Learning Targets
At the end of this chapter, you should be
able to:
a. Researches on various contemporary art
forms, techniques and performance practices.
b. Describes various contemporary art forms
and their practices from the various regions
Development of
Philippine Art
INTRODUCTION
The development of Philippine
comes in three major traditions namely:



Art
Ethnic Tradition;
Spanish Colonial Tradition; and
American Colonial and Contemporary
Traditions.
Ethnic Tradition
Before colonization, the
Philippines already has its
indigenous art. The ethnic art
forms are primarily influenced
by the geographical location
and the experiences of the
Filipinos.
Ethnic Tradition
Tinikling is a traditional Philippine folk dance that imitates
the movements of the tikling bird, a species of longlegged wading bird that is known for its agility in avoiding
bamboo traps set by farmers.
For
instance,
the
dances in the country during
the pre-colonial times vary
depending on the area
where our ancestors thrive.
In the highlands, dance
steps were imitations of the
movements
of
certain
animals like birds.
Ethnic Tradition
In terms of visual
arts, pottery, weaving,
wood carving, and metal
crafting were dominant
during the pre-colonial
period making use of the
available
materials
surrounding them.
Ethnic Tradition
Bahay Kubo is the native house of the Philippines and the
materials that are used in building Bahay Kubo are bamboo,
nipa. The word kubo in Spanish is cubo means “cube” because
bahay kubo is a rectangular or box shape.
About architecture,
the early Filipinos used local
material such as anahaw,
bamboo,
cogon,
cane,
rattan, and other light
materials in constructing
structures since these were
the materials accessible in
their area.
Ethnic Tradition
Also, our ancestors already have
their folk literature which came in the
forms of folk speeches, songs, and
narratives. This folk literature verbalized
their experiences.
Regarding theater arts, tribal
presentations and rituals were the early
theatrical performances depicting their
beliefs. In music our ancestors also have
their indigenous musical instruments like
the bamboo flutes and brass gongs.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
Then came the Spaniards who tend to
replace the Philippine indigenous arts with
Western
art
forms.
Religion
and
secularization greedy influenced the art in
the Philippines under the Spanish regime.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
The friars were
the ones supervising the
practices of arts in the
country
with
their
agenda of propagating
Christianity
and
maintaining the power of
colonizers.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
Field of literature
The literary works could classified
into religious and secular prose and
poetry.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
In the area of theater arts
 secular and religious plays like the “komedya”
became popular
In choreography
 religious
dances commonly performed
venerate patrons and saints proliferated
to
Spanish Colonial Tradition
There were also secular dances performed in
social function like the valse, fandango, polka, and minuet,
among others.
In music
 the Spaniards introduced the piano, and other Western
instruments
 Bands and orchestra multiplied as the zarzuelas and
operas became prevalent.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
In visual arts

Spaniards introduced painting and
sculpture which mostly depicted religious
subject matters.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
In architecture

stones and bricks were
predominantly used in
constructing buildings like
churches, houses, and
government offices.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
Western Spanish influence was
evident in architecture, the exterior,
and interior of the buildings were
embellished with wood carvings or
metal works with intricate decorative
designs.
Spanish Colonial Period
However, despite the strong influence
of the Spaniards, the arts in the country did
not result in a pure Western art but a mix of
Western and indigenous art. Filipino artists
still put Filipino touches on their art pieces.
American Colonial: Modern Art
After more than 300 years of
Spanish
colonization,
the
Americans took over the country
which led to the declaration of the
independence on June12, 1898.
The American brought about many
changes in the politics, economy,
education and culture of the
Philippines.
American Colonial: Modern Art
In
the
area
education,
there
are
Filipinos who went abroad
to study, some studied
under the tutelage of the
American educators, and
some
learned
through
observation and personal
experiences.
American Colonial: Modern Art
American Influence on Painting:
American artists and educators played a role in
shaping Philippine painting during this period.
Artists like Fabián de la Rosa, Fernando
Amorsolo, and Jorge Pineda, for example,
were influenced by American Impressionism and
Realism.
Fernando Cueto Amorsolo
(1892 – 1972),
Under the mango tree
Oil on canvas, signed F.
Amorsolo and dated 1950
(lower right)
1942 / Oil on canvas / 63.5 x 48.25 cm /
Artist: Jorge Pineda / Jorge B. Vargas
Museum collection, University of the
Philippines Diliman
American Colonial: Modern Art
Academic Art and Formal Training
American colonial authorities established institutions that
promoted formal art education based on academic
principles. The Academia de Dibujo y Pintura
(Academy of Drawing and Painting) and the School of
Fine Arts were among the institutions that provided
training in Western artistic traditions.
American Colonial: Modern Art
Those who went
abroad to study came
back to the country
carrying the concept of
modern art.
American Colonial: Modern Art
Modern art refers to the practice of art in the
1860s-1960s. It was during these years that the western
world was significantly developing.
The urbanization, consumerism, rise of the middle
class, change in the political system, secularization, and
the emergence of new technology AFFECTED the way of
art in the period.
American Colonial: Modern Art
Due to the technological
innovations, the experimental
approaches in developing art
rose above traditional art
practices and methodologies.
New forms of expression came
which were avant-garde in
nature.
American Colonial: Modern Art
Modern art continuously
develops even after World War
II,
which
let
to
the
contemporary way of art
making today.
Contemporary
Contemporary art refers to
the recent and current practice of
art ranging from the 1970’s up to
the present. It mirrors the society
and culture of the present times. It
uses a combination of different
methods, materials, and ideas that
transcend the traditional way of art
making.
Contemporary
All Philippine art forms had
a different twist as the American
way of life became a part of lives of
the Filipinos. The art forms and art
practices in the country broadened.
Artists experimented with different
materials and methodologies and
produced
non-conventional
artworks with a wide-range of
themes.
Copy this discussion in your CPAR notebook. 5 pts