LESSON 1

ART: CONCEPT, ELEMENTS, FORMS OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS, AND THE

PHILIPPINE ART AS FILIPINO
What is Art?
In his work Poetics, the Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed that humans have instincts for imitation and
harmony. He argued that human beings are the “most imitative of living creatures”, and through imitation,
humans learn and experience pleasure. Art, then, may be defined as “a human pursuit to imitate life and the world
into something pleasing and beautiful”.
For instance: a landscape painter attempts to imitate a beautiful river and its surroundings by creating an
on-the-spot painting on it. Or a photographer takes a snapshot on the beautiful sunrise on the beach.

The Elements of an Artwork?

There are two elements of art: the subject, and the medium. The subject refers to the object, or the person
which is chosen by the artist as the theme or model of his work. For instance: a painter chooses a field of flowers, or
a child to be his model. On the other hand, the medium refers to the materials being used by the artist as he does his
work. For instance: a painter uses a canvass and oil paints as he paints the picture of the field of flowers, or the
picture of the child.
These two elements of an artwork allow a person to experience life, the world, and its beauty.

Various Forms of Artistic Expressions

Because it is human nature to create art, various forms of artistic expressions have been produced. These
include the following:
1. Picture – this is a two-dimensional image of various subjects ranging from real-life images to the
visually abstract. This may come in the forms of drawing, painting, printmaking, or photography. It may be created
using such media as chalk, charcoal, graphite, ink, oil paint, or watercolor. In contemporary times, artists employ
unusual media which include coffee, toddy (tuba), or chicken’s blood.
2. Sculpture – this is a three-dimensional artwork that may be created using stone, marble, wood, and
concrete.
3. Architecture – this refers to designing structures that meant to be used as shelters. It relies on the
design and purpose of the structure.
4. Music – this is the art form that appeals to the sense of hearing. Music is composed by combining notes
into harmony.
5. Literature – this is the art form of language through the combined use of words, creating meaning and
experience.
6. Theater – this is the art form of performance. Dramatic texts are portrayed on stage by actors and
actresses and are enhanced by props, lights, and sounds.
7. Cinema – this art form is a technological translation of theater. In films, special effects are utilized to
enhance the storytelling.
8. Dance – this is the art of the human form. The body is used, mobilized, and choreographed on a specific
time, form, and space.

Philippine Art as Filipino

Many scholars debate on the identity of art produced by Filipinos – whether or not they are genuinely
Filipino. This speculation of the “Filipino-ness” of works of Filipino artists is caused by our colonial history and
migrant reality. The influences of the Spaniards, Americans, and other Asian countries has become part of our
identity that is evident on our art: Spanish-inspired architecture, American-influenced poetry and music, and so
on. Globalization also shapes Philippine art. Filipinos have adapted to foreign culture.
Leo Benesa, a Filipino poet, essayist, and art critic has this to say about the characteristic of the Filipino
art: “The idea was that the depiction of scenes of everyday life and the surroundings without idealizing them was
closest in spirit to the Filipino soul and the native soil.”

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 Meaning: as long as the work shows the Filipino way of living (for example: spending a day in the market,
doing laundry in the river, or attending a town fiesta), it is “closest in spirit to the Filipino soul and the native soil”.
He added “…without idealizing them”, which he meant that the artwork should not be represented as perfect. Both
the subject and the medium of the artworks dictate the authenticity of the artworks produced by Filipino artists.
When a Filipino artist paints a farmer plowing the fields, or writes about a fisherman casting nets, the subject is
undeniably Filipino. But he has to keep in mind that the medium of expression should portray the subject as true to
what is in reality.
Still, some critics argue that the tradition where these works are coming from makes one to question
their authenticity as “Filipino”. For instance: the fact that our renowned painters have a Western tradition blemishes
the authenticity of their works as 100% Filipino; so with those works of Filipino writers in English. However, as
Filipinos have become masters of these traditions (such as the Western style in painting and the written works in
English), their artworks are considered “truly Filipino”.
With the advancement in information technology and communication, the Filipino art identity is
characterized as “constantly struggling and evolving”.

oOo

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