MODULE: HUM001 – ARTS APPRECIATION

CHAPRT 4: ART AND ARTISANS: PRODUCTION PROCESS, MEDIUM,

TECHNIQUE, CURATION

A. Differentiate Artist and Artisans

B. Identify production process, medium, technique, and curation
C. Cite Filipino 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. The mere definition of the two words can be
rather confusing because both involve the creation of
something.
Artist is an art practitioner such as painter, sculptor,
choreographer dancer, musician, a poet who produces or
creates indirectly functional arts with aesthetic value using
imagination.

Artisan is a craftsman, such as carpenter,

carver, plumber, blacksmith, weaver embroider and
etc. who produces directly functional and/or
decorative arts.

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ARTIST VS. ARTISAN

ARTIST

The word “artist” is generally defined as

an art practitioner, such as a painter, sculptor,
choreographer, dancer, writer, poet,
musicians, and the like, who produces or
creates indirectly functional arts with aesthetic
value using imagination. Thus, artists provide
us with paintings, sculptures, dances, music,
literary pieces, and so on, as a means of
provoking our thoughts, ideas, and emotions
that are necessary to discover ourselves and
our being.

Artists are creative individuals who use their imagination and skills to
communicate in an art form. They use the materials of an art to solve visual problems.
Artists look to many sources for inspiration. Some look forward to their natural and
cultural environment for ideas; others look within themselves for creative imagination.

ARTISAN

Artisans help us in meeting our basic

needs, such as food, shelter, clothing,
dwelling, furniture, and kitchen utensils;
they craft everything that makes our life
easy. The artisan’s works are useful,
relevant and essential in our everyday life.
They serve us for a long time, supplying us
directly functional arts.

The artisan is basically a physical

worker who makes objects with his or her hands, and who through skill, experience,
and ability can produce things of great beauty, as well as usefulness. The artist on the
other hand, is someone devoted only to the creative part, making visually pleasant work
only for the gratification and appreciation of the viewer but with no practical value.

DEFINITIONS OF ARTIST AND ARTISAN

Artist - An artist is a person who performs any of the creative arts.

Artisan - An artisan is a skilled worker who makes things by hand.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF ARTIST AND ARTISAN

Artistic Value:
Artist - The object has a clear artistic value.
Artisan - The object has an artistic value.

Functional Value:
Artist - The object has no functional value.
Artisan - The object has a functional value.

Object:
Artist - The object has a lot of aesthetic value and is appreciated for this
quality as it pleases the individual.
Artisan - The object though utilitarian has certain aesthetic attributes to it.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Robert Fritz, based on his book, enumerated the steps in the creative process,
and said that creating is a skill that can be learned and developed. Like any other skill,
we learn by practice and hands-on experience. We can learn to create by creating.
Here are some steps we can follow to guide our action, Fritz enumerated three stages
in the creative process:

1. Conceive the result you want to create. Creation starts at the end. We need
to have an idea of what we want to create, of what we want to have and manifest.
We need a vision-individual or collective-that we want to realize.

2. Know what currently exists. It is difficult to create something novel and/or

original in any area of knowledge without being aware of what is being done in
that area.

3. Take actions. Having a wonderful idea or vision is not enough, you have to do
something to make it real, to manifest it although sometimes, you will have to
do things that might generate criticisms, sometime you will make serious
mistakes and you will have to start again.

4. Develop your creativity. Every new creation gives you fresh thoughts and
knowledge of your own creative process. You will then increase your ability to
picture what want and your capacity to bring those outcomes into real-life
situations.

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5. Lear the rhythms of the creative process. There are three fundamental
stages in the Creative Process: germination, assimilation, and completion.

Three Stages in the Creative Process

1. Germination (Idea) – is the initial moment when you conceive a new project in
your life. Itis a moment with a lot of energy coming out of the future you envision.
It is powerful time you will have to use wisely for providing the right steps to
move forward. In the germination stage, you are planting the seeds of your
creation. The most important and difficult thing in this stage is choosing. You
need to be more specific about what you want to do. You have to learn to choose
well, to make good decisions.

2. Assimilation – a crucial step in the creative process because you will plan,
analyze it, and cultivate it with all the available resources. It follows an organic
path, with its own rhythms and needs. Sometimes it will look chaotic and difficult
to manage, do not try to intervene to change this process or adapt it to your
convenience. You will likely to be unsuccessful and put the whole project in
danger.

3. Completion is the time to finish your project, to give it to the final shape before
you present it to the audience. It is a difficult time because your energy will be
little and likely dispersed with a new vision. Put a deadline to your projects and
do not get entangled in small a never-ending detail.

A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO CONCLUDE YOUR PROJECTS IS BY CELEBRATING

THEM.

Celebrating is a great opportunity to share with other people your happiness for hat
you have done. Afterward you will be ready to start again

Three Stages in Art making

Art making can be associated with art exploration, concept development, and
art production. In the creative process, the artist undergoes three stages of experience,
which are popularly known as:

1. PRE-PRODUCTION OR SUBJECT DEVELOPMENT-this ends when the

planning ends, and the content starts being produced.

2. PRODUCTION OR MEDIUM MANIPULATION-is a method of joining diverse

material inputs and unimportant inputs (plans, know –how to make something
for consumption (the output). It is the act of creating output, a good or service
that has significance and contributes to the utility of individuals.

3. POST PRODUCTION (COMPLETION) OR EXHIBITION-once an artwork is

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finished, it will be displayed, circulated, and performed for the audience and
public to see or watch.

MEDIUM AND TECHNIQUE

MEDIUM

Refers to the materials that are used by an artist to create a work of art. The
plural for of medium is media. Without the medium, an idea remains a concept, or it
would just dwell in the walls of the artist’s imagination. It is challenging to manipulate
medium and transform it from its raw state.

Mediums is the mode of expression in which the concept, idea or message is

conveyed. These are the materials which are used by an artist to interpret his
feelings or thoughts.

TECHNIQUE

Refers to the artist’s ability and knowledge or technical know-how in

manipulating the medium. It is the manner by which the artist controls the medium to
achieve the desired effects; thus, it is in the technique that artists differ from one
another. Making an artwork requires technical competence. The ability to manipulate
is the driving force in the birthing of a new form or idea.

Technique is the manner in which artist controls his medium to achieve the
desired effect. It has something to do with way he manipulates his mediums
to express his idea.

CURATION

An art curator is in charge of managing collections of works of art for a

museum, foundation or an art gallery.

A curator, who is a manager or overseer, and usually a curator or keeper of a

cultural heritage institution (e,g, gallery, museum, library, or archive), is a content
specialist charged with an institution’s collections, selecting arts to be displayed in a
museum, organizing art exhibitions in galleries or public places, researching artists,
and writing catalogs and involved with the interpretation of heritage

To be successful, a curator should be organized, passionate, knowledgeable,

adept at multitasking, and proficient at writing.

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THE 10 FILIPINO ARTISTS AND THEIR MASTERWORKS

1. FERNANDO AMORSOLO (1892-1972)

Labelled the country’s first National Artist in

1972 by then President Marcos, Fernando Amorsolo
is often known as the ‘Grand Old Man of Philippine
Art’. The Spanish-trained realist developed a
backlighting technique, where his colorful depictions
of local people reflect the radiance of the Philippine
sun. The figures and illuminated landscapes
magically glow on the canvas. Despite his
deteriorating health and failing eyesight, he
remained prolific until the end, producing up to 10
paintings a month until his death at the age of 80.
Amorsolo’s creativity defines the nation’s culture and
“Planting Rice”
heritage to this day.

2. JOSE JOYA (1931-1995)

A Filipino pioneer of Abstract expressionism,

multi-media painter José Joya uses bold and vibrant
colours with a variety of painting techniques,
layering, loose impasto strokes and controlled drips.
His harmonious colours are influenced by Philippine
landscapes and tropical wildlife. His mastery lies in
gestural paintings, where the paint is applied
spontaneously on canvas, sometimes directly out of
the tube or through the use of broad strokes with
brushes.
“East Meets West”

3. PACITA ABAD (1946-2004)

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Born on the northern island of Batanes, the

internationally revered artist first obtained a degree
in Political Science at the University of the
Philippines. Her staunch activism against the Marcos
regime in the 1970s, led her to move to San
Francisco to initially study law – but she found her
true calling with art. Her paintings consist of vibrant
colors and a constant change of patterns and
materials. Earlier work dealt with socio-political
depictions of people, indigenous masks, tropical
flowers, and underwater scenes.
“Yellow Spider (Flame)”

4. KIDLAT TAHIMIK (1942-present)

A close friend of BenCab and Baguio native is

critically acclaimed director Kidlat Tahimik. Known as the
father of Philippine independent film, the government
recently conferred upon him the Order of National Artist
for Film in October 2018. Born Eric de Guia, Kidlat
Tahimik means ‘silent lightning’ in Tagalog. His work is
associated with Third Cinema, a film movement that
denounces neocolonialism and the capitalist system. His
films have been prominent at film festivals across
America, Europe, and Asia.

5. CARLOS “BOTONG” FRANCISCO

If there was ever an area in the Philippines known

for its visual artists, it’s Angono, Rizal, and at the
forefront of that community is the name Carlos “Botong”
Francisco. A muralist who brought the art form back into
the limelight, his work graces the City Hall of Manila and
the National Art Gallery of the Philippines. He was also
one of the first Filipino modernists, breaking away from
the Romanticism of Amorsolo to make use of geometric
forms and linear painting. Among his most famous works
include depictions of the Blood Compact, the First Mass
at Limasawa, and most notably The Progress of
Medicine in the Philippines, which has been restored
three times. A famous replica of this mural resides at the
lobby of the Philippine General Hospital.

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6. JAMES GABRIEL MAMALIAS (Capiz Shell Crafts)

Hailing from Argao, Cebu, James Gabriel Mamalias

is an engineer, artisan, and owner of Capiz Shell
Furniture where they use artisanal techniques passed
down through generations. They carefully select capiz
shells and then glue them together, using them to form a
sheet that can be cut to create furniture such as dividers,
doors, lights, mirrors, and tables.

Another traditional use of capiz shells is for

lampirong, an architectural style that incorporates the
shells into windows. Coming from the Tagalog words
lampa (shells) and ring (window), lampirong is commonly seen in preserved historic
buildings around the country. Lampirong windows are typically made using olivella
shells, which have a shiny and sparkling iridescence that has been prized for centuries
through their use in other decorative items, like jewelry.

Aside from offering beautiful handmade products like the lampirong, Capiz Shell
Furniture also supports a community of local artisans in the Philippines who make a
living by learning the craft.

7. FIDEL ANTIPORDA GO (Burnay Pottery)

Another noteworthy local artisan in the

Philippines is Fidel Antiporda Go, whose legacy at Ruby
Jar Factory is highly valued in Vigan’s commitment to
preserve its culture. In 1990, Go was recognized by the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts as a
National Folk Artist, for his exceptional skill and work in
the burnayan.
Burnay (jar) production was originally introduced by
Chinese migrants in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur from the 18th
to 19th century. These earthenware jars were
traditionally used as food and water containers, since their wide shapes, narrow
mouths, and flat bottoms were ideal for the storage and fermentation of sugarcane
wine, fish sauce, and vinegar. The Bantug clay used to make the jars is formed with
the artisan’s hands while a potter’s wheel is operated by foot. Afterwards, the jars are
air-dried, and then finally cooked in a kiln.

Because of Go’s work, burnay tradition has been preserved until today. Vigan
City is widely known across the country for its incredible handmade pottery, which
delights local and international tourists alike.

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8. ARIOSTO DALE BAGTAS

The 25-year-old from Marilao, Bulacan’s winning

entry can be perceived as an artistic impression of
the virus on a cellular level or the representation of
the frontlines and civilians coming together to defeat
the virus. The artist also offers the vision of a
collection of vortices of those who seek to restore
their health.

9. KATHLEEN DAGUM

Based in Sultan Kudarat, the 36-year-old’s winning

entry depicts human suppression through chaotic
poses. The title of the work is a Cebuano word that
means “to break apart into constituent parts,” which
is reflected in the inharmonious swinging of the
children who fail to achieve collective action and
unity.

10. MARK ANTHONY P. LAZA

The social realism artwork by the 26-year-

old is a sobering look at the last moments of
innocence. It features a young peddler with a
temporary halo that, for now, protects him from
the brutal realities of the life of a Filipino living
under the poverty line.

Binyag sa Landas - Apoy

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• https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/city-college-of-angeles/bped/art-
appreciation-module-revised-pdf-free/19099890
• https://www.unboundvisualarts.org/what-is-visual-art/
• https://iesa.edu/paris/news-events/art-curator
• https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-science-and-technology-of-
southern-philippines/art-appreciation/artist-and-artisan/45662078

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