RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT

Nerica Joana H. Animas- BSN1C

 CREDIT LINE

1. NAME OF THE ARTIST: Vicente Manansala

2. TITLE OF THE WORK: Masaganang Ani (From the IRRI mural series)

3. YEAR THE WORK WAS CREATED: c:1962

4. MEDIUM: Watercolor on paper (Giiclee print on canvas)

5. SIZE OF THE WORK: 46cm x 151cm

6. LOCATION OF THE WORK: National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila City, Philippines

INTERPRETATION:

The paintings of Vicente Manansala caught my eyes the moment I have seen his artworks
because of his unique cubism method of painting. One of the most vibrant and eye catching, is
his mural “Masaganang Ani”, this mural is very huge and extensive. I believe that Manansala is
trying to show the Filipino’s Agriculture System, Ways or means of living and our own different
religious and non-religious beliefs. This mural is not the only one mural of Manansala, but this
mural is also one of the most realistic artwork he had done.

As you observe at the painting you will see the three main points of Manansala, the first
part at the left side are the Filipino classic fishers which is the most dominant source of income
for Filipino families. The subject in the middle is a woman bathing their children and at the back
is an old church which symbolizes the Filipino’s belief of water baptism, and lastly the picture at
the right side of the mural are the Filipino Farmers which plays an enormous role in our economy.

I believed that Manansala created this mural for us, Filipinos to open our heart and
appreciate our own fellowmen and country. Vicente Manansala stirs our love for our country
(Nationalism, Patriotism) especially the preservation of our diverse and exceptional culture as
Filipinos.

The mural also shows how Filipino farmers are respected and valued. This issue is very
timely and as a young student who experience this kind of Agricultural issues, I believed Filipino
Farmers should be given a privilege and a great respect for their heroic tasks.

Observing the mural, churches and baptismal were part of the Spaniard Colonization, So
I can say that artworks have a very essential role in preserving our History and beliefs.
 ANALYSIS:

Literally murals are big and wide-ranging in sizes, the technique used by Vicente
Manansala is what we call the transparent cubism where in the “delicate tones, shapes and
patterns of figure and environment are masterfully superimposed. Analyzing the mural, the rhythm
is created when one or more elements are used repeatedly to create a feeling of movement. For
example, in the mural the fishermen are painted into three with different position and this
placement make an illusion of movement (catching and collecting fishes). Additionally, the farmers
are also painted in illusionary rhythm and movement. The mural emphasizes the Filipino
Contemporary and culture of Filipinos. Manansala promotes asymmetrical balance in his works,
the two sides of the mural are not identical and differ from each other’s concept, However the
elements or the subject are arranged so that there is still a sense of balance. In the Mural some
areas are in contrast, Manansala used shadows in cubes to emphasize something, Also, the
background is based from the purpose of the subject. For instance, in the mural the fishes, the
crops, it all serve as complementary figures of the big fishermen and farmers.

Unity or also called as harmony in an artwork is a very important principle of art, it gives
the artwork a sense of interconnection, it is the wholeness of an artwork, by using similar elements
within the composition and placing them in a way that brings them all together. Just like in the
artwork of Manansala, the placing of every subject is well planned and designated. Harmony is
also related to pattern, while observing you can notice that the pattern can be formed in the
artwork because of underlying structure that organizes surfaces in a consistent and regular
manner, the way Manansala used cubism as a technique it already requires series of pattern.

Every individual has their own perspective about any situation just like in artworks, the
way I see it could be different the way others see it, but I believed every artwork speaks and gives
us idea what the artist wants to portray. Murals requires a vast space that is why the viewers could
only see the whole picture in a longer distance, one move closer to see the small details of the
murals.

Movement in artistic compositions may refer to something we called “eye-movement”, it is

the way a viewer’s eye moves through a work of art. Studies have proven that geometric shapes
tend to be more visually enticing. Therefore, incorporating geometric configurations to influence
eye movement makes sense in creating good composition. By knowing the right placement of an
artwork it will help in controlling the eye movement of the viewer’s this gives the artists, more
control over how the viewer’s interacts with the composition
.

JUDGEMENT OR EVALUATION:

Vicente Manansala is one of the exclusive painters of our country, a great cubist. His work
“Masaganang Ani” is the piece that I really like, I like his works because it illustrates visual realities,
tracing all his artworks it is all Filipino themed and visualize the life of every Filipino citizen. I
believe this artwork is a Success, the way it was planned and painted very professional. The
success of an artwork is about balance, composition, harmony, use of light and how the artist
moves the viewer’s eye throughout the piece and most important is when the message of the
artwork is conveyed and imparted with the viewers.
 Vicente Manansala’s work can be compared with Fernando Amorsolo’s work, How? The
main subject of their paintings are the culture and life of Filipino and both of them addresses social
issues, Bothe of them are highly recommendable artists. To evaluate an artwork one must have
knowledge in different art principles it will serves as their criteria for judging the artwork’s success.
I believed this work is original, simply means the idea is unique and how the idea was put into a
real life painting or mural.

The best part of the mural for me is how Manansala give emphasis to fishing and farming
as their main source of income and lifestyle which is the trademark for every Filipinos and
especially how Manansala shows the movement and rhythm in his artwork, for me every painting
has their best and worst part but this can be based with the viewer’s eye, there are paintings that
would really strike your eyes and hearts and there are paintings that you would only appreciate.
If I were given a chance to have this painting, I would be honored and grateful to have it and hang
this piece, I know it will open the heart of every viewer especially us, Filipinos.