NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Basic Education Department

CONTENT: Contemporary Art Forms

CONTENT STANDARDS: The learner demonstrates appreciation of contemporary art forms,

found in the various regions by understanding the elements and principles.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: The learner presents a form of integrated contemporary art

based on the region of his/her choice. (e.g. choreography, musical instrument, literary and
music composition, visual design, and/or theatrical performance).

LEARNING COMPETENCY: The learner describes various contemporary art forms and their
practices from the various regions.

MODULE 1: NATURE OF ARTS

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. define contemporary arts;
b. distinguish the principles of contemporary arts; and
c. identify the various contemporary art forms and their practices
from the various regions.

Introduction:
What are your thoughts about art? Have you experienced any exposure into arts? Sketch
any object that reminds you of the concept of arts and write an explanation of what you have
drawn:
Your Drawing: Your explanation:

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Contemporary Arts

A. Definition
The J. Paul Getty Museum defines contemporary art as "art made and produced
by artists living today. Today's artists work in and respond to a global environment that
is culturally diverse, technologically advancing, and multifaceted." With this definition,
you can picture the kind of art created by today's contemporary artists as art that has a
world view and is sensitive to the changing times. Contemporary art today is not restricted
to the individual experience of the artist but is reflective of the world that we live in.

B. Principles of Contemporary Arts

1. Appropriation
The use of prints, images, and icons to produce another art form is a feature of
contemporary art that combines the past with the present. By appropriation, the
contemporary artist revives interest to existing forms of art.

Examples:

2. Performance
Performance of contemporary artists has evolved to emphasize
spontaneous, unpredictable elements of chance," according to the Walker Art
Center. Performance artists have tried to interpret various human activities, from

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ordinary activities such as chores, routines, and rituals, to socially relevant themes
such as poverty, commercialism, and war.
Example:

Human Statues

3. Space
How art transforms a space is now an occupation of contemporary artists.
Have you encountered a flash mob or sculpture installations in malls and parks?
These are examples of site-specific art forms wherein the art form is performed
and positioned in specific spots, especially in public places.

Examples:

Cebu Dancing Inmates Street 3D Art

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4. Hybridity
Hybridity in contemporary art is the mixing of unlikely materials to produce
an artwork. Look at the following samples.

Examples:

Noodle Art Typewriter Art

5. Technology
Technology is a reality in the present-day world, and contemporary artists
have used technology in the creation and dissemination of works of art. When MTV
first went into the airwaves in 1981, video became part of the human interaction.
The video phenomenon was further pushed by the debut of YouTube that allowed
everyone with Internet connection to post and share videos. Contemporary artists
have used video and the Internet as a way of propagating art. Vlogs are the most
popular art form of this principle.

Checkpoint 1. Contemporary Art Application; Appropriation

Choose a painting (portraiture), or movie poster that you can download from
the internet. Applying the Appropriation principle of Contemporary Arts, edit the
portraiture by replacing the character's face with yours. You may use any editing app.

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Checkpoint 2. Contemporary Art Application; Hybridity

Coffee painting is another example of contemporary art employing the principle

of hybridity. Choose any subject and do a coffee painting.

Contemporary Philippine Arts

Philippine Contemporary Art Renowned art critic and Metropolitan Museum curator Dr.
Patrick Flores describes Philippine contemporary art with "The feeling (is) that all is possible
in the contemporary, conceived as a constantly extending and deepening constellation of art."
Contemporary art then permits possibilities of exploring either subject or medium in art to
express the Filipino sense of self. At present, Filipinos are becoming express themselves and
create wonderful artworks that try to capture the Filipino way of life.
Contemporary art allows Filipino artists more and more aggressive as they use the
arts to portray the subject and the medium in innovative and skillful ways, reflecting Filipino
identity.

1. Visual Arts
The new breed of contemporary Filipino visual artists is becoming
bold regarding the expression of personal feelings and perspectives. The
influence of radical and modern art movements in Europe and the Americas
have penetrated the Philippine arts scene with the proliferation of
installation and experimental art. The institutionalization of museums and
galleries have also revitalized the Philippine art scene.
Annual art competitions also play an important role in encouraging
emerging artists to create and produce their works. The Pilipinas Shell
Foundation, Inc. has been recognizing young talents in the visual arts for
almost half a century. Some past winners of this competition who became
National Artists include Jose Joya, Benedicto "Bencab"Cabrera, and Ang
Kiukok. Some notable works of art from this competition are Child
Trafficking by Leomar C. Conejos, Juan's Struggle sa Mundong Nobody's
Perfect by Ferd Angelo A. Failano, Tragic Bangus by Rene S. Sibulangcal
(digital art), and Bandilang Di Tumutumba by Melvin G. Anglaser. These
works of art are reflection of social and environmental issues.

a. Ronald Ventura - a contemporary Filipino artist known for his

dynamic melding of realism, cartoons, and graffiti. Portraying
scenes of chaotic disarray, Ventura culls from science fiction,
Western history, Asian mythology, Catholicism, and popular comic
book characters, in producing his work.

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Waves, 2019

b. Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan – (both from Ballesteros, Cagayan and

now living in Brisbane) have been working together as a team for
quite some time. After relocating their center of activity from the
Philippines to Australia in 2006, expressions of their own identity
and "habitat" have become important themes.

Transformers IV (Bartolina), 2010 Last Flight II, 2009

Stainless steel, jeep parts and LED lights Recycled flip flops, fiberglass structure

c. Elmer Misa Borlongan (born January 7, 1967) is a prominent

contemporary Filipino painter best known for his distinctive use of
figurative expressionism. He rose to prominence as a recipient of
the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Thirteen Artist Awards in
1994, and his works have since become one of the most widely

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exhibited and most sought-after at auctions among Southeast Asian

artists.

Father and Son 3 Pop Cola Kid

2. Architecture
A new form of Philippine architecture emerged with the
Filipiniozation of architecture. The Filipino style found its way in the
reemergence of traditional motifs, the bahay kubo and the bahay na
bato became popular forms to be copied and modernized such as the
batasang pambansa and the national theatre.
a. Ildefonso Santos - Is the father of philippine landscape
architecture. In 1967, he designed the pedestrian walkways
that incorporated local plants and trees, fountains, and benches
for the makati commercial center. He also designed the "garden
for the blind" in luneta park in 1969. He was also the creative
mind behind the design of paco park, and tagaytay highland
resort. He became a national artist for architecture in 2006.

3. Literature
Eminent scholar and writer Roland Tolentino describes that the
Filipino writing in today's world contains the diasporic experience and the
incorporation of both the rural and the urban experience. Writers have also
explored the western genre and have produced legitimate texts on prose
poetry, flash fiction, magic realism, and science fiction.
Distinguished writers and editors have gathered anthologies to
collect into volumes the newest and most innovative works of Filipinos
today.

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a. Dean Francis Alfar, an award-winning writer, pioneered the

speculative fiction movement and has been publishing the
Philippine Speculative Fiction series. Flash fiction, with stories
of 1 000 words or less, has been gaining interest amongst
writers, such as the publication of Vince Groyon's Very Short
Stories for Harried Readers and Anvil Publishing's Fast Food
Fiction Delivery.
b. Miguel Syjuco bagged the Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel
Ilustrado
c. Marivi Soliven published her novel The Mango Bride in 2013
under Penguin Books.
d. Sophia Lee won the 2014 Scholastic Asian Book Award for her
novel What Things Mean.

Various literary forms became popular in the Philippine

contemporary times. With influence of literary forms from the different
parts of the world, Filipinos also engrossed themselves into these but not
limited to:
a. Blog - a regularly updated website or web page, typically one
run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal
or conversational style.
b. Twitterature – fiction and nonfiction texts in Twitter maximizing
the 280 characters.
c. Wattpad

4. Music
With modernization, OPM or Original Pinoy Music also evolved
varying from its types such as R&B, soul, pop, ballads among others. Moira
dela Torre, KZ Tandingan, Morissette Amon, Inigo Pascual, Zephanie
Dimaranan etc. are some of the famous artists of today whose songs
became music staple of all ages.

5. Theater
Contemporary Philippine theater is still alive despite the dominance of
television, movies, and the Internet. There are multiple stage productions
from university-based theater groups to major theater companies.

a. Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)

was founded in 1967 by Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, advocates the use
of Filipino theater in inspiring change and development in society, PETA
is composed of dedicated "artists-teacher-cultural workers" who strive
for artistic excellence. PETA volunteers work to promote the
transformative power of theater through its production of performances
and workshops. PETA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017.

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b. Tanghalang Pilipino
Established in 1987, Tanghalang Pilipino is the resident drama
company of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). With its 15 seasons
and 114 productions, it is the most attended among the CCP's resident
companies. Distinct in its offering is its challenge to the commitment of the
Filipino to justice, truth, and patriotism. Tanghalang Pilipino continues to
push Philippine theater to artistic and professional excellence through the
development and education of actors, writers, directors, and technical
staff.

c. Other Theater Groups

There are still more theater companies in the Philippines. These
include the Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Ballet Philippines, and private
companies such as 9Works Theatrical, Atlantis Productions, Repertory
Philippines, and Concertus Manila Universities have their own theatre
companies such as Dulaang UP (UP Diliman), Ateneo Blue Repertory
(ADMU), and Teatro Tomasino (UST).

d. Virgin Labfest
Created in 2004, Virgin Labfest is a playwright's festival of untried,
untested, and unpublished plays. This project is a collaboration of the
National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino,
and the Manila-based playwright's group The Writer's Block. Many of the
plays staged in Virgin Labfest become repeat productions and some even
become award winners.

6. Dance
Philippine dance has played a tremendous role in Filipino culture.
From one of the oldest dated dances called the Tinikling, to other folkloric
dances such as the Pandanggo, Cariñosa, and Subli, and even to more
modern-day dances like the ballet, it is no doubt that dance in the Philippine
setting has integrated itself in society over the course of many years and
is significantly imbedded in culture. Each of these dances originated in a
unique way and serve a certain purpose, showcasing how diverse Philippine
dances are.
a. While her father was touted “Mr. Philippine Folk Dancer” during his time,
newly-named National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes has successfully
continued his legacy to develop and promote dance arts nationwide, and
even pioneered contemporary dance in the Philippines.

7. Film
The Philippines’ current wave of sustained creativity is unusual in
its diversity of genre and style, audacious formal experimentation, and
multiplicity of personal, social, and political perspectives. Defying simple
description, this dizzying array of distinct cinematic statements makes it an
exceptionally unique, vibrant movement.

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o First Four Philippine Film Awards

• FAMAS Awards (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences)
• Gawad Urian (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino or Filipino Film
Critics)
• Luna Awards (Film Academy of the Philippines)
• Star Award for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club)
o Consistently Held Filipino Film Festivals
• Metro Manila Film Festival (held every December 25 to January 7 in
all cinemas nationwide since 1975)
• Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival (held at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines, select Ayala Malls theaters and
Vista Mall cinemas every July or August since 2005)
• Cinema One Originals (held at select malls in Metro Manila and Cebu
every October or November since 2005)
• QCinema International Film Festival (held at select theaters in
Quezon City every October since 2013)
• Sinag Maynila Film Festival (held in select theaters in Metro Manila
every March or April since 2015)
• Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (held every August or September in all
cinemas nationwide since 2017)

Job well done, Northwesternian!

Credits to:
Mr. Johnny R. Pagaduan
Mr. Jerick T. Guiang
Resources:
Reference Book:
Mendez, Mario Jr. (2016). Philippine Contemporary Arts from the Regions. DIWA Learning
Systems Inc.
Online resources:
https://www.coursehero.com/file/66952973/421974623-7-Major-Art-Forms-Visual-
Artspptx/
http://www.aenet.org/family/filmhistory.htm
http://gwhs-stg02.i.gov.ph/~s2govnccaph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-post-war-and-contemporary-period/

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Category 4 3 2 1

Design/ Student applies Student applies Student tries to apply The student does not
Composition design principles (such design principles (such design principles (such appear to be able to
as unity, contrast, as unity, contrast, as unity, contrast, apply most design
balance, movement, balance, movement, balance, movement, principles to his/her own
direction, emphasis, and direction, emphasis, and direction, emphasis, and work.
center of interest) with center of interest) with center of interest) but
great skill. fair skill. the overall result is not
with skill.
Color Choices Choice and Choice and Choice and Student needs to
application of color application of color show application of color work on learning color
shows an advanced knowledge of color shows knowledge of relationships and using
knowledge of color relationships. Colors are color relationships. that knowledge in
relationships. Color appropriate for the idea Colors are, however, his/her work.
choice enhances the idea being expressed. NOT appropriate for the
being expressed. idea being expressed.
Use of Materials Student typically Student typically Student adequately Student deliberately
keeps painting materials adequately cleans cleans and takes care of misuses materials
and area clean and materials and work area materials if reminded. AND/OR does not
protected without at the end of the session Occasional spills and adequately clean
reminders. The student without reminder, but messy work area may be materials or area when
shows great respect for the area may be messy seen. Shows some reminded.
the materials. during the work. respect for materials. Shows little respect for
materials.
Time/Effort Class time was used Class time was used Class time was not Class time was not
wisely. Much time and wisely. Student could always used wisely, but used wisely and the
effort went into the have put in more time student did do some student put in no
planning and design of and effort at home. additional work at home. additional effort.
the task. It is clear the
student worked at home
as well as at school.
Planning and Student can describe Student can Student can describe Student has thought
Explanation in detail at any point somewhat describe how how s/he envisions the very little about the
during the painting s/he envisions the final final product but finds it project. Is present but is
process how s/he product and can describe difficult to describe how not invested in the
envisions the final some of the steps s/he s/he will reach that goal. product.
product and how they will use to reach the Has set a goal, but let’s
intend to reach their goal. Focused some. things evolve.
goal. Very focused.
Drawing Drawing is expressive Drawing expressive Drawing has few The drawing lacks
and detailed. Shapes, and somewhat detailed. details. It is primarily almost all detail OR it is
patterns, shading and/or Little use has been made representational with unclear what the
texture are used to add of pattern, shading, or very little use of pattern, drawing is intended to be
interest to the painting. texture. Student has shading or texture. student needs to work on
Student has great control basics, but had not Student needs to control.
and is able to “branch” “branched” out. improve control.
out.

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