CPAR REVIEWER AUGUST 1984 S-Shaped Brass Culpture

LESSON 1: WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY ART? - The core of the sculture evokes the figure of the
sari-manok, a mythical rooster carrying a fish in
Traditional/Neoclassic – employs human proportion
its beak.
 Fishing Scene by Fernando Amorsolo - The curvilinear shape reminds us of the motifs
pako rabong and naga from the Tausug and
Modern Art Maranao wood carving traditions.
 The Builders by Victorio Edades HR Ocampo’s painting
Victorio Edades – pioneered of introduced modern - Was painted in the early 1960’s. At that time,
art in the late 28’s the ainting was considered as contemporary.
- Today, we refer to these works as example of
Contemporary Art
Modern Art, produced between the American
 Photo from DH colonial period to the Post-war period.
 Imelda Felipe – Candaya: Filipina DH - Zyra Bacani – portrays poverty

Contemporary Art Modern Art – a period set chronologically after the

neoclassical (Academic period). This was pioneered in
- It is a common tendency to describe the present the Phil. by Victorio Edades in 1928.
as “modern”
- Art that is new or current is also reffered to as Neoclassic – the neoclassic style depicts reality closely
“modern” as opposed to “traditional” or as possible and idealizes it.
“conservative”
Modern artists do not aim to copy and idealizes reality;
- Often, being modern is equated with being
instead, they change the colors and flatten the picture
contemporary.
instead of creating illusions of depth, nearness, and
- It provides opportunities to reflect on society
fairness.
and the issues that are important to us and the
world. Zyza Bacani – Contemporary Artist
Characteristics of Contemporary Art: - Is from Nueva Vizcaya, worked as a domestic
 Site-specific helper, and is now based in New York on a
 Process-based scholarship. On her days off, she shot with her
 Interactive digicamera. Her first camera was bought from
 Collaborative money loaned by her employer.
 Integrative
Hernando R. Ocampo – National Artitst for Visual Arts
Modern Art (1991) April 27, 1911 – December 28, 1978
 American Period (1898 – 1940) -a self-taught painter, Hernando R. Ocampo was a
 Japanese Period (1940 – 1945) leading member of the pre-war Thirteen Moderns, the
 Postwar Period (1946 – 1969)
group that charted the course of modern art in the
Contemporary Art Philippines. His works was provided an understanding
and awareness of the harsh social realities in the
 70’s – Present
country immediately after the Second World War and
Bulul Collection of Benedicto Cabrera at Ben Cab contributed significantly to the rise of the nationalist
Museum spirit in the post-war era. It was, however, his abstract
- Bulul ; also known as bul-ul or tinagtaggu, is a works that left in indelible mark on Philippine Modern
carved wooden figure used to guard the rice Art. His canvass evoked the lush Philippine landscape,
crop by the Ifugao (and their sub-tribe its flora and fauna, under the sun and rain in fierce and
Kalanguya) peoples of Nothern Luzon. bold colors. He also played a pivotal role in sustaining
- the sculptures are highly stylized representations the Philipppine Art Gallery, the country’s first.
of ancestors and are thought to gain power from
the presence of the ancestral spirit. - There are number of artists young and senior, alike
- Site-specific who paint in styles associated with Modern Art.
National Artist Victorio Edades is credited for initiating - Produced both by commercial artists, and
the Modern Art movement that challenged the independently, and can include some instances
Neoclassic Style, which was dominant at the time he of work such as sculptor, stencil graffiti, rock
balancing, and other art forms. Installations can
came home from studying in America before the war.
be in urban areas, remote natural settings, or
- At that time, Modern Art was considered new and underwater.
shocking, Neoclassic Art was familiar and comfortable. Process-based
Neoclassic Art is also described by art historians like
Guillermo as “academic” along with other established - Emphasizes on how the artists starts not with
styles imported from Europoe via Spanish final product in mind but instead begins with the
development of a concept and then,
Colonialization.
subsequently proceeds realizing the idea.
- In simplest sense Neoclassicism is “academic” as it was - Ex. Film
and continues to be taught in schools, particularly the Interactive
University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts (UP
College of Fine Arts), where Amorsolo and Tolentino - The art is never complete without the audience’s
active input
were most influential.
- Recognizes how the audience has a potential to
- Today, Modern Art is referred to as “traditional”, change or add to the meaning of an artwork
compared to Contemporary Art. - Audience us encourage to interact with the piece
of certain elements of it, the effects of this
Contemporary Art process are included in the analysis of the
artist’s intent.
- Is the art of present, which is continuously in
process and in flux. What contemporary today Collaborative
might know “academic” or “traditional” at same - can be defined simply as artwork that involves
point. working as a team to create art, and each
- The styles of modern art for example are now person contributes in some significant way to
part of art school curricula and have become the artwork. 
academic. Thus, the distinction between - For example, each person could be instructed to
Modern Art and Contemporary Art could be a create an important part of an abstract
matter of perception and reception depending painting.   The quality of the abstract painting
may be reflected in the combination of each
on the context.
unique contribution.  It may involve the
Site-specific cooperation of the individuals to create art that
reflects originality and complexity.
- They cannot be experienced in the same way if - often presents multiple perspectives on one
removed from their original places of exhibit main idea, factored with spontaneous results,
whether in the gallery, out on the streets, in the and thus possess more complex avenues for
forest and etc. analysis.
- Refers to a work of art designed specifically for
a particular location and that has an Integrative
interrelationship with the location.
- artist is free to integrate any medium and any
- Is designed for a specific location, if removed
art form or style in order to express their artistic
from that location it loses all or a substantial
intention, without being limited to conform to a
part of its meaning.
stylistic trend in order to be called
- Ex. A graffiti artwork on the street vs. the same
contemporary.
graffiti artwork on the street US. the same
- Ex. Kidlat Tahimik – the film kidlat tahimik and
graffiti artwork as displayed in museums, Bulul
his family perform their life as their art and vice
in Ifugao traditional home vs. same bulul as
versa, as evident in the art spaces in Baguio
displayed in BenCab Museum in Baguio.
which have become associated with a mix of
- Artwork created to exist in a certain place.
performance, installation, architecture, and
Typically, the artist takes the location into
culinary arts.
account while planning and creating the artwork.
 - Eric Oteyza de Guia – (born: October 3, 1942 6. Architecture - This art is expressed through
in Baguio, Philippines) better known as Kidlat rhythmic features, such as the windows,
Tahimik (a tagalog translation of “silent ornaments, columns and tile flooring.
lightning”), is a film director, writer and actor 7. Film - It is a series of images that are projected
whose films are commonly associated with the onto a screen to create the illusion of motion.
Third Cinema Movement through their critiques Motion pictures—also called movies, films, or the
of neocolonialism. For his contributions to the cinema—are one of the most popular forms of
development of Philippine independent cinema, entertainment, enabling people to immerse
he was recognized in 2018 as a National artist themselves in an imaginary world for a short
of the Philippines Film – a conferment which period of time.
represents the Philippine State’s highest
THE THREE MAJOR TRADITIONS IN THE
recognition for artist.
DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE ART
- A lot of contemporary art may be
collaborative/participative, interactive and Old Asian influenced music referred to as the
process-oriented meaning that there is less indigenous
emphasis on the finished product and a single
“author” or creator. This is not always the case - Indigenous musical instruments like the flute,
for other works, however. drums, rainsticks, native guitars and bells are
- There is a wide range of strategies, media and made of bamboo, twigs, pebbles, animal skin,
techniques under the term “contemporary art. seeds and seashells. The careful manipulation of
Contemporay Art is never fixed, but open these materials magically produces sounds and
to many possibilities. unique instruments used in tribal dances and
ceremonies.
LESSON 2: CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINES ARTS Tumpong - The tumpong is a type of
FROM THE REGIONS Philippine bamboo flute used by the
Maguindanaon, half the size of the
Various forms of arts from the Phil
largest bamboo flute, the palendag.
 Pottery – is a visual art that also known as Sulibaw/Sulibao - a hollow Igorot
space arts, because they occupy space. The drum, topped with pig skin or lizard
Philippine ceramics Arts & Crafts Center (Tiwi, skin.
Albay) a state of the art terra-cotta production Rain Sticks - simulate the sound of
center in the Bicol Region and has been identify rainfall, and were originally used in
its tourist destination not only in Bicol region but native ceremonies during dry months to
also in the Philippines by the Department of ask the gods for rain.
Tourism. Many potters still abide to choose their Karaga - is a guitar made up of
traditional method of pottery and not on the bamboo where the strings are slit
modern process. from the bamboo itself.
Tongkaling brass bells - used as an
SEVEN MAJOR ARTS FORMS amulet or as a musical instrument.
1. Visual arts - also known as SPACE ARTS, Religious and secular music influenced by Spanish
because they occupy space and European forms.
2. Literature - Includes the writing of poems,
short- stories, novels, plays, histories, Folk Songs
biographies, essays. It is also known as fine
- With the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos’
writing.
music underwent a transformation with the
3. Music - It is the combination of sounds. It is
influx of western influences.
said to be the most dynamic, most emotional,
- It produced a religious music connected to and
most universal and most abstract of all fine arts.
outside the Catholic liturgy and a European-
4. Theater - It is one of the oldest and most
inspired secular music adapted by the Filipinos
popular forms of entertainment, in which actors
and reflected in their folk songs and
perform live for an audience on a stage or in
instrumental music.
another space designated for the performance.
- A. Tagulaylay
5. Dance - It is based upon music or any rhythmic
- B.Palimos
sound. It is characterized by rhythmic or
- C.Kumintang
repetition.
- D. Awit THE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS OF ART
- E. Balitaw
- Art has had a great number of different
- F .Kundiman
functions throughout its history making its
- G. Harana
purpose difficult to abstract or quantity to any
- H. Folk Songs
single concept.
- A music genre that is famous among common - This does not imply that the purpose of art is
people and is originally composed by folks and vague, but that it has had many unique different
villagers also called the traditional music. reasons for being created.

- Folk song is the secular song that appeals NON –MOTIVATED FUNCTIONS
directly to the people's heart. A folk song is
- are those that are integral to being human,
short, simple, and eventful.
transcend the individual, or do not fulfill a
Tagulaylay - A melody depicting grief Comes specific external purpose. In this sense, art as
from the words “taghoy” (lament) and “alalay” creativity is something humans must do by their
(sustain). Best adapted through the singing of nature.
Pasyon Usually sung in monotone. 1. Basic human instinct for harmony,
Awit balance, rhythm.
- Palimos - A recitative written in 3/4 time and in - Art at this level is not an action or an object, but
minor key its verses are about a Philippine an internal appreciation of balance and harmony
legendary hero or to a heroic poem also called (beauty), and therefore an aspect of being
"awit" a song of the blind asking for alms. human beyond utility.
Kumintang - Originally a war song but later 2. Experience of the mysterious.
became a plaintive song. A nocturnal song sung - Art provides a way to experience one’s self in
with the accompaniment of the guitar. relation to the universe. This experience may
Balitaw - Derived from the Malayan word often come unmotivated as one appreciates art,
"berita" which means narration or "balita”. It is music or poetry.
the counterpart of kundiman. 3. Expression of the Imagination
Kundiman - Art provides a means to express the imagination
- Harana - A traditional form of courtship music in non-grammatic ways that are not tied to the
in which a man wins a woman by singing formality of spoken or written language. Unlike
underneath her window at night Comes from the words which come in sequences and each of
words "kung hindi man“. A Tagalog love song which have a definite meaning, art provides a
whose rhythmic figure is derived from the lively range of forms, symbols, and ideas with
Spanish bolero, a typical 3/4 waltz. meanings that are malleable.
4. Ritualistic and symbolic functions
American/European inspired classical, semi-
- In many cultures, art is used in rituals,
classical, and popular music
performances and dances as a decoration or
- The American regime lasted from 1898 to 1946 symbol. While these often have no specific
during which time Philippine music underwent utilitarian (motivated) purpose, anthropologists
another process of transformation. know that they often serve a purpose at the
- In the newly established public school system, level of meaning within a particular culture.
music was included in the curriculum at the
elementary and later at the high school levels.
MOTIVATED FUNCTIONS
Music conservatories and colleges were
established at the tertiary level. Graduates from - refers to intentional conscious actions on the
these institutions included the first generation of part of the artists or creator. These may be to
Filipino composers whose works were written in bring about political change, to comment on an
western idioms and forms. aspect of society, to convey a specific emotion
- American lifestyle and pop culture gave rise to or mood to address personal psychology to
music created by Filipinos using western pop illustrate another discipline, to (with commercial
forms. Referred to as Pinoy pop it includes a arts) sell a product, or simply as a form of
wide range of forms: folk songs, dance tunes, communication.
ballads, Broadway type songs, rock’ n’ roll,
disco, jazz, and rap
1. Communication popular conceptions or mood. In a similar way,
- art as its simplest is a form of communication. art tries to sell a product also Influences mood
As most forms of communication have an intent and emotion. It manipulates the viewer into a
or goal directed toward another individual, this particular emotional or psychological response
is a motivated purpose. Illustrative arts such a toward a particular idea or objects.
scientific illustration, are a form of art as
‘PHILOSOPHERS/THINKERS’ CONCEPTS/IDEAS
communication.
IN ARTS
2. Art as entertainment
- art may seek to bring about a particular A. PLATO
emotion or mood; for the purpose of relaxing or
entertaining the viewer. This is often the - His most famous contribution is the theory of
function of the art industries of motion pictures Forms, known by pure reason, in which Plato
and video games. present a solution to the problem of universals
3. The Avant-Garde- art for political change. known as Platonism—also called Platonic
- One of the defining functions early 20th century. realism/idealism.
Art has been use visual images to bring about - According to Theory of Forms, there are at least
political change. Art movements that had this two worlds: the apparent world of concrete
goal Dadaism, Surrealism Russian constructivism objects, grasped by the senses, which constantly
and Abstract Expressionism. changes; and an unchanging and unseen world
4. Art as a “Free Zone” of forms or abstract objects, grasped by pure
- removed from the action of social censure. reason, which ground what is apparent.
Unlike the avant-garde movements, which - It can also be said that there are three worlds,
wanted to erase cultural differences in order to with the apparent world consisting of both the
produce new universal values, contemporary art world of material objects and of mental images,
has enhanced its tolerance towards cultural with the “third realm” consisting of Form.
differences as well as its critical and liberating - Plato believed that all things that exist in reality
functions (social inquiry; activism; subversion; are mere representations of perfect
deconstruction) becoming a more open place for metaphysical constructs which he called Forms.
research and experimentation. - Plato condemns art because it is in effect a copy
5. Art for Social Inquiry, Subversion and/or of a copy since reality is imitation of the Forms,
Anarchy and art is then imitation of reality.
- while similar to art for political change, - For Plato, since art is an is an imitation, it is in
subversive or constructivist art may seek to effect three times removed from the truth. As a
question aspects of society without any specific result, Plato interprets this to mean that art
political goal. In this case, the function of art cannot give the viewer any real knowledge
may be simply to criticize some aspect of about the world. (Palmer, p.438) He would
society. argue that we can obtain no truth from the
6. Art for Social causes study of art.
- Art can be used to raise awareness for a large
B. ARISTOTLE
variety of causes. A number of art activities
were aimed at raising awareness of autism, - Aristotle, in opposition to Plato, developed a
cancer, human trafficking, and a variety of other metaphysics which was grounded much more in
topics, such as ocean conservation; using art to the real world. For Aristotle, the notion of form
raise awareness about pollution. was really a part of all matter and the distinction
7. Art for Psychological and Healing between the form and the actual substance that
Purposes. made up an object was merely as intellectual
- Art is also used by art therapists, one. (Palmer, pp.447-450).
psychotherapists and clinical psychologists as art - Aristotle defends art by saying that in the
therapy. The end appreciation of art the viewer receives a certain
product is not the principal goal, but rather a “cognitive value” from the experience.
process of healing through creative acts is (Stumpf, p.99).
sought. - Aristotle, unlike Plato believed that while art
8. Art for Propaganda or Commercialism does appeal to the more unruly side of
- Art is often utilized as a form of propaganda, humanity, the encouragement of these
and thus can be used to subtly influenced animalistic characteristics is beneficial to society
 because through experiencing art, particularly ideas, a means for exploring and appreciating
tragedy, the people would experience a formal elements for their own sake, and as
catharsis, or a purgation, which would rid them representation.
of their dangerous emotions (Palmer p.450).
G. LEO TOLSTOY
C.MARTIN HEIDEGGER
- Identified art as a use of indirect means to
- He is best known for contributions to communicate from one person to another.\
Phenomenology, hermeneutics, and - The aim of art is not merely to produce
existentialism. beauty, or to provide pleasure, enjoyment,
- He interpreted art as the means by which a or entertainment. Art is a means of
community develops for itself a medium for self- communication, and is an important means
expression and interpretation. of expression of any experience, or of any
- Works of art are not merely representations of aspect of the human condition.
way things are, but actually produce a - Tolstoy defines art as an expression of a
community’s shared understanding. Each time a feeling or experience in such a way that the
new artwork is added to any culture, the audience to whom the art is directed can
meaning of what it is to exist is inherently share that feeling or experience.
changed.
H. BENEDETTO CROCE AND ROBIN GEORGE
D.EMMANUEL KANT COLLINGWOOD

- In his doctrine of transcendental idealism, he - In his theory of art, Benedetto Croce

argued that space, time, and causation are mere believed that art is more important than science
sensibilities; things-in themselves exist but their metaphysics since only art edifies
nature is unknowable.” us. He claimed that all we know can be reduced
- In his view, the mind shapes and structures to imaginative knowledge. Art
experience, with all human experience sharing springs from the latter, making it at its heart,
certain structural features. pure imagery.
- He believed that reason is also the source of - Robin George Collingwood (1889-1943) was a
morality, and that aesthetics arise from a faculty British philosopher and practicing archaeologist
of disinterested judgment. Kant’s view continues best known for his work in aesthetics and the
to have a major influence on contemporary philosophy of history. “Premature
philosophy, especially the fields of epistemology, argumentation he found, was a dangerous
ethics, political theory, and postmodern enemy’ ’to intellectual originality.
aesthetics.
I.GEORGE DICKIE
E. DAVID HUME
- has offered an institutional theory of art that
- He defines good critics in terms of good art, or a defines a work of art as any artifact upon which
good art in terms of good critics. a qualified person or persons acting on behalf of
- The features of a true critic are often read as the social institution commonly referred to as”
Hume’s way out of this trap. the art world” has conferred “the status of
- But Humes seems to have predetermined that candidate for appreciation.
only someone with wealth, education and leisure
J. LARRY SHINER
will ever possess good taste. The only answer in
the end is the verdict of our common human - He has described fine art as “not an essence or
nature:” the sentiments of all mankind are a fate but something we have made”.
agreed that such critics are superior.”

F. RICHARD WOLLHEIM

- The nature of art has been described by

philosopher Richard Wollheim as “one of the
most elusive of the traditional problems of
human culture.”
- Art has been defined as a vehicle for the
expression or communication of emotions and