Richard Redito – BSCS II – Art Appreciation

Worksheet 1

Direction: Let‘s test what you have learned from the discussion. Answer the following
questions in 5-7 sentences each.

1. What is the difference between an artist and an artisan? Cite proof/examples from the
discussion (see attached file: Art App 1.5 Artists and Artisans).

 The words artist and artisan are often very confusing for most people although there
is a key difference between the two words. An artist is a person who performs any of
the creative arts. This can range from painting to music. An artisan, on the other
hand, is a skilled worker who makes things by hand.

Proof:
 ―Apprentices studied under masters, assisting with routine works or the preparation
of the painting surfaces. In the 17th century, these demarcations became lose,
eventually emerging together. This was especially true with artists who explored the
oil painting techniques whose long process can be described by cycles of mixing,
layering and drying of paint. This format remained throughout the latter part of the
1800s‖
 ―Combined, the mentioned important developments for an artist during the
Renaissance period resulted in a wide variety of artworks, not just in form, but more
so in style and technique. The site that saw this shift was a very personal space for
the artist himself, which is the studio.‖
 ―In the context of the cathedral construction site, the master mason oversaw the
work by numerous men of varying artistic proclivities and skills, from the smiths
(metal work), carpenters, carriers, and glaziers (stained glass artists), among others‖
 ―During the thirteenth to fifteenth century, towns had formalized groups of artisan or
craftsmen who took on a particular specialization or trade: shoemakers, textile and
glass workers, carpenters, carvers, masons, armorers, and weapon-makers, among
others.‖

2. What do you think is the role of the artist in the 21st century society?

 To express someone‘s ideas in innovative ways and seek deeper reason in life. Art is
expression. We use art to expand our perception of reality beyond normal means.

3. How relevant still are the awards National Artists and GAMABA, not only to the art
world, but also to the Filipino society as a whole?

 The main objective of the GAMABA is to honor and support traditional folk artists and
to see to it that that their skills and crafts are preserved. The award is tied with a
program that ensures the transfer of their skills to new generations and the
promotion of the craft both locally and internationally.

 The Order of the National Artists Award (Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng
Sining) is the most noteworthy national distinction given to Filipino individuals who
have made huge contributions to the advancement of Philippine expression and the
arts—to be specific, in music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film and
 broadcast arts, and architecture and allied arts. Artists who have distinguished
themselves by pioneering in a mode of creative expression or style, has an impact on
succeeding generations of artists and the society as a whole.

4. Research on at least five National Artists and GAMABA awardees (each) and their
contribution to the art world.

 Ramon Obusan, National Artist for Dance - Dancer, choreographer, stage designer
and artistic director. He achieved phenomenal success in Philippine dance and
cultural work. He was also acknowledged as a researcher, archivist and documentary
filmmaker who broadened and deepened the Filipino understanding of his own
cultural life and expressions. Through the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Grop (ROFG), he
had affected cultural and diplomatic exchanges using the multifarious aspects and
dimensions of the art of dance.

 Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music - He has composed musical scores for
award-winning films, 10 full-length Filipino musicals, full-length ballets, a major
opera, and a plethora of songs, including beloved classics like ―Tuwing Umuulan at
Kapiling Ka‖ and ―Da Coconut Nut.‖

 Francisco ‗Bobby‘ Mañosa, National Artist for Architecture - The architect known for
his modern interpretation of Philippine architectural design and use of indigenous
materials is behind the Coconut Palace, world-famous Amanpulo Resort in Palawan,
Pearl Farm in Samal Island, Shangri-La Hotel in Mactan, and the San Miguel building
in Mandaluyong, among others. For his pioneering vision and promotion of
indigenous Filipino architecture, Mañosa has garnered many accolades, both locally
and internationally.

 Resil Mojares, National Artist for Literature - Mojares is a multi-awarded writer,

historian, and literary critic. His works include Origins and Rise of the Filipino Novel,
The War Against the Americans, and books about eminent Filipinos, such as Vicente
Sotto, Pedro Paterno, Isabelo delos Reyes, and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. He has
won several National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle and founded the
Cebuano Studies Center, a library and research center dedicated to Cebuano culture
and history.

 Kidlat Tahimik, National Artist for Cinema - Widely regarded as the father of
independent Philippine cinema, Kidlat Tahimik (real name: Eric de Guia) is known for
creating films that humorously but evocatively critique neocolonialism. A native of
Baguio City, Tahimik has garnered numerous international and local awards for his
films. His first, Perfumed Nightmare (1977), won the International Critics Award at
the Berlin Film Festival.

5. Why do you think there is a need to have two national awards for the arts? Should
there be a clear-cut line between GAMABA awardees and National Artists? What issues
surround the National Artist Award and GAMABA? Prove your answer.

 While the Order of National Artists (ONA) is the highest state honor given to Philippine
practitioners of the classical western arts, Gamaba is conferred on practitioners of traditional
arts who mostly come from the indigenous cultural communities. The latter are otherwise called
“national folk artists.”

There has been cases that artists have been awarded the wrong award due to the awards not
having a clear distinction, an example would be of that indigenous tattoo artist Whang-Od
Oggay. Aboy Yu, a multimedia instructor from Far Eastern University said this "NCCA's
declaration of National Artist focuses on the modern art forms such as visual arts, literature and
dance. Traditional artists or craftsmen are given the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GaMaBa), so
GaMaBa is more suited for her."