WHAT IS THIS MODULE ALL ABOUT?

11
This module serves as a learning resource material in understanding the
target competency expected in the curriculum.

Contemporary Philippine Arts TOPIC

 Combination of different arts as seen in the
modern times
from the Regions
CONTENT STANDARD
 The learner demonstrates appreciation of contemporary art forms found
in various regions by understanding the elements and principles

LEARNING COMPETENCY

WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY ART? CAR11/12IAC-0a-1

(Ferry Angelyne M. Sisracon) The presented activities or exercises and texts are
developed in order to meet the following objectives:

1. Define “contemporary art” based on historical and cultural perspectives;

2. Explain the difference between the “modern” and “contemporary” arts in the

context of Philippine history and culture; and

3. Evaluate an example of contemporary Philippine literature

Copyright 2019
 6. The practice of creating contemporary arts started in the years that the Western world 6. ______
LESSON PROPER was significantly developing.

Pre-Test 7. Modern art is total the same as contemporary arts since modern and contemporary are 7. ______
synonymous to each other.
A. Read and understand each item carefully. Then, select the letter of the
best answer. 8. Before the colonization, the Philippines already has indigenous arts. 8. ______

9. Avant-garde is a form of contemporary arts. 9. ______

1. What artistic tradition combines different methods, materials and ideas that
transcend the traditional way of creating arts? 10. Modern art developed even after the World War II and led to the contemporary way 10. _____
A. American Colonial Arts B. Modern Arts of art-making today.
C. Contemporary Arts D. 21st Century Arts
2. Which of the following sentences does not define “contemporary” in arts?
Review
A. Produced by artists living today.
B. Done to copy and idealize reality. Study each picture below and identify the period or art tradition from which it
C. Can be changed depending on the historical and cultural contexts. came from. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided.
D. Created to create illusions of depth, nearness and farness.
3. What are the factors that influence the development of contemporary art forms? P – Pre-Colonial M – Modern
A. innovation, socio-economic and political environments S – Spanish C – Contemporary
B. socio-economic and political environments A – American
C. innovation, socio-political and cultural environments
D. social, political environment and culture
4. What is the contemporary art production that utilizes digital technologies in
mass production?
A. digital arts B. graffiti C. land art
D. sgraffito
5. What is the French word that means “take off” or “to become unglued?”
A. collage B. decollage C. digital arts
D. mixed media

B. Modified TRUE or FALSE. Write LIT if the statement is correct. 1. __________

Otherwise, write WIT and underline the word(s) and/or phrase(s) that made 2. __________ 3. __________
the statement incorrect. Write the correct answer on the space provided.
 remote and far-flung areas of the archipelago, mirror the country’s history,

cultures and traditions. Art draws inspiration from the society and at the same

time, art is honed by specific conditions that engendered its production (Datuin et

al, 2016)

Today, it is a common tendency of students and teachers alike to describe

4. __________ 5. __________ the current art forms as “moderm.” Being modern means being up to date or
6. __________
relating to the present time. Often, it is also considered as contemporary.

However, a clear line must be delineated to differentiate the two.

Activity 1
This module shall provide you with a ray of light on the differences
During the lesson, students shall be grouped into five. They shall identify
between modern and contemporary arts and the contexts of the latter. When we
the various mediums and techniques used in different historical periods.
say context, it means not only the background or backdrop but also what, how and
STYLISTIC OVERVIEW
Pre- Spanish American Modern Post-Modern/
why an art was made. Specifically, this lesson gives you the difference between
colonial Colonial Colonial Contemporary
contemporary and modern arts in the context of Philippine history and culture.
Painting
Sculpture
What is Contemporary Arts?
Architecture
Performing
The present is always the modern. And being modern means being
Arts
technologically advanced—using laptop and smartphones effectively or being

able to communicate well using the latest internet application or being able to be
Discussion
adept with the current social media craze. Often, being modern is also being
Art plays an important role in the identity of the Filipinos and the
contemporary. And contemporary art being “at present,” “new,” is also modern.
Philippine culture, in general. The various art forms, found even in the most
People, especially students, tend to confuse that modern could also mean diverting ork
>fiesta
from being “traditional,” “orthodox,” or conservative.” Therefore, the terms could
Architec >dwellin >church >city >public Real estate, safe
be interchanged. ture gs >plaza planning works housing, accessories,
>houses complex >parks tenements, squatters,
First, a quick research on the history of the Philippines and looking into >shelters >town >waterfr convention arch,
planning onts commercial/
>worshi
the art forms and culture during pre-colonial until the modern periods (Fajardo businesses, condos,
p areas >fortifica >civic/
malls, subdivisions,
and Flores, 2002). The following table includes on the visual arts—painting, >official tion govts
developments, low-
residenc >civic structure
cost housing
sculpture and architecture. es buildings s
>mosque and >public
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE PHILIPPINE A >masjid installati works
RTS ons >apartme
>state
(Fajardo and Flores, 2002) edifices >private ns
residence >residen
FORM PRE- SPANIS AMERI JAPANE POST- 70s-
s ces
COLON H CAN SE WAR PRESE
IAL NT >comme >offices
rcial >health
Painting >pots >religiou >landsca >wartim >modern >figurati structure
s icons pes e scenes ve and
>body >conserva s public
ornamen >portrait >portrait >propag tive >non- >cemeter educatio
ts s s anda >abstract figurativ ies n
>jewelri >still life Indegeni >experim e
>bridges >chalet
es zing and ental >arts for
>lightho
orientali >public art’s
uses
zing sake
Sculptur >pots >santos >free-
works >multim
e >carving >furnitur standing
>idylls edia Figure 1.1. Historical Overview of Philippine Arts
s es >reliefs
>transm
>woodw >reliefs >public It's also ironic that many people say they don't "get" contemporary art
edia
orks >jewelrie
>metalw s because, unlike cave paintings or ambahan, art made since 1960 reflects our own
orks >metalw
recent past. It speaks to the dramatic social, political and technological changes of front of a mural of a know company where the “C” of the brand name aims at the

the last 50 years, and it questions many of society's values and assumptions—a chest of a seemingly tired factory worker.

tendency of postmodernism, a concept sometimes used to describe contemporary

art. What makes today's art especially challenging is that, like the world around

us, it has become more diverse and cannot be easily defined through a list of

visual characteristics, artistic themes or cultural concerns. So, from the Figure 1.1.

contemporary art could literally be considered as works of artists living today.

Figure 1.3. “Itak sa Puso ni Mang Juan,” by Antipas Delotavo (1978)

Both works were considered contemporary at the time they were painted.

But today, they are referred to as examples of modern art, produced between the

American Colonial and the Post-War Periods. Some artists, who continue working

these days have their artworks considered contemporary by virtue of being made

“in the present time.” For example, Arturo Luz, National Artist for Sculpture,

started creating arts in the 1950s. His works prior to the present are considered
Figure 1.2. “PORK-eating Cong,” by Pablo Baen Santos (2009)
modern, as seen in Figure 1.1. And his works at present, in this particular decade,
Figure 1.2 was done in 2009 by Pablo Baen Santos, who believes in arts
is contemporary. The term “contemporary” is fluid and ever-changing. Its use can
as an exposition of the true conditions of the society. His oil panting in canvas
change from time to time depending on the context present. So, one must be
was part of the exhibition entitled, “Against the Current: Contemporary Social
careful when using “modern” and “contemporary simulataneously or
Realist Art in the Philippines” at vMeme Contemporary Gallery in 2013.
interchangeably.
Whereas, Figure 1.3. a 1978 painting by Antipas Delotavo of a man walking in
What is Modern Arts? Whereas, the contemporary, being “at present” is continuously moving ang

According to Stancheva (2017), the history of modern Philippine arts is changing.

marked by a conflict between the rules and views of the academy and the

innovative methods of the modernists. National Artist Victorio Edades led in

Activity 2
challenging the neoclassic style—that depicts reality as closely as possible—and

the conservative arts of Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino. But it must After the lesson, assume you are all contemporary artists. Create an

be noted that they aim not to copy reality but to change colors and flatten the collaborative and integrative art using a local myth that the teacher will provide.

images to create illusions of depth and to possibly depict reality although they are Divide the class into five groups and discuss the local myth-- taking note of the

“ugly” and “unpleasant.” (Datuin et al, 2016) subject, mediums and elements. Each group will be given ten minutes to

improvise. And another one to two minutes to present.

For a time, modern art was both appaling and suprising while the

traditional was familiar and elegant. Artworks were considered classical as the Group 1: dance
modernists revived the academic period. It continued until they penetrated the
Group 2: tunog-tao
Philippine School of Fine Arts, now the University of the Philippines College of

Fine Arts where Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino, the Father of Group 3: skit

Philippine Arts were most influential. Their teachings continued to impact

Group 4: spoken poetry
different students in various schools through curricular offerings and workshops

and apprenticeships. Group 5: poster

At present, the modern might be considered “traditional” because that

The groups will come together to integrate their outputs with a composite piece. It
period has been gone. It already became part of the academic and the curricula.
will be polished on the succeeding meeting.
Analysis

Explain the difference between modern and contemporary arts using

Application
thefollowing
You may ask around your community and find out if there are

contemporary artists. Ask them if they can show you their works. Consult also if

you can create your own art inspire by their works. You may then use either a

photo collage or photo essay and upload your work with a blog containing your

personal view on the “contemporary-ness” of your artwork and how does it differ

from other art works from the modern and other periods.

https://camdencivilrightsproject.com/c6faff11 https://www.pinterest.ph/allan4b Summary of Learning

a8fc4e5e9e1be2ca159f7a1e/ eginners/philippine-social-
realism/ The different places in the country are home to various arts, cultures and

traditions. And these forms reflect the inspirations why and how art works were

Abstraction made in a specific period of time. Given this, being modern means being

Contemporary arts is distinguishable from the modern arts by looking at advanced and adept with the latest in the society. In the context of Philippine art

its historical and cultural perspectives. Modern arts identify itself with the history, modern arts means works made after the war making it kind of academic

academe and the traditional whereas contemporary arts identify itself with the and traditional. Contemporary arts, on the other hand, are forms made in the

present but it is also open to many other possibilities that is why it is ever current period by this generation. Simply put, contemporary arts means art works

changing, it is not fixed. made by artists living today.

 The difference between the two is somewhat confusing. The terms could 9. Maragondon Church

actually be interchanged. However, looking on to the historical and cultural 10. “Spoliarium” by Eraserheads

perspectives of both provides the characteristics needed to decipher one after the

other. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

If you have access to the internet, search for Lourd de Veyra’s “Word of the

ASSESSMENT Lourd.” Watch some episodes. Is it an example of contemporary art? Why? Your

A. Write P if the description belongs to the Pre-Colonial; S for Spanish Colonial; output can be a blog entry or a video using the same format (as WOTL).

A for Americal Colonial; M for Modern or C for Contemporary Period

1. The geographical location and experiences of Filipinos were the main

factors in art production. ____

2. Awit and comedia were popular in this period. ____
3. Technological innovations affected art-making resulting to non-

conventional artworks. ____

4. This period was highly influenced by idyllic and nostalgic encounter ____

of people in this period.

5. Mass production of arts and crafts are essential for the market-oriented ____

public Answer Key

Pre-test Post-test
B. Identify the period where the following art forms thrived. 1. C 1. P
2. A 2. S
6. Burnham Park 3. C 3. M
4. A 4. A
7. “Spoliarium” by Juan Luna 5. B 5. C
6. LIT 6. Americal Colonial Period
8. Pintados 7. WIT, Modern and Contemporary 7. Spanish Colonial Period
Arts are entirely different stylistic

periods
8. LIT 8. Pre-Colonial Period
9. LIT 9. Spanish Colonial Period
10. LIT 10. Contemporary Period

References

Datuin, Flaudette May, et al. 2016. Contemporay Philippine Arts from the
Regions. Rex Bookstore.

Fajardo, Brenda and Patrick Flores. 2002. Arts, Man and Society. UP Press.

Mendez, Mario L. Jr.,Contemporary Philippine Art from the Regions, DIWA

Learning Systems Inc.

Sandagan, Luviminda D.and Sayseng, Ayesha H., Contemporary Philippine Art

from the Regions. JFS Publishing Services.