DEFINING

CONTEMPORAR
Y ARTS

By: Mr. Venilo M. Bayog

What is Contemporary Art?
“Contemporary” is derived from Latin prefix con,
means “together” or “with,” plus, tempus which
means “time”. So, basically it means the Art being
created now. It’s hard to give an exact definition of
contemporary arts because of some critics but one
thing is certain, this kind of art continuous to evolve
along the time.
 CONTEMPORARY ARTS IN THE PHILLIPPINES
During the time of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1970’s,
when he imposed Martial Law. He wanted the nation to follow
his own vision of cultural and Artistic renewal to the images of
pre-colonial Philippines society. In order to attain this, Marcos’s
state exercised control over the print media, radio, television,
schools and the arts through various presidential decrees, and
established a network of cultural and art institution govern by
his wife, Imelda.
 This time, aspiring artists in the Philippines were trained
under the tutoring of more establishments. The result of this
system is that many artists have deepened their knowledge
about Western artistic traditions. Moreover, Arts was also used
to oppose the Marcos Administration that made social realism
to flourish. Social realism is a kind of art aims to expose the
real situation of the Philippine society and used art to transform
it. Different kind of arts conveys the Filipino citizen to develop
a culture.
 3 FACTORS THAT EMERGE THE PHILLIPPINE
TO CONTEMPORARY ARTS;
1.The return of democracy under the Aquino
Administration
2.The improved economic political environment in the
country, particularly regions; and
3.The advent of new technologies and free access to
media
 CONTEMPORARY ART AS A BREAKING OF NORMS
It should also engage the viewers about the current
or timeless social issues. Appropriation was used
by Santiago Bose in his piece called “Carnivore of
Session Road (2002)”. Appropriation is an
essential preoccupation among contemporary artist
and it seeks to practice of creating new work by
taking a pre-existing image or work from another
context---art history, media, etc. Contemporary art
can revisit the past and resonate it in works that
trigger questions addressed to the present as well
as the future.
Tie a String around the World by Manuel Conde a 1950’s
film Genghis Khan. Co-written and designed by Carlos
Francisco, which was screened at the Venice film in 1952 is
one of the best demonstrations to show that the past as a
dialogue across time and space could be possibly done.
 CONTEMPORARY ART AND LOCAL HERITAGE

Heritage is something that can be passed from one generation to the next,
can and be conserved or inherited, and has historic or cultural value. These are
physical objects and places of heritage (Old buildings, paintings, public art,
etc.) unique to the region or locality that are conserved or handed down from
one generation to the next. Regional heritage may be reverberated in the
creation of new art forms by juxtaposing images of traditions and history with
the present to couch contemporary issues, thus, creating a lively catalogue that
fosters cross-fertilizations. For instance, abandoned buildings are given new
life through modern interventions of contemporary architectural approach like
adaptive use.
Examples:
✔ Old sabungan or cockpit was repurposed into Community Theater in 2015 in
Baclayon, Bohol.
▪ The theater director of the said cockpit was Lutgardo Labad wherein
Dulaang kasing sining group artist were the performers at that time.
The cockpit also host concerts,exhibits,lectures and workshops, making
it an alternative cultural-tourism destination for tourist and visitors after
the devastation of earthquake that hits the city year 2013.
✔ Inspired by this, Teatro Zorilla from a sabungan in Tondo in the 1990’s was
redesigned and restructured by Leandro Locsin from being a garrison during
the Spanish colonial era in 1960’s.
✔ Mandala Art Festival held every May since 2012 in Pulilan, Bulacan in
honor to a Carabao which is an integral focal point of Central Luzon
Agriculture wherein all visual artist gather from all over central Luzon
and takes off from the tradition of the Carabao kneeling festival.
The following are the competitions in the event:
▪ Painted Carabao Miniature
▪ Paper Mache Carabaos
▪ Carabao Painting
▪ Wall mural painting
 CONTEMPORARY ART AS A CRITIQUE OF SOCIETY

The growing speed of technology, the transfer of ideas,

capital, information and culture around the globe provide the
backdrop for the dizzying diversity and rapid transformations
in contemporary art, thereby loosening many of the boundaries
and distinctions within art itself and the crossing over of art
forms.
Venues for contemporary art are no longer confined within
the strict boundaries of the museum and gallery spaces.
These artworks are some of the examples:
● The Ax(is) Art Project initiated by Baguio-based artist Kawayan de Guia in
2011, had for its goal the communal sewing of a big tent, the Ukay-ukay
Dome, an eye-catching temporary patchwork architecture of used clothing
assembled by over a hundred student volunteers and installed in the Rose
Garden of Burnham Park. The tent is marked by communal collaboration,
whose goal is to connect with people and students and make them interact to
produce a work of art. The performance artists were Vim Nadera, Cesare
Syjuco, and Carlos Celdran.
Recently, street performances and literary exhibitions have transformed busy
avenues and unexplored open spaces into art camps and event area.
● In the late 1990’s, Aureus Solito presented and “Paglalakbay ng Apoy at Dugo” in the open
space in between the Faculty center and the UP Diliman Campus.

And more innovated modern contemporary works

including;
o Bagasbas Beach International Eco-Arts Festival in 2003
● Salabay- A local term for jellyfish, which is also the
form adapted for a series of bell-shaped bamboo
forms suspended by bamboo poles planted on the
sand.
o Agap Iglap Lindol was conducted by Manila-based
university groups in a thickly populated barangay in Sta.
Mesa, Manila for earthquake preparedness performance.
 7 FUNCTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Contemporary Art for Pleasure

One of the biggest benefits of Contemporary Art is its aesthetic value. This means
that the art possesses some capacity to elicit a sense of pleasure in the viewer. Given
its aesthetic value, contemporary artwork can also be used to decorate many different
venues.
Contemporary Art as Profession
Earning a degree in Contemporary Art helps artists to hone their artistic skills.
They can take this knowledge and apply it behind the camera lens for a
lucrative career. Photographers may approach their craft from an artistic standpoint or
they may work in many avenues.
 7 FUNCTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Contemporary Art as Commentary

Along with personal expression, Contemporary Art allows the artist to make
commentary on the culture around them. This can include depicting literally or
figuratively their views on everything ranging from politics to pop culture.

Contemporary Art in Spirituality

Spirituality in the contemporary era is more varied. Some artists explicitly use
ideas and symbols from religious or mythological traditions in the expression of their
ideas; others have a more 'pick-and-mix' approach to spirituality, where aspects from
different traditions, including private beliefs, are amalgamated.
 7 FUNCTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Contemporary Art as Remembrance

As the word suggests, remembrance is something does as an aid of memory.
Visual imagery has played a decisive role in most types of commemoration.
Architecture and public art forms immortalize a memory.

Contemporary Art for Persuasion

Many art forms have a persuasive and ideological function. Art that used to spur
political change or modify the behavior and thinking of large groups of people have
political and persuasive functions. Government buildings, public monuments,
television commercials, and music videos all harness the power of art to influence
action and opinion.
 7 FUNCTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Art as Self-Expression
Art fulfills an expressive function when an artist conveys information about
his/her personality, feelings, or worldview. We all derive comfort from the fact that
others in the world are similar to ourselves, and artist use various modes of self-
expression to reach out to others in hopes of establishing bond.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Essay. 5 pts. Each item
Instruction: Explain the following questions.
Answer the following questions in a whole sheet of yellow pad;
1.What current social, political, economic, and cultural development can you consider as having a significant
influence on Contemporary Philippine Art?
Explain._______________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

2.Among the functions of contemporary art, which in your view is most significant?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. How is art relevant in your life? Do you see yourself as an artist?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Competency: Portray various contemporary art forms and
their practices from the various regions.
Type of Test: Performance-based
Instructions: Paint 1 scenario of recent issues in the
Philippines and put a desired name at the back of your
painting.
Take Note: Kindly use 1/8 size illustration board and be
creative.