CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS shape, color, space, texture, value, and form, as

FROM THE REGION well as the principles of rhythm, movement,

REVIEWER balance, proportion, contrast, variety, emphasis,
and harmony. Through this module, learners
Introduction: Contemporary art and modern art, develop a keen eye for the intricacies of artistic
often used interchangeably, exhibit distinctive expression, gaining a deeper appreciation for the
characteristics that emerge from their respective myriad forms of contemporary artistry flourishing
historical and philosophical contexts. This review in the Philippines.
aims to elucidate the nuanced differences between MODULE 1: Contemporary Art vs. Modern
contemporary and modern art, providing a more Art Definition:
detailed exploration of their unique features. Modern Art:
Module 1 meticulously dissects the distinctions • Era: Late 19th century to mid-20th
between contemporary and modern art, elucidating century (approximately 1860s to
their respective historical contexts, defining 1959).
characteristics, and overarching philosophies. • Characteristics: Radical departure
Learners are guided through an immersive journey from traditional styles, introduction
that unpacks the themes, subject matter, mediums, of avant-garde movements like
techniques, and audience engagement strategies cubism, surrealism, and abstract
unique to each era, fostering a nuanced expressionism.
understanding of the evolution of artistic • Artists: Pioneered by Pablo
movements. Picasso,
Module 2 embarks on a captivating exploration of Wassily Kandinsky, Marcel
contemporary art forms emerging from the diverse Duchamp, and others.
regions of the Philippines. It delves into the
• Philosophy: Reflects
cultural renaissance sweeping through urban
societal upheavals, technological
centers and countryside locales, shedding light on
advancements, and a quest for new
the profound impact of regional beauty and
expression. Learners are invited to appreciate the modes of expression during the era.
communal, intuitive, and integrative nature of Contemporary Art:
contemporary Philippine art within its cultural, • Era: Mid-20th century to the
political, and historical contexts. present day (approximately 1960s
In Module 3, learners are treated to an insightful to now).
tour through the various contemporary art forms • Characteristics: Diverse styles,
that have flourished across the Philippines. From mediums, and conceptual
painting and sculpture to architecture, film, approaches, reflecting the
literature, music, theater, and dance, each art form globalized, interconnected nature of
is meticulously examined, revealing its evolution, the contemporary world.
characteristics, and contributions to the rich • Artists: Features a wide array,
tapestry of Philippine contemporary arts. Module including Damien Hirst, Yayoi
4 elevates the discussion to the pinnacle of artistic Kusama, Ai Weiwei, and many
recognition—the Order of National Artist. Delving others.
into the historical underpinnings, aims, categories • Philosophy: Engages with complex
of recognition, qualifications, and insignia of this present-day issues, often political,
prestigious honor, learners gain a profound social, or cultural, embracing
appreciation for the esteemed individuals who inclusivity and diversity.
have left an indelible mark on the country's artistic Themes and Subject Matter:
legacy. • Modern Art:
Lastly, Module 5 provides a masterful exploration • Themes: Explored
of the fundamental elements and principles of art industrialization, urbanization, and
as they manifest in contemporary Philippine arts. war's impact on society. Focused on
Learners are guided through an illuminating the individual experience in a
journey that unpacks the significance of line, rapidly changing world.
 • Subject Matter: Varied but often contemporary artists striving for
included portraiture, landscapes, inclusivity and accessibility.
and abstract representations. • Accessibility: Varied, but
Contemporary Art: contemporary art often aims to be
• Themes: Diverse and expansive, more relatable and open
addressing current societal, to interpretation, fostering dialogue
environmental, and technological with a diverse audience.
issues. Embraces a broad spectrum Philippine Art History Timeline Pre-Colonial
of themes, from identity politics to Period:
environmental sustainability.
• Integrated into daily life, rituals,
• Subject Matter: Multifaceted, and celebrations, playing a
ranging from traditional mediums significant role in cultural
to new media, digital art, expression.
performance art, and installations.
• Art forms encompassed pottery,
Mediums and Techniques: crafts, carving, metalwork, bodily
• Modern Art: aesthetics, rituals, and celebrations.
• Mediums: Predominantly painting • Art survived through Oral
and sculpture, with the Tradition, ensuring the preservation
incorporation of new materials and of cultural practices and artistic
techniques. heritage.
• Techniques: Experimentation with • Primarily used for ritualistic
form, color, and perspective. purposes and practical applications
Emphasis on abstraction and in daily living.
breaking away from Performance Art:
representational norms. • Kashawing ritual involved chants
Contemporary Art: during rice planting and harvesting
• Mediums: Highly diverse, in Lake Lanao. • Cañao, a ritual
incorporating traditional mediums animal sacrifice with dance and
as well as new media, digital art, chants, originated from the
performance art, and installations. Cordillera Administrative Region
• Techniques: Embraces (CAR).
technological advancements, • Pagdiwata, a Tagbanua dance,
conceptual art, and interdisciplinary performed to bless the planting of
approaches. Often blurs the rice in Palawan.
boundaries between different art • Pangalay mimicked the movements
forms. of seabirds (Tausūg), Man-manok
Audience Engagement: imitated predatory bird movements
• Modern Art: (Bagobo), Kadaliwas depicted
• Audience: Initially faced resistance monkey movements
and skepticism. Some works (T’boli), and Tinikling portrayed crane bird
required a certain level of art movements by avoiding bamboo traps.
historical knowledge for full Instruments:
appreciation. • Kudyapi: a three-stringed guitar.
• Accessibility: Varied, with some • Kulintang: arranged gongs.
pieces accessible to a broad • Gangsa: flat gong.
audience, while others demanded a • Agong: a large gong.
more informed viewer.
Carving and Sculpture:
Contemporary Art:
• Bulul: human-shaped carving used
• Audience: Encourages broader
for guarding rice granaries.
engagement, with many
• Hagabi: a large ceremonial wooden
bench among the Ifugao.
 • Anito: wooden sculptures • Japanese invasion halted art
representing both good and bad development, and the arts were
spirits. strictly controlled by the Japanese.
• Okir: decorative carvings on the • Arts were used as propaganda,
house of the sultan. especially in literature and music.
• Torogan: traditional Maranao Postwar Republic (1946-1969):
house of the sultan. • Modern art flourished after World
• Sarimanok: a legendary bird War 2, prompting artists to explore
symbolizing good fortune among various themes. • Artists posed
the Maranao people. questions about national identity as
Crafts and Pottery: a predominant theme.
• Palayok: pottery used for cooking. • Artists could showcase creativity
• Banga & Tapayan: containers for without limitations on subject or
food and water. form.
• Some jars, like the Manunggul jar • Western influences, including pop
in Palawan and Maitum jars in art, maximalism, minimalism,
Sarangani, served burial purposes. abstraction, expressionism,
Weaving: constructivism, magic realism, and
• Materials included cotton, abaca, environmental art, were evident.
pineapple leaves, and native plant Martial Law Era (70s-Contemporary):
fibers. • Birth of Contemporary art, marked
• Coloring pigments of textiles by technological advancements and
derived from clay, roots, and other increased freedom of speech and
plant parts. expression.
Bodily Adornment: • Diverse styles emerged, including
• Tattoos were used as body digital art, photography, junk art,
paintings to signify status, battle and even minisculptures on pencil
skills, and attractiveness. tips.
Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1898): • Art used for protest and expression,
• Greatly influenced by religion and bringing awareness to societal
secularization introduced by issues.
Spanish colonizers. • Transcendence of traditional art
• Art used as a tool to propagate the forms, allowing innovative and
Catholic faith and maintain Spanish skillful portrayals of subjects while
power. reflecting Filipino identity.
• Formal paintings, sculptures, and Current Trends (Contemporary):
architecture were introduced with • Modern architecture symbolizes
influences from Byzantine, Gothic, progress, beauty, and wealth.
Baroque, and Rococo styles. • Tropical architectural design
American Colonial Period (1898-1942): integrates traditional materials to
• Focus on portraying Filipino life, harmonize with the environment.
using techniques like • Establishment of institutions for
"romanticizing" reality to make it strengthening Filipino involvement
appealing. in film, such as the Manila
• Significant influence on International Film Festival.
architecture and literature through • Social realism continues to thrive in
educational initiatives. paintings and sculptures, with some
• Introduction of new governance and artists incorporating normal scenes
educational systems for government acceptance.
to "Americanize" Filipinos.
Japanese Colonial Period (1942-1945):
 MODULE 2: Contemporary Philippine Arts • Beyond traditional genres: Visual,
from the Regions Introduction: Literary, Applied, Performing Arts.
• Local Art Renaissance: • Exploration and integration of
• Flourishing in urban centers, various art forms.
schools, and previously overlooked • Exploration of Various Art
countryside regions. Forms:
• Cultural richness brought to light, • Detailed exploration of
breaking isolation barriers. each category:
• Exposure of Regional Beauty: • Visual Arts: Pop Art, Video Art,
• Recognition and significance of Photography, etc.
diverse Philippine art forms. • Performance Arts: Music, Theater
• Positive impact of exposure and Art, Dance, etc.
expression. • Applied Arts: Architecture,
Understanding Contemporary Philippine Arts: Design, and Allied Art.
• Holistic Appreciation: • Literary Arts: Illustrated
• Encouraging viewing, Novel, Word Art, Graphic Novels,
understanding, and appreciation etc.
within the cultural, political, and Appreciation of Contemporary Philippine Art:
historical context. • Appreciation Principles:
• Categorization into visual, literary, • Emphasis on personal context,
applied, and performing arts for engaging all senses.
comprehensive understanding. • Recognition of social, historical,
• Significance of "Contemporary": geographical, ideational, personal,
• Clarification of the term's meaning and technical influences.
and context. • Elements of Contemporary Art:
• Facilitation of a nuanced Appropriation, Hybridity,
appreciation of art in the Philippine Technology, Performance, Space.
setting.
Contemporary Art Forms from the Philippine
• Modern vs. Contemporary:
Regions:
• Differentiation between Modern
• Impact of Modern Technology:
and Contemporary Philippine Arts.
• Facilitation of accessibility to
• Recognition of the farflung areas.
evolving conglomeration of art • Proliferation of known and
forms. emerging artists.
Art - Meaning and Forms: • Exhibition and Awareness:
• Mundane Elements Unveiled: • Artworks from Luzon, Visayas, and
• Daily life's visual and auditory Mindanao showcased in exhibition
aspects often overlooked. halls and museums.
• Rediscovery of beauty, relevance, • Cultural exposure and
and significance in seemingly understanding through diverse
ordinary stimuli. regional expressions.
• Contemporary Art Influence: • Distinct Features of
• Shaped by economic, social, Contemporary
political, and environmental Philippine Art:
contexts. • Communal Nature: Reflecting
• Artist's expression of perception community bonds.
and comprehension of • Intuitive: Rooted in
contemporary contexts. Filipino consciousness.
• Diverse Nature of Contemporary
Arts:
 • Holistic: Perceiving individuals, • Detailed exploration of literature as
groups, events, and art materials as an expression of ideas through
a unified whole. writing.
• Creative Process: Emphasis on the • Extensive categorization into
creation process itself. poetry, prose, drama, journalism,
• Integrative: Encompassing and song.
religious, moral, spiritual, social, Performing Arts - Music and Theater:
and environmental concerns. Music Definition:
• Multi-focal: Wide perspective • Comprehensive understanding of
considering everything and music as a collection of coordinated
everyone. sounds.
• In-depth exploration of
MODULE 3: Contemporary Art Forms from contemporary music in the
the Regions Visual Arts - Painting: Philippines.
Painting Definition: Performing Arts - Dance:
• Comprehensive exploration of Dance Definition:
painting as an expression of ideas • Comprehensive exploration of
and emotions. dance as rhythmic body movement.
• In-depth breakdown of the elements
involved in the visual language. MODULE 4:The Order of National Artist
• Filipino Painting Evolution: Introduction:
• Historical context of Pinnacle of Recognition:
commissioned works during • The Order of National Artist stands
Spanish colonization. as the highest accolade in the
Visual Arts - Sculpture: Philippines, serving to
Sculpture Definition: acknowledge individuals with
• Thorough examination of sculpture remarkable contributions to the
as the creation of three-dimensional country's artistic landscape.
art objects. • Jointly administered by the
• Overview of the emergence of National Commission for Culture
Filipino sculptors in the 19th and the Arts (NCCA) and the
century. Cultural
Visual Arts - Architecture: Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Architecture Definition: Presidential Conferment:
• Exploration of architecture as the • The conferment of the Order is
art and practice of designing and executed by the President of the
constructing buildings. Philippines, based on
• Historical evolution from simple, recommendations from both NCCA
rational, and functional to and CCP.
neoclassic styles. • This prestigious award symbolizes
Visual Arts - Film: the highest ideals of the nation in
Film Definition: the realms of humanities, aesthetics,
• Comprehensive overview of film as and cultural expression.
a visual art using moving images to Historical Background:
communicate ideas. • Established through Proclamation
• Historical development of the No. 1001 on April 27, 1972, to
Philippine film industry starting provide appropriate recognition and
from 1897. prestige to Filipinos who have
excelled in the arts.
Literary Arts - Literature:
Literature Definition:
 • In 1973, the CCP Board of Trustees of creative expression or style, creating a
was designated as the National legacy for succeeding generations of
Artist Awards Committee. Filipino artists.
• Presidential Decree No. 28, issued 4. Excellence: Artists awarded the National
on June 7, 1973, solidified CCP's Artist title must manifest excellence in the
role in administering the National practice of their chosen art form.
Awards along with the privileges 5. Recognition: The artworks created by the
and honors accorded to National artist must have attained international and
Artists. national recognition.
Aims of the Order: Insignia of the Order:
1. Cultural Heritage: The Order aims to • Symbolism: The insignia of the Order
recognize Filipino artists who significantly is crafted from a Grand Collar featuring
contribute to the preservation and circular links that symbolize various art
enhancement of the cultural heritage of the forms and an eight-pointed sunburst.
country. • This detailed exploration delves into
2. Artistic Accomplishment: It seeks to the historical roots, overarching aims,
honor Filipino artists whose specific recognition categories,
accomplishments in their respective fields stringent qualifications, intricate
reach the highest levels, thereby promoting insignia details, and noteworthy
creative expression as crucial to the
contributions of Filipino National
development of a national cultural identity.
Artists. It serves as a comprehensive
3. Dedication: The Order acknowledges
Filipino artists who have dedicated their guide to understanding the depth and
lives to their craft, paving new paths and significance of the Order of National
directions for future generations of Filipino Artist in the Philippines.
artists. MODULE 5:Elements and Principles of Art in
Categories of Recognition: Philippine Contemporary Arts Introduction:
• The Order acknowledges individuals in • Module Overview:
seven distinct categories, encapsulating a • Module 1 serves as an in-depth
broad spectrum of artistic endeavors: exploration of the foundational aspects
1. Literature of artistic expression, namely the
2. Film and Broadcasting / elements and principles of art.
Broadcast Arts • The primary objective is to deepen the
3. Architecture, Design, and Allied comprehension and appreciation of a
Arts myriad of contemporary art forms
4. Music originating from Luzon, Visayas, and
5. Dance Mindanao.
6. Theater Elements of Art:
7. Visual Arts 1. Line:
• Definition: An integral element
Qualifications for the Award: utilized to delineate
1. Citizenship: National Artists must be shapes, contours, and outlines,
living artists who are natural-born Filipino imparting a sense of mass and
citizens. volume.
2. Nationhood Contribution: The content • Characteristics: Exhibits diverse
and form of their work should significantly features such as form (curved,
contribute to building a Filipino sense of dotted, or broken lines) and
nationhood. direction (vertical, horizontal, or
3. Creative Expression: National Artists diagonal lines).
should have developed a distinctive mode • Examples: Horizontal lines evoke
serenity, vertical lines project
 strength, diagonal lines imply • Definition: The orchestrated
action, curved lines signify gradual repetition of specific elements,
change, and circular lines denote creating a harmonious pattern.
abrupt change. 2. Movement:
• Classifications: Outlines, contour • Definition: The illusion of
lines, expressive lines capturing motion within a painting,
movement, sketch lines capturing sculpture, or design, enhancing
appearances, calligraphic lines, and the dynamic quality of the
implied lines created by a group of artwork.
objects seen from a distance. 3. Balance:
2. Shape: • Definition: The equilibrium of
• Definition: Two-dimensional areas visual weight across the picture
enclosed by lines, manifesting in plane, explored through
geometric, organic, positive, symmetrical and asymmetrical
negative, static, and dynamic balance.
shapes. 4. Proportion:
3. Color: • Definition: Examines the
• Definition: The visual interpretation relationships of size among
of light reflections, categorized into objects within a body of work,
primary, secondary, tertiary, ensuring coherence and aesthetic
analogous, complementary, harmony.
monochromatic, warm, and cool
5. Contrast:
colors.
• Definition: The highlighting of
4. Space:
differences between elements,
• Definition: Refers to the distances
contributing to the visual impact
or areas around, between, or within of the composition.
components. Distinguishes between
6. Variety:
positive space (enclosed within a
• Definition: The incorporation of
shape) and negative space (around
diverse elements within an
the shape).
artwork, adding layers of interest
• Perspectives: Incorporates onepoint
and complexity.
and two-point perspectives for an
7. Emphasis:
enhanced understanding of spatial
• Definition: The strategic
relationships.
highlighting or focal point in an
5. Texture:
artwork, guiding the viewer's
• Definition: The tactile quality of an
attention.
artwork, explored through real
8. Harmony:
texture (actual) and implied texture
• Definition: The unification of
(visual representation).
elements in an artwork, ensuring
6. Value:
a cohesive and integrated visual
• Definition: Pertains to the lightness
experience.
or darkness of a color. Tint
represents lightness, while shade
represents darkness.
7. Form:
• Definition: The three
dimensionality of an object,
characterized by height, width, and
length.
Principles of Art:
1. Rhythm: