Contemporary Arts (Pointers to Review)

Three Major Traditions of Philippine Arts

1. Ethnic Tradition
 Arts are for ritual purposes or everyday use.
 Arts are created with bare hands and inventive personalities.

Angono Petroglyphs  Situated in Binangonan, Rizal.
 Discovered in 1965 by Carlos “Botong” Francisco.
 Believed to be the oldest known artwork in the Philippines.
 There are 127 human and animal figures engraved on the rock wall and dating back to circa late
Neolithic.

Manunggul Jar  Found in Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point, Palawan in the early 1960s.
 It is a burial jar that signifies the belief of early Filipino in life after death.

2. Spanish Colonial Tradition

 Art forms were primarily influenced by religion and secularization.
 Spaniards used arts to propagate the Catholic faith.
Langit, Lupa at Impyerno (1850)  By Josef Luciano Dans
 Will be found in St. James the Apostle Church in Paete, Laguna
 Depicts the heaven crucifixion of Christ; earth, Adan and Eve; and hell, sinners with
different transgressions.
St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral  Located in Burgos, Vigan City
 Was built in 1574 and replaced as a church in 1641.

3. American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Traditions

 Modern Art
 Refers to the practice of art from the 1860s to the 1960s.
 The main theme of artworks in this time is national identity.
 Contemporary Arts
 Refers to the practice of art from the 1970s to the present.
 Mirrors the society and culture of the present times using a combination of different methods, materials,
and ideas.
 Philippine contemporary arts can be described into:
 Visual arts - used to describe a wide array of artistic disciplines that are appreciated primarily
through sight.
 Literary arts - an expression of ideas through writing.
 Performing arts - artist use their voices and/or their body movements to communicate artistic
expression.
Art Installation in Sand  By Leeroy New, one of the Philippines contemporary artists.
Dunes of Paoay  This art installation was made for the La Milagrosa Festival in Ilocos Norte.
(1986)  According to him, the art installation symbolizes the great festivals, feasts and celebrations.

What is Contemporary Art?

 Contemporary art is defined as the art of the “now”. “Art of Today”
 These are the artworks that are produced in the present times.
SOME ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS

1. APPROPRIATION – existing artworks are appropriated to produce another artwork.

This is the combination of new and old elements.
Ex: usage of prints, images, and icons to produce another art

2. PERFORMANCE- it evolved to emphasize spontaneous elements of chance.

-Interpreting various human activities such as ordinary activities CHORES, ROUTINES, and RITUALS it was socially
relevant themes such as poverty, commercialism, and war.

3. SPACE- Arts transforming space, For example flash mobs, art installations in malls and parks.

4. HYBRIDITY - this refers to the use of different art mediums that are put together.
- which uses unconventional materials, mixing of unlikely medium or materials to produce an art work

5. DESTRUCTION – refers to when an artist uses methods to show damage in or to their artwork. Many times, this destruction
is documented as a process, which in return, becomes the work itself.

6. TECHNOLOGY – this is the creation and dissemination of artwork.

-It uses modern platforms or equipment in creating art.
Ex: Cellphone, computer, you Tube, tiktok

PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ARTS

Philippine Contemporary Arts can be described as visual arts, literary arts, and performing arts.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Art comes in many forms or disciplines such as literature, culinary, and media arts but the most familiar of which is the visual and
performing arts.

A. VISUAL ARTS
 A term used to describe a wide array of artistic disciplines that are appreciated primarily through sight.
 Art forms of Visual Arts:
 Fine Arts
 Decorative Arts
 Contemporary Art Forms
 Fine Arts
Artworks that are developed for aesthetics or beauty.
The following are the most common examples of fine arts:
1. Drawing - is the art or technique of producing images on a surface, usually paper, by means of marks, usually
of ink, graphite, chalk, charcoal, or crayon.
2. Painting – is the application of pigments to a support surface that establishes an image, design or decoration.
3. Sculpture – an art form in which hard or plastic materials are worked into three-dimensional art objects.
4. Print - a picture made by pressing paper or other material against a special surface covered with ink.
5. Calligraphy - the art of beautiful handwriting.
6. Architecture- the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction

 Decorative Arts
Artworks that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. Example of decorative arts:
1. Textile art - art that uses varying materials and fibers to produce decorative, artistic objects. Also made from yarn, thread,
and fabric.
2. Glassware - any decorative article made of glass.
3. Jewelry - is one of the most expensive types of art, and one of the oldest categories of precious metalwork. Made from gold,
silver, bronze, pearl, copper, etc.
4. Furniture - movable articles such as tables, chairs, desks, or cabinets.
5. Earthenware - pottery made of clay fired to a porous state which can be made impervious to liquids by the use of a glaze.
6. Metal Craft - the art of executing artistic designs in metal.

 Contemporary Art Forms

Art styles and techniques that are not easily categorized with the previously mentioned forms (fine arts and decorative arts).
These partially include:

1. Assemblage - is art that is made by assembling disparate elements, often everyday objects scavenged by the artist or bought
specially.
2. Collage - describes both the technique and the resulting work of art in which pieces of paper, photographs, fabric and other
important things are arranged and stuck down onto a supporting surface.
3. Installation - mixed-media constructions, often designed for a specific place or for a temporary period of time.
4. Performance Art - a mix of visual arts and performing arts.
5. Digital Art - artworks made with digital technology or presented on digital technology.
6. Land Art - known as Earth art, Environmental art, and Earthworks; uses elements found in nature to build a sculpture that
works in harmony with a given situation.

It should be emphasized that there is a difference between contemporary art forms and contemporary art. “Contemporary art is
defined as all artworks that are produced in our present lifetime.”

(PERFORMING ARTS: MUSIC & DANCE)

B. PERFORMING ARTS
 When an artist uses their voices and/or their body movements to communicate artistic expression.
 Performing arts are often categorized into three types:
 Music
 Dance
 Theater or Theatre
 Music
 Universal form of art. Define as manipulation of sound and silence.
 Here are some of the most common MUSIC GENRES:
1. Art Music
 The umbrella term that used to refer to music that stems from Western Classical Music.
 Serious Music or Classical Music
2. Popular Music
 Generally refers to music that is accessible and commercially available to the public. It is played or
disseminated through different mass media outlets such as radios, television, and the Internet.
3. Traditional Music
  Are musical forms that are community and culturally based. It is learned and preserved by passing it
from one generation to another through oral communication and actual performance.

MUSICAL FORMS:
1. Kundiman and Harana
 KUNDIMAN - musical form that is a product of Spanish colonization. Art song that signifies love and
affection for someone.
 Nasaan ka, Irog by Nicanor S. Abelardo
 Pakiusap by Dr. Francisco Santiago.

 HARANA - is a traditional courtship ritual in the Philippines wherein a suitor serenades his object of
affection.
 Dungawin Mo, Hirang – Ruben Tagalog
 O, Ilaw- Ruben Tagalog

 Harana is almost always performed by a man while the kundiman can be performed by both genders.
2. Ballad - Traditionally a song that narrates an event in a community.
 A popular example of a traditional ballad would be “Magellan” by Yoyoy Villame.
3. Chamber Music - Form of instrumental music composed by a small ensemble wherein each part is played by one
player, as opposed to an orchestra where a part is performed by a group of musicians.
 Luduyan I and II by Arlene Chongson
 Yugto by Conrado del Rosario.
4. Choral Music - Musical composition intended to be performed by a group of singers called a choir.
 Philippine Madrigal Singers or “Madz” is one of the most awarded choral groups in the Philippines and
in the whole world.
5. Liturgical Music - Songs intended for Christian church services.
 Mass of Saint Andrew by Francisco F. Feliciano
 Praise and gospel songs of Gary Valenciano.
6. Opera - Combination of music and theater.
 The first full-length Filipino opera “Noli Me Tangere” By Felipe Padilla de Leon
7. Pop Music - Popular music or pop music is used to describe music that is readily available to the broad
populace. It is an umbrella term that encompasses a multitude of different genres of music such as RnB, Rap,
Rock, Hip-Hop, Dance, etc.
 Mag-exercise Tayo Tuwing Umaga by Yoyoy Villame
 Ikaw Ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko by Hotdog
 Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba by Apo Hiking Society

 RAP is a music genre that became popular in the late 1980s in the Philippines. Distinctive of its fast and
rhythmic narration accompanied by electronic music.
 Mga Kababayan Ko by Francis Magalona
 Humanap ka ng Panget by Andrew E.
8. Protest Songs- These are songs that bring to light injustices and inequality in society. These seek to inspire
nationalism and heroism from their listeners.
 Bayan Ko by Jose Corazon de Jesus and Constancio de Guzman
 Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran by Asin.
 Dance
 Defined as regulated and deliberated order of body movements.
 Dance comes in many forms and styles, some of which are as follows:
1. Ballet -is both dance and theater art. It is an artistic dance form performed to music using precise and highly
formalized set steps and gestures.
2. Belly Dance - also known as Arabic dance and typically performed by a woman and involves undulating
movements of the belly and rapid gyration of the hips.
3. Break Dance -perform an energetic and acrobatic style of street dancing, typically to hip-hop or funk music,
developed by black people in the US.
4. Hip-Hop Dance- the popular subculture of big-city teenagers, which includes rap music, break dancing, and
graffiti art.
5. Aerobic Dance- dance routine made into an exercise program.
6. Folk Dance/ Traditional Dance- different dances performed by various cultural groups throughout the country.
(Festival Dance)
7. Cheer Dance- rooted in cheerleading; performance of a routine is usually dominated by gymnastic skills such as
jumps, tumbling skills, lifts, and tosses combined with the shouting of cheers and yells.
8. Modern Dance- does not have set rules. Modern dancers often create their dance routines using their emotions
and moods, but on the other hand, many performances are choreographed. They are a more relaxed and free
style of dancing.

(PERFORMING ARTS: THEATER)

 Theater or Play
 It is defined as fine art where actors or actresses perform experiences, whether real or imagine, in front of a live
audience.
 Common examples of theater arts are:
 1. Mime - the use of movements and gestures to express something or tell a story without using speech.
2. Puppetry - theater that involves the manipulation of puppets, controlled by strings from above or by hand.
3. Opera - Combination of music and theater.
4. Musical Theater- plays wherein music is an essential part of the production.
5. Stage Show - also known as bodabil is a theatrical presentation of various acts and performances. These
performances may be a production of the following: Comedy Skits, circus acts, musical and dance numbers,
acrobatics, magic shows, and the like. It can be seen during fiesta and on television variety shows.
6. Children’s Theater - The primary audience is children. Type of theater production which is intended to educate,
inspire, and encourage creativity and value formation.
7. Melodrama- is a nonmusical play that is intended to elicit tears and emotional attachment to the characters.
8. Dramatic Monologue- A type of play wherein an individual actor speaks and acts out the character’s thoughts
and emotions.
9. Political Theater- a form of theater whose intention is to transform or improve the current system of the
government.
10. Realism- provides an accurate depiction of real-life situations.

NATIONAL ARTISITS

ARCHITECTURE:
1973 Juan F. Nakpil He is best known for his innovations in the field of Philippine architecture.
1976 Pablo S. Antonio The foremost Filipino Modern Architect.
1990 Leandro V. Locsin He had designed and built almost 200 structures and his largest work is the
Istana Nurul Iman, the palace of the Sultan of Brunei.
2014 Jose Maria Zaragoza Religious and secular building designs.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE:
2006 Ildefonso P. Santos Jr. “Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture”

PAINTING:
1972 Fernando C. Amorsolo Philippines’ 1st National Artist and he was a given the title the “Grand Old Man
of Philippine Art”.
1973 Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco Known for historically themed murals such as the Filipino Struggles through
History and He also credited with the discovery of the Angono Petroglyphs.
1976 Victorio C. Edades “Father of Modern Philippine Painting”
1981 Vicente S. Manansala He is considered a pioneer of cubism in the Philippines.
1990 Cesar T. Legaspi His contribution to the world of Philippine art is that through his cubist works,
the country was exposed and later on accepted the validity of modern art as a
movement and style.
1991 Hernando R. Ocampo The themes of his works told of the destruction and the harshness of life after
World War II.
1999 J. (Jeremias) Elizalde Navarro He specialized in paintings and sculptures and he has experimented with various
media.
2003 Jose T. Joya His works were influenced by the landscape of the Philippines.
2006 Benedicto R. Cabrera His most popular figure, whom he named, “Sabel”, symbolizes despair,
(BenCab) inequality and isolation as evident in the Philippine society.
2009 Federico Aguilar Alcuaz He is known for his relief sculptures made up of paper and other materials which
he called “Alcuazaics”

SCULPTURE:
1973 Guillermo E. Tolentino He specialized in commemorative sculptures of historical figures that are
monumental and grand. Among the Tolentino’s famous works are: Bonifacio
Monument in Caloocan and the Oblation in University of the Philippines, Diliman.
1976 Napoleon V. Abueva He was the youngest recipient (46) of the title National Artist and also known as
“Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture”
2006 Abdulmari Asia Imao 1st Filipino Muslim to receive the title of National Artist. He is known for adapting
Southern subjects and motifs in his works.

VISUAL ARTS:
1997 Arturo Luz He is an artist who expresses himself in many different visual art forms such as
painting, sculptures, prints, etc.
2001 Ang Kiukok He is one of the most refreshing and revolutionary artists of the 1960s. His works
were expressionist, eye catching, and rich in symbolism.
2014 Francisco V. Coching Also known as “The King of Komiks” and the “Dean of Filipino Illustrators”

MUSIC:
1973 Antonio J. Molina He is known for his impressionist style in music and as part of the musical
triumvirate of the Philippines which includes Nicanor Abelardo and Francisco
Santiago.
1976 Jovita Fuentes Recognized by Spain and given the title as “La Embahadora De Filipinas a su
Madre Patria”
1988 Antonio R. Buenaventura With Francisca Reyes- Aquino, they made ethic tribe songs popular.
1989 Lucrecia R. Kasilag She combined traditional tribal music with Western music.
1991 Lucio D. San Pedro His compositions include band music, concertos for violin and orchestra, choral
 works, cantatas, chamber music, music for violin and piano, and songs for solo
voice.
1997 Felipe Padilla de Leon He was able to Filipinize the different Western musical forms.
1997 Jose Maceda His greatest contribution to the Philippine music is his passion to understand and
study the various forms and examples of traditional music found all over the
archipelago.
1999 Ernani J. Cuenco His passion for music raised the bar of contemporary Filipino music in the
country with his compositions and ingenious voice that personify the Filipino
sense of musicalness, adding kundiman elements to his works.
1999 Andrea O. Veneracion Her invaluable contributions to Philippine music were the establishment of the
world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers and the leading of the
advancement of Philippine choral music.
2014 Francisco Feliciano His composition elevates indigenous music comparable to the masterpieces of
the Western world through its high technical requirements.
2014 Ramon P. Santos According to him music can be described as avant-garde.

MUSIC AND LITERATURE:

1997 Levi Celerio Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the only person in the world
to make music by just using a leaf.

DANCE:
1973 Francisca Reyes Aquino Known as a dancer and researcher of Philippine folk dance.
1976 Leonor O. Goquingco Known as “Trailblazer”, “Mother of Philippine Theater Dance” and “Dean of
Filipino Performing Arts Critics”
1988 Lucrecia Reyes Urtula Spent almost 40 years studying the various Philippine traditional folk dances.
2006 Ramon A. Obusan He is recognized as a promoter of Philippine traditional dance through his
performances and cultural research.
2014 Alice Reyes Founder of Ballet Philippines.

THEATER:
1997 Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero He established the UP Mobile Theater and he oversaw around 2500 performances
during his 19 years as the director of UP Mobile Theater.
1999 Daisy H. Avellana She is recognized for bringing legitimacy to theater as an art form through quality and
outstanding productions of both foreign and classic local plays.
2001 Severino Montano He established Arena Theater and paved the way for legitimacy of theater in the
Philippines.

Note: This is the pointers to review for the quarterly examination. I advise everyone to read the whole module, however focus
more on the terms that are highlighted and italicized.

PS. The red texts are for the years you will need to remember and are included in the exam.

PPS Do not just remember the terms, you need to understand the concepts.

Goodluck on your upcoming Quarterly Examination. I hope you will take this long weekend as an opportunity to have a

review. I am rooting for every one of you to pass. Happy learning 😊