CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS

Art can come in many forms. In the case of visual arts we learned that it can be classified into three, namely fine arts, decorative arts,
and contemporary art forms. Fine arts are the type of visual art that are most frequently associated with arts such as paintings,
sculptures, and drawings. The decorative art forms are the category of visual arts that pertains to artworks that are not just aesthetically
pleasing but functional as well. Examples of decorative art forms include pottery, furniture, metalcrafts, etc. Contemporary art forms
refer to artworks that are a result of the use of new techniques, technology, and media. Contemporary art forms cannot be easily
categorized between the fine arts and the decorative arts and hence results in different classification altogether. Common examples of
contemporary visual art forms include performance art, installations, digital art, virtual reality, etc.

Fine Arts

Most contemporary visual artists in the Philippines produce works that fall into the fine arts category. The majority of the
contemporary art produced in the Philippines are paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

1. Paintings and illustrations

Paintings may be defined as a two-dimensional form of art that showcases artistic expression created on a flat surface. Images are
made by applying pigment on a prepared surface using typically one or a combination of the following tools: brush, palette knife,
spray, finger, etc.

There are a number of media used for painting and other two- dimensional work. These include oil, acrylic, watercolor, poster color,
pastel, ink, etc. These media are applied on a surface such as canvas, paper, wood, cardboard, etc.

The beginnings of paintings and illustrations as we know it were the result of the Spanish colonization. Early paintings and other fine
arts were primarily religious in nature. They were used to evangelized and spread Christianity throughout the archipelago. As time
passed, paintings and illustrations started to take on more secular subjects and themes. Contemporary forms of paintings and
illustrations in the Philippines generally stem from our interaction with the Americans. The earliest incarnation of contemporary
paintings and illustrations were for the images and drawings for the various publications and textbooks of the American era.

Contemporary paintings found in the Philippines range the academic style, the artistic style espoused by the Europe academies of the
1800s that promoted the depiction of ideal and classical beauty, to that of the stark realism and abstract of many modernist and
contemporary styles. The themes used are also varied. The common thematic categories in visual are religious, historical, portraiture,
still life, and landscapes.

A. Religious themes were the primary subject for the artw during the Spanish colonial times. In the present, many relig themed
paintings can be seen in the murals of many church and in paintings with social commentaries like that of Ja Velasco (1967-2010) and
Renato Habulan (b.1953). Other than Joey Velasco's Hapag ng Pag-asa, many his paintings depict Jesus Christ in the present day.
Rera Habulan's boceto pen and ink series shows the similarities d suffering of the human condition with that of the passion of Ch
through the use of Christian iconography

B. Historical themes can be seen in the works of Angono, Rizal native Carlos "Botong" V Francisco (1912-1969) whose masterpiece
Filipino Struggles through History depicts Manila's historical events. This mural is displayed in the Manila City Hall. Other historical-
themed works include Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, etc.

C. Portraiture paintings are used to commemorate personalities and are seen in many formal institutions such as government offices. It
started with the rise of the Ilustrados during the Spanish colonial times. It was and has been a symbolism of one's rise to power and
wealth. Many artists started their careers as portraiture artists such as Iloilo-born Antipas Delotavo (b. 1954) and Rafael del Casal, a
favorite portraiture artist of the Philippine elite who was the commissioned artist to create the portrait of San Pedro Calungsod in
2000.

One of the most ubiquitous portraiture paintings seen in the Philippines are the official portraitures of Philippine presidents. The latest
as of writing is the official portrait of President Rodrigo Duterte by Davao artist Daryl de Leon Descallar (b.1963),

D. Still life is a work of art that portrays inanimate objects. It was traditionally composed of a basket or bowl of fruits and flowers in
vases on a table. One of the most notable and earliest still life artists was Paz Paterno. She was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila in 1867 and
died in 1914. More contemporary artists who were notable still life artists were the Filipino-Chinese Ang Kiukok (1931-2005), and the
cubist and Kapampangan artist Vicente Manansala (1910-1981) who created still life paintings that items and ingredients one would
find in a typical Filipino kitchen.
E. Landscapes depict the beauty of the outdoors. It can be that of the natural environment such as the countryside and other rural
scenery, including seascapes that focus on the imagery of bodies of water.

Sculptures are artworks that are three-dimensional. The classifications of sculptures are traditionally divided into two, namely, free-
standing and relief.

Free standing sculptures, also known as in the round, are sculptures that are raised independently in their given space. It can be often
observed from all points of view.

Reliefs are sculptures that are raised from a background. Depending on the figure's distance from the background, it can be also
classified into bas-relief and high relief. Bas-reliefs or low reliefs are reliefs that are slightly protruding from their background, while
high reliefs are reliefs that are prominently raised against their background, giving the sculpture more dimensionality.

Sculptures are made by either adding or subtracting materials. Subtraction is used in carving, while addition is seen in sculpting
techniques like molding, casting, and welding.

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20 JOURNEY Contemporary Arts of the Philippines

Contemporary art forms that are related to sculptures, like mobiles, and three-dimensional light manipulations, such as holograms, not
easily classified between free-standing and reliefs. Hence they are are classified as contemporary art forms.

The Philippines has a sculptural tradition dating long before the arrival of the first colonizers. We have long been casting metal,
molding clay, and carving stone and wood to create various sculptural pieces. Examples of precolonial sculptural artworks include the
panolongs of the Torogan, the Maranao Royal house, the sunduk of the grave markers of the Badjao, and the many interpretations of
the Ifugao rice god, the bulul.

Wood carving is found throughout the different regions and communities of the country. It is used to create and decorate the items
used in one's daily life such as furniture, utensils, shelter, and transportation. This art form has existed throughout the history of the
Philippines and is still alive in many cultural hubs in the country such

as Paete, Laguna and Betis, Pampanga. During the Spanish colonization, the most notable sculptural pieces were the santos, which are
sculptural representations of Christ and the Christian saints. Many of these religious iconographies can be seen in Spanish colonial
churches in the Philippines.

Many of these santos are venerated, and grand religious events are centered around them. This is especially true with the Black
Nazarene in Quiapo, the Santo Niño in Cebu, and Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga.

Contemporary sculpture in the Philippines can also depict the different themes used in paintings and drawings. It can also be classified
into two styles: the academic/classical and modern. Classical style follows the aesthetics of the ancient Greeks and Romans as taught
by the European art academies, while the modern style is often abstracted and is not as particular about the realistic portrayal or
representation of figures compared to the classical style.

During the American colonial period, classical sculptures portrayed prominent people of society and politics. This was led by the
Bulacan native Guillermo Tolentino (1890-1976) whose sculptural masterpieces include the Bonifacio Monument and the Oblation in
UP Diliman. Tolentino was a professor at the said university and mentored other classical style sculptors such as Anastacio Caedo
(1907-1990) and Froilan Madriñan (1941-2008).

Caedo was a Batangeño whose most recognizable work is the memorial at the MacArthur landing site in Leyte. Froilan Madriñan was
a Paete artist who was a master in wood carving. He was a great influence to many aspiring artists of Paete, mentoring contemporary
sculptors like Luisito Ac-ac (b.1952) who is famous for his lifelike wooden sculptures and Mario Dayo (b.1948) who is known for his
Baroque style relief murals. One of Guillermo Tolentino's most well-known students was Napoleon Abueva (b.1930). Abueva was
born in Tagbilaran, Bohol. He is credited to be the pioneer of modern sculpture in the Philippines and is sometimes referred to as the
"Father of Modern Sculpture" in the Philippines. Abueva's sculptures often gave a feel of playfulness, fluidity, and movement. He has
worked with various materials such as stone, metal, and concrete but still prefers wood, particularly molave and narra. His masterpiece
Allegorical Harpoon (molave,1964) is considered to be one of his best abstract sculptural works.

Other contemporary sculptors that show evidences of Abueva's influence are Renato Rocha (1937-2001) and Ross Arcilla (b. 1938).
Renato Rocha was born in Uson, Masbate. He apprenticed under Anastacio Caedo and later with Napoleon Abueva. His works are
critically acclaimed, winning a streak of competitions in 1960-1965, His style is described as figurative abstraction, and like his
mentor he prefers to work with wood. Ross Arcilla has worked with an array of materials such as wood, jade, aluminum, bronze, and
glass. Like his mentor, Arcilla's style is similarly of abstraction and geometric simplification. He hails from Caramoan, Camarines
Sur.

Many other figurative expressionist sculptors emerged ins late 1970s such as Julie Lluch (b. 1946) who was born in Iligan c Lanao del
Norte. Her early works were terra-cotta sculptural port of family and friends, which further developed to her tradem expressive
depiction of women. Another expressionist contempor sculptor is Quezon City artist Agnes Arellano (b. 1949). Arellan dramatic
sculptures of cast and modeled plaster and synthe marble she calls inscapes focus on the essential meaning of a figu rather than just its
surface appearance.

Other contemporary sculptors that follow the modern philosophy include: Antique-born painter, sculptor, and graphic designer Jerry
Navarro Elizalde (1924-1999) whose sculptural w is evocative of indigenous tribal art, making use of woodcuts a work and other
found materials; Solomon Saprid (1917-2003) who is known for his bronze sculptural that make use of welded pieces, well giving
them a rough impression, and for his series of sculptures entitled Tikbalang, and Conrado Mercado (b.1945) of Bustos, Bulacan who
initially gained fame from his beaten aluminum reliefs and open-cage construction.

The contemporary sculptural arts mentioned is but a drop in the river of talented and unique sculptors the country has to offer. Every
day, new talents are emerging and discovered

DECORATIVE ARTS AND CRAFTS

The decorative arts and crafts of the contemporary times stem from the traditional indigenous crafts found throughout the country.
Some of you might wonder why these traditional and indigenous products and processes are included in a discussion about
contemporary art. As defined earlier contemporary art are artworks produced in the present. Many respected Filipino artists of today
such as the GAMABA (Gawad sa Manilikha ng Bayan) awardees express their art through these indigenous products. Undoubtedly,
these decorative arts and crafts are part of our artistic history and traditions. And these artworks are an important source of inspiration
to present and future Filipino artists. Many artists of today, as you will learn throughout this book. use their cultural artistic heritage
and decorative arts processes in their contemporary artistic expression. Hence, it is important to discuss these to be aware of these
types of traditional art. Here are some examples of contemporary decorative arts found in the country:

Pottery

Pottery is the art and craft of making pots and other wares using clay or mud. Pottery tradition in the country has survived for
centuries. Early pottery artifacts have shown the skills and artistry of our pottery makers. They made everyday items such as food
containers and water vessels, and some are created for formal and ritualistic purposes as burial jars or as figurative mementos.

In Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the pottery tradition is still alive with their high-temperature pottery called burnay. It is used as a container for a
variety of things like water, salt, wine, etc. These earthenware are heated in giant kilns that occupy an area as big as half of a city
block.

In contemporary times, studio pottery is quite popular. Studio pottery is a handmade one-of-a-kind ceramic that is sought after by
collectors. Studio pottery come in many forms such as functional items like cookware and tableware, but many present-day ceramic
artists venture in more sculptural pieces. A notable artist of studio pottery is Ugu Bigyan of Tiaong, Quezon. His studio in Quezon is a
popular tourist attraction to those who visit the province. His works of pottery art pieces are recognized here and abroad.

Carving
Carving is the art of manipulating and creating objects by subtracting and shaping solid material such as wood and stone. Filipinos are
excellent carvers. This is perhaps due to our long history with the art. Many traditional arts and crafts in the country are products of
carving. On the next page are examples of such time-honored sculptural crafts that are still seen and made today.

The Ifugao's rice god or the bululis represented through carved wood and is used as a decorative element throughout their daily wares.
The Muslims of Western Mindanao carved geometric patterns and stylized images of plants and animals called okir Popular
decorative motifs are the sarimanok and the naga. These are used as decorations in their houses, boats, instruments, containers,
weapons, and utensils. Similar carving processes are found within the tribal groups of Mindanao like the Tausugs, the Maranaos, and
the Badjaos. Tagbanuas of Palawan carve animal sculptures used as ritual objects or sometimes as decorations for their houses and
trinkets for their children.

Weaving

Weaving is the art of interlacing threads or fibers to create textile, fabric, or other similar products. Philippine textiles are often made
from indigenous plants such as piña, abaca, maguey, and cotton. Traditional weaving methods can still be seen in the different towns
in the Ilocos Region. Many of the woven products such as blankets called binakol and pinilian are brought to Manila and abroad and
sold as handicrafts. In the mountain provinces, the ikat process is being revived. The ikat is a dyeing process that involves resist-
dyeing and dyeing to achieve a desired pattern, after which the fibers are then woven.

The ikat is the same dyeing process used by the tribal groups of Mindanao like the T'boli, Bagobo, Mandaya, etc. Their ikats are
designed with stylized animal figures such as birds, lizards, frogs, and humans. The Bagobos add beads to the woven fabric to increase
its beauty.

Basket weaving is also alive in the different regions. Notable examples are the backpacks of the Mandaya tribe in Eastern Mindanao
and the decorated bags of the Bagobo. Also worth mentioning are the woven baskets of the Tagbanua tribe in Palawan with their
iconic conical cover called basag.

Another weaving decorative art is mats. These traditional floor coverings typically made of pandan, swamp grass, bamboo, and palm
leaf provide cool relief from the country's humid environment. The mats of Basey, Samar are especially artistic with them being
decorated with bright lively colors and embroidered with flowers, peacocks, and fantasy settings. These mats can be made-to-order to
have the name and the portrait of the owner. Also colorful are the sesed mats of the Maranao. The designs of the Maranao mat are
made with patterns of stripes or plaid.

Metalwork

Metalwork is the art of creating and manipulating metal to create various items such as jewelry, weapons, etc. Based on archaeological
records and recovered artifacts, the Filipinos were skilled metalworkers. Many amazing jewelries and ornaments discovered from
different sites prove the early Filipinos' talent. Perhaps the most remarkable of the find is the collection of precolonial gold jewelry
that consists of ornaments, earrings, necklaces, and gold-woven belts and sashes. Although many have been lost, the remaining ones
displayed at the Ayala Museum in Makati City show the mastery and technical skill of the early Filipino metalsmiths.

Metal ornaments and jewelry are found in different regions. These are often considered as one's prized possession and are passed from
one generation to another. Metalwork found in the country comes in different forms. These can come as the tiny bells by the Bagobo
that they attach to their possession and small brass or gold jewelry pieces like necklaces decorated with animal figures.

The Maranaos from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur are the largest manufacturer of brassware in the Philippines. One of their most popular
products is the gador or decorated brass urns made using the lost-wax process. It is good that many of our traditional decorative arts
and crafts are still made today. Demands from local and foreign patrons have kept it alive. But continuous efforts and patronage have
to be made to make sure these ethnic traditions survive for future generations to experience and appreciate.

CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS

Collage

Collage is the method of combining printed images with other flat media and pasting them on a canvas or board. This contemporary
art method first came about in the early 1900s as part of the experimentation of the cubists Picasso and Braque. They made use of
cutouts of newspaper that were pasted onto their paintings. Collages create a great variety of texture and color not found in traditional
painting. Contemporary artist Dina Gadia (b. 1986), born in Anda, Pangasinan, uses collages to highlight focal interest while creating
new results, as well as Jonathan Benitez (b.1971), a Palawan-based painter and collage artist born in Iligan City, Mindanao. He
incorporates collages as a discourse on consumerist aims of advertising and environmental awareness.

Assemblage

Assemblage is a term used by French artist Jean Dubuffet in 1952 to describe a series of artworks made from paper collages, wood
scraps, and other found objects. Although it started with smail scale pieces, recent development in this contemporary art form has
included larger objects and discards. Assemblages often blur the distinction between painting and sculpture.

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Unit 1: Contemporary Arts

Among the pioneers in assemblage art in the Philippines is Lao Lianben (b. 1948). He was born in Manila on April 21, 1948. He used
indigenous found materials for his artworks in the 1960s. He placed twigs and small branches on top of carved wooden panels as
commentary on forest devastation.

Roberto Feleo's (b.1954) works called Sapin-sapin show a combination of different pieces, both found and made, that portray
traditional, historical, iconic, and popular images.

Mobile

The mobile is a sculptural work that is suspended from the ceiling or a protruding base. It is typically made with a number of
balancing rods dangling in different lengths carrying one or more elements. This was pioneered by the American artist Alexander
Calder. The mobile is an example of a kinetic sculpture since it is moving due to its interaction with the wind.

Contemporary artists who have created mobiles include bronze sculptor and designer Eduardo Castrillo (1942-2016) and premier glass
sculptor Ramon Orlina (b. 1944).

Performance Art

Performance art is a mix of visual arts and performing arts. Its early incarnations were the Happenings of the Dada movement in the
1916. The medium used in performance art is the artist himself, and the artwork is the acting and the movements of the artist. Music
and sound are often incorporated in the performance. Words and dialogues are not given as much focus compared to the movements.
A performance, to be considered performance art, should be done in front of a live Artists would often include various disciplines in
their art such as digital art, videos, fashion, etc. Performance art can be done spontaneously or rehearsed. It can be done in a simple
manner or as a large scale event.

Some notable artists who have dabbled in the field of performance art is international Filipino artist David Medalla (b. 1948) whose
performance in Brother of Isidora gained him recognition from other artists both here and abroad. Medalla was born in Manila and has
since based himself in cities such as London, Paris, and New York. Other than performance art, he also expresses himself in other
forms of arts such as painting, sculpture, installation, and kinetic art.

Danny C. Sillada (b. 1963), like Medalla, is a multitalented aris Born in Davao Oriental, Sillada is a painter, poet, musician,
installation artist, and a performance artist. He combines music and art in his performance art.
Installation Art

Installation art is a form of contemporary art that involves the arrangement of objects in a given space. It is associated with the
conceptual art and the Dada movement. Installation art is intentionally designed to be experienced as a temporary work of art. It
incorporates different materials that may include traditional sculptural materials such as wood, metal, and different objects as well as
technology-based meda such as light, sound, videos, and digital media among many others. It can be designed to be very simple or
very complex. Installation art often takes into consideration the viewers of the art and allows them to move the work and immerse
themselves within the art, making the audience and their reactions part of the artwork.

Some contemporary Filipino artists who have gained recognition for their installations are Leeroy New (b. 1986) and Aze Ong (b.
1977). Leeroy New hails from General Santos City. He uses the things around him as inspiration for his different artworks that range
from fashion. sculpture, and the other fields of visual arts. One of his installations was geared toward the awareness and rehabilitation
of the Pasig River. It was entitled Bakawan Floating Island Project, which he collaborated on with urban designer Julia Nebrija. Aze
Ong is known for her trademark crocheted art pieces. Her art pieces consist of colorful, organic, and fluid crochet pieces inspired by
her stay with the ethnic group Talaandigs from Bukidnon. Many of her pieces are interactive and invite the viewers to touch, play, and
even wear them. Her installations have been exhibited in many museums in the country such as the Yuchengco of Museum in Makati
City where she exhibited an 8.83 meter high crochet installation entitled Liwanag sa Kawalan ng Kulay and Liwanag at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines.