SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)

LESSON 1: INTEGRATIVE ART AS APPLIED TO CONTEMPORARY ART

Definition of Art
According to Webster, art is “human ingenuity in adapting
In your own knowledge and ideas,
natural things to man’s use.” Therefore, an artist uses his genius in
what is art?
transforming God-made things into man-made things that satisfy his
_______________________________
needs. For instance, he converts wood into a religious image, into a
house, into a piece of furniture. He transforms plants into cloth _______________________________
which will later become his clothing, or he turns them into paper
which will later become an item of painting or sculpture.
Art came from the word “ars” which means skill. It is synonymous with cunning, artifice, and craft,
which all mean the faculty of what is devised. Webster, however, points out, “Art may be used interchangeably
with all the other terms but, in its most distinct sense, it contrasts with them in implying a personal,
unanalyzable creative power; skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency; cunning suggest ingenuity and
subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing; artifice suggests mechanical skill especially in imitating things in
nature; craft may imply expertness in workmanship or suggest trickery and guile in attaining one’s ends.”
What are the purposes of an Artist in engaging in the arts?
 Bsically, to earn money.
 Some do it to express their emotions and thoughts, real or
imaginary. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
 Others do it to produce things of beauty.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
 A big number of artists do it to self-actualize.
 A small number of artists do it to immortalize themselves or
other people.
 A few artists do it to inform.
 Several engage in art in order to persuade.
 But most artists intend to entertain people.
Functions of Art
Arts serves several functions which are corollary to its purposes. These functions include but are not
limited to the following: personal or individual, social, economic, political, historical, cultural, religious,
physical, and aesthetic.
1. Personal or Individual Function. Artists have their personal reasons for indulging in art. The English
poet Robert Browning expressed his love to Elizabeth Barrett-Browning in the form of a poem entitled
“My Last Duchess”; Elizabeth did the same by means of the poem entitled “How Do I Love Thee?”
Another poet, Edwin Markham, wrote the poem “The Man with the Hoe” because he was inspired by
the painting of a farmer that he had seen earlier. Similarly, the composer of the song “Vincent” was
inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, “The Starry Night”. Others do their thing because of their
passion for their respective art forms. For instance, Gary Valenciano renders concerts for free because
he loves singing; Geleen Eugenio provides free dance instructions because she enjoys dancing.
2. Social Function. Man is a social being and as such he associates with his fellow beings. This
association is evidenced by the choral singing and group dancing in religious rites and other practices.
Oftentimes, houses are constructed by groups of men for the smallest social groups in a society, the
families. Churches are built for communal worship. A drama is performed by a group of performers
called the cast before a group of viewers known as the audience. Oral and written literatures are handed
from one generation to the next and enjoyed by people of various races and ages. Jose Rizal’s novels

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SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)
were written to arouse social consciousness. Museums house paintings and sculptures which are viewed
by many onlookers.
3. Economic Function. Many people believe that it does not pay to be an artist. However, this belief is
negated by these facts. Joanne K. Rowling, the author of the best-selling Harry Potter series, became one
of the most highly-paid women in British history. Elvis
Presley and Michael Jackson raked millions for their best- How can you say that art serves
selling records. Paintings of great painters such as Da Vinci several functions which are
and Buonarroti are worth millions of dollars now. GMA-7 corollary to its purposes?
spent millions of pesos for the set of “Indio” and ______________________________
“Encantadia” and the costume of Richard Gutierrez in ______________________________
“Captain Barbel.”
4. Political Function. When Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, a patroness of the arts, became the Governor of
Metro Manila, she promoted her political programs by means of the arts. Part of her beautification
program was the painting of murals along national roads and busy streets frequented by motorists. She
was responsible for the building of edifices in the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) Complex;
these include the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center), FAT (Folk Arts Theater, now
known as Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas), and the Film Center. Likewise, part of the Marcos
administration’s image-building program for the so-called New Society (Bagong Lipunan) was the
writing of compositions inculcating the virtues of self-discipline, industry, unity, and cooperation.
5. Historical Function. Paintings, sculptures, architectural works, and other art forms serve to record
historical figures and events. Paintings of French kings, sculptures of Philippine heroes, tombs of rulers
(Pyramids of Egypt and Taj Majal of India), and religious plays, for example, the cenaculo (passion
play), not only commemorate but also celebrate historical greats. The Our Lady of EDSA shrine is a
sterling proof of Filipinos’ love of peace and freedom as it reminds those who pass by EDSA of the
bloodless revolution in Philippine history, emulated by other races all over the world.
6. Cultural Function. Buildings, furniture (chairs, tables, etc.), clothes, and the like form part of the
country’s material culture, while music, dance, and language, which is incorporated in oral and written
literature and drama, form part of its non-material culture. Therefore, paintings, sculptures, architectural
works, songs, dances, dramas, and literary pieces are embodiments of a nation’s culture.
7. Religious Function. Almost all, if not all, art forms evolved from religion. People in the olden times
worshipped their gods in the form of songs and dances. The earliest dramatic forms were religious in
nature. The first Greek paintings and sculptures were those of gods and goddesses. The first great
architectural works were built for religious purposes: the pyramids were built to entomb the pharaohs,
the mausoleum of Rome served as a cemetery; and the churches and mosques were constructed for
religious worship.
8. Physical Function. Houses and other buildings are constructed to protect their occupants and all the
others inside them. At times, paintings serve to protect the walls and ceilings of some buildings, while
sculptures serve as columns of some buildings as in Greek and Roman architecture. Many people claim
that dance is one of the best forms of exercise, while music is a form of therapy. Moreover, a tragedy,
one of the dramatic forms, has a cathartic effect. The visual experience when viewing a beautiful work
of art (an abstract painting, a realistic sculpture, a skyscraper, a musical concert, a dance show, or a
comic play) is an exhilarating experience. Above all, there is no substitute to the ecstatic feeling one
experiences after having completed a work of art.
9. Aesthetic Function. Artworks serve to beautify. Paintings serve to decorate houses and other buildings.
Sculptures serve to decorate churches and similar edifices. Tall buildings are sights to behold. Set
designs, as well as costumes and props, make dramas, dance performances, and song renditions not only
realistic but also appealing to the audience.
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Art Style and Factors Affecting Style
Every artist has his way of presenting his work. Such is called art style. Such style is affected by the
following factors: geographical, historical, social, ideational, psychological, and technical.
1. Geographical Factors. The place where the artist stays influences his works. Marble sculptures are
aplenty in Romblon because marble abounds in that province
in the same ways as wooden sculptures abound in Paete,
How important are the ways of
Laguna (named after paet meaning chisel) where
artists in presenting their personal
woodcarving is the primary occupation of the male
population. Moreover, Eskimos live in igloos because their work?
place is cold, but in Hawaii, Tahiti, and other Pacific islands, ______________________________
the natives reside in grass shacks because theirs are tropical ______________________________
places.
2. Historical Factors. Historical events exert a great influence on artists, particularly the writers. Jose
Rizal’s novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, graphically highlight the events that took place
in the country during the last century of Hispanic rule. Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables realistically
depicts the French Revolution. The song “Magkaisa” is a product of the 1986 EDSA Revolution, while
Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium” is a painting of the Filipino oppression by the Spaniards.
3. Social Factors. Social relationships affect artists, too. The English writer Ben Jonson composed his
“Song to Celia”; the Italian sonneteer Francesco Petrarch wrote poems for his lady love named Laura.
Society at most times dictate the types of paintings, sculptures, songs, dances, literary pieces, and
movies to be produced. Independent films such as “Kubrador” and “Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo” show
present-day realities in Philippine society.
4. Ideational Factors. The ideas coming from various people also influence artists. The Father of
Psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, proposed ideas that have influenced surrealist painters. The idea that
the human body is the most beautiful figure to present as an art subject gave rise to the school of thought
called nudism. Painters opted to produce paintings of nude males and females. In sculpture, nudism
became a fad with the creation of nude figures of male gods known as Apollo statues. Furthermore,
different ideologies were propagated around the world with the proliferation of essays and other writing
from renowned writers.
5. Psychological Factors. At times, the works produced by the artists are affected by their psychological
make-up or frame of mind. For instance, the first painting of Edvard Munch, “The Sick Child”, is an
effect of his unfortunate childhood experience of contracting a long illness after losing his loved one at
an early age. Vincent Van Gogh’s painting entitled “The Starry Night” was believed to be completed
during his stay in an asylum in St. Remy, during the most tormented period in his life. The manuscript of
“The Filipino Is Worth Dying for” assailing the Marcos administration was written by the late Sen.
Benigno Aquino, Jr. when he was still a deportee in the US waiting for his return to the Philippines.
6. Technical Factors. Techniques matter as far as artistic styles are concerned. In fact, painters employ a
variety of techniques to make their works unique. Different brushes produce different strokes. If there is
no brushes, painters use their hands. Those without hands make use of their mouths or feet. Moreover,
those with airbrushes or similar equipment produce paintings with the use of such equipment.
Additionally, paintings can be rendered realistically, surrealistically, impressionistically, and so on.
Principles of Art

To come up with the attractive artworks, artists must be governed by the five conventions of artistic
compositions. The five principles of art are harmony, balance, rhythm, proportion, and emphasis.

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SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)
Harmony. Harmony is the most essential factor in a composition. Also called unity, harmony is achieved when
all the elements of a thing are put together to come up with a coherent whole. Every part of a work of art is
necessary to the composition to the extent that all the parts exhibit a
sense of belonging together and a pleasing relationship with one Artists must be governed by the five
another. If one of the parts does not complement the others, then conventions of artistic compositions,
lack of harmony results. to come up with attractive artworks.
Balance. Known as physical equilibrium, balance is stability
produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the thing. It is classified into formal or informal.
Formal Balance. Formal balance exists if the weights at equal distance from the center are equal. It is also
called symmetrical balance because the thing displays symmetry (same measure). Bilateral symmetry is
present when the left and the right sides appear the same; the right side mirrors the left, said of the human body.
Radial symmetry exists when the same measure occurs from the central point to the end of every radius; this
kind of symmetry applies to round objects or those with radii like stars and starfishes.
Informal Balance. Informal balance is present when the left and the right sides of the thing, though not
identical in appearance, still display an even distribution of weight. It is also known as asymmetrical or occult
balance.
Rhythm. Rhythm is the continuous use of a motif or repetitive pattern of a succession of similar or identical
items. It can be achieved by alternation (use of two patterns alternately), radiation (repetition of the motif
from the center or toward it), progression (use of motifs of varying sizes, that is, from the smallest to the
largest, or vice versa), or parallelism (use of a pattern with an equal distance from each other). Rhythm is
exemplified by concentric circles, by an alternation of black and white stripes, by checkered blue and orange
squares. It is characterized as repetitive, continuous, or flowing.
Proportion. Proportion is the comparative relationship of the different parts in relation to the whole. It is the
proper and pleasing relationship of one object with the others in a design. According to Polyclitus, a well-
proportioned human body is eight head parts, that is, the head is one-eighth of the entire human body. Da Vinci
came up with his own measurement of the human body by means of his work, “The Vitruvian Man”. When
showing a picture of a nuclear family with a father, a mother, and one child, the father is shown as the biggest
and the tallest and the lone child as the smallest and the shortest.
Emphasis. Emphasis is giving proper importance on one or more parts of the thing or the whole thing itself. It
is achieved by means of size or proportion, shape, color, line, position, and variety. More often than not, the
artist emphasizes the one with the bigger size or proportion, the one with a different shape or color, the one with
striking lines. The one positioned at the center, and the one that is unique.
Classification of Art Forms
Artists abound since there are many genres of art. And the number of artists keeps on increasing as new
forms of art emerge. Based on the sensory perception involved, the genres of art are classified into visual arts,
audio-visual arts, and literary arts.
Visual Arts. Visual arts are those forms perceived by the eyes. These include painting, sculpture, and
architecture. They are also called spatial arts because artworks produced under this genre occupy space. They
are further divided into graphic arts and plastic arts.
Graphic Arts. Graphic arts are those visual arts that have length What are the different classification
and width; thus, they are also called two-dimensional arts. They are under the genres of art?
described as flat arts because they are seen on flat surface. Examples ______________________________
of these arts are painting, printing, drawing, sketching, commercial ______________________________
art, mechanical processes, computer graphics, and photography.

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SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)
Plastic Arts. Plastic arts are those visual arts that have length, width, and volume; thus, they are also called
three-dimensional arts. examples of these are sculpture, architecture, landscape architecture, city planning,
interior design, costume design, set design, theater design, industrial design, crafts (for example, handicrafts),
and allied arts.
Audio-Visual Arts. Audio-visual arts are those forms perceived by both ears (audio) and eyes (video). They are
called performing arts inasmuch as the artists render a performance in front of an audience. Examples of these
are music (vocal, instrumental, and mixed), dance (ethnologic, social, and theatrical), and drama (tragedy,
comedy, tragicomedy, farce, melodrama, etc.). Music, unlike dance and drama, can be purely audial as when the
audience listens to a song played on the radio and does not see the artist (the singer) perform live on stage.
Literary Arts. Literary arts are those presented in the written mode and intended to be read. These include
prose (short stories, novels, essays, and plays) and poetry (narrative poems, lyric poems, and dramatic poems).
Prose forms differ from verse or poetic forms in that the former are in paragraph (composed of sentences) from,
while the latter are in stanza (composed of lines) form.
Divisions of Art Study
Humanities or the study of the arts was limited to aesthetics Humanities deals with the four
or art appreciation and/or art history during the second half of the divisions of art study, namely, art
th
20 century. With the onset of the new millennium and the recent appreciation, art history, art
developments in various disciplines, the study of humanities has production, and art criticism.
extended to art production and art criticism. In short, humanities
deals with the four divisions of art study, namely, art appreciation, art history, art production, and art criticism.
Aesthetics or Art Appreciation. Aesthetics, the science of beauty, is that division of art study in which the
student learns to admire the artists, value highly different works of art, and appreciate the role of art in society.
Art History. Art history is that division of art study in which the student acquires knowledge of the artists, their
backgrounds, their masterpieces, and their significant contributions in various fields of art.
Art Production. Art production is that division of art study in which the student learns to use his creativity and
apply his artistic knowledge and skills in producing his own works of art.
Art Criticism. Art criticism is that division of art study in which the student learns to use his judgment in
evaluating different artworks based on the criteria set.
Integrative Art Why integrative art play an
A number of art forms are combined to form an art work. For important role in our society?
example, an opera or musical play is a combination of music, dance, __________________________________
and drama. A building is an architectural work that can have __________________________________
paintings and sculptures as integral parts. Dishes are products of
culinary arts; they may have vegetable or fruit sculptures as decorations. A t-shirt or another piece of garment
may have a design produced through computer graphics. A novel or another literary piece in book form may
have a painting or drawings as its cover. All these serve to exemplify integrative art.
Integrative art may also refer to the use of art in other disciplines, as in psychology. Art is used in
psychotherapy; psychopathic patients are instructed by psychiatrists to draw or do artworks which are used as a
basis for evaluating the psychological condition of the patients.
Contemporary Art How contemporary art affects us as
Wikipedia defines contemporary art as “art produced at the a person?
present period in time. Contemporary art includes, and develops ______________________________
from, post-modern art, which is itself a successor to modern art.” ______________________________
However many people equate contemporary art with modern art.
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SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)
Another definition is “art that has been and continues to be created during our lifetimes.” Simply put, it is art
that is contemporary to us.
The period of modernism ends around 1970, which marks the start of the era of post-modernism. And
since post-modernism is the most recent movement in the field of art, it is considered to be the contemporary art
movement. Thus, contemporary art runs from 1970 until now. “A whole lot of art from the last 30 years (or so)
has been connected with one issue or another: feminism, multiculturalism, globalization, bio-engineering and
AIDS awareness all come readily to mind as subject matter.”
 Contemporary art is the term used for art of the present day or an art produced at the present period in
time. Usually the artists are alive and still making work.
 Contemporary art is often about ideas and concerns, rather than solely the aesthetic (the look of the
work).
 Artists try different ways of experimenting with ideas and materials.
 Contemporary artists use whatever they think illustrates their idea most appropriately. Nowadays artists
have many different methods and materials to use. Contemporary art is therefore very varied.
REFERENCES:
 Menoy, J. (2016). Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
 Art retrieved from https://youtube.com/watch?v=QZQyV9BB50E&feature=share
 Contemporary Art retrieved from http://arthistory.about.com/od/current_contemporary_art/f/what_is.htm

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SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)
PERFORMANCE TASK
Drawing or Painting. Draw or paint something that relates or describes your life. In relation to what the Bible
tells us in Psalm 139: 13-14, do you believe that God created you to be uniquely special in accordance to His
purposive will? What are some of the personal struggles that you can share through your artwork that molded
you to become the person you are today? How did you overcome those hardships? Write your explanations at
the back part of your work. Use the guidelines below for an elaborated instructions.
Instructions:
 Output must be done in a sketch pad.
 Explanations must consist four to five sentences only.
 Use your own imagination and artistry.
 You are allowed to get any art reference on the internet to be used as an example for your outputs.
 Avoid plagiarism.
 Use any available art materials.
 Make your presentation clear and creative.
Criteria Points
Substance 20 pts.
Originality 25 pts.
Creativity 35 pts.
Color Harmony 10 pts.
Visual Impact 10 pts.
Total 100 pts.

PERFORMANCE TASK
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SOCIAL SCIENCE 3 (Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions)
Drawing or Painting. Draw or paint all the principles of art. Use the guidelines below for an elaborated
instructions.
Instructions:
 Output must be done in a sketch pad.
 One drawing or painting is equivalent to 100 points.
 Use your own imagination and artistry.
 You are allowed to get any art reference on the internet to be used as an example for your outputs.
 Avoid plagiarism.
 Use any available art material.
 Make your presentation clear and creative.
Criteria Points
Substance 20 pts.
Originality 25 pts.
Creativity 35 pts.
Color Harmony 10 pts.
Visual Impact 10 pts.
Total 100 pts.