CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS REVIEWER

What is an Art?
 It is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated
primarily for their beauty or emotional Power.
 It is a form of creative activity such as painting, music, literature, and dance.

Nature of Art
 Art is everywhere- on your clothes, the chair you are sitting , the building you are standing and so on.
 Art as an expression and form of communication- art is used as a tool of expressing human emotions.
 Art as creation- art is the act of combining or re-ordering already existing materials so that a new object is
formed.
 Art and experience- we express our experience through art. Art is varying combination of sensory, emotional
and intellectual responses in which they express in art. Art is well-planned.
 Art and nature- art is not nature. A work of art is human-made and although it may closely resemble nature it
can never duplicate nature because it is presented in how the artist interpret reality.
 Art and beauty- art is not beauty, beauty is the appreciation of art and it might not be the same with others.

Subject of Art
 refers to the main idea that is represented in the artwork.
1. Objective or Representational Art
 The “actual object of the reality. This type of art has subcategories include Realism, Impressionism, Idealism, and
Stylization.”
2. Abstraction or Abstract Art
 “A type of an art that take the subject into the reality but in a different representation. Elements are being
represented that transform the subject.”
3. Non-Objective or Non Representational Art
 “It is only made by a subject for aesthetic purpose. One might say that this type of art is the same as the abstract
but it is often the mistake of the perceiver.”

Functions of Art
Function is the role or purpose for which something is designed or created.
1. Personal Function
 Varied and highly subjective
 Need for self-expression
 Entertainment for intended audience
 Therapeutic for the artist and audience
2. Social Function
 Address a particular collective interest
 Convey message of protest, contestation, or any message the artist intends to carry
 Convey a message that will benefit the society
4. Physical Function
 Artworks that are crafted or built to serve some physical purposes
 Artworks can be used for practical purpose because of their physical structure
 ARCHITECTURE
 INDUSTRIAL DESIGNING
 GRAPHIC DESIGNING
 INTERIOR DESIGNING
Visual Arts
The term “visual arts” encompasses a wide range of forms created by Filipinos. Traditionally, these visual arts form
include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and
architecture.

Elements of Visual Arts

1. Line
 This refers to a prolongation of a point, or a mark on a surface. Solid lines can be used in order to define
form while broken lines are typically used to suggest hidden forms.
 Lines are also used to suggest dimensions, and to guide visual movement.
2. Shape and Form
 This element of art refers to an area with boundaries identified or drawn using lines. However, they
differ in terms of dimensions.
 Shape is two-dimensional, flat or limited to height and width while Form is three-dimensional and
encloses volume; includes height, width and depth.
3. Color
 This refers to visual perception that allows us to differentiate objects due to the way various wavelength
of light are reflected.
 Color is a very important element because it can communicate information and emotion to the viewer
4. Value
 This element refers to lightness or darkness of an area.
 This element is evident in creating shadows for two-dimensional object to give an illusion of depth.
5. Texture
 This element refers to the feel or appearance of a surface.
 A person may describe texture if the surface is either smooth or rough.
 Texture may also be described as actual or implied.
6. Space
 It refers to the area that is occupied by an object as well as the area surrounding that object or subject.
7. Time and Motion
 Movement in the visual arts can either be an illusion or an actual motion.
Painting
-refers to the process of applying color on flat surface (canvas, walls and likes).
Forms of Painting:
1. Easel
 This involves applying paint on canvas which is leaning on a support (easel)
2. Mural
 This is described as “huge wall-sized painting”.
 During the 1980’s, artist believed that murals are important because the help impart message and
spread awareness especially on social issues.
3. Telon
 The backdrop/backround for stage plays. Are used for komedya, sarswela, and sinakulo (popular plays
in the Philippines).
 They are still used in presentations during carnivals, fiestas and religious celebrations.
4. Calesa and Jeepney
 The typical of this type can be seen as geometric patterns, religious figures and other times family
members.
5. Collage
 A form of painting that uses different mediums to create a single artwork. Many artist uses a
combination of paint and cut outs.
Themes of Painting:
1. Genre Painting
 This painting portrays people’s daily activities. Subjects can be from harvesting, women talking, and
children playing or just about everything.
2. Historical Painting
 Painting that depicts a scene from the past. Usually tells lesson concerning national value.
3. Interiors
 The paint and style of painting on the walls inside the house.
4. Landscapes
 Painting on canvases that depict natural scenery or rural scene.
5. Portraits
 Painting of an individual. Before the invention of cameras (see Dry plates), people would commission
artist to paint their portrait.
6. Nudes
 Painting on canvas that shows unclothed human figures.
7. Religious Painting
 Painting of saints, and other holy scenes from the “Nativity” and of the station of the cross.
8. Still Life
 Painting that depicts a lone object, either natural or man-made, in a natural setting.