FA AM 101.2 (Introduction to Philippine Visual Arts) Art in the Philippines Prehistoric ‘The earliest human inhabitants of Southeast Asia lived largely by foraging, exploiting coastal resources or inhabiting caves close to the streams and forests Earliest manipulation of materials was confined to fashioning tools such as axes and arrowhead, traps and nets ‘The period of Philippine prehistoric art is defined between 3000 BC and 900 AD, with the discovery of the Laguna Copperplate Inscription Cultural products: Pottery, woven materials, wood carving and metalworks + The focus was on both utilitarian and symbol functions On the island of Sanga-Sanga, in the southern tip of the Sulu archipelago, a cave used by human habitation between 5900 and 5220 BC was discovered ‘The presence of one shard was enough to establish the existence of a red slip. It was inconvertible proof that there was an existing desire to make the finish of an artifact more pleasing to the cye, by the deliberate act of adding coloration toa surface On the pottery coating around 4000 BC, discovered in the Bagumbayan site, in the island of Masbate, was another type of decoration in the form of incised parallel lines ‘The period of Neolithic technology (4000-1000 BC), left evidence of a growing expertise in a variety of media ‘The Angono petroglyphs is the oldest known work of art in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal Excavated in Palawan in the Tabon Caves, the Manunggul Jar shows a degree of high artistic skilleee eee eee Eee Jar shows a degree of high artistic skill Examples of Philippine potter display a wide variety of shapes and decorative techniques such as incision, stippling, appliqué, openwerk, and impression by rope and mat Geometric and stylized natural motif: Lines and curves + Chief use: To make contact with the unseen world + Maybe carried out in accordance with requirements set down by respected authority figures from the past + Deviations may be thought to reduce the object's power Chicfdoms formed by assimilation of several small political units: + Barangay + Datu + Rajah — headed the city-state Weaving originated from precolonial times + Cordillera tribes produced blankets and articles of clothing for practical and artistic purposes Ilocos: Inabel from “Abel” which means weave + Toli of Cotabato: Tinalok —> difficult tie-dye process + Motif: Gmayaw bird, frog, dancing man who calls for rain + They were called Dream Weavers + Weaving techniques: + Mats with vivid colors and intricate geomtric designs woven by women of Sulu (Laminusa and Siasi) + Samar and Leyte: Flowers and birds* They were called Dream Weavers Weaving techniques: + Mats with vivid colors and intricate geomtric designs woven by women of Sulu (Laminusa and Siasi) + Samar and Leyte: Flowers and birds Wood carving Jewelry Anito figures called Bulul + Ancestral spirits + Found in pairs (fertility) Maranao and Tausug + Okir — ornate curvilinear designs and motifs + Sarimanok, Nagk, and Pako Rabong + Found in the panalong, sultanis house torogan, and extended beam form the house Began as amulet and charms to ward off evil spirits and to give supernatural powers Cordillera: Ling-Ling + Found in: + Guangdong, Souther China + Philippines + Sarawak + Southern Thailand + Made of brass ‘T boli: Brass chains, belts, and strings Body ornamentsCordillera: Ling-Ling + Found in: + Guangdong, Souther China + Philippines * Sarawak + Southern Thailand * Made of brass T’boli: Brass chains, belts, and strings Body ornaments + Was used to please the gods, to signify status of the wearer, and to enhance charm Anting-Anting/Talisman was used as amulets Butea, Agusan, Surigao: Gold jewelry Necklaces, chains, waistbands, bangles and ritual bowls + Evidence that Philippines had a sophisticated culture