CHAPTER 1

Art and Nature of Art

To appreciate art is to understand and be knowledgeable of the universal and timeless

qualities of all great art. The more you appreciate and understand arts in general, the
better you can develop your own artwork.

Philippine Pottery Group of girls dancing the Tinikling © U.S.

http://www.hadrianmendozapottery.com/philippines Air Force/Senior Airman Nestor Cruz/
WikiCommons.
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/
tinikling-the-national-dance-of-the-philippines-with-
bamboo-poles/

At 103, Whang-Od is the oldest living Kalinga Mambabatok Photo by Erron Ocampo.
https://travelnow.onemega.com/whang-od-batok-and-the-buscalan-experience/

1
Lesson 1 THE NATURE AND THEORIES OF ART

WHAT IS ART?
Art comes from the Latin word “ars” meaning ability or skill. It covers those areas of
artistic creativity that seek to communicate beauty primarily through the senses.
The quality, production, or expression of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more
than ordinary significance is a Work of art and equivalent to saying that it is also a.
visual expression of an idea. Art applies to such activities that express aesthetic ideas by
the use of skill and imagination in the creation of objects, environment and experiences,
which can be shared with others. Art implies anything accomplished with great skill.

ARTS

“Art is to evoke in oneself a feeling one

“We can also say that we are involved in
has experienced and having evoked it in
art when we compose a melody, sing songs
oneself, then by means of movements, lines,
beautifully and dance gracefully: there is the
colors, sounds, or forms expressed in words,
art of dressing of relaxing, art of cooking and
so to transmit that feeling that others may
in almost all-human activities.”
experience the same feeling.”
– Estolas
– Leo Tolstoy

History of Arts in the Philippines

The art of the Philippines refers to the works of art that have developed and
accumulated in the Philippines from the beginning of civilization in the country up to
the present era. Philippine art reflects to its society and non-Filipinos the wide range
of cultural influences on the country’s culture and how these influences honed the
country’s arts. . In the 1920s, Fernando Amorsolo and his constituents established the
Amorsolo School of painting. Its influence would continue to grow for decades, where
their work became widely known.
Their works were not only seen as paintings, but were widely reproduced in calendars,
cards, illustrations for books, publications, and corporate advertisements. In sculpture,
Guillermo Tolentino was trained in the academy in Rome. He became the proponent of
classical sculpture in the Philippines, as seen in his public monuments and statues. The
art of the Philippines can be divided into two: Traditional Arts and Non-Traditional Arts.
1. Traditional Art. Bearers of traditional arts can be nominated as Gawad Manlilikha ng
Bayan (GAMABA), equal to National Artist. Forms of this art are: folk architecture,
weaving, carving, folk performing arts, folk graphic arts, and folk oral literature.
2. Non-Traditional Arts. Bearers non-traditional arts can be nominated as National
Artist, equal to Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan. Forms of this art are: dance, music,
theatre, visual arts, literature, film and broadcast art, architecture and design.

2
THE THEORIES OF ART
The theory of art contrasts with the definition of art. Traditionally, definitions include
fundamental, adequate, and single counterexample that overthrows such definition. On
the other hand, theorizing about art is similar to a theory of natural phenomenon like
gravity. As a matter fact, the main purpose of a theory of art is to treat art like other
natural phenomenon that needs to be investigated. Also, the theory of art employs with
the concept of art and the reasons will be discussed below.
Seeking a theory is better than seeking a definition because human minds cannot
find definitions without counterexamples. A definition assumes that there are concepts,
in something along Platonic lines, and a definition is an attempt to discover and extract
the essence of the concept. Also, it assumes that human intellect can access these
concepts. In contrast, a conception is an attempt to understand the assumed essence
while nobody has really access to the concept. A theory of art presumes that people have
different conceptions of this unattainable art concept, thus humans must resort to
worldly investigation.
1. Expressionism Art. It is a term used to describe
works of art in which the representation of
reality is distorted to communicate an inner
vision. Expressionism was an art movement
and international tendency at the beginning
of the 20th century, which spanned the visual
arts, literature, music, theatre and architecture.
The aim of artists was to express emotional
experiences, rather than physical reality.
Expressionism as a theory of art started in 1905, and
lasted till approximately 1920.
The expressionist artworks in early
twentieth century were often based on the Edvard Munch. The Scream
artist’s inner feelings, which involved highly https://www.theartstory.org/
movement/expressionism/artworks/
intense color and non-naturalistic brushwork.
A good example for this is the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, who was a key
forerunner of the Expressionism movement.
2. Distortion Art. In the art world, a distortion art is any change made by an artist to
the size, shape or visual character of a form to express an idea, convey a feeling or
enhance visual impact. Exaggerating, twisting, and elongating forms are used to
emphasize an intense feeling to do this.
Le Reve “The Dream” in French word is Pablo Picasso’s most famous, expensive
and also controversial painting of all time. The highly contrasting colors and the overly
simplified depiction of Picasso’s period of distorted depictions. He had various periods
of different types of depictions in his art during his time. This style is said to be near the
style of Fauvism, which also used contrasting colors.
3
 Pablo Picasso is one of the great contributors
of distorted artworks. He is very famous for his
paintings of distorted faces. However, many
people don’t realize that he is a genius artist who
created 1,800 paintings all through his lifetime.
In fact, he constantly changed his painting style
throughout his career, including realism. At the
age of 14, Picasso painted “The Old Fisherman”
(1895), and this justifies the depth and breadth
of his ingenuity.
3. Formalism Art. Formalism is an approach used
by art critics to examine and evaluate works of Le Reve by Pablo Picasso
art. It is basically one of the oldest methods to https://d1dzh206jt2san.cloudfront.
evaluate art. This approach is the basis of art net/posts-images/743X483/461_151
3158844MSt9T.jpg
criticism that is why artist are driven to learn
and improve their natural skills.
Formalism emphasizes compositional elements
such as color, line shape, and texture. This
theory of art describes the critical position that
the most important aspect of a work of art is its
form–the way it is made and it’s purely visual
aspects–rather than its narrative content or
its relationship to the visible world. In painting
therefore, a formalist critic would focus exclusively
on the qualities of color, brushwork, form, line
and composition. In formalistic approach, an
artist analyzed the form and style of an artwork.
The Gardener Vallier by Paul
The meaning of an artwork is not emphasized
Cézanne
here, but rather the elements of arts such as line https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-
and color are given importance. At some point, terms/f/formalism
the artwork is given secondary characteristic completely out of consequence. The
assessment of an artwork is purely dependent on the artists’ skill and not on the
subject matter, with the value based primarily on the elements of arts with little
regard for the viewer’s context perception.

4
4. Realism. Artists in Europe adopted realism as a
new style of art in the middle of the 19th century.
This art movement transformed the western
art world because of its unprecedented attention
to everyday subject matter. Realism actually
emerged in France in the 1850s. The establishment
of the “right to work” event in 1848 revolution in
the country had made worthy artistic subjects
such as the idea of average, working class people,
The Stone Breakers by Gustave
contemporary settings, and day-to-day scenes. Courbet,
The function of the artist is to illustrate as https://www.gustave-courbet.com/
accurately and honestly as possible what he the-stonebreakers.jsp

observed through his senses.

5. Abstraction. Abstract art does not attempt to
represent an accurate depiction of a visual
reality but instead use shapes, colours, forms and
gestural marks to achieve its effect. It can be in a
simplified or schematized forms based on object,
figure, or landscape. It is also applied to artworks
using forms like geometric shapes, which does not
have source in an external visual reality. Concrete
art or non-objective art are the preferred terms of
pure abstract artists. However, the word abstract Cossacks by Wassily Kandinsky,
Tate Gallery
is widely used and the difference between the two https://www.tate.org.uk/
is not obvious. art/artworks/kandinsky-
cossacks-n04948

5
Lesson 2 BASIC ELEMENTS OF ARTS

The elements of art are components or parts work of art that can be isolated and
defined. They are the building blocks used to create an art.

Thought Co by Marina Li
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-the-elements-of-art-182704

Line
Line is a mark with length and direction. It is a continuous mark made by a moving
point. Since it is one-dimensional, it varies in width, direction, and length. Oftentimes,
lines define the edges of a form. Also, a line can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal,
straight or curved, thick or thin, and it shows different meanings, feelings, and emotions.

Kinds of Line
1. Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest or repose because objects parallel to the
earth are at rest. In this landscape, horizontal lines also help give a sense of
space.

https://yourartpath.com/types-of-line-in-art-meaning

9
 2. Vertical lines often communicate a sense of height because they are perpendicular
to the earth, extending upwards toward the sky.

https://yourartpath.com/types-of-line-in-art-meaning

3. Zigzag lines convey action and excitement, as well as restlessness and anxiety.

https://yourartpath.com/types-of-line-in-art-meaning

4. Curve lines convey energy. Soft, shallow curves recall the curves of the human
body and often have a pleasing, sensual quality and a softening effect on the
composition.

https://yourartpath.com/types-of-line-in-art-meaning

10
Shape and Form
Shape and form define objects in space. Shapes have two dimensions–height and
width–and are usually defined by lines. Forms exist in three dimensions, with height,
width, and depth.
Shape has only height and width. Shape is usually, though not always, defined by
line, which can provide its contour.

The Blue Fan by Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, 1922

https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/54738/blue-fan

Form has depth as well as width and height. Three-dimensional form is the basis of
sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts.

Paul’s Turn by Anthony Caro 1971 (cor-ten steel)

https://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/visual-elements/shape.html

11
Space
In a work of art, space refers to a
feeling of depth or three dimensions. It
can also refer to the artist’s use of the
area within the picture plane. The area
around the primary objects in a work
of art is known as negative space, while
the space occupied by the primary
objects is known as positive space. The
relationship of positive to negative space Morris Louis’s acrylic painting Alpha-Phi, 1961.
Tate Gallery, London
can greatly affect the impact of a work https://www.britannica.com/art/painting/Texture
of art.
The perfect illusion of three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional work of art is
something that many artists, such as Pieter Saenredam, labored to achieve.

Color
Colors can be described as warm (red, yellow) or cool (blue, gray), depending on
which end of the color spectrum they fall. It consists of intensity (brightness) and value
(lightness or darkness). Value is used by an artist to create different moods. For example,
dark colors are used in a composition to convey a sense of mystery or foreboding. Light
colors are often used to describe a light source within the composition, which conveys
a sense of hope or possibilities. On the other hand, intensity describes the purity or
strength of a color. Since bright colors are undiluted, it is often associated with positive
energy and heightened emotions. While dull colors are diluted and it is often associated
with sedate or serious mood.

Introduction to the Color Wheel

The Color Wheel, which was developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, is the basis for all
color theory. The 12 basic colors are called hues.

The Color Wheel

https://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-theory-intro.htm#:~:text=your%20base%20color.-
,Primary%2C%20Secondary%20and%20Tertiary%20Colors,mixing%20primary%20and%20secondary%20
colors.
12
Texture
Texture is the surface quality or feel of an object, its smoothness, roughness, softness,
etc. Textures may be actual or implied. Also, an artist can present visual textures in two
dimensions. The visual sense in a two-dimensional artwork is depicted as if it would
feel like real if touched. On the other hand, the tactile quality of the artist’s three-
dimensional work is actual, thus making its texture real.

Texture Depicted in Two-Dimensions

Artists use color, line, and shading to imply textures.

Detail of Bouquet of Flowers in an Urn, 1724 by Jan Van Huysum

https://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/visual-elements/texture.html

13
CHAPTER 2

Basic Principles, Subjects,

and Methods of Arts

Lesson 1 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ARTS

The elements of visual arts are considered to be the ingredients of arts. These elements
are organized using various tools to make an art, which are called the principles of arts.
Through these principles, the artist creates more beautiful and harmonious colors and
more beautiful combinations of shapes, texture and lines.
Historically, the construction of art science through the study of style development
was a revolutionary attempt of the principles of arts. Its first publication in 1915 made a
foundational work in formalist art history. In fact, the compelling artwork descriptions
made it systematic, subjective, and remarkable. The text became accessible as an
approach to the study of style. However, the principles of arts have been a subject to
theoretical and methodological debates of art discipline in global settings.

Balance
Elements are arranged to create a feeling of stability in work. It is the principle of art
concerned with arranging elements so no one part of a work overpowers, or heavier than
any other part. Balance principle is either seen or felt by the viewer.

https://www.idashboards.com/blog/2017/07/26/data-visualization-and-the-9-fundamental-design-principles/

19
 18
Balance Principle in Arts has Two Kinds
balance isINalso
Formal PRINCIPLE
BALANCE ARTSknown
HAS TWO asKINDS
symmetrical balance. It means two halves are
mirror image. It is achieved by arranging elements on either side of the center of a
A. Formal balance
composition is also known
in an equally as symmetrical
weighted manner. It balance. It means of
can be thought twoas halves
50/50are mirroror
balance
image. It is achieved by arranging elements on either side of the center of a composition in
like a an
mirror
equallyimage.
weighted manner. It can be thought of as 50/50 balance or like a mirror image.

Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Last-Supper-fresco-by-Leonardo-da-Vinci
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Last-Supper-fresco-by-Leonardo-da-Vinci

Informalbalance
B.Informal balanceisisalso
also known
known as
asasymmetrical
asymmetricalbalance. It means
balance. two unlike
It means elements
two unlike elements
seem to carry equal weight. When one side of a composition does not reflect the design of
seem to carry equal weight. When one side of a composition does not reflect the design
the other.
of the other.

Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-to-see-the-10-most-famous-painting-of-the-world.html
Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-to-see-the-10-most-famous-painting-of-the-world.html

20
Variety
This is a principle of design concerned with diversity. Variety is achieved by using
different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art. Movement is a principle of design
used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the
work of art.

Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-to-see-the-10-most-famous-painting-of-the-world.html

Harmony
This is a principle of arts that shows the quality of how the visual elements are
working together in a composition. It is achieved when all elements have unity and
cohesion, giving a sense of completion to an artwork.

Opulent October by Tom Thomson, Winter, 1915

https://drawpaintacademy.com/variety/

The dull and blue tones used in the painting are united. Even the orange guitar looks
like it is bathed in soft, blue light.

21
Emphasis
This is a principle of art defined as the focal point of an image, when one area or
thing stands out the most. In order to bring attention to the focal point, subordination
is done by minimizing or toning down other compositional elements.

The Shootings of May Third by Francisco Goya 1808

https://artclasscurator.com/artworks-that-show-emphasis/

Proportion
This is a principle of art concerned with the relationship of one part to another and to
the whole. It refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The
issue is the relationship between objects, or parts, of a whole. In art the size relationship
between an object and the human body is significant. In experiencing the scale of
an artwork we tend to compare its size to the size of our own bodies. Proportion refers
to the relative size of parts of a whole (elements within an object).

The Proportions of the Human Figure (after Vitruvius) by Leonardo Da Vinci, c.1492
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zxpnb82/revision/1#:~:text=Proportion%20refers%20to%20the%20
dimensions,design%20relate%20to%20each%20other.

22
Rhythm
This is a principle of art that suggests movement or action. Rhythm is usually
achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colours, and more. Rhythm is a little of
both pattern and repetition, yet the rhythm can vary. The slight differences in a pattern
create rhythm and the repetition of elements of art. The rhythm of a piece of art can be
controlled by everything from colour and value to line and shape.

The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh 1889. Oil on canvas

https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/vincent-van-gogh-the-starry-night-1889/

Unity
Unity in art (also called harmony) is when all the elements and principles work
together to create a pleasing image. In other words, it is the oneness of an artwork. This
principle of art is used by artists to tie a composition together and achieve a sense of
wholeness in a piece of art.

Young Woman with a Water Pitcher by Johannes Vermeer Dutch 1662

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437881

23
Contrast
This is a principle of art that refers to the difference between two things to create
interest and tension.

Juan-Les-Pins by Claude Monet,

https://drawpaintacademy.com/contrast/

24
Lesson 2 THE SUBJECTS
AND METHODS OF PRESENTING THE ARTS

SUBJECT OF ART
It refers to the main idea that is represented in the artwork. The subject in art is
basically the essence of the piece. It answers the following questions: What is actually
depicted in this artwork? What is the artist trying to express to the world? What is his
or her message? How are they conveying that message?

Landscapes, Seascapes and Cityscapes

Landscapes are a genre of art that captures scenic view. A cityscape is a work that
showcases aspects of cities. Seascapes refer to art works that depict the sea.

Scene on a Navigable River by John Constable Flatford Mill

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/l/landscape

Animals
Along with the human form, animals were subjects of the earliest art ever created.
For prehistoric artists, beasts represented food but were also sacred, spiritual beings.
Animals remained a vital component of all art in all cultures.

Lascaux by Bull, Cave art

https://www.widewalls.ch/famous-animal-paintings/

27
Human Figures, Portraits, and Couples
In aesthetics, the human figure or human form in art, sculpture and other art forms
involves a study and appreciation of the beauty of the human body in its depiction or
presentation. Kant refers to the human figure as the ideal of beauty. His ideal of human
beauty implies that a person’s face can be beautiful only if its form is consistent with
what nature intends in the human face.

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-to-see-the-10-most-famous-painting-of-the-world.html

Everyday Life or Genre

Painting of scenes from everyday life, of ordinary people at work or recreation,
depicted in a generally realistic manner.

The Fruit Gatherer by Fernando Amorsolo

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-10-most-famous-filipino-artists-and-their-
masterworks/

28
Still Life
A painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects, typically including fruit and
flowers and objects contrasting with these in texture, such as bowls and glassware.

Still Life with Flowers by Oosterwyck Maria van

https://www.britannica.com/art/still-life-painting

Image of Divinity
This is any artwork that has a Christian or Biblical theme.

Pieta by Michelangelo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piet%C3%A0

29
Narration and Historical
It depicts a moment in a narrative story.

Spoliarium by Juan Luna

https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/Spoliarium.html

METHODS OF PRESENTING THE ART

In presenting anything, certain methods are employed in order to be effective.
Likewise, in presenting the art subjects, the artist uses different methods to express the
idea he wants to make clear.

Realism
It is the attempt to portray the subject as is. The artist selects, changes, and arranges
details to express the idea he wants to make clear. The artist main function is to describe
accurately what is observed through the senses.

Realistic Painting of Cristiano Ronaldo

https://youtu.be/k1vpyFzet2A

30
Abstract
It means to move away or separate. The art work is not realistic.
1. Distortion. A kind of abstract method where the subject is in misshaped condition.

The Air of September by Jeffrey Hessing

http://painterskeys.com/distortion/

2. Cubism. Subjects are shown in basic geometrical shapes.

Colonial Cubism by Stuart Davis

https://www.nga.gov/audio-video/audio/stuart-davis-in-full-swing/stuart-davis-061-16.html

3. Mangling. Subjects are cut, lacerated, mutilated or hacked.

Mangling Art by Han Xiao

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/145663369173629085/

31
 4. Elongation. The subject is lengthened for protraction or extension.

Ego-Alter Ego by Akzhana Abdalieva

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/448530444113112015/

Symbolism
The presentation of an invisible sign such as an idea or a quality into something
visible.

Still Life: An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life by Harmen Steenwyck, 1640
https://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/still_life/harmen_steenwyck.htm

Fauvism
It is an art movement of the 1900s by Henri Matisse, Andre Derain, Raoul Dufy,
and George Rouault. Fauve artists used pure, brilliant color aggressively applied straight
from the paint tubes to create a sense of an explosion on the canvas.

The Green Line: Portrait of Madame Matisse by Matisse Henri

https://www.britannica.com/art/Fauvism

32
Dadaism
A protest movement formed in 1916 by a group of artist in Zurich, Switzerland. They
try to provoke the public with outrageous forms of arts. It came from the French word
“dada” meaning “hobby horse”.

Murdering Airplane by Max Ernst 1920

https://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/dadaism.htm

Futurism
This work aims to capture the speed and force of modern industrial society and to
glorify the mechanical energy of modern life.

Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash by Giacomo Balla, 1912

https://www.britannica.com/art/Futurism

Surrealism
Surrealism came from the slang of super realism. It is founded by French poet Andre
Breton in 1924. It tries to represent fantastic and unnatural themes of higher reality. It
aims to create a magical world more beautiful than the real one through art.

Bird`s Cocktail by Gennady Privedentsev

https://sur-real-is-it-blog-blog.tumblr.com/post/15664597489/gennady-privedentsev-birds-cocktail-and-an
33
Expressionism
It can be described as pathos, morbidity, violence or chaos, and tragedy

The Scream by Edvard Munch

https://www.theartstory.org/movement/expressionism/artworks/

34
CHAPTER 3

The Visual and Plastic Arts

Lesson 1 THE DIFFERENT MEDIUMS OF PAINTING

WHAT IS PAINTING?
Painting is the creation of a two-dimensional visual language with certain aesthetic
qualities, which expresses ideas and emotions. The elements of art such as shapes,
lines, colors, tones, and textures are used in different ways to produce sensations of
volume, space, movement, and light on a flat surface. These elements are organized into
expressive style to represent realistic or supernatural subjects, unravel historical or
narrative themes, or make entirely unique visual relationships.
The following are the different mediums of painting:
1. Oil Painting. This is done with the use of ground pigments (from minerals, coal
tar, vegetable matter, etc.) Oil paintings are long-lasting, slow in drying, easy to
handle. Oil painting creates luminous colors and blends well with surrounding
paints however it is hard to move to the next stage in painting because of slow
drying.

Fishermen by Ang Kiukok

Ang Kiukok’s work combined the hope and struggle of fishermen working together for their
haul, the crimson sun hovering above them, representing perpetual energy.
https://www.spot.ph/arts-culture/63814/10-expensive-filipino-paintings

39
 2. Fresco (Italian for Fresh). A method of painting water-based pigments on freshly
applied plaster, usually on wall surfaces. The colors, which are made by grinding
dry-powder pigments in pure water, dry and set with the plaster to become a
permanent part of the wall. The Fresco paintings are durable. It is quick to dry.
Fresco paintings are not movable because they are permanently attached to the
walls; and fresco paintings are subject to loss in the event that the walls are
destroyed.
Two kinds of Fresco:
a. When the plaster is wet, it is described as buon fresco or true fresco.
b. When the plaster is dry, it is described as fresco secco or dry fresco.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Last-Supper-fresco-by-Leonardo-da-Vinci

3. Water Color. It is one of the most popular painting mediums for fine artwork.
Water color is done with the use of pigments mixed with water and applied to
fine white paper. Liquid colors are more suitable for mixing larger amounts of
paint. Watercolors dry quickly which can be both an advantage and disadvantage.

Watercolor Painting Balut Vendors by Vicente Manansala

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/355502964311051509/

40
4. Tempera. Its name stems from the Latin word temperare, meaning to mix in
proportion. A tempera painting is done with the use of ground pigments mixed
with an albuminous or colloidal vehicle (egg yolk, gum, glue, or casein). Unlike
oil paint, tempera cannot be applied to thickly, and thus lack the deep coloration
of oil. Tempera paintings are very long lasting and colors do not deteriorate
overtime.

Master of the Codex of Saint George: The Crucifixion

https://www.britannica.com/art/tempera-painting

5. Pastel. Pastel painting is done with the use of pastel colors closely resembling
dry pigments bound to form crayons, which are directly applied to the surface. It
brings vibrant and lively color. However, the color may get dirty sometimes and
the work is fragile.

Self-Portrait by William Merritt Chase, ca. 1884

https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-history/pastel-drawings-famous-artists-time/

41
 6. Acrylic. Acrylic painting is done with the use synthetic paints called acrylics
mixed with a vehicle capable of being thinned with water. Wet paint can be
cleaned off using just soap and water. As compared to other synthetics, acrylics
are less strong and are not resistant to matting.

Waterfront by Hanna MacNaughtan, acrylic on canvas

https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/acrylic/25-acrylic-paintings-25-top-artists/

7. Encaustic. Encaustic painting is done with the use of hot wax as a vehicle to
bind pigments to a wooden panel or a wall. It has a range of textural and color
advantages that makes it an excellent alternative to oil painting. Encaustic
painting needs to be kept in molten state to maintain its good quality.

Fayum Funerary Portraits: Man with a beard, 2nd century, Part of the Myers Collection, Eton
College, Windsor; Portrait of the Boy Eutyches AD 100-150, The Met Museum; A portrait from
the late 1st century CE. Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/
encaustic-ancient-painting-technique

42
Lesson 2 ARCHITECTURE

WHAT IS ARCHITECTURE?
It is the art of designing structures. Architecture comes from the Latin term,
architectura and ultimately from Greek, architekton meaning chief, builder, carpenter, and
mason.

Roles of the Architect

Fletcher gives a definite definition of the role of the architect: construction,
articulation, and aesthetics.

Theory of Architecture
The theory of Architecture was the accepted translation of Latin term ratiocinatio
as used by Vitruvius, a Roman architect-engineer of the 1st century CE. This was
acknowledged to distinguish theoretical from practical knowledge in architectural
education.
1. Durability (firmitas). It should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.
2. Utility (utilitas). It should be useful and function well for the people using it.
3. Beauty (venustas). It should delight people, and raise their spirits.

BRIEF HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

1. Greek Architecture. Architectural structures during this period are best seen on a
hill, the “Acropolis.”
Three Orders of Columns of Greek Architecture
a. Doric. No base, simple capital and grooved shaft.
b. Ionic. With base, scrolled capital and grooved shaft.
c. Corinthian. With base, acanthus-leaf and fluted shaft.

Doric Ionic Corinthian

45
 Greek Orders by Pearson Scott Foresman
https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece/architecture.php#:~:text=Greek%20Columns,down%20
the%20sides%20called%20fluting.

2. Roman Architecture. First to use bricks and cement can be seen in their public
buildings: Coliseum, basilicas (Pantheon), arches, aqueducts (Nimes), and
amphitheaters.

The Alexander Column in Palace Square, outside the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. The granite
structure is 165 feet (50 metres) tall and weighs 600 tons.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/column-architecture

46
 Roman Order of Columns
a. Tuscan. Doric capital with base and plain shaft.
b. Composite. Combined Ionic-Corinthian capital with base and fluted shaft.

Comparison of three of the main Greek column styles—Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/order-architecture

3. Byzantine Architecture. A typical feature found in practically all Byzantine

churches was the iconostasis and floor plan was based on the Greek cross.

Istanbul: Basilica Cistern

https://www.britannica.com/technology/Basilica-Cistern

47
 4. Romanesque Architecture. This is an architectural style of medieval Europe
characterized by semi-circular arches.

West facade of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-architecture/Romanesque

5. Gothic Architecture. The Gothic architectural style in Europe actually lasted from
the mid-12th century to the 16th century. Its masonry building is characterized by
huge spaces with overlaid tracery of broken walls.

Chartres Cathedral, France

https://www.britannica.com/art/Gothic-architecture

48
6. Renaissance Architecture. The European architecture of the period between the
early 14th and early 16th centuries in different regions, demonstrating a conscious
revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman
thought and material culture.

Lantern on top of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) of Florence by Filippo
Brunelleschi, 1436.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-architecture/Early-Renaissance-in-Italy-1401-95

7. 19th Century Architecture. Use of new construction materials, hydraulic and steel
cable elevators made higher structures possible, and concentration of business
in urban areas resulted in higher coats.

Bibliothèque Nationale by Henri Labrouste

https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-architecture/20th-century-architecture

49
THE ARCHITECTURAL PLANNING
1. Orientation. The control of the effects of sun, wind and rainfall.
2. Design. The modification of the effects of the natural forces. For example,
porches, eaves, roofs, etc.
3. Fenestration. The control and distribution of windows for light, ventilation, and
hearing
4. Walls. The insulation and heating control.
5. Color. It should be chosen for the practical and expressive qualities: reflection
and absorption of light.
6. Material and techniques. It depends on the nature of the materials used and the
intention for them.

TYPES OF ARCHITECTURE ACCORDING TO FUNCTION

1. Domestic. It provides shelter and security for the basic physical functions of
life and at times also for commercial, industrial, or agricultural activities that
involve the family unit rather than the community.

Bahay Kubo (Photo taken by Augusto F. Villalon)

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/Tagalog _Default_files/bahay _kubo_
and_the_filipino_conc.htm

50
2. Recreational. Buildings used for sports, leisure activities, adventure and thrill
activities.

Aerial view of the Colosseum, Rome

https://www.britannica.com/technology/stadium

3. Commercial. These include offices, retail outlets, and other facilities where
commercial business is conducted.

NCCC Mall, Maa, Davao City

https://edgedavao.net/latest-news/2017/08/23/dti-awards-16-nccc-stores-gold-seal/

51
 4. Religious. This is the construction of places of worship, such as churches, mosques,
stupas, synagogues, and temples.

San Pedro Cathedral, Davao City

http://davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com/2011/11/san-pedro-cathedral-of-davao-city.html

5. Military or Defense. This is the art of fortifications.

United States established first permanent military base in the heart of the Negev in Israel
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170920-us-builds-permanent-military-base-in-israel/
6. Factories. Manufacturing plant or a production plant where workers manufacture
goods or operate machines processing one product into another.

A factory taken from Bratislava, Slovakia

https://unsplash.com/photos/PAfgEDLOQH4
52
Lesson 3 SCULPTURE

WHAT IS SCULPTURE?
The art of forming solid objects that represent a thing, person, idea, etc. out of a
material such as wood, clay, metal, or stone, or an object made in this way.

Two Processes of Sculpture

1. Subtraction. The artist uses chisels, hammers, and other tools, for example in
stone sculpture.

The famous Easter Island Moai Stone Sculptures (c.1250-1500 CE)

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture/stone.htm

2. Addition. The artist puts together bits of clay or by welding together the metal parts.

Jo Taylor’s clay sculpture

https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/ceramic-art-and-artists/ceramic-sculpture/a-couple-of-cool-
clay-sculpture-techniques/

57
CLASSIFICATION OF SCULPTURES ACCORDING
TO MATERIALS AND METHODS OF TREATMENT
1. Stone Sculpture. This is a sculpture in a restricted sense, which for its noblest and
most excellent works made use of marble.

Mandarin Duck with Scrolls, Jade Sculpture

https://www.britannica.com/art/sculpture/Materials

2. Wood Sculpture. This flourished in the middle ages. Encasing the carved work
with cloth covered with chalk in order to facilitate polychromy.

Pietà by Michelangelo Buonarroti housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

https://www.wikiart.org/en/michelangelo/pieta-1499

58
3. Sculpture in Metal. This is the most lasting work. The oldest metal sculpture pieces
are made out of copper alloys and bronze. Other metals such as gold and silver
are softer, enabling the artisan to shape the metal with tools by hammering.

Cherkes and a Woman on Horse by Eugene Alexandrovich Lanceray

https://weldguru.com/metal-sculpture/

4. Repousse Sculpture. It refers to metal working technique in which malleable metal

is beaten into form by hammer and puncheon. This is used for smaller subjects
only.

Silver Mask, Gerhard Herbst, by Weimar

https://www.ganoksin.com/article/goldsmithing-repousse-chasing/

59
 5. Sculpture in Clay. This is a sculpture produced by molding. A good example for
this is Terracotta. The clay is molded in a soft substance and it hardens either by
firing or drying.

Terracotta Statuette, Nok culture of Nigeria

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture/terracotta.htm

6. Sculpture in Ivory. This is the carving of ivory, generally by using sharp cutting
tools. This is often used for small proportions and suitable for delicate and
pathetic subjects.

Barberini Diptych (c.500-550) Louvre Museum, Paris. Detail of the central panel showing the
triumphant emperor.
http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/sculpture/ivory-carving.htm

60
 7. Glyptic. The art of cutting gems e.g. engraving of medals, coins, and seals which
have a cultural importance rather than an artistic and aesthetic.

Elephant subject, glyptic art

https://glypticarts.in/

REDISCOVERING THE ROOTS

OF PHILIPPINE SCULPTURE
1. Isabelo Tampico Y Lakandola. He is considered to be the greatest Filipino sculptor of
the 19th century. Isabelo’s entry to the Exposición Regional de Filipinas (inaugurated
in Manila in 1895) was a carving of an altar with a crucifix enclosed, used with
native plant motifs manifesting art nouveau sensibilities. Frame designs of this
sort were later known as “Tampinco frames.”

Three-Seater Setter, Narra and Rattan sculpted by Isabelo Tampico (1909)

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/57750215_isabelo-tampinco-18501933

61
 2. Guillermo Tolentino. He represented the National Artist Awards for Sculpture in
1973. He is considered as the “Father of Philippine Arts” because of his great
works like the famous “Bonifacio Monument” symbolizing Filipinos cry for
freedom located in intersection of EDSA and Rizal Avenue and “The Oblation” in
UP signifying academic freedom.

Bonifacio Monument
http://noypicollections.blogspot.com/2011/07/life-and-works-of-guillermo-tolentino.html

3. Eduardo Castrillo. He was an award-winning Filipino sculptor. He was among

the youngest TOYM Awardees, having received the prestigious award at the age
of 29. In the 1970, he was generally considered the most avant garde sculptor
and was labeled by a publication as “the Phenomenon of Philippine Art”. He was
also a jewelry artist and designer. Some of his major works are People Power
Monument (1993), The Redemption (1974), and Paghimud-os (1975).

The Redemption Paghimud-os People Power Monument

https://philippinecenterny.com/artists/philippine-center-eduardocastrillo/

62
4. Napolean Abueva. In 1976, he was proclaimed as National Artist of the Philippines
for Visual Arts by then President Ferdinand Marcos. He was the youngest
recipient of the title at age 46. Some of his major works include Kaganapan
(1953), Kiss of Judas (1955), Thirty Pieces of Silver, The Transfiguration, Eternal
Gardens Memorial Park (1979), UP Gateway (1967), Nine Muses (1994), UP
Faculty Center, Sunburst (1994)-Peninsula Manila Hotel. His Sandugo or Blood
Compact shrine in Bohol, Tagbilaran City is a landmark at the site of the first
international treaty of friendship between Spaniards and Filipinos.

Siyam na Diwata ng Sining sculpture by Abueva (9 Fairies of Theatre) 1991, University of the
Philippines College of Arts and Letters
https://peoplepill.com/people/napoleon-abueva/

63
CHAPTER 4

The Performing Arts

Lesson 1 MUSICAL ARTS

AND THE ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS

In Western societies, art music is described thoughtfully as cultivated music, and

as in contrast to pop and folk music. Art music includes written musical traditions
with advanced structural and theoretical considerations. In fact, classical music is the
main tradition in Western countries. It has two extensions, the serious music and the
light music. Genres of art music existed through time development from medieval to
contemporary eras. There is no better style of music because of the significant changes
and differences to each generation. Thus, one can say that musical genres are significantly
relative to time.

ORIGIN OF MUSIC
Of all human inventions, music is seemingly the most celebrated discovery on earth.
The genres of art music dates way back around the 11th century, and before the 16th
century, the staff notation system of art music started. Composers used western staff
notation to express pitches, meter, tempo, and rhythms to the performer. In 1550 to
1900s, the central norms for the art of West music started. Around the 1700s and 1800s,
monks in Christian churches used to sing classical and romantic symphonies. And
before the onset of the 19th century, instrumental music such as the concerto, sonata,
symphony, mixed vocals, and operas were developed to give a distinctive feel from
other types of music. Significantly, the relationship of art music to folk music became
apparent in the 18th century. As a matter of fact, western societies started to glorify folk
and peasant life. However in the early 19th century, classical music only appeared with
the earliest reference to the term “classical music” started in 1836.

MUSIC AS PERFORMING ART

The performing arts range from vocal and instrumental music, dance and theatre
to pantomime, sung verse and beyond. Music is perhaps the most universal of the
performing arts and is found in every society, most often as an integral part of other
performing art forms and other domains of intangible cultural heritage including
rituals, festive events or oral traditions.
69
Types of Music
1. Classical Music. This is a serious or conventional music following long-established
principles.
2. Country Music. Country music is music that developed from Southern American
folk and western cowboy music in the rural regions of the Southern United States
in the 1920s. Dance tunes and ballads with harmonies and simple form played
with banjoes, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonicas and fiddles.
3. Electronic Music. The term Electronic music today suggests that the character
and quality of the music is synthetic, the music is created and manipulated by
electronics instead of performance by acoustic instruments. This type of music
began about 1942 when Pierre Schaeffer put up what is believed to be the first
Electronic music studio using a mixture of recorded normal sounds, variable
speed tape recorders, phonographs and microphones.
4. Jazz. At the beginning of the 20th century, African American communities in
southern areas of the United States invented Jazz music, which is a combination
of European and African music traditions. The distinction of African undertones
is clear in the mixture of blue notes, polyrhythms, improvisation, syncopation,
and the swing note.

Classical Music Country Music Electronic Music Jazz

Symphony Early Country Ambient New Orleans Jazz
Opera Blue Grass Break The Chicago Style
Choral Traditional Country Down tempo Bebop
Chamber Cowboy and Electro Fusion Jazz music
Gregorian chant Western Electroacoustic
Madrigals Western Swing Electronica
Honky Tonk Electronic rock
Rockabilly Euro dance
Nashville Sound Hard dance
Country Rock House music
Bakersfield Sound Industrial
Outlaw Country Intelligent dance
New Traditionalist Jungle
Texas Country Post-disco
Alternative Country Techno
Contemporary Trance music
Country UK garage

5. Latin Music. Latin music naturally originates from the broader Latin world,
mainly from Latin America with fusions by Latinos of the United States as well
as genres from European countries such as Portugal and Spain. Language, the
cultural background of the artist, geography and music style is the main elements
that define Latin music. These four elements fuse in different ways usually with
a combination of two or more of the main elements to give a production the
Latin Music Tag.
70
6. Pop Music. Often, pop music is confused with popular music. Whereas Pop music
describes music that evolved from the rock and roll revolution of the middle
1950s and continues in a definite route today, popular music refers to music
that is associated with the tastes and interests of the urban middle class during
the period covering 1800s and industrialization to date. From the 1950s until
today, Pop music is identified as the hits most often played on radio, that which
attracts the largest audiences, sells the most copies, and the musical styles that
displayed by the biggest audience therefore it is really an amalgam of whatever
is popular at any given moment and doesn’t represent any specific genre.
7. Metal. Metal music is characteristic of powerful and loud bass drums and
aggressive electric guitars. It was developed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s
and early 1970s and also in the United States. The words are usually about
provocative and controversial themes. Metal music fans are referred to as head
bangers and metal heads.
8. Punk. Developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, United Kingdom,
and Australia, Punk Music is a type of Rock Music Genre based on Garage rock
Protopunk music. Bands made hard-edged songs that were short, political, anti-
establishment with stripped down instrumentation.

Latin Music Pop Music Metal Music Punk Music

Salsa n/a Avant Garde Metal Anarcho Pun
Tango Black Metal Celtic Punk
Merengue Celtic Cow Punk
Death Metal Gypsy or Immigrant
Doom Metal Punk
Funk Metal Pop Punk
Gothic
Grind core
Groove Metal
Hard-core Metal
Nu-Metal
Power metal
Speed Metal
Thrash Metal

9. Rap music. It originated among African-Americans’ inner-city street culture in

the 1970s. Rap is considered as a mainstream type and is popular among people
of all ages and background around the world. Rap music is generally not sung.
The words are spoken with a backdrop of music borrowed from soul, funk and
rock pieces.
10. Reggae. Reggae Music arose from Jamaica in the late 1960s. Reggae Music refers
to a style that developed from Ska and Rock Steady.
11. Rhythm and Blues (R&B). This is a genre of popular music that originated in
African American communities in the 1940s.
71
 12. Rock Music. This is a popular music that evolved from rock and roll and pop music
during the mid and late 1960s.

Rhythm and Blues

Rap Music Reggae Rock Music
(R&B)
Gangsta Rap Roots Motown Rock n Roll
Political Rap Dub Funk Garage Rock
Alternative Rap Dub Poetry Disco Punk Rock
Crunk Toasting Doo-wop Glam Rock
Lover’s Rock Club blues Southern Rock
Niyabingi Jump Blues
Slack Dancehall
Conscious Dancehall

THE ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS

This is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which
combines instruments from different families. The typical orchestra is divided into four
groups of instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
1. Woodwind Instruments. Woodwinds are basically tubes pierced with holes. They
produce sound through the vibration of the air column inside the tube. Some
woodwinds have reeds. A reed is a thin piece of cane that vibrates when blown
across.
a. Piccolo. Highest Pitched; Mimics sound of bird; Smallest of family
b. Flute. No Reed
c. Clarinet. Single Reed; Expressive tone
d. Oboe. Double Reed; Sad tone
e. Bassoon. Double Reed; Lowest Pitched

piccolo flute clarinet oboe bassoon recorder

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/404549978997948334/

72
2. String Instruments. Comprises the largest section of the orchestra. Crafted by
carving, shaping and gluing wood pieces together; no nails or screws are used.
Each instrument has four strings, the vibration of which makes the instrument
sound. Come in many sizes: the larger the instrument, the lower the sound,
the smaller the instrument, the higher the sound. Sound is made on string
instruments by playing their strings two ways; plucking or bowing.
a. Violin: Smallest member of family
b. Viola: Slightly larger than violin with a much warmer and lower tone
c. Cello: Bass member of family; musician must sit to play instrument.

Violin Viola Guitar

Cello Double
Bass

Harp

https://www.teachingkidsmusic.com/string-family.html

3. Brass Instruments. Metallic loops of tubing, in different lengths, with a

mouthpiece at one end and a bell shape at the other. The longer the length of
tubing, the lower the sound. Brass players’ lips act as reeds. Sound is produced
by buzzing with the lips while blowing in the mouthpiece. Most have valves that
are pressed and released to change and produce different tones.

Saxophone French Horn Tuba

Mouthpiece Valve

Trombone Trumpet
https://www.eslbuzz.com/learn-english-vocabulary-through-pictures-musical-instruments/

73
 4. Percussion Instruments. Made of naturally resonant materials like skin, wood or
metal. Sound is produced when the instrument is struck. The role of this section
is to provide rhythm and character to the orchestra. These instruments range
from simple wooden blocks to tuned instruments.

The Percussion Family

Xylophone Triangle Tambourine Maracas Chimes

Snare Drum Marimba

Djembe

https://www.eslbuzz.com/learn-english-vocabulary-through-pictures-musical-instruments/

74
Lesson 2 DANCE ARTS

WHAT IS DANCE?
It is an expression in rhythmic movement of an intensified sense of life. It is a visual
and auditory feast of meanings, costumes, props, and music.

Why do people dance?

1. To bring magical powers
2. To worship
3. For courtship
4. For socialization and companionship
5. To restore health to life
6. For therapeutic purposes
7. To have fun
8. To entertain
9. To give beauty and inspiration

Kinds of Dance
1. Communal Dance. Primitive tribal cultures invented dance. Themes include
magic, strategy, method, survival, and way of life.

Daling-daling dance of the Tausūg people performed by the Parangal Dance Company.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_dance

77
 2. Ritual Dance. It celebrates mythology rather than magic.

Sinulog Festival in Cebu every January

https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/history-culture/sinulog-festival-cebu-guide
3. Folk Dance. A dance developed that reflects the lives of people from certain
country or region.

Pandango sa Ilaw
https://philnews.ph/2020/01/20/pandanggo-sa-ilaw-a-traditional-philippine-dance/

https://jiebelle.weebly.com/singkil.html

78
 3. Social Dance. This is a dance with gay and lively characters. The dancers typically
wear bulky fashions in clothes.

Ballroom Dance
http://www.whoinventedfirst.com/invented-ballroom-dance/

PHILIPPINE DANCE FORMS

Participatory Theatrical
Ritual Dances or Sacred Dances Ballet
Ethnic and Folk Dances Flamenco
Catholic Influenced Tango
Subli
Sayaw sa Obando
Turumba
Sinulog
Singhayag
Gapnod
Ethnic and Folk Dances
Courtship and Wedding Dance
Mimetic Dance
Langka
Lunsay
Martial Dance
Hispanic-Influenced Dance Variety Show
Balitaw Kuratsa Bodabil
Balse Lanceros Dancing for Television
Escotis Martial Dance Cultural Dancing
Game Dance Mascota Jazz
Habanera Mazruka
Jota Pandanggo
Kumintang Pantomina
Kuradang Paseo
Paso Doble Polka
Rigodon de honor
Pateado/Zapateado

79
 Participatory Theatrical
Modern Dance Dance in Drama Productions
Aerobic
Polynesian and Tahitian
Ballroom Dancing
Disco
Rock and Roll
Hip-hop

Elements of Dance
1. Body. The body is the basic component of dance. How the body initiates
movement and the inner self-perceptions, emotions, imaginations, thoughts,
and intentions- are all classified as “body.”

MN Dance Education Summit –

Photo by Dan Markworth
https://www.elementsofdance.org/body.html

2. Theme. This is an important element and the message conveyed by the dance.
3. Design. This is the plan or organization of movement in time and space.
4. Elements of Movement. It is the medium of dance.
a. Space. Area or environment
b. Time. It determines the rhythm, tempo, and duration of movements.
c. Duration. Length of time
d. Force. Energy
e. Dynamics. Force of movement
5. Techniques. The skill in executing movement.
6. Music. Motivates the movement of the dancers; melodic and harmonious
accompaniment background.
7. Costume and Props. It enhances the effect of the dance. It is also reflective of the
customs, beliefs, and environment of the people.
8. Choreography. Forms and arrangement
9. Scenery. Setting of background and place of action
80
Lesson 3 DRAMA AND THEATER ARTS

WHAT IS DRAMA?
Drama comes from the Greek word meaning to do or to act. Drama is the specific
mode of fiction represented in performance.

What is Theater?
It is associated with drama. A building where plays and shows are performed on
stage.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF DRAMA

1. Ancient Drama. Among the Egyptians of about 2000 B.C.E., drama existed in
religious ceremonies for the worship of Osiris. But the drama, as known today,
in distinct forms of tragedy and comedy is in Greece, in the festivals of Dionysus
in the 5th and 6th centuries B.C.E. The first time theatre truly freed itself from
religious ritual to become an art form was in Greece in the 6th century B.C.E.
when the dithyramb was developed. This was a form of choral song chanted at
festivals in honour of Dionysus, the god of wine, fruitfulness, and vegetation.

Amphitheatre at the site of the ancient city of Epidaurus, Greece

https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-theatre/Ancient-Greece

2. Medieval Drama. During the Middle Ages, theatre began a new cycle of
development that paralleled the emergence of the theatre from ritual activity in
the early Greek period.
a. Mystery play. It was based on Holy Scripture.
b. Morality play. Characters are represented in abstract qualities, such as vice,
humanity, or death, and the tone is generally philosophical.
c. Secular drama. Dealing with everyday character such as lawyers, the
merchant, the student, the young wife, and the old foolish husband.

83
 The Play of Abraham and Isaac at an English estate in 1482
https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-theatre/Ancient-Greece

3. Renaissance Drama. This is also known as early modern English theatre or

Elizabethan theatre in England between 1562 and 1642. Most European countries
had established native traditions of religious drama and farce. Just before 1500,
Italian amateur actors were performing classical comedies on stages with no
decoration except for a row of curtained booths. By 1589, complex painted
scenery and scene changes were being featured in production in Florence. And
by 1650, Italy had developed staging practices that would dominate European
theatre for the next 150 years.

Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza, Italy by Andrea Palladio and completed

by Vincenzo Scamozzi, 1585.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vincenzo-Scamozzi

84
4. Drama of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. French drama emerged in the 17th
century, from its medieval and religious influences, with the classical tragedies.
In England, in the middle of 18th century, the theater was briefly revived by the
comedy of manners. In the 19th century, romantic drama flourished throughout
Europe.

The Golden Fish, a Christmas pantomime produced at Covent Garden in 1811.

Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Theatre Collection, London
https://www.britannica.com/art/Western-theatre/The-Romantic-theatre

5. Modern Drama. Credit should be given to Henrik Ibsen, a Norwegian dramatist,

for the development of modern drama. Ibsen’s influence on modern drama was
immense.

Henrik Ibsen, 1870

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henrik-Ibsen

85
 6. Oriental Drama. These are the dramas from Asian countries. The drama is
originated as elaboration of liturgical practices. Asian actors long ago rejected
realistic presentation in favor of abstraction and symbolism.
a. Philippine Drama. Two early forms of Philippine drama are Duplo and
Karagatan. Duplo was a poetical debate held by trained men and women in
the ninth night, the last night of the mourning period for the dead. While
the Karagatan, was also a poetical debate like duplo, but its participants were
amateurs.
• Cenakulo. A very heavy drama shown in relation to the life sacrifices and
death of Jesus Christ. There are two kinds of presenting the Cenakulo:
Ablada (oral) and Kantada (song).

https://www.hellotravel.com/events/senakulo

• Moro-Moro. It’s a cloak-and-dagger play depicting the wars between the

Christians and Muslims with the Christians always on the winning side.
The first Moro-Moro was written by Fr. Jeronimo Perez and was staged in
Manila in 1637, to commemorate Governor General Consuera’s victory
over the Muslims of Mindanao.

Comedia or Moro-Moro a folk drama based on the battles between Christians and
the Muslim Moro, the Philippines
https://www.britannica.com/art/moro-moro

86
• Zarzuela. It is a melodrama with songs and dances that have a three-in-
one-act play. It is intended to make the mass feeling towards love, fear,
grief, sorrow, or any emotional reactions sublime.

https://thestageandthestudio.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/philippine-zarsuela/

• Moriones. Morion festival is Lenten ritual that is as colorful as it is

unique. Morion means mask or visor which is the top part of the medieval
Roman armor covering the face. The climax of the festival is the pugutan
ceremony held at noon of Easter Sunday.

Moriones Festival in Marinduque

http://marinduquenews.blogspot.com/2017/03/marinduques-moriones-festival.html

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 • Ati-Atihan. It is a pagan ritual which has become an annual affair that the
natives look forward to with great expectation. It is the most extravagant
fiesta in the Philippines celebrated in Kalibo, Aklan every third Sunday
of January in honor of the Infant Jesus.

https://hu.pinterest.com/pin/684687949571193689/

• The Modern Philippine drama was rejuvenated upon the establishment

of the Repertory Philippines on June of 1967 which was founded by
Zenaida “Bibot” Amador and Baby Barredo.

b. Japanese Drama
• Noh Play. The oldest Japanese drama developed in the 1300s. It is shorter
than Western plays and not dramatic performed by masked actors.

Izutsu, Sakurama Kinki Toshiro Morita

https://www.the-noh.com/en/world/

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 • Joruri Play. A puppet drama. Founded in Osaka in 1864.

MoriButai Tokyo Exhibition

http://www.3331.jp/schedule/en/002014.html

• Kabuki Drama. Most popular form of traditional Japanese drama.

Originated at the end of 16th century. It focuses on the visual aspects of
theater, heavy make-up, exaggerated acting, and special effects.

Interior of a Kabuki theatre, colored woodcut triptych by Utagawa Toyokuni, c.

1800; in the British Museum.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Kabuki

c. Chinese Drama
• Vun Pan Shi – The oldest form and it focuses on patriotism and filial
devotion. Music and action are meant to play on the audience’s emotion.
• Sin Pan Shi – It presents civil and military conditions. It differs from the
Vun Pan Shi in the manner of singing certain roles and in the acting.
• Vun Min Shi – This is the modern play. Colloquial dialects are allowed
instead of Mandarin.

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BASIC STYLES OF THEATER
1. Presentational style. The actors are shameless in expressing their strong feelings.
2. Representational style. Creates illusion on stage.
3. Eclectic style. Combination of the two styles plus the influence from naturalism,
expressionism, symbolism, surrealism, and other “isms.”

ELEMENTS OF THEATER
1. Performers. The inhabiting characters. Acting is the heart of all theater.
2. Audience. The essence of a theater is the interaction between the performers and
audience.
3. Director. The person who rehearses the performers. There are two kinds of
directors. Traditional director follows the playwright’s original intention. Virtuoso
director projects his own idea and intentions. Functions of director are as follows:
a. He analyzes the text.
b. He discovers the meaning & intention of the playwright.
c. He works with the actors & actresses, supervising rehearsals & guiding their
performances.
d. He selects an actor/actress for each role.
e. He works closely with scene, costume, and lightning.
f. He works on the over-all artistic quality of the production.
4. Theater Space/Set. It is a place where spectators either stand or sit
5. Designing Elements. Include costume, make-up, properties, lightning and sounds.
a. trim props. Any decorative objects which hang upon/attached
b. set props. Objects standing above the floor
c. hand props. Objects picked and used by the performers
d. prop visual effects. Snowstorm, fire, and smoke
e. prop sound effects. Any off-stage sounds
6. Scene Design. Stage production. It helps set the tone and style of the production
and establishes the locale and period.
7. Costume Design. It helps establish the tone and style. It indicates the historical
period and the nature of individual. There are four elements of costume design:
line, color, fabric, and accessories.
8. Sounds and Lights. It helps create the mood and style of the play.

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