Senior High School

CONTEMPORARY
PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE
REGIONS

Quarter 2
Module 3

Public Art:
Art in Outdoor Space
MELC: critiques available materials and
appropriate techniques
 I. Objective/s:
Knowledge: differentiate among the types of public art
Skills: apply analysis of the major concepts of public art
in Visual art appreciation exercise
Values/Attitude: display critical thinking in analyzing an
installation art
II. Subject Matter: Public Art: Art in Outdoor Space
III. Reference/s: Ramirez, V. Contemporary Philippine Arts
from the Regions. pp. 22-25. Vibal, Philippines
IV. Procedure:
A. Readings.
Just like in installation art that is influenced by human
and social conditions, public art reflects life and its many aspects.
Typhoons, health problems, pollution, the rise of skyscrapers,
shanties of poor city dwellers, crime and other harsh realities of
modern life are depicted by contemporary artists in their art.
Public art showcase their art that reflect the economic boom. In
the recent years, we have seen the construction of numerous
commercial malls, parks, business centers, and industrial parks –
and these require contemporary art in small and large scale.
These changes have generated demand for public art. Public art
can be made of different kinds of materials and medium. They are
installed in public spaces in display. Places that are frequented by
people are the best spots for public art.
Public art has the capability “to engage audiences and
create spaces, whether material, virtual or imagined where people
can identify themselves by creating renewed reflection on
community, the uses of public space and our behavior within
them” (Sharp, et. al. in Guazon, 2013). They can be large enough
to call your attention to height, can enclose viewers, stimulate
interaction, or can project a historical event.
Types of Public Art
1. Community-based art refers to artistic activity based in
community setting. Works of this type can be of any medium,
such as found objects, objects from nature like logs, or leaves
that are found in the community, for as long as they engage
the members of the community in interaction or dialogue with
the artist.

Picture 1
2.Municipal art is typically in squares, plaza, or in front of
government buildings, law courts, airports, public museums, or
academic institutions. The purpose of this type of public art is to
instill patriotism and nationalism
among the community members. It also serves as a historical
landmark to educate the young and inform visitors and tourists.
National Artist for Sculpture, Eduardo Castrillo’s The Heritage of
Misamis Oriental Monument in Cagayan de Oro is an Example of
municipal art.

Picture 2

3.Land art includes monumental earthworks that interact with

nature and the environment. Reg Yuson’s artwork, Specific Gravity
is an awesome display of balance and engineering ingenuity. It is a
suspended boulder fountain that highlights the connection
between the audience as a mobile participant and their primordial
affinity to gravity – a seemingly weak though strong force which
defines the visible world as we know it.

Picture 3
4. Architectural art decorates the façade, orchard or enclosed
concrete structure where large number of people converge. It
forms part of an architectural structure or compound. In the case
of Seb Chua’s Eastwood Modern Heroes, it occupies the center
part of Eastwood City cyberpark and is surrounded by
skyscrapers that serve as residential units as well as BPO offices.

Picture 4

5. Commemorative monuments are sculptures, whether individual

or group of people who are honored for heroism or for
participation in historic events. An example of this is the People
Power Monument by Eduardo Castrillo, a group of sculpture
commemorating the People Power Revolution of 1986.There are
also public art monuments put up to commemorate events that
affect a large number of people in the country. For example, the
typhoon Ondoy that hit Manila in 2009 affected thousands and
left many families homeless. Angono artist Wire Tuazon, whose
house and art studio were affected by the heavy rains and flood,
made a commemorative public art entitled Amphibian.

Picture 5
6. Design-based public art is a decorative and is usually located in
parks or commercial centers. The design or theme matches the
buildings and its surroundings to achieve unity because the
artwork is viewed in relation to its natural and man-made
surroundings. Leo Gerardo Leonardo’s Balanghai is like a vessel
with masts and sails that represent Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao. It is a kinetic sculpture that moves with the wind when
it blows.

Picture 6

7. Campaign-inspired public art. This public art promotes an idea

by making visible reminders to the public. An example is the
Boysen KNOxOUT Project: EDSA series on the San Lorenzo Wall
between Ayala and Pasay Road, Makati by Jose Tence Ruiz

Picture 7

From top to bottom:

Picture 1. NCR. QUEZON CITY. Alma Quinto. Feb. 2015. C.P. Garcia Homes: Build at your Own Risk. University of the Philippines
Stud Farm. Photos by Bea Mariano.
Picture 2. REGION 10. CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY. Eduardo Castrillo. The Heritage of Misamis Oriental Monument. Brass Sheets
on concrete base 14x14m. base. Photos by Bett E. Ramirez.
Picture 3. NCR. TAGUIG. Reg Yuson. Specific Gravity. 2007. Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Makati, M. Manila. Courtesy of the
Artist.
Picture 4. NCR. QUEZON CITY. Seb Chua. 2013. Eastwood Modern Heroes. Cold cast bronze. 12ft. high. Collector: Andrew Tan.
Courtesy of the Artist. Photo by Jeri Barrios.
Picture 5. REGION 4A. ANGONO, RIZAL. Wire Tuazon. Amphibian. House on Tilts on dried-up river bed. Installation, wood,
recycled jute sacks, variable dimension. Courtesy of the Artist.
Picture 6. NCR. BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY. Leo Gerardo Leonardo. Balanghai. http://www.skyscrapercity.com
Picture 7. NCR. Jose Tence Ruiz. Boysen KNOxOUT Project. EDSA series. www.google.com
B. Exercise for skill subjects /Analysis questions using HOTS for
content subjects
Exercise 1. Direction: Complete the following sentences.

1. Public art takes it subject matter from the many aspects of

human life such as
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Public art is located in places where
_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________

Exercise 2. Direction: Answer briefly.

1. How does design-based public art differs from campaign-
inspired public art?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

2. “Amphibian” is an example of public art. Who is the artist?

From where does the artist came from? What does it imply to
society?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
 C. Assessment/Application
Direction: Analyze the installation art below.

NCR. TAGUIG. Reynato Paz Contreras. The Trees.

Texturized stainless steel. 8.5. BAFI collection, Bonifacio Global
City.Taguig, Philippines.

Title of Artwork:
Artist:
Medium/materials:
Quality: Description of the
form, materials and
technique
What type of public art is it?
Explain its characteristics
that qualifies it under such
type
Content: Social Context
Analysis of human and
social conditions that
shaped the thinking of the
artist and influenced
his/her style