ART APPRECIATION FINAL PERIOD Student
ART APPRECIATION FINAL PERIOD Student
ART APPRECIATION FINAL PERIOD Student
Prepared by Utilizes by
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
Introduction
In our world of multi- and visual media, we must expand our notion of what a text is
and how we must read it. As more texts are used to convey information print once did, we
must bring to these visual texts critical literacies that will help us construct meaning from
their elements.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Content
1. SEMIOTIC PLANE
Semiotics is the theory and study of signs and symbols, especially as elements of language or
other systems of communication. Common examples of semiotics include traffic signs,
emojis, and emoticons used in electronic communication, and logos and brands used by
international corporations to sell us things—"brand loyalty," they call it.
A person who studies or practices semiotics is a semiotician. Many terms and concepts used
by contemporary semioticians were introduced by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure
(1857–1913).
Example: Signs
Brands and logo
2. ICONIC PLANE
The iconic plane includes the choice of the subject which may bear social and political
implications. Few words are more over-used than “iconic”. Often when I hear it used, I think
what the speaker really means is ‘recognizable’, ‘famous’, or even ‘ubiquitous’. ‘ICONIC’
simply because it is instantly recognizable.
3. CONTEXTUAL PLANE
a. History
b. Author
c. Influence
d. Reaction
Example:
Introduction
History shows the intrinsic value of art as a language that narrates the knowledge, belief and
experience of each generation of mankind, it shows the foundation of civilization through
art, where humanity from the past to the present stipulates their desire for a better life.
Learning Outcome
Learning Contents
1. PREHISTORIC ART (cave art or parietal art)
2. EGYPTIAN &GREEK
3. ROMAN&MEDIEVAL
4. CHINESE&JAPANESE
5. RENAISSANCE&MANNERISM
6. BAROQUE AND ROCOCO
7. NEOCLASISM
8. ROMANTIC AND REALISM
In the history of art, Prehistoric art refers to all artwork produced by ancient men before any
preconceived culture and known methods of writing.
The term cave art is the painting or drawing of figures called petrographs or petroglyphs to
portray a story or to record known history. The term is used mostly in connection with Stone
Age Art created during the last Ice Age, between about 40,000 and 10,000 BCE a period
known as the “upper Paleolithic”. It is generally believed that this was created by the
Modern Man ( Homo Sapiens Sapiens ).
Cave painting or petrographs involves the application of pigment on the walls, floors
or ceilings of ancient rock dwellings inhabited by prehistoric men.
Most of the prehistoric cave paintings were figures of animals like bison and
reindeer, horses and tracing of human hands. Human figure were rarely shown and
were usually highly stylized and far less naturalistic than the animal figures.
An example of this are the cave paintings which were found in 1870 at Altimira,
Spain by Don Marcelino and his daughter. These paintings are sometimes called
“The Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art”
The term cave drawing or petroglyphs refers to an engraved drawing that is etched or
done by cutting lines on the rock surface with a sharp object probably a stone tool.
www.boredart.com
As of this time there is no clear idea when cave painting first began. Researchers
founded more than a dozen examples of wall painting across Spain that are more than 65,000
years old. At “Cueva de los Aviones” researchers also found perforated seashells beads and
pigments that are at least 115,000 years old.
o The Paleolithic Period (Old stone age) in arts was the time when
primitive cave artworks were created with the use of primitive tools by
primitive men.
o The Neolithic Period (New stone age) when man began to develop
culture and change his lifestyle. The naturalistic art style of hunter
gatherer of the Paleolithic had been replaced by geometrically abstract
art of Neolithic.
www.thejournal.ie
THE ROMAN ART ( 500 B.C. to 1453 A.D. )
Roman art began around 500 B.C. and ended at the fall of Rome in
1453 A.D. medieval art covers the production of art and artists in
North Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Roman art was developed largely because of the Roman empire,
During the time of Romulus to Emperor Constantine.
Roman art often depicted Roman mythology because of their belief in
the power of gods, artists also illustrated Roman emperors particularly
in sculpture.
The Greeks were a great influence in Roman sculpture. But Roman
portraiture showed the skills originality of the Romans by portraying
their emperors, generals and senators with a degree of realism
unknown to the Greeks.
www.trover.com www.pinterest.com
www.minutetravelguide.com
www.roadaffair.com
MEDIEVAL PERIOD ( c. 450 C.E to 1400 C.E.)
Medieval art covered almost ten centuries between the Sack of Rome (c. 450
C.E.) and the early Italian Renaissance (1400 C.E.).
o Only one institution survived: the Christian Church- centered in Rome and
Constantinople. The church became the main sponsor of architecture and the
other types of art during the medieval era.
- Sculpture were prevalent during this time, where stone was used to
present biblical subject matter and church doctrines.
- Other significant media are stained glass and the tradition of continued
illuminated manuscripts.
Gothic art- Originated in the 12th century with the rebuilding of the
Abbey Church in Saint Denis, France.
Gothic architecture offered revolutionary structural advancements such
as ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and decorative pinnacles all
contributing to taller and lighter building design.
Sites.google.com
The period in European history, from the 14th to 17th century, was considered the link
the middle ages and the modern history. The term “Renaissance” is from the same
French word, meaning rebirth or revival. It began as a cultural movement in Italy in
the late medieval period and later spread to the rest of Europe.
The revival in classical learning characterized by a sharp increase in secular values
and increased interest in learning the classics.
Renaissance is reflected in humanism. Humanism focused on developing the full
potential of man. This included not only the traditional virtues of love and honor but
also virtues such as judgement, prudence and eloquence.
Leonardo da Vinci, making observational drawings of anatomy and nature.
The most important development of the period was not a specific discovery but rather
a process for discovery, the scientific method. Influential promoters of these ideas
include Copernicus and Galileo.
Early Renaissance
By 1500, because of the rediscovery of the classical world, the art of painting was radically
changed. The Renaissance revived ancient forms and content. The spiritual content of
painting changed, and subjects from Roman history and mythology were borrowed.
Devotional art became classically humanized. Classical artistic principles , harmony,
proportion, realistic expression and rational postures were followed.
Active artistic regions in Europe during the period: Flanders and Italy Almost all early Renaissance art
were produced between 1420 and 1550.
High Renaissance artists wanted beauty and harmony more than realism, they looked for
ultimate truths in the study of the classical world of Greek and Roman culture.
Some of the best well-known masterpieces of High Renaissance.
The word mannerism is derived from the Italian Maniera, meaning “style” or “manner”.
Transfiguration
Mannerism was a European art style that appeared in the later years of Italian High
Renaissance around 1520 to 1580.
In comparison with High Renaissance art that emphasizes proportion, balance and ideal
beauty, Mannerism exaggerates such qualities, often resulting in compositions that are
asymmetrical or unnaturally elegant. It favored compositional tension and instability rather
than the balance and clarity of earlier Renaissance painting.
Mostly, the mannerist painting was more artificial than natural. This could be attributed to
such characteristics as the unnatural display of emotions, unproportionate human figures,
unnatural poses, uncommon effects of scale, use of lighting or perspective, and bright loud
color.
The end of the Renaissance was caused largely by the beginning of the protestant
Reformation that set off violent conflicts throughout Europe and eliminated much of the
funding for art.
Mannerist Painters
Among the finest Mannerist Artists
Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel Frescoes
Correggio, First to portray light radiating from the child Christ
Agnolo Bronzino, An Allegory with Venus and Cupid
6. Complex Arrangements
Complicated arrangement of objects
BAROQUE PERIOD
In Art, the word Baroque was taken from the Portuguese barocco meaning, “irregular pearl
or stone” and originating in Rome.
Baroque art showed the religious conflicts of the age, the desire of the Roman
Catholic Church to restate itself after the Protestant Reformation as annunciated at
the council of Trent.
Baroque defined something that was extravagant or intricate and highly detailed.
The popularity of the style was due to the Catholic Church, which was determined at
the Council of Trent that the art should convey and express religious ideas and direct
emotional involvement in reply to the Protestant Reformation.
Catholic- inspired Baroque art served a propagandist role that tended to be large-scale
works of public art, such as monumental wall painting and huge frescoes for the
ceilings and vaults of palaces and churches.
ROCOCO PERIOD
Rococo is referred to as Late Baroque, which is a hybrid word combining rocaille (French
for “shell”) and barocco . It was also known as the age of artificiality as depicted in artworks
showing unreal or artificial subjects.
Rococo appeared in France and scattered around the world in the late 17 th and early
18th century.
It started when King Louis XIV requested more youthful art to be created in his
reign.
Artists in this period emphasized more attention to detail, ornamentation, and use
of bright colors.
Rococo is focused on secular, light-hearted, asymmetrical design while
continuing the Baroque taste for decorative style.
Canvasses were decorated with cherubs and myths of love while keeping with the
playful trend of the period.
Began in Europe around 1750 until the mid-nineteenth century, This movement aspired to
save and resurrect the aesthetic and cultural values of the Greco-Roman civilization.
The archaeological findings in the excavation of the roman cities of Pompeii and
Herculaneum in the mid 18th century had rekindled the interest in the art of Greco-Roman
culture.
The industrial revolution’s effect led to the rise of the Age of Enlightenment that saw the
importance of technological innovation for the advancement of humanity.
Heroes and beings from the Greco-Roman mythology were repeated subjects in
neoclassical paintings and sculpture.
In sculpture, artists used natural white marble as medium.
Cool colors in painting and the removal of perspective is were widely used
It gave importance to simplicity and aesthetic purity
ROMANTICISM
The industrial revolution began in the latter part of the 18 th century. This revolution brought
a new market economy based on new technology. During that same time, there was a
growing reaction against the ideals of the enlightenment that emphasized science, empirical
evidence and rational thought.
The Romantics opposed the idea that reason was the only way to truth.
Romantics argued that mysteries could be revealed with emotion, imagination, and intuition.
Romantics emphasized a life filled with deep feeling, spirituality, and free expression as a
defense against the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.
Romanticism strongly placed emphasis on emotion and individualism, as well as glorification of
the past and of nature.
Famous Artist
Theodore Gericualt
Eugene DelacroixFrancisco de Goya
J.M.W. Turner
John Constable
IMPRESSIONISM
Impressionism was created by Claude Monet and the other Paris based artists in the early
1860. They relaxed their brushwork and included pure intense colors. They abandoned
traditional linear perspectives and avoided the clarity of form. Because of these, many critics
questioned Impressionist paintings for their unfinished appearance and unprofessional
quality.
Impressionism Artist
Cezanne
Pissarro
Whistler
Manet
Renoir
Sisley
Degas
POST- IMPRESSIONISM
Post- Impressionism is a French art movement that developed roughly between 1886 and
1905. Post impressionism emerged as a reaction against Impressionist’ concern for the
naturalistic depiction of light and color. The movement was led by Paul Cezanne ( known as
the father of Post- Impressionism)
Post-Impressionists rejected the idea of the impressionist that the main focus of the
artwork should be on the opticality of the creation.
The Impressioniost interest for the depiction of light and color drew a negative
reaction from the Post-Impressionist
Post-Impressionist artist fought to bring back the emphasis on the subject matter and
the structure in painting that they felt was lost
Post-Impressionist movement focused on the emotional, structural, symbolic and
spiritual elements that they felt were lacking in Impressionism.
Post-Impressionist Artist
Paul Cezanne
Vincent van Gogh
Paul Gauguin
Topic 7: Instrumental Music
Introduction
Music performed without a vocalist, in any of several genres but especially prevalent
in rock and roll in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Serving primarily as dance music, rock-
and-roll and rhythm-and-blues instrumentals began appearing on the pop charts in the mid-
1950s, with Bill Doggett’.
Learning Outcomes:
Learning Content
BAROQUE PERIOD:
The Baroque period refers to an era that started around 1600 and ended around 1750,
and included composers like Bach, Vivaldi and Handel, who pioneered new styles like the
concerto and the sonata.
Jonathan Sebastian Bach- (1685-1750) was music's most sublime creative genius.
Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque
Era. Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21st 1685 in Eisenach, Germany. The young
Bach was offered a choral scholarship to the prestigious St Michael's School in 1699. 1703
saw Bach become the organist at St Boniface's Church in Arnstadt - a role that saw him on a
regular salary and expanding his skills at the keyboard. Bach composed the cantata Gott ist
mein König in 1708 - he was paid handsomely, and it helped him cement his early career.
The Brandenburg Concertos were composed in 1721 as a sort-of musical job application for
the Margrave Ludwig of Brandenburg - it was unsuccessful.
1. Bach once walked two hundred and thirteen miles to hear a performance by an
organist whom he admired. Once he had heard the concert, he turned round and
walked the same distance home again.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frxT2qB1POQ
2. Antoneo Vivaldi- Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678–28 July 1741) was an Italian Baroque
composer, virtuoso violinist, teacher and cleric. Born in Venice, he is recognized as one of the
greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread across
Europe. He is known mainly for composing many instrumental concertos, for the violin and a
variety of other instruments, as well as sacred choral works and more than forty operas. His
best-known work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons.
Many of his compositions were written for the female music ensemble of
the Ospedale della Pietà, a home for abandoned children where Vivaldi (who had
been ordained as a Catholic priest) was employed from 1703 to 1715 and from 1723
to 1740. Vivaldi also had some success with expensive stagings of his operas in
Venice, Mantuaand Vienna. After meeting the Emperor Charles VI, Vivaldi moved to
Vienna, hoping for preferment. However, the Emperor died soon after Vivaldi’s
arrival, and Vivaldi himself died less than a year later in poverty.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGFqtOdEIWk
3. George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel born (5 March 1685–14 April 1759)
was a German-born, British Baroque composer who spent the bulk of his career in
London, becoming well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ
concertos. Born in a family indifferent to music, Handel received critical training in
Halle, Hamburg and Italy before settling in London (1712), and became a naturalized
British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the great composers of
the Italian Baroque and the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition.Within
fifteen years, Handel had started three commercial opera companies to supply the
English nobility with Italian opera. Musicologist Winton Dean writes that his operas
show that “Handel was not only a great composer; he was a dramatic genius
of the first order.” As Alexander’s Feast (1736) was well received, Handel made a
transition to English choral works. After his success with Messiah (1742) he never
performed an Italian opera again. Almost blind, and having lived in England for
nearly fifty years, he died in 1759, a respected and rich man. His funeral was given
full state honours, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAIZxaToV2A
CLASSICAL PERIOD:
Serious or conventional music following long-established principles rather than a folk, jazz,
or popular tradition. Music written in the European tradition during a period lasting
approximately from 1750 to 1830, when forms such as the symphony, concerto, and sonata
were standardized.
2. Ludwig Van Beethoven- (1770-1827) is one of the most significant and influential
composers of the western art music tradition. He was a ground- breaker, in all
senses. He oversaw the transition of music from the Classical style, full of poise
and balance, to the Romantic style, characterised by emotion and impact. A prolific
composer who wrote for wealthy patrons and also earned money from public
concerts, he wrote nine symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, one opera, five piano
concertos, and many chamber works including some ground-breaking string quartets.
He could be a difficult and unsociable man, who felt bitter and isolated by the
deafness which developed in his 20s; he never married.He enjoyed great success and
recognition in his lifetime. It is said that at the premiere of his Ninth, he could not
hear the thunderous applause at the end, and had to be turned round to see the
delighted audience reaction.Virtually all his major works are standard repertoire
pieces, familiar to musicians and listeners throughout the commercial world.
ROMANTIC PERIOD
The Romantic period started around 1830 and ended around 1900, as compositions became
increasingly expressive and inventive. Expansive symphonies, virtuosic piano music,
dramatic operas, and passionate songs took inspiration from art and literature. Famous
Romantic composers include Tchaikovsky, lizst and chopin.
2. Franz Liszt- Franz Liszt was the greatest piano virtuoso the world has ever known.
He literally redefined what 10 fingers were capable of, producing one scintillating
sleight-of-hand keyboard effect after another. Such was the sheer force of his musical
personality that adoring women collapsed swooning following just a single touch of
the ivories. Even the normally unimpressionable Matthew Arnold reported after a
Liszt concert that “as soon as I returned home, I pulled off my coat, flung myself on
the sofa, and wept the bitterest, sweetest tears”.There were even those who thought
Liszt’s unearthly powers were the result of a pact with the Devil, exacerbated by such
dark and “paranormal” pianistic whirlwinds as the Dante Sonata and Mephisto Waltz.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Dvg2MxQn8
1. Claude Debussy- (22 August 1862–25 March 1918) was a French composer. Along with
Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures associated withImpressionist music,
though he himself disliked the term when applied to his compositions. He was madeChevalier
of the Legion of Honour in his native France in 1903. Debussy was among the most influential
composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and his use of non- traditional scales and
chromaticism influenced many composers who followed.Debussy’s music is noted for its
sensory content and frequent usage of atonality. The prominent French literary style of his
period was known as Symbolism, and this movement directly inspired Debussy both as a
composer and as an active cultural participant.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVYH-7QGE-A
2. Arnold Schoenberg- Arnold Schoenberg is one of the most influential composers of the
twentieth century. He championed atonality in music composition, first through freely
composed, expressionist works such as Pierrot Lunaire (one song from that cycle, “Madonna,”
is on our playlist), and later through his own system of composition commonly referred to as as
twelve-tone music (the Piano Suite, a portion of which is on our list, was composed using this
method). This system of atonal composition became the dominant musical idiom at music
conservatories in America and Europe during the latter half of the twentieth century. Though
the influence of twelve- tone composition appears to be waning, its impact on the music of the
last century is enormous. Love it or hate it, the music of Schoenberg walks large on the stage of
history.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGLcUfbVF3k
3. Maurice Ravel-Born in the Basque town of Ciboure, France on March 7th 1975, French
composer Maurice Ravel was very influenced by his mother’s Spanish heritage and love of
Spanish folk song. From an early age it was clear that Ravel had musical capabilities and his
parents encouraged this, paying for him to have piano lessons, as well as instruction in
harmony, counterpoint and composition. Whilst he was obviously a talented pianist, he showed
a stronger desire to compose. In order to encourage his musical pursuits further, Ravel’s parents
sent him to the Paris Conservatory, initially as a preparatory student and then as a piano major.
He studied first with Émile Descombes and received a first prize in the piano in his first year
(1891). More generally, however, Ravel saw limited success at the conservatory and although
his musicianship matured significantly, his academics were weak. Ravel was unfortunately
expelled in 1895, after failing to be awarded a competitive medal in three consecutive years.
Three years later, he returned to the conservatory in order to study composition with Gabriel
Fauré. Unfortunately, he fell victim once more of failing to win any competitive prizes and so
was expelled for the second time in 1900.
Example of his work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9tcHoD6r0c
CHAPTER III
Topic 8
Soul making: Making And Deriving Meaning From Art
Introduction
In order for humans to make sense of language and derive meanings from words,
semantics and grammatical rules the important elements to be considered. Aside from this,
context and symbolisms are also considered to interpret and analyze either verbal or written
works. When it comes to art, in order to make sense of the work, it would require
understanding the visual elements where art was grounded on, especially the principles of
design. It is important to note that the audience of the artwork must have a certain level of
awareness to the style, form, and content of the said work. Without such understanding, it
would be difficult to appreciate the arts in its fullness and entirety (Caslib, B et. al., 2018)
Learning Outcomes:
Learning Content
What is soulmaking?
What comes to your mind when you hear the word soul making?
Write your ideas on the blanks.
The term “soulmaking”(craftmaking) is an alternative venue for knowing ourselves and
looking into the depths and real meaning of what we are doing for our everyday life.
It is a form of crafting stories or transforming brief moments into images or symbols. It is
also connecting with people, understanding culture, and embodying tolerance and peace.
Soulmaking can be an innate gift or a learned skill, or a combination of both. It has no time
reference, it occurs anytime.
talking notes. Crafting images is just like weaving, quilting, or doing crochet; it is
References:
1. Caslib, B. et. al (2018). Art Appreciation. Manila. Rex Book Store, 2018
2. www.youtube.com
Topic 9
Da Vincian Principles
Leonardo da Vinci was the ultimate high achiever with simultaneous careers as a world-
class artist, architect, scientist, inventor, and engineer. In his spare time, he was also an
accomplished cook and played musical instruments to a professional level. Therefore, if
anybody can exemplify how to apply creativity and learning skills productively, da Vinci is
the consummate role model.
While it is true that Leonardo da Vinci was a genius, it is also true that most people typically
use only a fraction of their potential brain-power. Therefore, by analyzing how da Vinci
achieved so much, a system for personal and professional achievement can be developed. In
essence, this system has seven key principles (Gelb, M. 1998).
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the topic, you are expected to:
a) identify and discuss the seven da Vincian principles;
b) explain how these principles can be applied in art making.
Learning Content:
References
Gelb, Michael (1998). How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci
scienceofpeople.com/7-steps-to-genius/
Topic 10
Appropriation Of Art
Appropriation has been a common practice throughout history. In the past, if an apprentice
painter needs to hone his skills in his craft, he would be allowed to use his master’s work to copy. It is
as if the apprentice is trying to explore his personal application of techniques to something he is more
familiar with. However, there are some people who go to the extreme by believing that copying the
exact artwork of an artist and attributing to his own, this could pose a problem especially with
authorship. In this module, it discusses the concept of appropriation and the posit five acts of
appropriation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, the students are expected to:
a) Define art appropriation.
b) Discuss the posit five (5) acts of cultural appropriation.
Learning Content
Appropriation in Art
It refers to borrowing images that are recognizable from different sources and using
The context of pictures is absolutely integral to their meaning, taking something for
one’s own use, typically without permission from, or acknowledgement of, the
Appropriation in art and art history refers to the practice of artists using pre-existing
This means borrowing, copying, and altering images and objects that already exists.
Appropriation has been a strategy used by artists for a super long time.
Example:
1. Edward Manet and Pablo Picasso took historical artworks as departure
points for their own pieces.
2. Pablo Picasso, Glass and Bottle of Suze (1912)
3. Marcel Duchamp infamously appropriated urinal in his 1915 work Fountain
4. Surrealism also made extensive use of appropriation in collages and objects
such as Salvador Dali’s Lobster Telephone.
Appropriation took a new significance in mid-20th –century America and Britain with
the rise of consumerism and proliferatio of popular images through mass media
outlets from magazines.
Appropriated images and objects appear extensively in Pop art of Jasper Johns,
Robert Rauschenberg, Class Oldenburg, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselman, and Roy
Lichtenstein. They reproduced , juxtaposed, or repeated mundane, everyday images,
from popular culture.
a. Material appropriation
Material appropriation occurs when the possession of a tangible object (such as s
sculpture) is transferred from members of one culture to members of another culture.
The removal of the friezes from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin is often regarded as a
case of material appropriation.
b. Non-material appropriation
This form of appropriation involves the reproduction, by a member of one culture, of
non-tangible works (such as stories, musical compositions or dramatic works)
produced by some other culture. A musician who sings the songs of another culture
has engaged in non-material appropriation, as has the writer who re-tells stories
produced by a culture other than his own.
c. Stylistic appropriation
Sometimes artists do not reproduce works produced by another culture, but still take
something from that culture. In such cases, artists produce works with stylistic
elements in common with the works of another culture. White musicians who
compose jazz or blue music are often said to have engaged in appropriation in this
sense.
d. Motif appropriation
This form of appropriation is related to stylistic appropriation. Sometimes artists are
influenced by the art of a culture other than their own without creating works in the
same style. Picasso, for example, was influences by African carving, but his works are
not and African style. Similarly, Ravel was influenced by the jazz of African-
Americans, but his compositions are not in a jazz idiom. Rather than appropriating an
entire style, such artists have appropriated only basic ideas or motifs.
e. Subject appropriation
Subject appropriation occurs when someone from one culture represents members or
aspects of another culture. Many of Joseph Conrad’s novels involve subject
appropriation, since Conrad frequently wrote cultures other than his own.
References
1. Young, J. O. (2008). Cultural Appropriation and the Arts. (New Directions in
Aesthetics). Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (2008).
2. youtube.com/watch?v=OpjzJojNC18
Topic 11: Indigenous Art
Introduction
Filipinos are probably one of the most creative and colorful people around. You can tell this just by
looking at the types of art that we have. Sadly, some of these art forms are now dying as the younger
generation does not seem to have any interest in learning about them. But the fact remains that not a lot
of young ones know the process and hard work that go with these arts.
The indigenous arts most sensitively reflect this communal orientation. Being the most lucid and
expressive symbols of a culture’s values, the arts are the most powerful instruments of inquiry into the
essential character of a culture. It is undeniable that the following basic concepts and attributes of art
and the conditions of artistic creation, expression and expression and experience could only have arisen
in communal or integral Filipino cultural settings.
Art is not synonymous with big production costs because because what matters is artistic excellence or
the creative idea as well as making art part of everyday life. Thus, the least expensive medium, e.g.
paper for kites, is regarded highly and not considered inferior to the costlier ones. And even the most
practical objects like a coconut grater, container, knife handle, tree stump, mat, or hat can become a
medium for the finest art.
Learning Outcome
Learning Content
Indigenous Arts are those native arts that have grown naturally through the years in a
certain locality. Indigenous arts include the Torogan of Muslim Mindanao (previously
discussed), bahay-kubo, bahay bale, bahay na bato, and other indigenous house. Traditional
arts and crafts are not indigenous arts per se since these arts did not naturally exist in the
particular area from time immemorial.
1. Architecture
Wander over the world heritage site, Banaue Rice Terraces, Eighth Wonder of the World
carved from the high Cordilleras over 2,000 years ago. These rice terraces were carved out of
the mountains by the native Ifugao people. The Ifugao made the walls out of hardened mud
and clay while they flattened the slopes it could hold wateressential for rice growth. It had
been the way of life of the Ifugao mountain tribes for the past 2,000 years, kept alive up to this
day.
2. Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials, typically stone
such as marble, metal, glass, or wood, or plastic materials such as clay, textiles, polymers and softer
metals. Carving is one of the techniques used in sculpture. The most important type of sculpture, in its
quality, quantity and continuing use, are wooden bulul or bulol carved by Ifugao craftsmen of
Mountain Province, Luzon. Often made in pairs, male and female, bulul represent guardian deities and
are placed in rice granaries to ensure beautiful rice.
3. Weaving
Weaving means to make cloth and other objects. Threads or strands of material are passed under and
over each other. Most of the common forms of weaving in the Philippines are in the form of hats, mats,
bags, baskets and textiles (clothes and blankets). This brought the ikat technique of resist – dyeing of
the warp thread and the concept of using textiles in death ceremonies. Weavers were further influenced
by imported materials: they imitated the new designs, integrating them with their traditional textiles.
Weaver imigrants appear to have brought the ikat technique to the Isinai and Ifugao people of Luzon.
Abaca fiber derived from the abaca plant is widely grown in certain regions ‘n the country. It is woven
mainly to make ‘sinamay’ fabric and abaca rope, as well as specialty papers like vacuum bags,
currency, and tea bags.
4. Pottery
Pottery are objects that are first shaped of wet clay, then hardened by baking. Pottery includes both
decorative and practical items such as bowls, vases, dishes, and lamps. Pottery in the Philippines varies
in forms and functions. The forms of the pots are directly influenced by the functions of the pots and
the tradition of the community or local area. An example of this is the palayok, which is used for
cooking, Banga and Tapayan are used for storing liquids. There is also the clay-made stove or kalan.
The burnay pottery in Ilocos Sur is still a lively tradition that continues up to the present.
5. Body Adornment
Physical ornamentation can be categorized into three areas specifically the use of traditional costumes
(textile), jewelries and tattoos. The design vary depending on the location, users and function of the
ornaments. Since the early 16th century, jewelry making in the country has been practiced.
Indigenous Materials
The materials in indigenous arts come from native materials or local materials that are found
in the locality. Some of these are the sawali, coco coir, bagasse, abaca, bamboo, palm frond
stems, mud bricks, rattan, rice husks, cogon, wood, and stone.
1. Sawali. This material comes from the outer covering of bamboo poles. It is woven
into mats and ideal for cement backing.
2. Coco coir. This by-product of coconut is used to minimize the use of cement and as
sandwich panels for insulation.
3. Bagasse. This is sugar cane waste used for insulation or cement backing.
4. Abaca. This is a fiber material obtained from the leaf stalk of a banana plant. Most of
these materials are found in the Bicol Region.
5. Bamboo. This indigenous material has low degree of elasticity, low concrete
adhesion, but wide variable moisture content. It is very useful in architectural forms
and designs, mainly as reinforcement to concrete.
6. Palm frond stems. This material is often used for non-structural panels, walls,
screens, and bases of houses. Despite being widely used, it is susceptible to termites
and have to be replaced every 4 to 5 years. To raise its life span to 15 years and
above, the material must be treated with anti-termite chemical like solignum or the
structure must be raised above the ground.
7. Mud Bricks. This material is brittle, has less strength, and cannot stand up well to
tension. However, it is the choice of the building materials in places with hot, dry
climates due to its low thermal conductivity
Indigenous materials are widely used in architecture such as in the construction of bahay-
kubo, bahay bale, bahay na bato and other indigenous architectural structures.
Bahay Kubo
Bahay na Bato
The Ifugaos observe the “ngilin” which is a pagan ritual, and during the construction of this house, the
munhabats abstain from sex right before they start building the bale.
References