Lecture Notes
Contemporary Arts from the Regions
1st Quarter
Contemporary art generally refers to the art being
created now. It resists a universal, singular and fixed
definition as it continues to evolve. It feeds on new
technologies, which offer different and new ways of
conceptualizing, producing and displaying art.
Contemporary art in the Philippines
Contemporary art in the Philippines emerged in the
Philippines in reaction to social and cultural realities during
the 1970s (Martial Law period). This period was an era of
repression and censorship of artistic expression.
Art became a means to oppose the regime, and the
political art of social realism flourished at this time.
Social realism- an art movement which sought to expose
the real condition of the Philippine society and used art to
transform it. This art style originated from the National
Capital Region used by activist artist in the seventies.
Example: Antipas Delotavo’s Dantaon a mural depicting
the people’s struggle for freedom and sovereignty.
Functions of Contemporary Art
Contemporary art is a form of response to the world- a
way of making sense of the realities of the day. It is an
attempt to capture an aspect of the contemporary world
and draw attention to it, comment on it, present a
surprising or fresh angle on it, represent it for the sake of
exploring something about it, or enjoy and celebrate it.
The art of today is made with different motivation from
mere self-expression to fuelling the creative
industries.
1. Contemporary Art for Pleasure
2. Contemporary Art as Profession
3. Contemporary Art as Commentary
4. Contemporary Art in Spirituality
5. Contemporary Art as Remembrance
6. Contemporary Art for Persuasion
7. Art as Self-Expression
Contexts of Contemporary Art
Context refers to factors that surround a work of art. It
includes a host of conditions such as historical events,
economic trends, contemporary cultural developments,
religious attitudes, social norms, other artworks of the
time, among others.
Historical and cultural contexts refer to the historical,
social, political and artistic climate or period in which the
artist was working when the artwork was created.
Context of art may be classified into two:
1. Primary Context pertains to the artist: his/her
attitudes, beliefs, interests and values; education
and training and biography (including psychology).
Also includes the artist’s intentions and purposes
for making his/her art.
2. Secondary Context is that which addresses the
external condition in which the work was
produced; the apparent function of the work;
religious and philosophical convictions; socio-
political and economic structures and even
climate and geography.
Contemporary art is produced and received in different
ways by the people situated in specific social
environments. To fully grasp the complexity of this
process of definition, art must not be viewed as product,
but as product and its processes: that is how it is
produced in society, culture and history.
Fundamental Components of Arts
1. Form- allows the work to be perceived by the
senses and its ideas to be communicated through
the arrangement of elements as a whole.
2. Language- medium by which cultural meanings
are formed and communicated. It is analysed
through interpretation.
3. Mode of Production-
Government Agencies and Institutions
Republic Act 7356- passed in order for the government to
support the country’s art and cultural development. It
paved the way for the creation of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
NCCA- the lead coordinating body among cultural
institutions in the country in overall policy making,
coordinating and grants-giving agency for the
preservation, development and promotion of
Philippine arts and culture.
Other tasks of NCCA: execution of its policies;
administration of the National Endowment Fund for
Culture and the Arts (NEFCA), a permanent fund
exclusively for the implementation of culture and art
programs and projects.
Curator- an individual in-charge of the museum from
setting out the physical space for exhibition to presenting
the framework in which the audience may view the work or
set of works.
Different Forms of Art: Visual & Performing Arts
VISUAL ARTS
A term used to describe a wide array of artistic disciplines
that are created primarily for visual perception.
Art forms under Visual Arts and their examples:
1. Fine Arts- this term was first used to describe the
art forms created primarily for its appearance
rather than its practical use.
Examples of fine arts:
• Drawing, Painting, Sculpture,
Print, Graphic art, Calligraphy,
Architecture
Sample local artists from the region:
Melvin Guirhem
Rock Drilon- a local artist from
Dumangas, Iloilo, he was a protégé
of National Artist Jose Joya and he is
known his highly personal style of
abstract expressionism.
Nunelucio Alvarado- he painted
Bukog a painting that portrays the
strengths of Visayan women in the
community of sugar workers.
➢ Painting
Abstract art- this art style can be derived
from recognizable object, it can be
expressive or suggestive of an idea, can
be a metaphor or symbol.
Photorealisim- a meticulous and realistic
style of painting with accurate details
looking like a photograph.
➢ Sculpture
Examples:
Bulul- figure representing ancestor
who guard both rice agri from seed to
granary as well as health of the
Cordilleran people.
Oblation- one of Guillermo Tolentino’s
most recognizable work of art.
➢ Architecture- an imaginative and creative
blend of science and art in designing
different environments for people.
 Landscape architecture, Interior Design
and Urban Design are allied arts of Ballt- style and dance technique that follows strict
architecture. set of moves and performance. It is both a dance
and theater art.
Examples of Architectural Types:
1. Domestic- includes living spaces for Folk dance, Street Dance
families or individuals
2. Religious and Sacred Architecture 3. Theater- a branch of performing arts that often
3. Commercial- includes offices, stores, involves the integration and combination of the
banks, factors, banks, etc. visual and performing arts. Some of its examples
include: Sarswela, puppetry, stand-up comedy,
Architectural Styles: absurd, stage show, political theater, musical
1. Neovernacular- reinterprets the theater, etc.
vernacular, uses modern materials
and processed indigenous materials.
e.g. Coconut Palace Some scholars, art professionals and practitioners
use another way/ criteria for classifying art forms:
2. Green Architecture- aims to create
structures that have low impact on the One example of this is the Medium-Based
environment Classification of Art Forms:
e.g. Iloilo City Hall, Zuellig Bldg.
a. Visual Arts
2. Decorative Arts and Crafts- stem from the traditional b. Architecture
indigenous crafts found throughout the country. Aside c. Music
from its aesthetic purposes, decorative arts and crafts d. Dance
are also used as functional items in early, primitive e. Theater
communities up to the present. f. Photography
g. Cinema
Examples of decorative arts and crafts: h. Broadcast art
• Pottery, Carving, Weaving, Metalwork i. Digital arts and Computer-mediated works
j. Installation art
Arts from the Regions:
Each region/ place has a specific style used in
weaving Samples of Arts from the Regions:
T’nalak weaving in Mindanao
Patadyong weaving in Antique
Hablon weaving in Iloilo
Binakul or twill in Ilocos Norte, binakul design
created optical illusion in woven blankets.

➢ Carving
-art of manipulating and creating objects by subtracting
and shaping solid materials such as wood and stones

e.g. Carving industry in Paete, Laguna (Paete is known

as the Carving Capital of the Philippines) Roberto Chabet (1937-2013)- is recognized as the father
of Philippine conceptual art. His work is all about playful,
Okir or Ukkil styles in carving decorative pieces for endless experimentation.
houses is a popular style and distinct traditional artform
representing Mindanao. Complete List of National Artists and their acclaimed
works/ titles.
3. Contemporary Art Forms
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR TANGIBLE ARTS
New and unusual art forms that cannot be easily Architecture
categorized between fine arts and decorative arts. Pablo Antonio
Leandro V. Locsin Tanghalang Pambansa, CCP Complex
Includes recently conceived art styles and techniques Juan F. Nakpil
such as collage, assemblage, installation art, Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. Father of modern Philippine Landscape
Architecture
performance art, digital art, land art, conceptual art Jose Maria V. Zaragosa
among others. Historical Literature
Carlos Quirino
PERFORMING ARTS
Literature
A term used to describe a wide array of artistic disciplines Virgilio Almario
where artist/s use their body movements, voice, etc. to Francisco Arcellana
communicate artistic expressions. Often categorized into: Cirilo F. Bautista
Music, Dance and Theater. Lazaro Francisco
Nestor VM Gonzalez
Amado V. Hernandez
1. Music- defined as the manipulation of sound and Nick Joaquin Greatest Filipino writer in English of the
silence. 20th century
F. Sionil Jose
Examples: Kundiman, Harana, Ballad, Chamber Bienvenido Lumbera
Music, Choral Music, Liturgical Music, Pop Music, Alejandro R. Roces
Carlos P. Romulo
Protest Songs
Edith L. Tiempo Grand Dame of Poetry in English
Jose Garcia Villa
2. Dance- defined as regulated and deliberated order Visual Arts
of body movements. These movements have Napoleon Abueva Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture
aesthetic value and are often performed Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
accompanied with music. Fernando Amorsolo Grand old Man of Philippine art
Ang Kiukok Won 3rd prize at the 5th Shell National
Students Art Competition for his painting
Examples: Calesa
Aerobic dance- an aerobic exercise popular to Benedicto Cabrera
Filipinos nowadays. It is a dance routine made into Francisco Conching
an exercise program and is usually accompanied by Victorio C. Edades Father of Modern Philippine Painting
upbeat music.
Carlos “Botong” Together with Edades and Galo, they are
Francisco known as the Triumvirate of the Philippine
Modern Art
Abdulmari Asia Imao
Jose T. Joya
Cesar Legaspi
Arturo Luz
Vicente Manansala Famous works include Madonna of the
Slums, Jeepneys and Stations of the
Cross
J. Elizalde Navarro
Hernando Ocampo
Guillermo Tolentino Famous works include The Bonifacio
Monument, Oblation
Fashion Design
Ramon Valera Dean of Philippine Fashion
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR INTANGIBLE ARTS
Cinema
Lino Brocka Famous works include Insiang, Maynila
sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Jaguar,
Tinimbang ka Ngunit Kulang
Ishmael Bernal Famous works include Himala, Nunal sa
Tubig, Manila By Night
Manuel Conde
Gerardo De Leon
Ronald Allan K. Poe Hailed as King of Philippine movies
Eddie S. Romero
Dance
Francisca Reyes Aquino Mother of Philippine Folk Dance
Leonor Orosa
Goquingco
Ramon Obusan
Lucrecia Reyes Urtula
Alice Reyes Founded the Ballet Philippines
Music
Antonino Buenaventura
Levi Celerio Famous works include “Pasko Na
Naman,” “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,” and
“Waray-Waray.”
Ernani Joson Cuenco
Felipe Padilla de Leon
Francisco Feliciano
Jovita Fuentes
Lucrecia Kasilag
Jose Maceda
Antonio Molina
Lucio San Pedro
Ramon Santos
Andrea Veneracion
Ryan Cayabyab
Theater
Daisy Hontiveros
Avellana
Severino Montano
Rolando Tinio