Art is the expression

of one's feelings
through creating
something
out of their
IMAGINATION
Contemporary and Modern are synonyms but
contemporary art and modern are different…

Modern Art
Art from the Impressionist (say, around 1880)
up until the 1960’s or 70’s.

Contemporary Art
Art from the 1960’s or 70’s up until this very
minute.
Where do we
start?
 What is contemporary art?
Contemporary Art refers to current and very recent
practice. It also refers to works of art made by living
artists.
Contemporary Art tends to be assessed
thematically and subjectively, drawing on an
expanded range of theoretical and practical
disciplines.
Contemporary Art can be driven by both theory
and ideas, and is also characterized by a blurring of
the distinction between art and other categories of
cultural experience, such as television, cinema,
mass media, entertainment and digital technology.
Reference:
http://www.imma.ie/en/downloads/whatismodernandcontemporaryartmay2010.pdf
 Contemporary Art
Contemporary art is the art of today, produced by artists who are
living in the twenty-first century. Contemporary art provides an
opportunity to reflect on contemporary society and the issues relevant
to ourselves, and the world around us. Contemporary artists work in a
globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing
world.

Their art is a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and

subjects that challenge traditional boundaries and defy easy definition.

http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/art/education/definitions
 Contemporary Performance

• Contemporary performance is  hybrid work that integrates text,

dance, objects, music, costumes, lighting, image, sound, sets, and
vocal expression into complex interactive systems.  
• Contemporary performance collages are often non-narrative,
technically rigorous, and carefully orchestrated anarchic chaos. They
unsettle perception, demand critical engagement from audiences,
address conceptual debates within aesthetics, draw on a diverse
range of cultural interests, and bring pleasure to populations across
the globe.”  (Morgan v. P. Pecelli)
Characteristics of Contemporary Art
(http://www.art21.org/teach/on-contemporary-art/contemporary-art-in-context)
• Contemporary art mirrors contemporary culture
and society, offering teachers, students, and
general audiences a rich resource through
which to consider current ideas and rethink the
familiar.
Ideas to Ponder:
Contemporary culture & society
Current ideas
Rethink the familiar
 Characteristics of Contemporary Art
• The work of contemporary artists is a dynamic
combination of materials, methods, concepts,
and subjects that challenges traditional
boundaries and defies easy definition.
Ideas to Ponder:
• dynamic combination
• challenges traditional boundaries and
defies easy definition
 Characteristics of Contemporary Art
• Diverse and eclectic, contemporary art is
distinguished by the very lack of a uniform
organizing principle, ideology, or -ism. In a globally
influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically
advancing world, contemporary artists give voice
to the varied and changing cultural landscape of
identity, values, and beliefs.
Ideas to Ponder:
• diverse and eclectic
• varied and changing cultural landscape of
identity, values, and beliefs
 Characteristics of Contemporary Art
Contemporary art reflects a wide range of materials,
media, and technologies, as well as opportunities to
consider what art is and how it is defined. Artists
today explore ideas, concepts, questions, and
practices that examine the past, describe the present,
and imagine the future.

Ideas to Ponder:

• reflects a wide range of materials, media,

and technologies
 Contemporary Philippine
Arts from the Regions
Contemporary Philippine Art is art produced
by Filipino artists coming from the different
regions in the Philippines in the 21st century*.
The works reflect cultural diversity,
technological advancement, and make use of a
wide range of mediums.

*21st century refers to the year 2000 to the present

 Characteristics of Philippine
Contemporary Arts (by classification)
1. Dominant/Mainstream (foreign influenced,
industry-driven, technology assisted,
oriented for mass-consumption)
- ex. Ogie Alcasid, Sarah Geronimo, etc.
2. Alternative (usually social realist and/or
advocacy-oriented)
•Individuals (ex. Joey Ayala, Grace Nono, Kidlat
Tahimik, etc.)
• Artist Groups/Collectives (practices are
collaborative and interdisciplinary)
– ex. 98B COLLABoratory, Ugatlahi Artist
Collective, Sipat Lawin Ensemble, Neo-Angono
Artists Collective, Anino Shadowplay Collective,
Gerilya, Pinikpikan, etc.)
3. Traditional/Indigenous (preserves local
traditions) ex. GAMABA awardees – Samaon
Sulaiman, Lang Dulay, etc.