A Module in

Art Appreciation
 CHAPTER 4
You have reached the final part of this learning package! Have you been doing
well so far? Let’s get those brain cells pumping with the last set of topics for you.
The Philippines is a country rich in colorful history in terms of its culture, language,
belief, handiwork, and traditions. It is said that the country is a melting pot of race and
culture as we have been in close partnership through trade with our neighboring friends
from China, Java, Borneo, and Thailand. Aside from this, the country has been colonized
by several nations such as Spain and America, as they put it, “300 years in convent, and
50 years in Hollywood”.

One of the most popular folk

dances in the country is Tinikling.
It is said to be one of the oldest
dance forms in the country which
originated during the Spanish
colonization, particularly in the
island of Leyte.

The name of the dance

was taken after the bird called
Tikling, the local farmers put up
bamboo traps to protect their crops
but the Tikling birds dodge the
traps. Visayans imitated the
movements of the Tikling and that
is how this dance is born.
[The Tinikling folk dance, stock image]. (n.d.). https://bit.ly/3vNWJu9

With this, the varying colors of east and west, along with the streaked colors of
our nation has merged in the country, the Philippines. In this unit, you will get to know
the different forms of art in the country that you will surely be proud of.
For the final lesson, a run through of the most notable art movements will be
discussed along with some of the persona who exemplified for each era in the modern and
contemporary art. Perhaps you can even get to come up with your own art movement
someday, time will tell.
Buckle up and get ready to take this ultimate dive on art appreciation.

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO 1 Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of arts in general, including their
function, value and historical significance.
CLO 2 Analyze and appraise works of art based on aesthetic value, historical context, tradition,
and social relevance.
CLO 3 Create their own works of art and curate their own production or exhibit.
CLO 4 Utilizing art for self-expression and for promoting advocacies.
COL 5 Discover and deepen their identity through art with respect to their nationality, culture, and
religion.
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 LESSON 1
Overview of Philippine Art

The Philippines is a country rich in creativity and resourcefulness of its people.

This creativity transpires in multitude of ways through our culture and traditions. Look
into these elements and forms of art for a better and wider understanding.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to achieve the following:
A. Identify the examples of art forms in every type of Philippine art; and

B. Document major changes in the Philippine art.

Various forms of art have accumulated and developed since the early account of
civilization up to the present time here in the Philippines. They are a reflection of how
vast the range is in terms of the country’s culture.
TRADITIONAL ARTS
Ethnomedicine
This refers to the art of albularyo, manghihilot, and babaylan. This art encompasses
traditions (and objects) associated with it that are performed by medical artisans and
shamans. This originated from art known to natives and ancient science. It is practiced
based on physical elements. The tradition involves emotional, mental, and spiritual
techniques complemented with herbal remedies. Psycho-spiritual practice is one of the
most notable ethnomedicine arts in the country.

The Pag-unlad ng Panggagamot sa

Pilipinas is a group of four-large scale
paintings that portrays the healing practices
in the country during the pre-colonial times.

Carlos Botong Francisco was

commissioned by Dr. Agerico Sison, the then
Director of the Philippine General Hospital
(PGH) in 1953. This has been displayed on the
PGH entrance hall for five decades and is now
carefully displayed in the National Museum of
the Philippines after several restorations.
.
-
Francisco, C.B. (1953). The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines. [Art depicting the shamanhood and
ethnomedicine in the country]. https://www.travelswithcharie.com/2018/07/the-art-of-carlos-botong-francisco.html
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 This category has been recently added in the 2020 GAMABA Awards.
Folk Architecture
Each ethnic group has a significantly different folk architecture, it can either be
made out of wood, coral, rock, bamboo, grass, rattan, and other materials. These
residences can vary from huts (bahay-kubo) to highland houses called bale that has four
to eight sides. We also have the corral houses in Batanes which withstand the harsh sandy
winds in the locality; we also have the torogan, an intricately engraved okir motif; as well
as, palaces like the Daru Jambangan or Palace of Flowers at Sulu, as the residence of
those in power before its colonization.
Spirit houses are also included in folk architecture, these are shrines for the
protective gods and spirits. Most of the native houses are usually built open-air, some are
originally pagoda-like, which now have become extremely rare. There are also buildings
that are a fusion of indigenous and Hispanic motifs, such as the bahay na bato
architecture. These bahay na bato buildings in Vigan have been declared as World
Heritage Site. The rice terraces clusters of Banggaan, Mayoyao, Batad, Hungduan, and
Nagacadan are declared as World Heritage Sites.

The torogan which literally

means a resting or
sleeping place that is a
traditional ancestral house
built by the Maranao, people
of Lanao Mindanao.

This was specifically

made for people of high
nobility. A torogan was a
symbol of high social status
during the time of pre-Spanish
occupation.
Kolenzko, M. (2009). [Torogan house of the Maranao People].
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Model_of_Torogan_Marano.jpg

Maritime Transport
Maritime traditions, boat house, and boat-making are what comprise of maritime
transport in the Philippines. These vehicles were used by the crafts folk in connecting
island to island as the rivers and seas become peoples’ road. The earliest evidence of
boat-making and use of boat in the country was 320 AD which are said to be the remains
of balangay from Butuan.

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 Weaving
The balangay was the
first wooden boat that
was excavated in
Southeast Asia. These
boats were instrumental
in the settlement of
Austronesian peoples in
the Philippines and the
Malay Archipelago.
Today, the
Balanghai Festival in
Butuan is a celebration
of the first people who
Fung360. (2017). [Image of a Balangay restored boat].
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Balangay_boat_with_Philippine_flag.jpg settled in the
Philippines.

Weaving is an ancient form of art that is present in the country up to this day. Each
ethnic group in the country have their own distinctive weaving technique. Headgear
weaving, fishnet weaving, basket weaving, back-strap loom weaving, and other forms of
weaving are what comprise of this form of art.
Cloth and Mat Weaving
Cotton, abaca, grass, banana, and palm fiber are some of the materials used in
the weaving art industry. These textiles are made through a difficult and intricate process
if back-strap looming. There are several types of Philippine weaved cloths. The Ilocanos
have the pinilian, cotton weaved using pangablan. Geometry is the center of Kalinga
textiles with patterns called inata-ata. Piña is the considered most prized and finest Filipino
textile, especially those made in Aklan that is used in making barong Tagalog and National
costumes in the country. The Hiligaynon and Karay-a residents have their fine textile called
Hablon used as panuelo or patadyong.
Pineapple Silk, also known as
Piña Silk or Piña Seda is “The Queen of
Philippine Textile” which
existed since the Spanish colonial
times (circa 1500s). The textile was
known to have been perfected between
the late 18th century to the first half of
the 19th century. This textile is directly
handwoven by the most skilled weavers
of Aklan.
It is made from silk yarns
produced in Negros and hand
scraped pineapple fibers
(leaves from the native red variety or
Ananas Bracteatus) from Aklan.
Martin, V. (2019). Piña-Seda: Pineapple and Silk Cloths from the Philippines
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wipo/48826216678/

5
 Basketry
The basket weaving in the country is directed to a particular purpose, it can be for
rice storage, harvesting, sword case, travel package and so on. The ethnic groups in
Palawan produce the finest vessel baskets. The various Negrito groups, Mamanwa,
Mangyans, Ivatans and other have elaborate basketry.
Bamboo, pandan, rattan, nito, cotton cloth tassel, abaca, beeswax, bark, dyes, and
buri are some of the materials used in different ethnic groups in making baskets. In the
same manner, these various ethnic groups have specific patterns according to the
materials they use.
Some of the products of the Philippines in this art include the bukug (basket), uppig
(lunch basket), bay’ung (basket pouch), tupil (lunch box), binga (bag) and others. At
present, the country’s basketry is influenced by the demands of the modern day.
This small plaited basketry hat is made by
the Bontoc people living in Northern
Luzon in the Philippines. It is made of
rattan and decorated with red bamboo,
yellow reeds, and curved boar’s tusks at
opposite ends.

These “suklang” (sometimes

referred to as a “bachelors’ hat”) were
used only by men. They are worn on the
back of the head and held in place by a
cord over the forehead. As part of
everyday attire, the design, materials, and
style indicated the man’s status in Bontoc
society.

Jones, K. (2020). [A Bontoc hat donated to the Maxwell Museum in 1989 by the late Dr. Harold D. Drummond, professor emeritus
of elementary education at the University of New Mexico]. https://maxwellmuseum.unm.edu/news-
events/news/object-monday-bontoc-hat

Carving
Wood carving and folk non-clay sculptures are the focus of carving here in the
Philippines.
Wood Carving
This is one of the most notable arts in the country where some of the found crafts
dates back before the arrival of Hispanic colonizers. A variety of woods are used in making
wood crafts such as the divine wooden statues, bulul, throughout northern Luzon to
southern Mindanao.
The wood carving style of Paete, Laguna, one of the most famous wood carving
area in the country, is one of the indigenous wood crafts and techniques which was used
after the Hispanic colonization. The abundance of religious woodcarvings was due to the
introduction of Christianity wherein most of the wood crafts are attributed to the life of
Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.

6
 The San Agustin Church Carved
Wooden Doors is the show piece of the
walled city of Intramuros, Manila. It was
designated as a World Heritage Site by
UNESCO in 1993. Earlier the church had
been declared as a National Historical
Landmark by the Philippine government in
1976.

Upon entering the Church of San

Agustin, one is already introduced by the
massive and richly carved portal with the
symbols of the Augustinian order’s founder
and her mother.

Its rocaille embellishments, said to

be a characteristic of Rococo, a
successor to the Baroque style, are highly
stylized forms of leaves, rocks and shells.

Moore, A. (2017). [The San Agustin Church door].

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Agustin_Church_Door_(33917643600).jpg

Stone, Ivory, and other Carvings

One of the prized arts in the country is stone carving which prevailed even before
the arrival of colonizers from the west. This is highly observed on the laruan or tao-tao
made by the natives. These stone crafts would usually represent a deity or an ancestor
who will help the spirit of the departed loved one to properly go to the afterlife. The
discovery of burial urns in the Cotabato region is also notable. The people of Tawi-tawi
have stone grave marks with okir motif which is said to aid the dead. Christian stone
carving has also been extensive where some of the façade of the churches, interior
statues, and other crafts for the altar are observed.
For thousands of years, ivory carving is practiced throughout the country. The
Butuan Ivory Seal is one of its oldest artifacts that is dated between the 9th-12th century.
After the importation of ivory from Asia, the carving of ivory has been widespread
especially for religious purposes. Gold and silver are also added into the designs of ivory
carving in the country. It is notable that the Philippines is the first country in the entire world
to destroy its ivory stock as an act against the illegal trade of ivory which has devastated
the rhino and elephant population. At present, the horns of dead carabaos are used as a
substitute for ivory in the country.

7
 The Butuan Ivory Seal or BIS is an ivory
stamp or seal stamp associated with a
Rhinoceros Ivory Tusk, dated 9th–12th
century, was found in Libertad, Butuan
in Agusan del Norte in southern
Philippines.
Inscribed on the seal is the word
Butban in stylized Kawi. Butban was
presumed to stand for Butuan. The
ivory seal is now housed at the
National Museum of the Philippines

Batungbakal, L. (2015). [The actual image of the Butuan Ivory Seal at the National Museum of the Philippines].
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Butuan_Ivory_Seal.jpg

Folk Performing Arts

Dramas, plays, and folk dances are the main parts of the Philippine folk performing
arts. Each ethic group in the country have their unique heritage in terms of folk performing
arts. However, it is undeniable that these forms of art have Spanish and American
influences due to colonization.

Some example dances are singkil, manmanok, sagayan, ragrasakan, kapa

malong, tarektek, pagdiwata, tinikling, kuratsa, binaylan, maglalatik, cariñosa, subli, and
pandanggo sa ilaw among others.
Hinilawod and Ibalong are examples of non-Hispanic folk dramas, while Senakulo
is an example of one of the Hispanic drama in the country.
The arts under folk (oral) literature include the epics, songs, myths, and other oral
literature of numerous ethnic groups in the Philippines.

Senakulo is a nationwide event

that helps devout locals relieve
biblical events pertinent to the
life, tribulations and ultimate
sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The reenactment of the
crucifixion is perhaps the most
important part of Passion Play
since it remains one of the most
[Catholic devotees doing the Passion]. (n.d.). important events in the history of
https://philnews.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2019/04/senakulo.jpg
Catholicism.

8
Folk Literature
Full of metaphor and high in form, these are the attributes of Philippine poetry. The
Tanaga has 7777 syllable count per line, rhyme range from dual form to free style. Awit
consists of twelve syllable quatrains, example of this is the Pasyon which is recounted in
the Pabasa. Another notable example of awit is Florante at Laura (1838). The Dalit is an
eight-syllable poem for all four lines. Ambahan has seven syllables per line with rhythmic
end-syllables which is meant to express in an allegorical way. Another poetry in the country
is a debate done in verses called Balagtasan, example of this is the A la Juventud Filipina.
Many of the folk literature have been a catalyst in shaping people’s way of life,
thinking, a basis for our values, and traditions. They have communicated in multiple facets
of life.

The Bakunawa is a serpent-like dragon in

Philippine mythology.

It is believed to be the cause of eclipses,

earthquakes, rains, and wind. The movements of
the Bakunawa served as a geomantic calendar
system for ancient
Filipinos and were part of the shamanistic rituals
of the babaylan. It is usually depicted with a
characteristic looped tail and a single horn on the
nose. It was generally believed to be a sea
serpent, but are also variously believed to inhabit
either the sky or the underworld.

The common assumption is that the

belief in Bakunawa is an indigenous legend, and
has been a part of ancient astronomy and rituals
in the Philippines since people first arrived to the
region.

[The Philippine Dragon, Bakunawa] (n.d.).

https://owlcation.com/humanities/bakunawa -and-the-seven-
moons

Folk Graphic and Plastic Arts

Tattooing, folk drawing, folk writing, and painting are the fields under this form of
art.
Folk Writing (Calligraphy)
The country has various indigenous scripts which has their respective style and
forms of calligraphy.
Even before the colonization of Spain in the 16th century have scripts with different
mediums. After the colonization, only four of the scripts survived and is still being used by
particular communities.
Under the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme with the name Philippine

9
Paleographs in 1999, the four scripts carefully and successfully inscribed are Hanunoo of
the Mangyan people, the Buid of the Buhid- Mangyan people, the Tagbanua of the
Tagbanwa people, and the Pala’wan of the Palawan People.
Many contemporary artists have revived the use of the scripts that went extinct
after the Spanish colonization. Some of these are the Badlit of the ethnic groups of
Visayas, the Baybayin of the Tagalog people, the Sulat Pangasinan of Pangasinense
people, the Kurdita of the Ilocano people, the Sambali script of the Sambal people, the
Basahan script of the Bicolano people, among others.

The script is an alpha syllabary

belonging to the family of the Brahmic scripts.
It was widely used in Luzon and other parts of
the Philippines prior to and during the 16th
and 17th centuries before being replaced by
the Latin alphabet during the period of Spanish
colonization.

It was used in Tagalog and to a lesser extent

Kapampangan speaking areas; its use
spread to Ilokanos in the early 17th century.

The Archives of the University of Santo Tomas

in Manila, one of the largest archives in the
Philippines, currently possesses the world's
biggest collection of ancient writings in
baybayin.

[The Baybayin Script by the Tagalog people]. (n.d.). https://philippines.fandom.com/wiki/Baybayin

Folk Drawing and Painting

The oldest folk drawing that was discovered are the rock drawings and engravings
in Angono, Rizal between 6000 BC to 2000 BC. It is said that the drawings are religious
artifacts that relieves the sickness of children. A symbol of fertility is also seen in Alab,
Bontoc, that is dated 1500 BC. We also have petrographs in Peñablanca, Cagayan, the
Singanpan in southern Palawan, the one in Anda, Bohol, among others.
Like folk drawing, folk paintings are representation of the culture of the people who
drew such painting. Painters have used pigments that are yellow, green, reddish purple,
blue-green, blue, white and gold on their vases as evidences suggested. Some ethnic
groups have also painted on statues and other creations. The Yakan people still practice
painting on the skin with their elaborate designs.
Our Austronesian ancestors introduced tattooing a thousand of years ago. Based
on various ethnic groups, it has developed cultural symbols. Although this form of art has
been existing for thousands of years, it was only then documented in the 16th century. The
most tattooed and bravest of all are the Pintados, people from Central and Eastern
Visayas. Somehow, the tattoo of the Bicolanos of Camarines and the Tagalogs of

10
Marinduque show similar tattoo documentation. The pang-o-tub is the tattoo tradition of
the people of Manobo, Mindanao.

According to the T’boli, the tattoo on their skin glow after death, which guides their
soul when it takes a journey into the afterlife. Above all, the most popular tattooed people
are the Igorot living in the highlands of Luzon, where they have been traditionally tattooed
even before the advent of colonization. At present, the last and only traditional tattoo artist
is to be found on the small village of Tinglayan, Kalinga Province which is headed by
master tattooist Whang-od. Over the last decade, a revival of the traditional tattoo arts has
been experienced by this form of art over centuries of decline.

Whang-od is helping to
keep an ancient tradition
alive in the Kalinga
province of the
Philippines.

She’s the country’s

oldest mambabatok, a
traditional Kalinga
tattooist. Each morning at
dawn, Whang-Od wakes
to craft a mixture of ink
from pine soot and water in
preparation to apply hand-
tapped tattoos on the
[Whang-od tattooing]. (2016). https://thevalemagazine.com/2019/08/20/whang-od-tattoo-artist- bodies of people from
philippines/
around the world.

Martial Arts
The most famous martial art in the archipelago is Arnis (also called eskrima), this
is a weapon-based fighting style using sticks, knives, bladed weapons and other
improvised weapons as well as the use of open-hand techniques. It has met several
cultural changes in its history.
Unarmed martial arts are also practiced which includes the suntukan of the
Tagalog, pangamot of the Bisaya, buno of the Igorot, dumog of the Karay-a, among others.
Martial arts weapon that are flexible are buntot pagi, lubid, latigo, sarong, tabak-toyok, and
cadena. Some of the weapons that are projectile includes sibat, sumpit, pana, bagakay,
tirador, luthang, kana, and lantaka. There are martial arts practiced in the country that
relates to that of the neighboring Austronesian countries such as silat and kuntaw.

11
 Arnis is the national martial art
of the Philippines. This is one of
the traditional martial arts of the
Philippines ("Filipino Martial
Arts", or FMA), which
emphasize weapon-based
fighting with sticks, knives,
bladed weapons, and various
improvised weapons, as well as
"open hand" techniques without
weapons.

Isaga, J. (2019). [Athletes competing in Arnis]. https://r3.rappler.com/sports/specials/sea-games/247092 arnis-dancesport-boxing-

athletics-account-quarter-philippines-2019-gold-haul

Culinary Arts
Our cuisine is composed of more than a hundred ethnolinguistic groups within the
archipelago. The cooking style and the food associated with it have evolved for over
centuries from the Austronesian origins to a mix of Chinese, Spanish, Indian, and
American influences. The natives have also adapted to the local ingredients and the
indigenous palate.
Popular dishes include lechon (whole roasted pig), adobo (chicken/pork braised in
garlic, vinegar, oil and soy sauce), longganisa (Philippine sausage), torta (omellete), tapa
(cured beef), puchero (beef in banana and tomato sauce), caldereta (meat in tomato sauce
stew), mechado (larded beef in soy and tomato sauce), kare-kare (oxtail and
vegetables cooked in peanut sauce), and others.
Adobo is a popular
Filipino dish and cooking
process in Philippine cuisine
that involves meat, seafood, or
vegetables marinated in
vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay
leaves, and black
peppercorns, which is
browned in oil, and simmered
in the marinade. It has
occasionally been considered
the unofficial national dish of
the Philippines.

[Chicken adobo]. (2009).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dbgg1979/3880492441/

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 NON-TRADITIONAL ARTS
Music
Musical direction, musical composition, and musical performance are the
fundamentals of music in the non-traditional category. The tangible and intangible heritage
of the several ethnic groups in the country are the inspiration and basis of Filipino music,
some of it have been influenced by Western and Asian cultures.
Philippine folk music involves chanting of an epic poetry like the Hudhud ni
Aliguyon and Darangen, and the singing of traditional folk music through various means
like the Harana (serenade). Pinoy rock involves rock music with the cultural sensibilities of
the people. Pinoy reggae is all about dancehall music close to the expressions of the
Jamaican sound. Pinoy pop is definitely one of the most popular genre in the country.
Kundiman is a genre for Filipino love music. Kapanirong is a serenade genre.
Kulintang is an ensemble of musicians utilizing traditional instruments. Tagonggo is music
played by finely dressed male musicians. We also have Bisrock a genre of Cebuano rock
music and Pinoy hiphop which is hip hop sound adopted from the American music.

Harana is a traditional
form of courtship in the
Philippines wherein
men introduce themselves
and/or woo women by
singing underneath her
window at night. It was
widely practiced in old
Philippines with a set of
protocols, a code of
conduct and a specific style
of music.
[Painting depicting harana]. (n.d.). https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/551972498049666343/

Dance
The Philippine dance is highly influenced by our Hispanic traditions and the folk
performing arts of the country. Due to global influences, many styles have also been
developed. Hispanic dances such as the maglalatik and subli have been a core member
of the Filipino contemporary dances. In the early 20th century, ballet has become a popular
dance in the Philippines. Basically, the Pinoy hip hop music has influenced dances in the
country, adapting the hip hop and break dance standards.

13
Theater
This is based on the folk performing arts under the traditional arts. It has a long and
winding history in the country. This involves theatrical direction, theatrical production
design, theatrical performance, theatrical playwriting, and theatrical light and sound design
are the core of theater arts. The rituals, mimetic costumes, and mimetic dances of the
people are Austronesian in character. The Komedya and Sinakulo are plays with Spanish
influences which have put forward stimulus in the Filipino theater and drama. Carillo, which
is a puppetry is also a notable theater art in the country. Original and modern plays of
Filipino artists have definitely influenced theater and drama in the country with the
presentational and representational styles from the revitalized traditional and modern
theater forms within and outside the country.

"Orosman at Zafira"
combines the conventions of
a komedya (moro-moro) with
contemporary, alternative
twists that today's theatergoers
can relate to.

Komedya, a popular
theatrical form during the
Spanish colonial period in the
Philippines, focuses on the
conflicts between Christians
and Muslims.

[Dulaang UP’s Orosm an at Zafira]. (n.d.). https://chasingthestarrs.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/magicif-the-quest-for-philippine-

theater-identity/

Visual Arts
The visual arts under the non-traditional arts include painting, printmaking, nonfolk
sculpture, mixed media works, photography, installation art, illustration, performance art,
graphic arts, and imaging.
Painting
Painting has been a part of the culture of the Philippines even before the
Neolithic age with the petroglyphs and petrographs that were discovered. The Asian and
Western influences advanced the art of painting in the country. In the 16th century, religious
paintings were rampant with the spread of Christianity. Some of the notable paintings in
this time were the Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga (1692) and the Camarin
de da Virge (1720).

14
During the 19th century, secular art was introduced by educated and wealthy Filipinos in
order to deviate from religious motifs. Subject matter was then turned into landscapes,
fashion, inhabitants, and government officials. After World War II, the subject matter was
then heavily influenced by battle scenes, suffering, and destruction. However, nationalistic
themes were still prevalent in the paintings amidst the war’s effects. Examples of this is
the Manila Mural (1968), and Rice Research Institute (1962).
The native culture of the Philippines became the center of paintings in the 20th
st
21 century. Some major works of art have been crafted as a protest against the
authoritarian rule, fascism, and human rights violations.

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta

Vaga or Our Lady of Porta Vaga is the oldest
dated Marian painting in the Philippines and
the Patroness of Cavite is permanently
enshrined within the Diocesan Shrine in San
Roque Church.
The image was ceremoniously
crowned on 17 November 1978, though having
been long disputed as illegitimate due to lack
of official decree from Rome. On 27
September 2017, the image was designated
as a National Cultural Treasure of the
Philippines. On 19 March 2018, new
documents were submitted to the Holy Office
and the image was granted an official decree
of canonical coronation by Pope Francis.

Carballo, P. (2020). [Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga’s painting].

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_Official_Portrait_of_Our_Lady_of_Solitude_of_P
orta_Vaga.jpg

Sculpture
This is a major art form with many artists focusing on various subjects. Examples
of non-folk sculpture is the Rizal Monument portraying the scholar and martyr Jose Rizal,
the Oblation, it reflects service to the nation and selfless dedication, the Mactan Shrine
which portrays the classical hero Lapu-lapu who vanquished the Spanish colonizers, the
Filipina Comfort Women, immortalizing the judicial need and suffering of Filipina comfort
women during the World War II, the People Power Monument where it reflects the activism
and power of the people over the government, and the Bonifacio Monument portraying the
hero of Philippine revolution Andres Bonifacio.

15
 Literature
The Mactan Shrine in
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu was
established in 1969 as national
shrine through Republic Act No.
5695 during the administration of
President Ferdinand Marcos.
The site is believed to be the
approximate location of the
historic Battle of Mactan which
saw the defeat of the Spaniards
led by explorer Ferdinand
Magellan against Lapu-Lapu the
[The Mactan Shrine in Cebu]. (n.d.). https://ceburentacartours.com/mactan datu of Mactan and his forces
shrine-cebu/

The focal arts of Literature are fiction, poetry, essay, and literary criticism. During
the Spanish colonization, literature was heavily influenced by the Spanish language, and
then later on adjusting to the English-language with the American occupation.
From 1593 to 1800, most of the works in literature were in Spanish and religious in
nature. The Doctrina Christiana (1593) and the Pasyon (1704) are some of the notable
books on religion. There were also works during the colonization eras that are written in
native language made by native authors. On the 17th century, the Ilocano epic, Biag ni Lam-
ang, was keyed into folk literature. The Florante at Laura epic in 1869 published a fiction
with Asian and European themes. During the 19th century, the first novel written by a Filipino
was published, entitled Ninay. The 1887 Noli Me Tangere and the 1891 El Filibusterismo
portrayed literary art on the colonial era. The Child of Sorrow was the first Filipino book to
be written in English which was published in 1921. Melodrama, unreal language, unsubtle
emphasis on local color are the characteristics of English writing in the country.
Soon enough the themes of the Filipino literature transformed to the search for the
Filipino identity, reconciling Spanish and American influence in the archipelagic heritage
in Asia. In modern times, literature looks into the concepts of equality and nationalism,
historical narratives in modernity. Some major works includes the Ladlad (2007), Smaller
and Smaller Circles (2002), and Insurrecto (2018).
Film and Broadcast Arts
Film and broadcast arts focuses on the arts of direction, writing, production design,
cinematography, editing, animation, performance, and new media.
In 1897, the cinematic art in the country officially began with the introduction of
motion pictures in Manila. In the beginning, Filipinos assisted American film makers for a
time, but on 1919, the very first Filipino film was produced by Jose Nepomucino with his
Dalagang Bukid (Country Maiden). During the 1930s, Filipino Cinema began enthusiasm
in film making. Theater served a significant part of the boom in the Philippine cinema.
In the 1940s, reality was the center of created films due to the effects of World War
II. A decade later, more mature and artistic films arise. In the 1960s, this was the time were
fan movies, commercialism, soft porn, western spin-offs, and action flicks emerged up to

16
the turbulent years of 1970s to 1980s due to the insurgency of terrorists in the country
which led to the imposition of Martial Law. Somehow, a notable movie was produced in
the era which is Himala, that tackles religious fanaticism. After this, independent films
sprang up with local film makers.
An emergence of films related to western culture and films on the realities of
poverty became the highlight during the 1990s. some of the most notable films made in
the country are The Flor Contemplacion Story, Manila in the Claws of Light, Oro, Plata,
Mata, and Sa Pusod, ng Dagat.
The key films in the 21st century are Caregiver, Thy Womb, Blossoming of Maximo
Oliveros, The Woman Who Left, That Thing Called Tadhana, and the Smaller and Smaller
Circles are some of the films which regarded concepts of poverty, human equality, selflove,
and historical narratives which made a hug a success in the film art industry.

Oro, Plata, Mata (Gold, Silver,

Death) is a 1982 Philippine historical
war drama film directed by Peque
Gallaga. The film is considered to be
Gallaga's most significant
contribution to the Philippine
cinema. Set in the Philippine island
of Negros during World War II, it tells
the story of how two hacendero
families cope with the changes
brought about by the war.

[Oro, Plata, Mata movie poster]. (n.d.). https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086056/

Architecture and Allied Arts

Under this category, it focuses on non-folk and non-traditional arts in architecture
and its allied arts which are landscape architecture, interior design, and urban design.
Non-folk Architecture
The ethnic groups in the country are the basis of Filipino non-folk architecture. With
the arrival of Spain in the 16th century, the Baroque along with various Western styles in
architecture was introduced. This is exemplified in the Manila Cathedral and Bolijon
Church. Somehow, because of the nature in geology of the archipelago, Baroque was later
turned into Earthquake Baroque which is portrayed in Daraga Church, Binondo Church,
and World Heritage Sites of Miago Church, Santa Maria Church, Paoay Church, and San
Agustin Church. The Art Deco Capital of the Country is Sariava. The San Sebastian Church
is the only all-steel church in Asia. The Fort Satiago and The Ruins are examples of Italian-
Spanish architecture in the country.
Brutalist architecture evolved after the independence of the country from local
insurgency. The Saint Andrew the Apostle Church and the Manila Hotel are
representations of the modern-style architecture.

17
 The Paoay
Church, was completed in
1710, the chur ch is famous
for its distinct architecture
highlighted by the
enormous buttresses on
the sides and back of the
building. It is declared as
a National Cultural
Treasure by the Philippine
government in 1973 and
a UNESCO World Heritage
Site under the collective
group of Baroque Churches
of the Philippines in 1993.
Martin, A. (2014). [Paoay Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines].
https://web.archive.org/web/20161102090224/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/118544026

Architecturally Allied Arts

Interior design in the country is influenced by indigenous Filipino culture and
interior, American style, Hispanic style, Japanese style, avant-garde, modern design,
tropical design, neo-vernacular, sustainable design, and international style.
An interior space is an expression of your own values, culture, and aspirations.
Some of the most common interior design in the Philippines are Filipino, Tropical,
Mediterranean, Japanese, Moorish, Chinese, Baroque, and Victorian. On the other hand,
Tech and Trendy, Avant-garde, Industrial, Rustic Luxe, Metallic Glam, Organic Opulence,
Eclectic Elegance, Funk Art, and Deconstructed Design have become recently popular.
In the past, it is the client’s wealth that dictates the landscape architecture of the
country, however, in the recent developments, sustainability and ecosystem have been the
focus. Urban planning is a cultural and economic issue in the country because the high
population and problems with infrastructures and transportation.

The St. James the

Apostle Parish Church,
commonly known as Betis
Church, is a Baroque-style
church located in the Betis
District of Guagua in
Pampanga, Philippines under
the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of San Fernando.
The church was established in
1607 and dedicated to Saint
James the Greater, the
Apostle. It was declared a
National Cultural Treasure by
the National Museum and the
National Commission for and
the Arts.
Ryomaandres. (2015). [Betis Chruch interior]. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Betis_Church,_Betis_11.JPG

18
 Conservation of Filipino Arts
A number of museums in the country possess arts that have been declared as a
National Treasure, one of which is the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. Other
notable museums in the country are Negros Museum, Museo Sugbo, Lopez Museum,
Avala Museum, and Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Some universities which has a
museum also has a vast hold of arts. The most notable archives and library in the country
are the National Library of the Philippines and the National Archives of the Philippines.
Several organizations and universities proposed and practice the conservation of arts,
especially in terms of craft and performing arts.
The R.A. 10066 is the National Cultural Heritage Act is the law in the country which
created the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) which takes valiant steps in
order to preserve the Filipino art. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
is the official cultural branch of the government in the Philippines. These offices, are one of
the many conservation measures that have been undertaken by public and private
organizations.

Let Us Do This Practice!

Select one form of art either from the traditional or non-traditional art. Perform or create
an art piece based on your selected choice of art. Video record or take a picture of
your output and submit it to your teacher for your online exhibit of Filipino culture and
arts.

19
 LESSON 2 Modern and
Contemporary Art

With the advent of modernization and technology, the world of art has been
influenced by this phenomenon as well. In this influx of Neolithic thinking, art has been
influenced by this insurgence that many budding artists are creating new trends in the
modern era.
Intended Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to achieve the following:

1.
differentiate modern and contemporary art;
2.
show the similar characteristics of modern and contemporary art; and
3.
conceptualize a desired art movement in the future.

What’s the difference between Modern and Contemporary Art?

The terms Modern Art and Contemporary Art may sound synonymous but they are
different from one another and should not be interchanged. According to art historians,
Modern Art refers to styles of art that were created between the 1860s or (others say
1880s) and 1950s (others say late 1960s). Art that was made after the said period is
considered Contemporary Art.
The story of Gustave Courbet is essential in discussing the distinction between
contemporary and modern art. He is a French painter during the 19th century who led the
Realist movement.
Courbet challenged his contemporaries who used the Romanticism concept. He
stuck to his convictions, which were to paint only what the eyes could see. The Cubists
and Impressionists were among the many artist groups who were influenced by his
'independent mind,' which allowed them to bloom and improve their work.

20
 As can be seen
in “A Burial at
Ornans”
painting,
Courbet stuck to
his convictions,
which were to
‘paint only what
the eyes could
see.’ The
painting depicts
the burial of
Courbet’s uncle
in Ornans, a
small town in
France. The
painting does
not depict
details that are
exaggerated.
Courbet, G. (1849). A Burial at Ornans. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/paintings-analysis/burial-at-ornans.htm
Grief and mourning were not displayed in the painting. In contrast to traditional
Romantic paintings that depict emotions and surrealism. It maintained its realism. The
Romanticism style rose to prominence during 1849-50 when art was still created using
traditional methods. It was during that time when Courbet painted and released the “A
Burial at Ornans” painting which the critics did not like, especially because of its strange
size (10 feet by 22 feet).

Instead of using art models, he painted real people who were present at the burial.
"In reality, A Burial at Ornans was the Burial of Romanticism," Courbet eventually
concluded.

Nobody, including Courbet’s friends, family, and loved ones, could have predicted
the painting's success and fame in the art world. His distinct style cemented his reputation
as the "first modern artist," ushering in the "Modern Art Period."

What is Modern Art?

When we hear the word "modern," we immediately think of things that are new,
trendy, and fashionable in the world. "Modern Art" is simply the style and philosophy of
artworks created between 1890 and 1960.

In other words, the style incorporated many Modern Art concepts, but it placed a
greater emphasis on social, economic, and political issues. This was made possible by the
use of new materials and components in the creation of art. The primary aim of Modern
Art was to set aside the traditions of the past world and focus on an innovative approach
in identifying and addressing the issues and problems of the world.

21
How did Modern Art introduce us to a new era of Art?

Many new concepts and ideas were introduced into the world of art as a result of
the Modernism movement. Consequently, many artists of the time began to focus their
work on dreams, symbolism, and personal iconography. Other artists began to experiment
with color and non-traditional materials.

Many artists were influenced by the movement and one of them was Pablo
Picasso. Picasso pioneered a new painting technique which was called cubism. Cubism
was a style known for the use of geometric forms. This then evolved over time, culminating
in the 1830s.

The invention of art film cameras and photography gave artists new ways to depict
world scenes and illustrations in their works.

Modern Art is used to refer to the era of ‘Modernism’, a time when art was defined
using numerous terms that end with ‘ism’s’ such as; Fauvism, Impressionism,
PostImpressionism, Dadaism, Cubism, Surrealism, Expressionism, Pop Art, and many
other art movements.

All of this laid the groundwork for Modernism Art. A variety of factors influenced
these art movements, including African and Asian art, light, culture, history, and so on.

Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Paul Cézanne, Andre Derain,
Henri Matisse, Henri de Toulouse, Piet Mondrian, Raoul Dufy, Maurice de Vlaminck,
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Wassily Kandinsky, and Édouard Manet are some of the most well-
known 'Modernist Masters.'

What is Contemporary Art?

Contemporary art is any work of art created since the end of World War II and the
term also refers to the works of artists who are still alive and working. Art critic Roger Fry
founded the Contemporary Art Society in London in 1910, when the term was first used.

Following WWII, the term was used to describe the art movement. It was described
by critics as a time when ‘modern art' was not anymore contemporary enough to impact
the younger generations positively. One can trace back the term "contemporary" to the
time of Modernism but it referred to a specific type of art that did not describe a specific
time period. It was instead based solely on current issues such as social, economic, and
political concerns.

Characteristics of Contemporary Art

Contemporary art produced exploratory works that addressed a broader range of

social, economic, and political issues. This concept reflected current world issues such as

22
racism, globalization, oppression, poverty, feminism, etc. Over the last 30 years, there has
been an increase in the number of artworks that raise awareness of the most important
and pressing issues. Video art, salons, object designs, graphical arts, and social media
were all used to highlight them.

Contemporary art also appears to be addressing and exposing more issues that
will arise in the future. This is one of the most noticeable distinctions between Modern and
Contemporary art.

There are many places in the world to see and experience both modern and
contemporary art for those who are interested in both. Take, for example, New York, one
of the most populous cities in the United States, which is home to some of the most opulent
museums, each containing a plethora of breathtaking works.

Modern Art v/s Contemporary Art – Key Differences at A Snapshot

• Modern art is defined as art created after the 1880s. Contemporary art refers to
the works of artists who are still alive and working today.
• Modern art is more self-expressive, whereas contemporary art focuses on society
and is known for its impact on society.
• Modern Art is revolutionary because it was anti-romanticism, whereas
contemporary art is revolutionary for the level or extent of the artists' freedom and
degree of experimentation.
• Modern art puts emphasis on the subjective representation of chosen themes,
whereas contemporary art takes a strong stance on global social, political, and
cultural issues.

• Modern art is primarily created on canvases, whereas contemporary art is created

on any medium imaginable, including video art, tech-enabled artworks, object
design, and graphical arts.

Modern and Contemporary Art Movements

Abstract Expressionism
(Late 1940s-1950s, USA)

Artists produced large-scale, dramatic abstract paintings. There were two main types:
“Action Painting” and the quieter “Color field Painting” which used broad expanses of color
association. This movement was largely responsible for New York displacing Paris as the
center of the Art World.

Some of its leading members are Gorky, de Kooning, Motherwell, Newman,

Rothko, Tobey, and Pollock.

23
 De Kooning has boldly expressive style, with
its thick gestural brushstrokes,
his paintings often include recognizable figures, even if
they are barely discernable.

The central figure in The Visit is a woman with

her legs spread out. In the right-hand corner is a shape
that could be either the woman's outstretched hand, or
a face in profile looking over her. The title was
suggested by one of De Kooning's assistants, who
thought that the composition resembled a medieval
painting of the Annunciation.

De Kooning, W. (1966). The Visit. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/kooning-the-visit-t01108

Bauhaus
(1919-1933- Germany)

This is an influential German art school which was eventually closed down by the Nazis.
Each student studied art, architecture, and design with the ultimate aim of creating a better
living environment for everyone. Its design principles were based on admiration for
geometry and the machine.

Some of its leading members are Breuer, Feininger, Gropius, Kandinsky, Klee, Moholy-
Nagy, van der Rohe, and Schlemmer.

Kandinsky understood that art

could affect people emotionally
and spiritually and that this didn't
necessarily mean it should
involve recognizable images.
Kandinsky believed that art was as
much for the soul as the eye and
sought to provoke an emotional
reaction or even a connection
between the viewer and the
painting.

Kandinsky, W. (1925). Yellow-red-blue. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/bauhaus/artworks/

24
Conceptual Art
(Late 1960s-1970s - USA, Great Britain, and Italy)

Conceptual artists emphasize the ideas underlying works of art, often as a protest
against the commercialism of the art world. They used photos, texts, etc. to document an
action or event, to express ideas.

Some of its leading members are Arnatt, Burgin, Carig-Marting, Dibbets, Haacke,
Kelly, Kosuth, Long, Manzoni, Mclean, and Weiner.
How can the suggestive power of
images be activated? What effect is
generated by the conjunction of images
and text? How do the images of our own
memory interrelate with images from
cinema or art history?

These are questions that the artist

and theorist Victor Burgin has been
working on for more than four decades.
Burgin’s interest is focused on how while
viewing photographs memories and
associations are generated.
In connection to this he examines the
forms and methods of narration.
Burgin, V. (1969). 25 feet two hours. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/victor-burgin-834

Constructivism
(1917- early 20s – Paris)

This is a geometric abstract art movement. Artists were initially influenced by

Suprematism, but after the Russian Revolution they tried to help create a new society by
applying geometric design principles to all areas of life such as architecture, furniture,
clothes, design, etc.

Some of its members are Exter, Lissitzky, Popova, Rodchenko, Stepanova, and
Tatlin.

25
 Russian avant-garde artist Vladimir Tatlin, Father of Soviet Constructivism,
ventured from his studio in Moscow’s ancient
Novodevichy convent to a country field. After
five years of work, he wanted to test what
would become his final major creation: a
human-powered flying machine.

The apparatus, named Letatlin, (an

amalgam of his name and the Russian verb
letat’, or “to fly”) consisted of a body basket
for the human operator engineered of bent
wood and wings spanning almost 10 meters
Tatlin, V. (1930). Letatlin. (33 feet) across, sheathed with parachute
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stockholm_Moderna_Mus silk. The bird-shaped contraption was held
eet_Collection_Vladimir_Tatlin_Letatlin,_1930-
together with steel cables, leather and
32_(5200746581).jpg
whalebone; custom-made metal bearings
ensured efficient movement.

Cubism
(1907- early 20s – Paris)

This is the style pioneered by Picasso and Braque which drew attention to the
contradictions involved in depicting a 3-D scene on a 2-D surface. Analytical Cubism broke
down real objects to different parts. Synthetic Cubism built up recognizable images from
abstract part using ready-made materials.

Its leading members are Braque, Delaunay, Gris, Lauren, Leger, Lipchitz, and
Picasso.
Weeping Woman is based on an image of a woman
holding her dead child. It is taken from Picasso’s anti-war
mural, Guernica. Picasso painted both works during the
Spanish Civil War (1936-39).

It was in response to the bombing of the Basque

town of Guernica. The attack was carried out in
April 1937 by Nazi Germany’s air force, in support of
Spain's Nationalist forces. Hundreds of people were killed.

The figure of the Weeping Woman is based on

artist and photographer Dora Maar. Maar photographed
Picasso's making of Guernica.

Picasso, P. (1937). The weeping woman. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/picasso-weeping-woman-t05010

26
Dada
(1914-1920 – Zurich, Berlin, Cologne, Hanover, Paris, Barcelona, New York)

A movement of irrelevant, unbridled protest against the state of western society

that led to the First World War. Members saw art as decadent and middle class. They
staged events, called “Happenings”, designed to shock, and created works based on
unconventional materials and based chance.

Its leading members are Arp, Ball, Duchamp, Ernst, and Picabia.

Bicycle Wheel is a readymade from Marcel Duchamp

consisting of a bicycle fork with front wheel
mounted upside-down on a wooden stool.

In 1913 at his Paris studio Duchamp mounted the bicycle

wheel upside down onto a stool, spinning it occasionally
just to watch it.
Seeking an alternative to representing objects in paint,
Duchamp began presenting objects themselves as art. He
selected mass produced, commercially available, often
utilitarian objects, designating them as art and giving them
titles. “Readymades,” as he called them, disrupted
centuries of thinking about the artist’s role as a skilled
creator of original handmade objects.

Duchamp, M. (1913). The bicycle wheel.

https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/them es/dada/marcel-duchamp-and-the-readymade/

Expressionism
(1905- early 20s – Germany and Austria)

The artists’ main purpose was to express emotion and/or a sense of deeper reality,
through vigorous brush strokes, and distortion or exaggeration of shapes and colors.

The members are Heckel, Jawlensky, Kandinsky, Kirchner, Kokoschka, Kollwitz,

Marc, Meidner, Nolde, Schiele, and Schmidt-Rottluff.

27
 In the Rain is widely recognized as
one of Marc's most important works

Confronting intellectual Cubism

proved to be just as important. His views of
transitory conditions of all living things and
his interpretation are reflected in pictures
such as In the Rain (1912) and The Tiger
(1912).

Marc, F. (1912). In the rain. https://www.ideelart.com/magazine/franz-marc

Fauvism
(1905-1910 – France)

This is all about a group of young painters centered around Matisse whose work
was characterized by strong colorful brush strokes. When they exhibited together in 1905
at the Salon d’Automne in Paris, they were named “fauves” (wild beasts), and caused a
great controversy. Unlike the German Expressionists, their work tended to be joyful.

Its members are Derain, van Dongen, Dufy, Matisse, and Vlaminck.
Joy of Life is a large-scale painting (nearly 6
feet in height, 8 feet in width), depicting an
Arcadian landscape filled with brilliantly
colored forest, meadow, sea, and sky
populated by nude figures both at rest and in
motion.

As with the earlier Fauves canvases, color is

responsive only to the emotional expression
and the formal needs of the canvas, not the
realities of nature.

Matisse, H. (1905). Joy of life. https://www.henrimatisse.org/joy-of-life.jsp

Futurism
(1909-1914 – Northern Italy)

This movement was founded by the poet Marinetti. Its members rejected the past
and instead celebrated the dynamism of the machine age and city life. They published
aggressive manifestos and, like Dada artists, staged “Happenings” designed to shock.

28
Their paintings were initially influenced by Pointillism, then by Cubism, but put on a greater
emphasis than the latter on a sense of movement.

The leading members are Balla, Boccioni, Carra, and Severini.

The City Rises is an exemplary

Futurist painting in its representation of
dynamism, motion, and speed. The swirling
human figures in its crowd scenes are
repetitively fragmented according to the
Futurist style, but the rhythmic muscular
energy they generate is unrelated to the
Futurist cult of the machine.

Boccioni, U. (1910). The city rises. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Umberto-Boccioni-

The-City-Rises-1910-oil-on-canvas-1993x301-cm-The-Museum-of_fig11_15166116

Impressionism
(1874-1886 – France)

The first major avant-garde movement. The name was invented in 1874 by a hostile
critique, inspired by a painting of Monet entitled Impression: Sun Rise. The Impressionists
aim was to capture the passing moment, by means of a sketchy technique, strong color
and a commitment to outdoor, on-the-spot painting, with a little reworking in the studio as
possible.

The leading members are Cassatt, Degas, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, and Renoir.

Le Havre in Northwest France was Monet’s hometown

and during 1872 he visited the area regularly. During
these visits, he would paint scenes in the area,
including the port.

Little did Claude Monet know when he painted

‘Impression, Sunrise’ that his work would inspire the
naming of a whole new movement in art. One of his
most famous works, this oil on canvas painting was
first exhibited in April 1874.

Monet, C. (1872). Impression, sunrise. https://www.monetpaintings.org/impression-sunrise/

29
Kinetic Art
(1960s – International)

Sculpture that actually moves, often using modern technology such as electricity
to achieve this. It contrasts with Op Art which just appears to move.

The members are Bury, Calder, Lijn, and Tinguely.

In Rouge Triomphant
(Triumphant Red) (1959), a mobile
that spans almost six meters,
Alexander Calder introduced primary
red to provide vivid contrast to his
almost exclusive use of black. In this
rhythmic work, three groups of black
"scales" are offset by an occasional
red one to create a dynamic yet
delicately balanced assemblage.
Calder, A. (1959). Rouge triomphant.
https://gagosian.com/exhibitions/2009/alexandersculpture/ -calder-monumental-

Land Art
(1960s- 1980s – USA and Great Britain)

Art that involves the artist going out into the nature and making his or her own mark
in it. The only record that remains is photographic, sometimes combined with maps, texts,
and so on. More recently, some land artists have exhibited sculptures made from natural
found objects inside galleries.

Its leading members are Christo, Fulton, Goldsworthy, Long, Oppenheim, and
Smithson.

30
 In 1989, Andy Goldsworthy created four massive snow rings at one the most remote place
on Planet Earth, the North Pole. These ephemeral sculptures marked the position of the North Pole
and were built around it. Through any of the four sculptures, the direction will always be south.
In winter 1989, before leaving for the North Pole, he wrote: “It belongs to no one — it is
the Earth’s common — an ever-

Minimalism
(Late 1960s- 1970s – USA)

An intellectual sort of art which seems to consist of very little, so that the viewer is
Goldsworthy, A. (1989). Touching north. changing landscape in which whatever I
http://www.artnet.com/artists/andy-goldsworthy/touching-north-a-
make will soon disappear.”
_4kLbFPGYNdYW_VGWXFP4g2

forced to scrutinize the forma properties

of what is actually there very carefully.
The work is usually religiously geometric
and involves the repetition of identical
objects.

The members are Andre, Judd, and

Morris.
What do you get when you strip art
of metaphor, representation or
metaphysics? It turns out that even if „what
you see is what you see”, as Frank Stella
put it, and there’s no „hidden meaning” in
the piece, you can still make breathtaking
art like the mirror plate glass and wood art
of Robert Morris.

Minimal Art is not about an object

itself, but everything surrounding it,
including the viewer, his bodily presence
and movement. But when it is made for the
gallery or rests in typical museum, a scope
of sensations is rather narrow.
Morris, R. (1965). [Untitled minimalist art].
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/masterpieces-minimalismrobert-morris/

Graffiti Art
(Late 1960s – USA)

A form of visual communication, usually illegal, involving the unauthorized marking

of public space by an individual or group. Graffiti can be understood as antisocial behavior
performed in order to gain attention or as a form of thrill seeking, but it also can be
understood as an expressive art form.

31
 Its members are Banksy, Haring, Pink, Kobra, Swoon, le Rat, Seen, and Furuta
2000. Street art isn’t an Olympic sport, but if it were, then Eduardo Kobra would almost certainly
win gold for his 30,000 square foot (2787 square
meters) wall mural that he painted for this year’s Rio
Olympics. The mural, titled Las Etnias (The
Ethnicities), stands a staggering 50 feet (15 meters)
tall and can be found in Rio’s port district.

“The idea behind this graffiti artwork is that

we are all one. We’re living through a very confusing
time with a lot of conflicts. I wanted to show that
everyone is united; we are all connected” says Kobra
in the Rio 2016 Official Website.

Kobra, E. (2016). Las Etnias.

https://america.cgtn.com/2021/02/09/eduardo-kobra expressing-his-feelings-through-art

Hyperrealism
(Early 1970s – USA, Great Britain)

Hyperrealism is a genre of painting and sculpture resembling a high-resolution photograph.

Hyperrealism is considered an advancement of Photorealism by the methods used to
create the resulting paintings or sculptures.

Its leading members are Wojtkiewicz, Bravo, Helnwein, Sandorfi, and Cattelan.
Art is often perceived as a way of
detachment from reality, a key to
unlocking some hidden meaning in
the world that surrounds us. This
is not completely true for art
genres like Hyperrealism, where
the line between reality and
art is practically erased in
paintings and sculptures these
artists create.
Several branches of realism are
clearly focused on producing
artwork which resembles a real-life
image, some of them even going
further and beyond.
[Gustavo Silva Nuñez creating his artwork]. (n.d.).
https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/hyperrealism-art-style

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Installation Art
(Late 1970s – Japan, USA)

Installation art is a term generally used to describe artwork located in threedimensional

interior space as the word "install" means putting something inside of something else. It is
often site-specific - designed to have a particular relationship, whether temporary or
permanent, with its spatial environment on an architectural, conceptual, or social level.

Its members are Duchamp, Chicago, Hirst, LeWitt, and Paik.

This is the work that
established Damien Hirst as a
major presence in the art
world. This installation
featuring a 14-foot tiger shark
preserved in formaldehyde
capitalizes on the viewers
visceral response, a
spinetingling thrill one
experiences in the presence of
a good horror movie, knowing
one is safely removed from the
danger.

Hirst, D. (1991). The physical impossibility of death in the mind of someone living. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/hirst-damien/

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Neo-Expressionism
(Late 1970s-1980s – International)

Widespread and much-publicized characteristic of 1980s art. The work appears to

pay homage to earlier 20th century Expressionism.

Its members are Baselitz, Chia,

Cucci, Kiefer, Penck, and
Schnabel.
Kiefer has stated that “our stories
begin in the forest,” so it is not
surprising that forests are recurring
subject matter in his work. The
theme is meaningful for the artist as
a representation of German national
identity.

It is in this period that the painting

entitled Varus has references to the
battle in the Teutoburg forest where
in the 9 BCE Herman, a roman army
deserter, in alliance with his native
Germanic people, wiped out the Romans
under the command of Varus, who fell on his
sword after watching his men be massacred.
Kiefer, A. (1976). Varus. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/50172983327533582/
Op Art
(Late 1950s-1960s – International)

The name is short for Optical Art. It refers to a geometric abstract art that
manipulates the viewers visual response and creates an illusion of movement. Artists use
theories from psychology of perception to achieve this effect.

The leading members are Agam, Albers, Anuskiewicz, Riley, Soto, and Vasarely.
Josef Albers was both an artist and a
teacher and has played a significant role in the
history of 20th-century art. One of the most
original of the 20th century painters,

His theories about art and color were,

and still are, powerful influences on a whole
generation of artists, and his work, particularly
with regards to perception and color, was
undeniably one of the major influences on the
Op Art Movement.

Albers, J. (1941). Graphic tectonic.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18999629653371598/

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Orphism
(1912-1913 – France)

A colorful and almost abstract strand of Cubism. It can be seen as one of the
earliest attempts to create abstract art.

The members are Delaunay, Delaunay-Terk,

and Kupka.

In the Delaunays’ work patches of subtle

and beautiful color are brought together to create
harmonious compositions.

The term, sometimes called orphic cubism,

was coined around 1912–13 by the French poet
and art critic Guillaume Apollinaire and used
to distinguish their work from
cubism generally. The name comes from the
legendary ancient Greek poet and musician
Orpheus. Its use by Apollinaire relates to the idea
that painting should be like music, which was an
important element in the development of abstract
art. Robert Delaunay himself used
the term simultanism to describe his work.

Delaunay, R. (1934). Endless rhythm.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/o/orphism

Performance Art
(1960s- present – International)

This art is related to theatrical performance but has no plot or sense of drama. It is
often used to make a political point, exploit the idea of endurance, and/or boredom, or
simply to entertain.

The leading members are Arnatt, Brisley, Gilbert and George, Horn, Mclean, and
Nitsch.

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 This work, one of three Pose Work for Plinths,
was originally conceived as a performance at the
Situation Gallery in 1971.

McLean’s poses are an ironic and humorous

commentary on what he considered to be the
pompous monumentality of Henry Moore’s large plinth
based reclining sculptures. The artist was
photographed repeating the poses from his
performance. The plinth in McLean’s work also
functions as an ironic reference to its dogmatic
rejection as a legitimate base for sculpture by
Anthony Caro and others teaching at St Martin’s
School of Art when McLean was a student there
between 1963 and 1966.
Mclean, B. (1971). Pose work for
plinths I. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/bruce-mclean-1610

Pointillism
(Mid 1880s-1890s – France)

The technique of applying small, regular dabs of unmixed color on to the picture
surface relying of scientific theories such as the precise combination of complimentary
colors. This was pioneered by Seurat, who used the term Divisionism.

The members are Cross, Signac, and Seurat.

Signac painted some of his most
vibrant pictures in
Antibes. Painting just as frequently
in watercolor as in oil, works from his
later years were limited in subject
matter largely to harbor scenes like this
one, and to river banks. All his works
are radiant with color and reflect his far
less strict adherence to the disciplined,
and organized approach of
Neo-
impressionism which was, as the
historian, John Leighton, put it, “an art
renunciation and restraint.

Signac, P. (1916). The pink clouds, Antibes. https://www.theartstory.org/artist/signac-paul/

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Pop Art
(Late 1950s-1960s – USA and Great Britain)

This refers to the apparent celebration of western consumerism after the austerity
and rationing of war years. The artists’ work evokes the brash, colorful world of advertising,
comic strips, and popular entertainment.

The leading members are Blake, Hamilton, Hockney, Lichtenstein, Oldenburg,

Rosenquist, and Warhol.

Many of Roy Lichtenstein’s early paintings

appropriated imagery found in comic books.
Drowning Girl, samples a page from issue #83
of Secret Hearts, a romance comic book
illustrated by Tony Abruzzo and
published by DC Comics in 1962.

In Abruzzo’s original illustration, the drowning

girl’s boyfriend appears in the background,
clinging to a capsized boat.
Meanwhile, the drowning girl in the
foreground laments with closed eyes

Lichtenstein, R. (1963). Drowning girl. https://musartboutique.com/andy-warhol-the-pop-art-king/

Post Impressionism
(1880s-1890s – France)

A blanket term referring to art that both learnt from and rejected certain
impressionist principles. Cezanne and Seurat tried to regain a sense of order; Gauguin
attempted to express a world of imagination and spirituality; van Gogh, elemental
emotions.
The members are Cezanne, Gauguin, Seurat, and van Gogh.
 In 1870, Paul Cezanne's early style
of painting changed dramatically. Two key
influences were his move to L'Estaque in
southern France and his friendship with
Camille Pissaro.

Cezanne's work became mostly

landscapes featuring lighter brushstrokes
and the vibrant colors of the sun-washed
landscape. His style was closely allied to
the impressionists. During the years
in L'Estaque, Cezanne understood
that he should paint directly from nature.

Cezanne, P. (1885). The Bay of Marseilles.

https://www.jackygallery.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=36233

Social Realism
(1930s-1950s – USSR)

Art promoted by the Stalinist regime in Russia as a propaganda tool. The artists
used a realistic, but often melodramatic style to present an idealized vision of Soviet
society and its leaders. The movement began to oust Constructivist ideas in the early
1920s, and became a rigid doctrine in the early 30s.

The leading members are Brodsky, Deineka, and Moor.

Socialist Realism
artist Isaak Brodsky (6
January 1884 – August 14, 1939) –
Soviet and Russian painter and
graphic artist, teacher and
organizer of art
education, Honored Artist of the
RSFSR (1932), one of the main
representatives of the
realist movement in the
Soviet art of the 1930s, the author
of an extensive pictorial Leniniana.

Brodsky, I. (1884). Speech by Lenin before the Red Army, sent to the Polish front
May 5, 1920. https://soviet-art.ru/socialist-realism-artist-isaak-brodsky/

De Stijl
(1917-early 1930s – Holland)

A movement founded by van Doesburg and Modrian to promote their use of

geometric abstract shapes and primary colors, based on the idea of universal harmony.

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Their ideas extended to architecture and design as well as paintings. They published a
magazine with the same name.
The leading members are van Doeburg, van der Leck, Mondrian, Oud, Rietveld,
and Vantongerloo.
Bart van der Leck (1876 – 1958) was a Dutch
artist who founded the De Stijl movement
along with Piet Mondrian and Theo van
Doesburg.

Leaving time at the factory, the

moment when a large group of workers
departs the factory and pours into the
street, is a theme that fascinates Van der
Leck. He makes several paintings and
drawings with this theme, from fairly
realistic to almost abstract.

Van der Leck, B. (1917). Leaving the factory. https://krollermuller.nl/en/bart-van-derleck-composition-1917-no-4-leaving-the-

factory

Suprematism
(1913-early 20s – Russia)

Malevich expressed his ideas behind this movement in his book the “Non-
Objective World”. He wrote of his wish to create a vocabulary of geometric abstract shapes
entirely independent of the visible world, and expressing pure artistic feelings. Although
by 1917-1918 his aims became more mystical, he greatly influenced the Constructivist
artists.
Painter Kasimir Severinovich Malevich made
pioneering geometric abstractions that embraced
art as a pure object free of social and political
context, concerned only with issues such as line,
shape, and color. Malevich’s rigorous formal and
conceptual approach to painting was instrumental
in establishing Suprematism, a defining modernist
movement that situated simple forms such as
squares and triangles into monochromatic fields.

Malevich, K. (1915). Suprematism: Non-Objective composition. https://www.artsy.net/artwork/kasimir severinovich-malevich-

suprematism-non-objective-composition

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Surrealism
(1924-1940s – Paris)

A movement that drew on certain ideas of Dada, and on the writings of Freud to
create art which was intended to free the viewer as well as the artist by exploring the world
of unconscious and subconscious mind. Some artists used unorthodox techniques such
as frottage.
Its members are Chagall, de Chirico, Dali, Ernst, Klee, Masson, Matta, and Miro.
Fireside Angel was painted by
Max Ernst in 1937. Ernst created this
painting for the Exposition
international du surrealism which took
place at the Galerie de BeauxArts in
Paris. This painting is one of few in his
career that were inspired from political
events. Ernst painted Fireside Angel
shortly after the defeat of the Spanish
Republicans in the Spanish Civil War.
In this conflict, Spanish fascist leaders
were supported by Germany and Italy
in their victory. Ernst’s goal was to
depict the chaos that he saw
spreading over Europe and the ruin
that fascism brings to countries.
Ernst, M. (1937). The Fireside Angel. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32802280958.html

Symbolism
(1890s – International)

A literary and artistic movement which, partly in reaction to Realism and

Impressionism, emphasized the world of the imagination, of ideas, dreams and emotions.
In some respects, symbolism was a predecessor of Expressionism and Surrealism.

The members are Gauguin, Moreau, Munch, Puvis de Chavannes, and Redon.

In the imaginary scene in the background, there

are several women worshipping a statue. Gauguin
has enlarged a small Maori statue to the size of a
great Buddha, and has invented a sacred rite.
All these elements create an enchanted world, full
of both harmony and melancholy, where man lives
under the protection of the gods, in a luxuriant
natural environment, in an archaic, idealized
Polynesia.

Gauguin, P. (1892). Arearea. https://painting-planet.com/arearea-by-paul-gauguin/

40
Vorticism
(1910-1914 – England)

A group of London-based avant-garde artists inspired by Cubism and Futurism.

They rejected the gentility of the English in the art world and celebrated the excitement
and beauty of the machine age. They published a magazine called “Blast”. The movement
did not survive the brutality of the First World War.

The members are Bomberg, Lewis, Roberts, and Wadsworth.

Regalia combines a still life of
antiquated and modern marine
instruments with a view of the
open sea.
The sailor’s equipment is given
almost royal status as the shapes
subtly echo the regalia of scepter, orb
and chain. Wadsworth was
fascinated by machinery and
collected maritime equipment so that
he could paint directly from it.

Wadsworth, E. (1928). Regalia.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/edward -wadsworth-2113

Let Us Do This Practice!

A. On your worksheet, do what is asked below:

With the different art movements across history, what do you think does the
future hold for art and art production? Looking into the next 20 years, what do you
think are the new trends that will emerge?

Create your own art movement and describe its main tenets. Give it a name.
What does this movement attempt to do? What are the concerns or questions will it
attempt to answer? Imagine what kind of materials/media techniques will be used to
create and realize the concepts behind artists’ works.

Do this in your worksheet.

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Mission
To provide quality education responsive to the
national and global needs focused on
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improve the lives of the people.

Core Values
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