Contemporary Arts

 are made by living artists today

 together with: con and time: tempo
 how artists express themselves in an artistic way
 reflect the reality and values of society
 portrays cultural diversity
 many contemporary artists use their work to comment on cultural and political issues
Cultural Dialogue
 kahit hindi taga-doon sa lugar na yon, they can easily identify that art
 when someone appreciate an art without technical qualification
 I do not take another person or nation to appreciate an artwork
 artworks show how people are in a country
Islamic Art
 most of their art is geometric because they should only praise Allah
 patterns

 1521 - Magellan happened to discover the majestic island of the Phil

 Be aware of the timeline (history)
Spanish Colonization
 Filipino artists do art related to religion
American Era
 lumawak yong sakop ng art
 Kahit walang influence ng religion yong ginagawang art
Japanese Era
 Orientalizing
 more on asian influence in arts
 ceramics
Modern Era
 artists were trying to convey na even ang laki ng influence ng colonizers, we still have our own filipino identity
Contemporary Era
 social realism showcase what is happening in the society
 mas lumalawak na yong medium para i-express yong isang art
18th Century
 friars (persons in the catholic church)
 Most powerful that time kaya may say sila sa mga art na ginagawa
 Pagcacarve ng mga santo, pagpapaint ng religious
19th Century
 Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo’s works emerged
 Felix Hidalgo won the 2nd place in one of his art pieces
 Spoliarium would be the first artwork na makikita when you enter the National Museum ; largest canvas

Lesson 1: Contemporary Art forms in the Philippines

Contemporary Arts defined:
  Art produced at the present period in time, includes and develops from postmodern art, which is itself a successor
to Modern art.
 Art made and produced by artist living today.
 Statement that an artist makes about life, thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and many other things that define human life.
Simultaneously reflects the realities and values of our society, its variety portrays the mosaic of our cultural
diversity is culture.
 Contemporary art is the art of today, produced by artists who are living in the twenty-first century.
Contemporary art of the 21st century may combine elements of performance, painting, sculpture, dance, and many
other media. It draws on the movements of modern art, including minimalism and assemblage art, to create dynamic
pieces that aim to challenge the viewer and spark thought. Many contemporary artists use their work to comment on
cultural and political issues, including race, human rights, economic inequality, and global conflict. As the world
continues to change and impact human life on a large scale, art continues to experiment with new ways of reaching its
audience.

Additional:
During the 18th Century, earliest among the collection are religious in themes and composed of 18th century
icons and images created by local artisans under the tutelage of the friars. The devotional pieces of the collection are of
outstanding significance.

Coronation of the Virgin

The painting depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary ceremoniously crowned by God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, as queen of heaven and earth.
The theme replicates the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary and the Litany. It is one of the oldest artwork
in the visual arts collection. As a form of praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the theme is also used as a figure title,
“Reyna de los Cielos”, in the traditional May-time festival, the Santacruzan.
An extremely rare icon belonging to the primitive school of Philippine art. It is typical of the religious art
produced during the 18th century for household use (devotional piece).

19TH CENTURY
During the late Spanish colonial period, the school of Academism or “salon” painting emerged and produced the
likes of Juan N. Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, who are now considered as 19th century masters.

1900s
In the succeeding American period, Fernando C. Amorsolo, who was later declared as the First National Artist,
rose into fame and established his own style or “school” which was largely characterized by countryside scenery with
golden sunlight.

2000s
Philippine art has come a long way, from the primitive ingenuity of the Filipinos to the present avant-
garde(experimental, no limitations), artists exploring all possible techniques and schools ranging from the traditionalists,
representationalists, abstractionists, abstract expressionists, semi-abstractionists, figurative expressionists, non-objectivists
and other forms of -isms.
What's the difference between Modern and Contemporary Art?
Modern art came before contemporary art. Most art historians and critics put the beginning of modern art in the
West at around the 1860s, continuing up to the 1960s. Whereas, contemporary art means made in the present day.
What is Contemporary Arts?
 Contemporary art is the art of today, produced by artists who are living in the twenty-first century.
 Contemporary art is part of a cultural dialogue that concerns larger contextual frameworks such as personal and
cultural identity, family, community, and nationality.

More Characteristics of Contemporary Art

 Contemporary art is not confined to the museum but is also found in galleries, art schools, side streets, and public
spaces like the train or bus stations, shopping centers, or parks.
 Selling of contemporary artworks becomes more accessible since artists post their works online, but some only
intend to display their works in a particular setting and for a given span of time.
 Many contemporary artists are self-taught and did not have formal education. They are more flexible in using
different kind of materials.
 Some contemporary artists employ the help of fabricators, carpenters, electricians, or welders in “constructing”
their artworks.
 Originality is not an issue in contemporary art. An artist can get another artist’s work and add to it, redesign or
interpret it using other materials.
 What is essential to contemporary artists is the process of art making. It is the experience, for example, of dipping
one’s hands into a pail of paint and making markings on a flat surface that matters to the contemporary artist.
“Appreciation of art does not really need skill.”