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Posted on December 22, 2018 by mayang416

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PDF Format: Infographic Group 9 PT

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ARTS CRITIC ON NAPOLEON ABUEVA’S ART MASTERPIECES

“The Sandugo” or Blood Compact sculpture is found in Bohol. It is a commemoration and memorial of
the compact and fellowship honoured by the Spanish explorer, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and a chieftain
of Bohol, Datu Sikatuna. This all happened during the 16th of March 16, 1565, a true symbolism of
friendship; as observed to be part of a tribal tradition. This was considered as the very first Treaty of
Friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos.

The Sandugo sculpture was made and manifested by Napoleon Abueva, a Boholano National Artist who
was acclaimed as The Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture. Bohol Blood Compact Site is located in
Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. This particular site was made in honor of a very
important event in the Philippine history done between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah
Sikatuna of Bohol. It is placed on an open and raised dais portraying five (5) life-sized images of men
gathered around a table with Legazpi and Sikatuna supposedly making a toast. Standing on the dais,
visitors are treated to a good view of the Bohol Sea and the contour of that particular side of the island
of Bohol.

The sculpture is massive in dimension and height, as it is designed and constructed as a monument to
piece that would remind the people of such an important part of the country’s history. The structure is
seemed to be carved or made out of alabaster stone or cement, which is cast in bronze and welded
metal. These techniques or factors as observed with regards to the sculpture, attributes the piece to
seem and appear as timeless and perennial. The color and tone that surrounds the structure, depicts
that the sculpture stands as a portrayal or reminder of a certain significant event; the bronze color may
be redeemed or interpreted as superior. Expressing a vibe that the monument stands as an important
piece of value and importance. As the given sculpture is considered and accounted as historical, the
monument up to this day is whole and undamaged. It may appear to fade in color, as the cast metal
withers in time, it is still left intact at present. The Sandugo shrine is meant to be an architectural setting
mounted on a high-based pedestal above the ground. This is to ensure that people nearby, most
especially tourists are able to see and observe every part, side and dimension of the monument. In this
way, people are able to take the time to look at every aspect and subject present in the art; since it is a
manifestation of an important event in history. It is essential for the audience to be able to get the feel
and see the bigger picture; of the setting or even how the real event took place, years ago. As the piece
is considered and known as a shrine, more than just a center art piece, its elevation above the ground is
essential. Seeing that it is one of the historical events that occurred and happened in Bohol that the
locals are very proud of. The shrine is a piece, where in people does not just come to marvel its beauty
and composition, but people and tourists come to see such a masterpiece in order to witness and
remember; to commemorate an essential part of our history that changed and affected a huge part of
the Philippines and the Filipinos.

This art piece is known as the “Sunburst”, created by Napoleon Abueva, placed in the Manila Peninsula
to act as the area’s centerpiece in the middle of the lobby. It is a bronze-copper statue surrounded by
lights behind it, that when it turns the lights on, it gives the appearance of a radiant and gloriously
shining sun that shines above the visitors of the hotel, giving it not only a creative flair, but an air of
nobility as the people gaze upon the piece. It is 12 meters long in diameter. The statue is of a beautiful
sun, with details adorned in almost every section of the piece. From the center of sun, to the rays that
stretch outward, and even the dull but yet elegant marble background add to the art’s complexity and
beauty. The core of the sun appears to have patterns that mimic the appearance of solar flares, with
arcs stretched across borders of the sun, and the shapes appearing to have outstretched from the main
structure give it a much more defined texture. The rays are made of two different shapes and lines, with
one being straight and short and the other being long, wavy and appearing to have become thinner as
the rays of the sun reach further from sun. The marble coloring is unique, with hints of dark gray and
sandstone brown all around it when the light behind is turned on, but when turned off it appears white
and pale, like clouds across the blue sky. The sun itself is gives off a warm feel, with its monochromatic
coloring.
The piece balances out itself, with the monochromatic coloration not being too stand-offish so people
would pay more attention to the detail and the shapes, and when lightened up, the sun turns dark and
shows off the shapes even more. The piece is also very contrasting, which is pleasing, with many unique
shape to counter the circle core and the straight arrow rays pointing outwards, complimented by the
wavy rays and patterns. The size of the sun itself is also nice, because of its many details, making it
bigger allows for more details to be seen by the viewers.
Personally, the art itself is intriguing and yet, it creates an air of familiarity because it is representing
something that we are all accustomed to having, the sun shining down on us. It gives off an air of
simplicity and at the same time regality, because the sun is a majestic celestial being that everyone is
able to see, no matter who they are. The warm light behind the piece also makes feel friendly in a sense,
and it also is meant to make people feel at home, which is fitting since the piece is displayed inside a
hotel.
I believe that the piece is a successful work, because it effectively enraptures the minds of anyone who
views it because of its unique patterning, positioning in the room, complementary materials and colors,
lighting, and every other aspect make it the piece it is.the artists was able to convey a warm feeling an
environment, and it really add to the homey feel when he had decided to place those warm colored
lights behind the piece. If it were to be described in one word, that word would most definitely be
“radiant”.

Napoleon Isabelo Abueva, whose contribution to Philippine visual arts spans more than six decades and
is characterized by his unceasing curiosity of sculptural material and innovation of form. Unlike most
common Filipino artists, Napoleon Abueva thought of the idea with his artwork made of stone, wood
and metal to pertain full capacity of expression with the reminiscent use of shapes surrounding the
space.

In year 1993, Napoleon Abueva made a sculpture called “The Three Graces” or the “The Three Dancers”.
It was said that this particular artwork of Abueva was mainly based originally from Antonio Canova’s
sculpture. Throughout the history, this artwork have already been interpreted in a variety of ways. But
the most common was that this piece of art depicts the pure virgin daughters of Zeus; Aglaea,
Euphrosyne, and Thalia of the Greek mythology who were said to characterize elegance, mirth and
youth respectively. According to the legends of Greece, Aglaea means radiance; Euphrosyne means joy;
and Thalia means flowering. They are also known as the Charites and its purpose is to offer delight to
the guests of gods.
The three-dimensional figures are based on classical sculpture which is visible enough with the artist’s
effort to produce an artwork made by marble. As a matter of fact, the Three Dancers is a part of a
private collection in Quezon City. With that idea, the size of its construction is not that huge and massive
unlike Abueva’s other sculptures. The stone was finally carved and shaped carefully with its scale and
proportion to highlight the Grace’s formation and maintain its design which presents the dancing of
three ladies. The three goddesses are also shown nude, assembled together, with their heads almost
touching in what many have referred to as an ‘erotically charged’ piece. They stand, leaning slightly
inward – perhaps discussing a common issue, or simply enjoying their closeness. Their hair-styles are
similar, braided and held atop their heads in a knot. The style is elegant and suggests refinement and
class. Looking at this sculpture, the delicateness of beauty is very observable and evident. Art historians
have often commented on the peaceful balance that seems to exist between the three heads. As art
experts have already commended of its principle of design which is the balance, the rhythm of the
artwork was also shown as it appears to have pattern as well as the harmony and emphasis seen on the
sculpture as what the three ladies or dancers presents depending on the way it was carved.

With this sculpture, Napoleon Abueva is really an artist that is master in academic representational style
combined with modern abstract. His artworks are still displayed in different places within the country
and will continue to inspire other modern artists.

Document Format for the Critic : Critic to Napoleon Abueva’s Artworks by Group 9

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Tags: Group9, Infographic, Napoleon Abueva, Sandugo, Sunburst, Three
GracesCategories: PERFORMANCE TASK (INFOGRAPHIC)

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