GEC 106- ART APPRECIATION 2022

PART 3: CULTURE AND THE ARTS

Lesson 13

Philippine Arts:
Indigenous Arts, Muslim Arts and Christian Arts

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE ARTS

I. ETHNIC ART (PRE-13 AD)

Also known as Pre-colonial Art, the ethnic art was mainly for ritual purposes or for everyday use. As
local communities become established, art starts to go beyond mere craft, i.e. stone weapons or jewelry but
starts to have decorative elements, meaning and context.

Long before the coming of the Spaniards, the earliest people who lived here had created their tools
and artifacts from locally available materials. Aside from these, they began to create cultural objects such as
receptacles, including pottery. They also used shells, flowers, plumage, jade, beads of glass, cornelian, agates,
as well as gold.

Sculpture was associated with religion; i.e., effigies representing spirits.

Literature during the Pre-Hispanic Period is oral in tradition and is related to rituals and social
gatherings. The earliest attempts to explain the mysterious forces which affect man’s daily life are contained in
legends, myths, tales, poems, proverbs and riddles.

 The Epic
Some of the epics that we have survived are the Ifugao epics Alim and Hudhud, the Bicol epic
Ibalon, the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang, the Visayan epics Labaw Donggon and Maragtas, and the
Maranaw narrative poetry Darangan. These epics deal with the adventures of super heroes who
fought monsters and the lives of Gods and Goddesses.

 Music
The Ancient Filipinos had metrical works which were always sung. They had lullabies,
planting songs, boat songs, feasting and mourning songs. They had musical instruments like the nose
flute, instruments resembling the violin, the harp and a variety of gongs. Bamboo zithers, percusion
sounds, wind and string instruments are samples of Philippine indigenous culture.
Ethnic groups used wood, iron, bronze, brass, gold and bamboo.

II. ISLAMIC ART (13 AD)

Muslim Influence

Islam as a religion has long been established since the early A.D. 600s. Along with its emergence
around the world, it also paved way for the development of its own unique style of art. Islamic art place
emphasis on creating an art form that is built on the beauty and respect for the teachings of Islam.

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Islamic Calligraphy

Islamic art is characterized by designs of flowers, plant forms and geometric designs. It is used in
calligraphy, architecture painting, clothing and other forms of fine art. As Islam spread around the world, this
distinct form of art has become an integral part of the identity of its followers, including the Philippines.

The Development of Islamic Art in the Philippines

In the 13th century, traders and missionaries have introduced the religion of Islam in the Philippines.
Islamic art meshed with ethnic culture and produced a Filipino Muslim art that reflects the ethnic background
and Islamic identity of the people. During the Spanish colonization and American occupation, Islam has been
concentrated mostly in the South but this did not halt the flourishing of Islamic art.

Art of Filipino Muslims

Islamic art in the Philippines is found predominantly in Muslim ethnic groups where every group
offers their own distinct flavor of Islamic art. This distinct art is commonly seen in homes, clothing and places
of worship of Filipino Muslims.

III. SPANISH ERA (1521-1898)

When the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in 1521, the colonizers used art as a tool to propagate
the Catholic faith through beautiful images. With communication as problem, the friars used images to explain
the concepts behind Catholicism, and to tell the stories of Christ’s life and passion.

Spanish Colonial Regime

Spanish arrived in 1521 and began the colonization of the Islands in 1571. The propagation of the
Catholic Faith the 17th Century successful without religious paintings, engravings and sculpture, as well as
devotional hymns and verses, the earliest examples of literary and musical compositions after which the
natives began to produce poems, paintings and musical compositions which echoed Western artistic styles.

 Poetry
The friars published devotional and catechetical books to proselytize the colonized people, as well as
grammar books and vernacular – Spanish dictionaries and incorporated into these publications, the first
examples of vernacular poetry to be printed in Roman alphabet. Some of these poems were written by
the natives; some by missionaries.

 Early Comedia
The pompous celebrations, centering on the church, drew the colonized people toward the new
culture and gave expression to their festive spirit that had been manifested in their own rituals.
In 1619, the comedias were staged to celebrate authorization of Pope Urban VIII of the belief in the
Immaculate Conception; such as Comedia de los Maritires de Japon and Comedia dela Concepcion.
The year 1637 saw the successful expedition of Governor-General Sebastian de Corcuera against the
Muslims of Mindanao. A play depicting the skirmish between the Christians and the Muslims was staged in
Cavite. This play became the predecessor of the Moro-Moro and revolved around the love between a
Christian prince and an Islamic princess who belonged to warring factions. It always ended in the triumph
of Christians and the consequent baptism of the Islamic royalty and the people.
 Music
Pre-colonial musical forms and indigenous instruments were abandoned for Western modes. The
seminary was natural training ground for choristers. In the rosters of the monasteries of different religious

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orders, there were many names of native aspirants for the religious vocation who became outstanding in
the field of music.

 Philippine Folk Art

With the arrival of Spanish colonizers, the indigenous traditions in the Philippines continued in the
ethnic art of groups which resisted colonization and in the folk art of the Christianized lowlanders.
With the spread of Christianity in the islands appeared numerous artistic forms revolving around fiestas. The
ceremonies to honor the patron saint, the processions which began from the church and wended through the
streets of the town replaced the earlier rituals led by the native high priest.

The fiestas and celebrations served to draw the people to Christianity. These were likewise of
significant influence on the imagination and artistic creativity of the people, as they were occasions of lavish
and colorful spectacles.

The fiestas united the whole town in its collective character. A good example is the feast of San isidro
Labrador in Lukban and Sariaya, Quezon.

 Visual Arts

The Spanish colonizers also introduced easel painting in the country and Western styles in sculpture and
architecture. Fr. Antonio Sedeno, a Jesuit, introduced the line in the construction of buildings.

Early paintings and sculpture jobs for the church were largely given to the Chinese artisans living in a
community outside Intramuros called Parian.

Damian Domingo also known as Damian Gabor Domingo was identified as the 1st Filipino to paint his face.
He was the first one to make a self-portrait in the Philippines. He was the Founder of the Academia de Dibujo y
Pintura, the first school of drawing in the Philippines (1821). He was also known as the "Father of Filipino
Painting" or "The First Great Filipino Painter".

IV. THE 17th, 18th and 19th Century

A. 17th Century (1601-1700)

The propagation of the Catholic Faith made use of religious paintings, engravings, sculpture,
devotional hymns and verses.
The types of poems, metrical tales, metrical romances and reenactments that flourished
were the Comedia, the Moro-Moro, the shadow play, the panunuluyan, the salubong, the zarzuela,
the Cruz de mayo, the Flores de Mayo and the duplo.

 The Visual Arts

The bulk of sculpture in the 19th century consisted of religious statues
commissioned by the Church and the rich families.
The artists- Juan Luna, who belong to the classical-romantic style, and Felix Hidalgo, who
painted in the upcoming impressionist style, became famous here and abroad.

 Architecture
Many Philippine churches show influence of the baroque style, having massive walls and
thick buttresses, turrets and spiral motifs, ornate sculptural facade, and graceful, curving
balustrades.
Many changes have affected Philippine art- changes during the American Regime and
the Japanese Period. Influences shown in literature in the Period of reorientation, the Period
of Imitation, the period of growth and self-discovery and the period of Post-War

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Reorientation.

B. 18th Century (1701-1800)

 Metrical Romances
At first, the only reading material approved by the friars was the lives of Christ and the
Saints. Later, metrical romances. Spanish medieval tales in verse were introduced into the
country. These works were brought in by the Mexican soldiers and sailors who came with the
galleons.
A metrical tale composed of octosyllabic verses is called CORRIDO, to be distinguished
from the AWIT which is made of dodescasyllabic lines.
Jose de la Cruz (1746-1829), popularly known in his time as Huseng Sisiw, was reputed to
be a master of metrical romances.

 Music and Dance

Philippine dances showed considerable European influence. The contradanze, the
minuet and fandango enjoyed a vogue in the islands, but these were interpreted here with
willowy grace and light manner, not with Spanish fire and vigor.
During this century, native folk songs acquired the duple-meter through Spanish
influences- and the native pentatonic musical sense was transformed into its closest Western
counterpart.
Singing, which in the pre-Hispanic times ordinarily accompanied almost everyday
chores because of the people’s ritualistic temperament, acquired self-consciousness; singing
the “pasion” and the “harana” or the solo recitation of LOA became a matter of skill or social
influence in the village.

 Engraving
Nicolas Bogay, one of the outstanding engravers who ran a printing press and
Francisco Suarez are both known for their designs in 1733, and 12 scenes depicting
representative life in the islands. They signed their works, proudly writing “Indio Tagalo”
after their signatures.
Engraving was printed from copper plates and woodcuts at the beginning of the
17th century. In the 19th century, the introduction of lithograph prints eventually replaced
engraving on copper.

 The Santos
Carving, which started in the pre-Hispanic activity of making the likha, was
redirected later by the friars into the creation of the santos. Most of the santos that have
been preserved are carved out of wood, the most available material. Bone and Ivory were
not rare either, but the statues made of these materials belonged to the affluent families in
those times.
The usual subjects of santos were Christ, depicted in many scenes of His life, the
Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary in different conventions representing various devotions
i her honor, Adam and Eve, and The Apostles.
The making of effigies of these religious personages with their symbols drew out the
fertile imagination of early carvers and gave them opportunity to represent secular matters
such as Dog beside San Roque and Rooster with St. Peter.

C.19th Century (1801-1900)

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 Visual Arts

One of the aims of the Sociedad Econommica de Amigos del Pais, a civic-conscious
organization, was to encourage the development of the visual arts. For this purpose, the society
established the Escuela de Dibujo y Pintura in 1821. The first teacher was Damian Domingo, a
mestizo whose talents impressed local authorities. The technique of piitin in tose times may be
from his works. The detailed and fine lines give volume or body to objects or parts of the human
figure, and the quality of softness suggests the use of Chinese brush.

With the establishment of the first School of Fine Arts, the painting of secular subjects
was formally taught. The earliest portraits were done in a miniature, the size of the lockets. Large
portraits of the wealthy natives began appearing in 1850.

Two of our 19th century artists became famous abroad, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo.

Juan Luna (1857-1899) went to Spain at the age of 20 and enrolled at the Academica de San
Fernando in Madrid.

In 1884, the famous SPOLARIUM was awarded a gold medal at the Exposicion Nacional de
Bellas Artes.

The art of Juan Luna belongs to the classical romantic style, which was the officially approved
trend in European Art centers in those times.

 Architecture

 Houses.
There are many residences preserved in our cities and towns which date
back to the Spanish times. They are often referred to as Spanish colonial house
resembles houses.Basically, the Spanish colonial house resembles houses in spain
only in its use of stone, brick and tiles. Aside from the steeply sloping tent- like roof
and the need for wide windows, its utilization of the ground floor only for storage
and garage for the carruaje and carro is basically nipa hut in concept. The
balustraded azotea developed from the batalan.

 Funiture
The furniture during the Spanish times was based on the European
counterparts. Thin and smooth webs of rattan fibers replaced the heavy upholstery,
but the ba rique carvings on the back, legs sides and arms of chairs were retain. The
ganillera, originally a pre-Hispanic bamboo chicken coop, was transformed into an
ornate furniture in the 18th century; the bamboo slats were replaced with carved
wooden balustrades.

 Churches
The first churches were parts of mission complexes which were also
fortresses. A mission complex is composed of the following structures: the church
which has a fenced open-air space before its portals called the atrium; the convento,
the priests’ residence which is usually adjacent to the church by its sacrisity; and the
belfry, which is either incorporated with the church as commonly seen in Central

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Luzon, Manila, Southern Luzon, and the Visayas, or separated from the church, as in
towns of Northern Luzon.

 Theater

Early manifestation of the drama in the country may be seen in some features of DUPLO.

DUPLO is a game of wit used to relieve th sad feelings during a death anniversary celebration.

The CENACULO is a dramatic presentation recalling the Passion of Jesus Christ of and is
usually held during the Holy Week.

The CARILLO is a shadow play. Cardboard figures projected on a screen were manipulated in
order to execute movements and gestures. Action was usually accomplish by dialogue spoken by the
manipulator.

The ZARZUELA was derived from “zarza”, a Spanish word meaning “Bramble bush”, referring
to the hamlets or small villages of Spain. This usually consistent of short pieces of songs and
recitations. Such occasions eventually became known as fiestas de zarzuela.

The first zarzuela began in the early 1870’s. A one act zarzuela, “Junto al Pasig”, was written
by Rizal and set to music.

V. AMERICAN ERA (1898-1940)

From one colonizer to another – after more than three centuries of Spanish rule, the Americans
came. They set out to conquer the Filipinos through education and governance – the public school
system and a system of government.

Classicism: Fabian dela Rosa (1869 – 1937) was the first painter of note for the 20th century. He
was noted for his realistic portraits, genre, and landscapes in subdued colors. He was enrolled at the
Escuela de Bellas Artes y Dibujo and took lessons from Lorenzo Guerrero.

Modernism would have its seeds planted in the 1890’s with Miguel Zaragosa’s two pointillist
works. Emilio Alvero later produced several Impressionist still life paintings. But it would take an
architect to give modernism its needed boost in the country. Juan Arellano would be known as an
architect but his Impressionist landscapes are as impressive as his buildings.

Carlos “Botong” Francisco, (1913 – 1969), Angono-based painter, depicted Philippine history in
his “History of Manila” mural at the Manila City Hall.

VI. JAPANESE ERA (1941-1950)

The arrival of the Japanese caused tremendous fear, hardships and suffering among the Filipinos. The
Filipino way of life was greatly affected during the Japanese period. The Filipinos lost their freedom of
speech and expression. The development of art was also stopped. Filipinos greatly feared the "zoning".
There were Filipinos spies hired by the Japanese to point those who were suspected of being part of the
guerilla movement. The Japanese made some changes in the system of education.

Under their rule, the Japanese imposed their own music on the country. Japanese music was heard
daily in radio broadcasts. Their songs were also taught in public schools. Students, however, never took

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these songs to heart.

In response to the Japanese propaganda, Filipino painters reacted by producing the following works:
“A Day Begins” by Vicente Alvarez Dizon, 1942, genre scenes that seem neutral. Yet there were still many
artists who portrayed the atrocities of war in their collections such as “Rape and Massacre in Ermita” by
Diosdado Lorenzo.

VII. MODERN ERA (1960-1969)

Modern era in Philippine Art began after World War 2 and the granting of Independence. Writers and
artists posed the question of national identity as the main theme of various art forms. Modern art is
characterized by the artist's intent to portray a subject as it exists in the world, according to his or her
unique perspective and is typified by a rejection of accepted or traditional styles and values.

VIII. CONTEMPORARY ARTS (1970 up to present)

Contemporary art is the work of artists who are living in the 21st century. Contemporary art
mirrors contemporary culture and society, offering the general audiences a rich resource through
which to consider current ideas and rethink the familiar. The work of contemporary artists is a
dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and subjects that challenges traditional
boundaries and defies easy definition. Diverse and eclectic, contemporary art is distinguished by
the very lack of a uniform organizing principle, ideology, or -ism.

Elements/Principles
a) Appropriation: Traditional Art (i.e.: Paintings and Portrait) appropriated/ used/ placed in
T-shirts, Mugs and the likes
b) Performance: The depictions of ordinary events/activities into socially relevant themes
such as poverty, commercialism and the likes.
c) Space: transformation of space (sculpture installation in malls and parks, flash mobs
presentations)
d) Hybridity: The mixing of unlikely materials to produce an artwork (sand, mud, coffee and
the likes)
e) Technology: the use of video and social media/ internet (Youtube sensations,
Instagram/Facebook)

Lesson 14

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Appropriation

Learning Outcomes:
Create your own art appropriation

EXPLAIN
What's the Intent of Appropriation Art? Appropriation artists want the viewer to recognize the
images they copy. They hope that the viewer will bring all of his original associations with the image
to the artist's new context, be it a painting, a sculpture, a collage, a combine, or an entire installation

Art appropriation is the act of using or borrowing a cultural expression and properties for a different
purpose. When a possession of a tangible work of art is transferred from members of one culture to
members of another culture, it is referred as an object appropriation. This is a challenging task but
so interesting to do for the students.

The five (5) acts of cultural appropriation

1. object appropriation
2. content
3. style
4. motif appropriation
5. subject appropriation

There seems to be a very thin demarcation line between appropriation art and forgery. Traditionally,
forgery can be classified into two forms: outright copies of existing works and pastiches, which are
works that bring together the elements from a work and infusing them to a new work. But in
contemporary times, forgery can be a form of creating an approximate of what an artist would do by
prediction. This can be done by observing the the techniques and style the artist employed and even
focal points highlighted in his previous and existing works.

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