ART: MEANING AND
FORMS
LESSON 2 MODULE 2
CONTEMPORARY ART
Contemporary Art is influenced by the economic, social, political and environmental
context where the artist is immersed in. It can be said that Contemporary Art is the artist’s
expression of his perception and comprehension of these contexts. Contemporary Arts in
the Philippines is as diverse as our people. Contemporary Philippine Art is not confined to
the usual genres of the four main art forms, namely, visual, literary, applied and performing
arts. Genres are categories of artistic creation and are characterized by similarities in form,
style, or subject matter. Many other genres came up which include pure are forms as well as
mixed art forms. The following are examples from each art form:
EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS
Visual Arts
Pop Art
Word Art
Conceptual Art
Installation Art
Photorealism
Contemporary Realism
Graffiti Art
POP ART
WORD ART
CONCEPTUAL ART
INSTALLATION ART
PHOTOREALISM
CONTEMPORARY REALISM
GRAFFITI ART
EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS
Performance Arts
Music: blues, electronic, experimental, funk, hip-hop, jazz, metal, pop, rock, roots
Theater Art: stage, film, street play
Dance: flash mob, Street Dances comprising hiphop, funk, house and rave
EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS
Applied Arts
Video Art
Photography
Computer Art
Film and Broadcasting Art
Architecture, Design and Allied Art
VIDEO ART
PHOTOGRAPHY
COMPUTER ART
FILM AND BROADCAST ART
ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & ALLIED ART
EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS
Literary Arts
Illustrated Novel • Chick Literature
Digi-Fiction • Flash Fiction
Graphic Novels • Hyper Poetry
Manga • Blog
Doodle Fiction
Text-Talk Novels
ILLUSTRATED NOVEL
GRAPHIC NOVELS
MANGA
DOODLE FICTION
CHICK LITERATURE
MEANING AND FORMS
• Contemporary Art is prominent in the Philippines and has been appreciated by so many people, and some of
them were not even aware that they are looking at fine examples of Contemporary Art. Many contemporary
Philippine artworks have earned the admiration and respect of viewers from here and abroad. These artworks are
expressions of the artist’s thoughts and feelings based on their experience of the here and now. These include
current events, issues and social concerns affecting the society where the artist lives in. Contemporary Philippine
artists hail from the different regions of the country. They use a wide variety of art media in their creations, some
of the media are materials that are readily available in the locality where the artist resides.
• Contemporary Philippine artworks are multifaceted and are expressive renditions of the artist’s perception of
what were observed and experienced. These artists create, work and make art in their personal context. Viewers
can appreciate contemporary Philippine art more by employing all of their senses. Viewing art is not just a
detached experienced but a deep personal experience of dwelling into the artist’s mind and heart.
• Expressions of Contemporary Philippine Art are influenced by social, historical, geographical, ideational,
personal and technical factors. These factors are imbibed by the artist and are combined to get immersed in the
heart, to get molded in the mind and to be propelled in the hands to create an expressive reality.
ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Contemporary Arts have different elements that are put together to come up with a distinct
artwork. These elements include:
1. Appropriation, this relates to the modifications made by the artist.
2. Hybridity, this refers in the use of different art mediums that are put together.
3. Technology, its application highlights the creativity of the artist.
4. Performance, carried out for viewers to experience.
5. Space, intricate use of space.
ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
These elements are combined in different ways to come up with Integrative Art. Integrative
Art employs the use of different art elements used together in distinct different expressions.
Thus, it becomes a combination of different art forms for specific groups of viewers.
Integrative art is also a fusion of different art disciplines using different styles and media in
creating art. It can be found in different places of the country, usually in urban areas where
artists have ready access to different art forms and media. Examples of Integrative Art
include the use of computer applications combined with other media, the use of non-
traditional art materials in creating artworks usually done with mixed art forms.
CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS FROM THE
PHILIPPINE REGIONS
• With modern technology and easy access to far-flung areas of the country, many artworks
have become known and many more are being created by present day artists from the
different regions. All forms of art can be found throughout the country. Artworks coming
from the seventeen regions of the three main island groups of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao, have been exhibited in different exhibition halls and museums. Viewers have
come to know and, more importantly, to understand the present-day art expressions of
artists who want their culture, situation and issues be known through their artworks.
CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS FROM THE
PHILIPPINE REGIONS
• The distinct features of Contemporary Philippine Art include:
1. Communal nature, as it reflects the relationships build around the bonds of community and society.
2. Intuitive, as Filipinos are immersed in their consciousness of themselves, their community and their
culture.
3. Holistic, as individuals, groups of people and events are perceived in their entirety as well as the unitive
use of art materials and forms.
4. Creative process, as the artist puts more emphasis on now their artwork was made than on the artwork
itself.
5. Integrative, as it encompasses religious, moral, spiritual, social, and environmental concerns.
6. Multi-focal, as it considers everything and everyone, the wide perspective of the artwork as well as both
artist and viewer.
