon Grand Festival Mass, Ang Batingow, Kundiman-
 His first directoriol job was "Ama't Anak" in which he Kundangan
directed himself and his brother Tito Arevalo. The movie
got good reviews. De Leon's biggest pre- war hit wos 1989 Lucrecia R. Kasilag
"Ang Maestro which starred Rogelio de la Rosa and Rosa 1991 Lucio D. San Pedro
del Rosario with the still unknown Eddle Romero as 1997 Felipe Padilla de Leon
writer 1997 Jose Maceda
1997 Levi Celerio
 "Daigdig ng Mga Api." "Noli Me Tangere," "ΕΙ 1999 Ernani Joson Cuenco
Filibusterismo," and "Sisa" Among a long list of films are 1999 Andrea O. Veneracion
"Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo," Dyesebel The Gold Bikini. 2014 Francisco Feliciano
"Banoue," "The Brides of Blood Island." 2014 Ramon Santos

1997 Lino Brocka 5. Dance - choreography, direction and/or performance

2001 Ishmael Bernal
2003 Eddie S. Romero Dance
2009 Manuel Conde 1973 Francisca Reyes Aquino
 Francisca Reyes Aquino is acknowledged as the Folk
3. Architecture, Design and Allied Arts-architecture design, Dance Pioneer This Bulakerñia began her research on
interior design, industrial arts design, landscape architecture folk dances in the 19209 moking trips to remote barrios
and fashion design in Central and Northern Luzon

Architecture  Her books include the following: Philippine National

Dances (1946) Gymnastics for Girls (1947): Fundamental
1973 Juan Nakpil Dance Steps and Music (1945), Foreign Folk Donces
 Nakpil's major works are the Geronimo de los Reyes (1949): Dances for all Occasion (1950): Playground
Building, Magsaysay Building, Rizal Theater, Capitol Demonstration (1951), and Philippine Folk Dances.
Theater Captain Pepe Building Manila Jockey Club, Volumes I to V
Rufino Building, Philippine Village Hotel, University of
the Philippines Administration and University Library 1976 Leonor Orosa-Goquingco
1988 Lucrecia Reyes Urtula
1976 Pablo Antonio 2006 Ramon Obusan
1990 Leondro V Locsin
6. Theater-direction, performance and/or production design  his works include Geometric Landscape (1969), Pieta,
which won for him the bronze medal in the 1st
Theater international Art Exhibition held in Salgon (1962): and
the Seated Figure (1979) auctioned at Sotheby's in
1987 Honorata " Atang" de la Rama Singapore
1997 Levi Celerio
 Levi Celerio is a prolific lyricist and composer for 2003 Jose T Joya
decades. He effortlessly translated/wrole anew the lyric 2006 Abdulmari Asia Imao
10 traditional melodies "O Maliwanag No Buwan (lokel. 2006 Bencab
"Ako ay May Singsing (Pampanga). "Albangbarng 2009 Federico Aguillar Alcuaz
(Visayas omong others 2014 Francisco Coching

 A great number of his songs have been written for the Some works of Filipino National Artist
local movies, which earned for him the Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Film Academy of the Guillermo Tolentino
Philippines, Levi Celerio, more Importantly, has enriched
the Philippine music for no less than two generations University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City
with a treasury of more than 4.000 songs in an idiom
thoi has proven to appeal to all social classes. • work of art depicts a male nude with arms outstretched
that represents a gesture of sacrifice and freedom
1997 Wlfrido Ma. Guerero
1997 Rolando S. Tinio Fernando Amorsolo is known for its romantic paintings of
1999 Daisy Avellana bucolic landscapes and idealized portraits of well-known
2001 Severino Montano individuals from the Commonwealth Period and the Second
World War
7 Visual Arts - painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography,
installation art, mixed media works, illustration, graphic arts, La Siega
performance art and/or imaging
Jose Tanig Joya's mural can be seen entitled Barter of Panay
Visual Arts (1978).

1972 Fernando C. Amorsolo 1978 mural "The Barter of Panay

1973 Corlos Botong" V Francisco
1973 Guillermo E Tolentino
1976 Victorio C. Edades
1976 Napoleon V. Abueva
1981 Vicente Manansala
1990 Cesar Legaspi
1991 Hemando R. Ocampo
1997 Arturo R. Luz
1999 Elizalde Navarro
2001 Ang Kiukok
 Born to Immigrant Chinese parents Vicente Ang and
Chin Lim. Ang Kukok is one of the most vital and
dynamic figures who emerged during the 60s. As one of
those who come at the heels of the pioneering
modernists during that decade, Ang Klokok blazed a
formal and iconographic path of his own through
expressionistic works of high visual Impact and
compelling meaning