Pointers to Review

Module 1: Arts in the Philippines

 Art or “Sining” is defined as the different manners of expressing human skills and imagination in
the creation of aesthetic conditions, objects and presentations.
 Art is not confined only to what is seen.
 Art involves the use of all the physical senses in order to appreciate it.
 Arts play a significant role in the abundant cultural identity of the Philippines.
- It reflects the people, history, and traditions of the Philippines as a whole.

 Philippines has diverse art forms from its different regions. These diverse art forms, when integrated,
give a clear picture of how abundant the culture and tradition of the Philippines is. It continues to
evolve up to the present and progress to contemporary art tradition. As a Filipino, we should have
the knowledge about the different art forms in the Philippines to fully understand the culture, tradition,
and nation’s identity
 The development of the Philippine arts comes in three major traditions.
- These are the Ethnic Tradition, Spanish Colonial Tradition, and American Colonial and
Contemporary Arts Traditions.
- Even before the colonization, the Philippines already has its indigenous arts.
- In this era, art forms were primarily influenced by the area where our ancestors prosper.
However, the Spaniards came who tend to replace indigenous arts with western arts.
- For the period of Spanish rule, art forms were primarily influenced by religion and
secularization. Consequently, after more than three centuries of Spanish colonization,
Americans came.
- During American rule, development of Philippine art forms was mainly influenced by education
and governance.
- Subsequently, concept of modern art was introduced and practiced by many artists.
- It is in this time wherein urbanization, consumerism, changes in the political system, and rise of
new technology influence the development of art.
- Due to the technological advances, new forms of expression came in the field of arts and
modern art continuously developed which led to the contemporary arts nowadays (Luzviminda
& Sayseng, 2016).

To describe the development of Philippine arts, please read the

information presented on the table below.
 activity such as fishing Banga
and Banga literally means pots. The Banga or pot
farming, and specific dance is a performance of Kalinga of the
decorative art pattern Mountain Province of the Philippines. This dance
to the community. https://www.flickr.com/photos
shows the elegant grace of Igorot tribe and the
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skill and strength of women.

Langit, lupa, at Impyerno by Josef

Luciano Dans
Art forms were This wall painting by Josef Luciano Dans will be found in St. James the Apostle
primarily Church in Paete, Laguna. This painting was dated 1850 and depicts the
influenced by religion heaven, crucifixion of Christ; earth, Adan and Eve; and hell, sinners with
and different transgressions.
Spanish https://commons.wikimedia.org/
secularization. In this
Colonial St. Paul Metropolitan wiki/File:Allan_Jay_Quesada
-
time, _DSC_0465_St._Paul_Metropolitan
Tradition Cathedral _Cathedral,_Vigan_City.jpg
Spaniards used
St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is located in
arts to
Burgos, Vigan City,
propagate the
Ilocos Sur. The original structure
Catholic faith.
was built in 1574 and replaced as a church in 1641. The cathedral follows a
Baroque architectural design.

The Making of the Philippine Flag

by Fernando Amorsolo
This painting was made by Fernando
Amorsolo, “Grand Old
https://www.flickr.com/photos
Modern Art /192509194@N08/5102723041 Man of Philippine Art” and born
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Modern art refers to in Manila. It shows a reminder of the reminder
the of traditions and customs of the Filipino.
practice of art from
1860s to Bayanihan
1960s. the main by Carlos “Botong” Francisco Carlos
American theme of art works in “Botong” Francisco was born in Ango,
Colonial and this time is national Rizal. This painting by him was dated in
https://www.flickr.com/photos/
Contempo rary identity. nccaofficial/18250521149/in/p 1962. This mural painting of Carlos
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Arts “Botong” Francisco shows the Filipino’s
Traditions bayanihan tradition. This also shows the distinctive style of Francisco’s
painting that showcased his mastery in arts.

Contemporary Cinco Marias (Tres Marias Series)

Arts by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
Contemporary Federico Aguilas Alcuaz was born in Santa
art refers to the Cruz, Manila. Cinco Marias (Tres Marias
practice of art from http://www.artnet.com/artists Series) depicts the variety of lermo, 2007).
/federico-aguilar-alcuaz/cinco -
1970s to the present. marias-tres-marias-series-
t13EdcO9e9IDJjcXRsyM5A2
Contemporary
domestic activities (Guil
 arts mirror https://www.flickr.com/photos/
contemporary culture blrapadas/7401469674/in/phot Art Installation in Sand Dunes
and
olist-ch3t57-bX1hu6 of Paoay by Leeroy New
society. Diverse and Leeroy New is one of the Philippines
emerging art practices contemporary artists. He is born in
were being General SANTOS City. This art installation of
Leeroy New was made for the La Milagrosa
introduced in this era.
Festival in Ilocos Norte. According to Leeroy New, the art installation
symbolizes the great festivals, feasts and celebrations (Lape𝑛̃a, 2012).

 These art forms from various regions or from various artists contributed to the picture of Philippine’s
identity as a country. And as a Filipino, it’s important that we have knowledge to describe these art forms
based on its details and elements, in relation to our country’s culture and tradition that makes it an artistic
piece. In the field of arts, knowing the elements and principles of arts is important, not just to the artist but
also to the viewer, to have a deeper understanding of an artwork. Now, let us know these elements and
principles of arts.

Elements of Art

 1. Space
In visual arts, space pertains to emptiness which may either be positive space
or negative space. Positive space refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape,
while negative space refers to the opposite part which the shape is enclosing.
 2. Line
In visual arts, a line is a series of connected points. It may come in two
characteristics: form – curved, dotted, or broken lines; and direction – vertical,
horizontal, or diagonal lines. Different types of lines may convey different
meanings. For example, a
horizontal line usually suggests calmness, vert ical lines may convey strength,
diagonal lines create an impression of action, curved lines create an expression of gradual change
of direction, and circular line may pertain an abrupt change of direction.

 3. Shape and Form

Shape is an area that is enclosed by a line or lines. Shapes are two
dimensional figures with height and width. There are different kinds of shapes
and these are geometric shapes (triangle, squares, rectangle, etc.), organic
shapes (shapes found in nature, e.g. shape of a leaf or cloud), abstract shapes
(asymmetrical and free flowing shapes). Meanwhile, forms are three
dimensional figures. Its dimensions are height, width, and volume. Unlike
shapes, it has more depth.
 4. Color
In visual arts, color is associated with the natural phenomenon in our environment. Scientifically,
when a light passes through a prism, it will produce different hues of different wavelengths. These
colors may pertain to lightness, darkness, coolness, or warmth.
 5. Value
In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which
pertains to its lightness or darkness.
  6. Texture
In visual arts, texture is the element that appeals to our sense of feel on things, rough, smooth,
bumpy, or slippery. It pertains to the surface of an art piece.

Principles of Art

 Proportion
Proportion refers to the relationship of the size of elements in a body of art. For example, when
drawing a human standing beside a house, it is important to ensure that the size of the human is
proportional to the size of the house.
 2. Harmony
In visual arts, harmony is the unity of the artwork, specifically about the arrangement of the related
elements.
 3. Variety
In other terms, variety may be referred to as diversity. This means adding multiple, different
elements to break the monotony of an artwork and make it more interesting.
 4. Movement
In arts, movement is the illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture design, or in a piece of art.
 5. Rhythm
This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern. In visual arts, repeated design
elements may create a certain flow and may lead the viewer’s eyes.
 6. Balance
Balance refers to the even and equal distribution of elements.
 7. Emphasis
Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given on a certain element.