St.

Paul University Philippines

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

BASIC EDUCATION UNIT

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LEARNING PLAN 1: PHILIPPINE ART

INTRODUCTION
This unit shines a beam of light on the
contexts of contemporary art. Context is not
just background or backdrop: it is intricately
wedded to form- what art is made of, and how
it is made. Art is shaped by and draws
inspiration from the society and at the same time, art is honed by the specific conditions that
endangered its production. It is common tendency to describe the present as “modern”. Being
modern means being up to date and technologically advanced. Often, being modern is equated
with being contemporary. Art that is new or current is also often referred to as “modern” as
opposed to “traditional” or “conservative”. In other words, in everyday parlance, the terms are
interchangeable.
In this lesson and in the more detailed history in the next, we will learn that the terms
modern and contemporary refer to vastly different periods. Modern Art is not the same as
Contemporary Art, although they could share some characteristics, sources and influences. As
we will come to realize and learn as we go along, it is also possible to integrate and transform
elements from Modern Art into Contemporary Art.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, the students will:
A. Understand the main characteristic of what makes a Filipino artwork;
B. Define what is idealizing in reference to distinguishing Filipino art;
C. Explain the role of tradition and language as a factor in questioning identity in Philippine
Art;
D. Compare forms of arts from the different regions;
E. Appreciate the role of contemporary art and artists in Philippine contemporary life.

LESSON PROPER

What is Art?
The Greek philosopher Aristotle may have provided the earliest assumptions of art as linked to
human instincts. In his Poetics, Aristotle claimed that humans have instincts for imitation and
harmony. He described that these instincts are “lying in our deep nature”. He argued that human
beings are the “most imitative of living creature”, and through imitation, humans learn and
experience pleasure. Art, then may be defined as a human pursuit to imitate life and the world
into something pleasing or beautiful.
 Take a look at the landscape painting shown in figure 1.1.
What is being imitated? What makes this imitation pleasing or beautiful? The painting is
an attempt at imitating the river and its surroundings, thus becoming its subject. The way the
colors are chosen and blended into the canvas accounts for the medium of the painting. The
subject and the medium are two important elements of an artwork that allow a person to
experience life, the world, and its beauty.
Because it is human nature to create art, here are the forms of artistic expression that
humans have been able to produce.

1. Picture (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking and Photography)

-This is a two- dimensional image of various subjects ranging from real-life images to the
visually abstract. It may be created using different media such as chalk, charcoal, graphite,
ink, oil paint and watercolor.

2. Sculpture
-This is a three-dimensional artwork that may be created using stone, marble, wood, and
concrete.
3.Architecture
-These are structures that meant to be used as shelter. The art of architecture relies on the
design and purpose of the structure.

2. Music
-This is the art form that appeals to the sense of hearing. Music is composed by
combining notes into harmony.

3. Literature
-This is the art form of language through the combined use of words, creating
meaning and experience.

4. Theater
-This is the art form of performance. Dramatic texts are portrayed on stage by actors
and actresses and are enhanced by props, lights and sounds.
 5. Cinema
-This art form is a technological translation of theater. In films, special effects are
utilized to enhance the storytelling.

6. Dance
- This is the art of the human form. The body is used, mobilized, and
choreographed in a specific time, form, and space.

PHILIPPINE ART AS FILIPINO

Many scholars debate on the identity of art produced by Filipinos. Are they 100%
authentic Philippine Art? Many question the rootedness of the artworks produced by the Filipino
artists. Are the landscape paintings of Fernando Amorsolo or the historical depictions of Carlos
“Botong” Francisco genuinely Filipino? Are the stories and poems in English written by N.V. M.
Gonzales or Edith Tiempo Filipino? This speculation on the “Filipino-ness” of works by Filipino
artists is caused by our colonial history and migrant reality. The plethora of influences brought
by the Spaniards, Americans and other Asian countries has become part of our identity that is
evident in our art: Spanish-inspired architecture, American-influenced poetry and music and so
on. The migrant reality of globalization also shaped Philippine art. Across the world, Filipinos,
have adapted to foreign culture.
Leo Benesa, a Filipino poet, essayist, and art critic, said that there is a certain
characteristic of Filipino art. He said, “The idea was that the depiction of scenes of everyday life
and the surroundings without idealizing them was closest in spirit to the Filipino soul and native
soil”. As long as the work shows the Filipino way of living (e.g., spending a day in the market,
doing laundry in the river or attending a fiesta in the town), it is “closest in spirit to the Filipino
soul and native soil”. Benesa also said “without idealizing them”, by which he meant that the
artwork should not be represented as perfect. Both the subject and the medium of these artworks
dictate the authenticity of the artworks produced by Filipino artists. When a Filipino artists paints
a farmer plowing the fields or writes about a fisherman casting nets, the subject is undeniable
Filipino; but the artist has to keep in mind that the medium of expression should portray the
subject as true to what it is in reality.
Benesa describes Amorsolo’s works as the “most expressive of the ethos of the race and
the predominantly agricultural countryside.” Most of the Amorsolo’s paintings depict life in the
fields. The men and women portrayed in hard work but with smiles in their faces. The landscape
in an Amorsolo painting features the rural lands of the Philippines, where the scene is mostly
covered by vegetation and nature. The combination of all these elements in Amorsolo’s body of
work makes his artworks representative of the Filipino.
Benesas’ observations and claims are not to be left accepted and questioned. Many art
critics still doubt the “Filipino-ness” of the artworks produced by Filipino artists. They mainly
argue that the tradition where these works and artists are coming from makes one to question
their authenticity. For example, the fact that our renowned painters have a Western tradition,
which means the way that they learned and do painting (with the use of canvas, paintbrush, and
easel) blemishes the authenticity of their works as 100% Filipino. In the case of Philippine
literature in English, where language casts doubt on the Filipino-ness of the literary work, many
regarded the works written in Filipino or other regional languages (Visayan, Ilocano, or
Bicolano) more Filipino than those written in English. But as Filipinos become learned in, adept
at, and even a master in the use of the English language, literary works, regardless of language, is
truly Filipino. As times are quickly changing, brought about by the advancement in information
technology and communication, the identity of the Filipino in the arts is one that is constantly
struggling and evolving. In the songs of Gloc-9 or the dance steps of the Jabbawockeez, Filipino
artistst try to bring the nation’s experience and talent in the global arena.
Meanwhile, the table suggested by Arts Studies Professors Fajardo and Flores titled
“Hisotrical Overview of Philippine Art” (2002) below shows a summary of the periods of
Philippine Art from Pre-Conquest to the Contemporary.

Figure 1.1
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW: PHILIPPINE ART
Form Pre- Spanish Period American Japan- Postwar 70’s
Conquest (1521-1898) Period ese Republic Contemporary
(1898- Period (1946-
1940) (1941- 1969)
45)
Painting Potter, body Religious (icon Landscape, Wartime
adornment, and portraiture, scene
ornament ecclesiastical) genre, (aggres-
Secular interior, still sion,
(portraiture) life nationa-
Sculpture Pottery, Santos Free lism,
carving, (Sculpture of standing, atroci- Modern, Figurative, non-
and wood Saints),furniture, relief public ties, conservat figurative, art
work, reliefs, altar symbol- ive,abstra for art sake,
metalwork, pieces, jewelry, lic,prote ct, multimedia,
and metalwork, fieta, st,aspira- experime mixed media,
expression ornamentation tion for ntal, transmedia
peace) public art
Propa-
ganda

Indigeni
zing and
orientali
 zing
works,ge
nre,idyl-
lis
(Amor-
solo,
Francis-
co,
Ocampo
)

Architec- Dwellings Church,plaza, City Public Real estate, safe housing,

ture and houses, complex; town Planning works accessories, tenements,
shelters, planning parks, squatters, convention arch,
worship fortification, waterfronts, commercial/business,
areas, civic buildings civic/gov’t condos, malls, subdivisions,
official and installations, structures, development, low cost
residences, private public housing.
mosque, residences, works,
masjid, commercial apartments,
state structures, residences,
edifices cemeteries, offices,
bridges health and
lighthouse public
education
business
chalet

ART NOVEAUX: ART IN

CONTEMPORARY TIMES

What is Contemporary Art?

The J. Paul Getty Museum defines contemporary art as “art made and produced by artists
living today. Today’s artists work in and respond to a global environment that is culturally
diverse, technologically advancing, and multifaceted”. With this definition, you can picture the
kind of art created by today’s contemporary artists as art that has a world view and is sensitive to
the changing times. Contemporary art today is not restricted to the individual experience of the
artist but is reflective of the world that we live in. in this kind of art, you might see how events in
different countries (e.g. in Europe or Africa) might have an effect on a Filipino living in Naga or
Tagbilaran.

New elements or principles of contemporary art:

1. Appropriation – when you see t-shirts of Jose Rizal wearing shades or the walls of
Intramuros in canvas bags, existing artworks, are “appropriated” to form another artwork.
The use of these prints, images, and icons to produce another art form is a feature of
contemporary art that combines the past with the present. By appropriation, the contemporary
artist revives interest to existing forms of art.
 Figure 2.1. a shirt that features William Figure 2.2 Johannes Vermeer’s famous
Shakespeare, the greatest writer in the painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring”
English Language.

2. Performance – performance of contemporary artists have evolved to “emphasize

spontaneous, unpredictable elements of chance”, according to the Walker Art Center.
Performance artists have tried to interpret various human activities, from ordinary activities
such as chores, routines, and rituals to socially relevant themes such as poverty,
commercialism, and war.

Fig. 2.3. International Filipino performance Fig. 2.4. Yuan Moro Ocampo performing
artist Marilyn Arsem playing a dead person The Shadow in Denmark.
at the Philippine International Performance
Art Festival.

3. Space – how art transforms a space is now an occupation of contemporary artists. Have you
encountered a flash mob or sculpture installations in malls and parks? These are examples of
site-specific art forms wherein the art form is performed and positioned in specific spots,
especially in public places. Here are some examples of site-specific art forms.

Fig. 2.5. University students forming s star to Fig. 2.6. A random 3 D street art
celebrate their institution’s centenary

4. Hybridity – contemporary artists are now as innovative as ever. In traditional painting, only
a few materials are of conventional use. Contemporary visual artists, on the other hand, may
opt to use coffee for painting or carve miniature sculptures using crayons. Hybridity in
 contemporary art is the mixing of
unlikely materials to produce an
artwork. Look at the following
samples.

Fig.2.8
meticu

Fig. 2.7. A painting by Karen Eland using

coffee as medium

Fig. 2.9. The Mona Lisa was made using a typewriter

5. Technology – technology is a reality in the present-day world, and contemporary artists have
used technology in the creation and dissemination of works of art. When MTV first went into
the airwaves in 1981, video became part of the human interaction. The video phenomenon
was further pushed by the debut of youtube that allowed everyone with the Internet
connection to post and share videos. Contemporary artists have used video and the Internet as
a way of propagating art.
Below is a picture of the performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers singing a hit
OPM song. Through video posting, sharing and even live streaming, people from all over can
share and enjoy art.
EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Here are some helpful readings and information on Philippine Art and Contemporary
Art:
 Banesa,Leo. “What is Philippine in Philippine Art.”
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?
igm=1&i=168
 “Philippine Contemporary Art Thrives Despite Financial Crisis.”
http://www.manilafame.com/artmnl/index.php?page=news3
 “The Order of National Artists.” http://www.gov.ph/the-order-of-national-
artists/
 Massey, Josephine. “Art school panels highlight issues in contemporary
art.”Yale Daily News, 25 February 2013.
http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2013/02/25/art-school-panels-highlight-issues-in-
contemporary-art/
 “About Contemporary Art”.
http://www/getty.edu/educaiton/teachers/classroom_resources/curricula/contem
porary_art/backgroundl.html
 Contemporary Art Philppines. http://www.contemporaryartphilippines.com/

In a Nutshell (synthesis)
Art is an imitation of life and the world rendered beautifully, which
gives pleasure. The subject and medium are two elements of art that
help in experiencing life, the world, and its beauty. Philippine art is
influenced by our colonial history and migrant reality. An art can be
considered Filipino art when it depicts the Filipino way of living. An
art is a human activity that translates life and the world into something
aesthetically pleasing. The Filipino identity in art is not only a question that Filipino scholars
have debated on over the years. This doubt on authenticity is caused by our colonial past and
migration. The subject and medium are factors that contribute to the “Filipino-ness” of an
artwork. Also, the work of art should represent the subject in the most realistic way possible
“without idealizing” it. As times are changing and the world is becoming borderless,
Philippine art struggles, yet it rises the world what and how the Filipino spirit us.
Contemporary art refers to all networks created by artists that are living and are very
representative of our times. Many contemporary artists try to capture modern-day realities
ranging from constant and instant connectivity to borderless societies. Art in contemporary
times has evolved into being appropriated into another artwork, performed with a deeper
understanding of life, created using varied resources, and propagated with technology.

VALUES INTEGRATION

The arts are extremely significant to education. The beauty

of teaching the arts to students is that it aids in developing
creative people who think independently — self-expressive
people with imaginative and innovative thinking. The arts
should not be seen as secondary or supplementary to math
and science courses. Rather, they should be seen as equally important in providing students
with a well-rounded education. Art is the barometer that measures levels of cultural
sophistication. Throughout human existence, we have learned about cultural accomplishments
from the cultural artifacts left behind. Many of these artifacts have left behind permanent
marks on the planet. Art forces humans to look beyond that which is necessary to survive and
leads people to create for the sake of expression and meaning. Art can communicate
information, shape our everyday lives, make a social statement and be enjoyed for aesthetic
beauty. Art — in its various mediums — is vital in sustaining life. It should be viewed as
highly important to education to create a thriving society with meaningful expression,
imagination and flourishing cultures. 

CHARISM (CREATIVE) – The Paulinian develops his/her GIFT/TALENTS to be put

in the service of the community, he/she strives to grow and improve daily, always
seeking the better and finer things and the Final Good.