CONTEMPORARY

PHILIPPINE ARTS
FROM THE REGIONS
 INTEGRATIVE ART
AS APPLIED TO
CONTEMPORARY ART
CONTEMPORARY ART
is the art of the modern-day. It is the art of “now” since the
artworks are produced in the present time. Let us have a
quick look at the timeline to see the evolution of
contemporary art. objects, animals and rituals that proved
the existence of this civilization.
 PREHISTORIC ART
(40,000-4,000 B.C)
The origins of art history can be traced
back to the Prehistoric era, before the
advent of written language. The
earliest artifacts come from the
Paleolithic era, or the Old Stone Age,
in the form of rock carvings,
engravings, pictorial imagery,
sculptures, and stone arrangements.
 ANCIENT ART
(4,000 B.C. - A.D. 400)
Ancient art was produced by advanced
civilizations from Mesopotamia, Egypt,
Greece, and the Americas when
written language was established.
The medium of a work of art from this
period varies depending on the
civilization that produced it — mostly
served similar purposes that include
telling stories, decorating utilitarian
objects like bowls and weapons,
displaying religious and symbolic
imagery, and demonstrating social
status.
 MEDIEVAL ART
(A.D. 500 - A.D. 1400)
Often referred to as the “Dark Ages,” the
Middle Ages marked a period of
economic and cultural deterioration
following the fall of the Roman Empire in
476 A.D. Most of the artwork in the early
years of this period reflects that
darkness, characterized by grotesque
imagery and brutal scenery.
Over time, the artwork was centered on
more sophisticated and elaborately
decorated churches with windows and
silhouettes adorned with biblical
subjects and scenes from classical
mythology.
 RENAISSANCE ART
(1,400 - 1600)
This period was characterized by natural
elements, individualism and realism.
Artwork produced had attention-to detail
and precision of the human anatomy.
Italian designer Filippo Brunelleschi and
sculptor Donatello were key innovators
during this period. Influential artists
such as da Vinci, Michelangelo and
Raphael, who brought creative power
and led the ideals of emotional
expression.
 MANNERISM
(1527 - 1580)
Inspired by the ideals of Michelangelo,
Raphael, and other late Renaissance
artists, mannerists emerged but their
focus on style and technique
overshadowed the meaning of the
subject matter.
Figures had stylized features and
exaggerated details instead of using the
classical ideals of harmonious
composition and linear perspective used
by their predecessors.
 BAROQUE
(1600 - 1750)
The Baroque period is characterized by
ornate, over-the-top visual arts and
architecture. Artwork depicted grandeur
and richness, which described artists as
stylistically complex. Baroque paintings
were dramatic as seen in the iconic
works of Italian painter Caravaggio and
Dutch painter Rembrandt. Painters used
an intense contrast between light and
dark and had energetic compositions
matched by rich color palettes.
 ROCOCO
(1699 - 1780)
Rococo is characterized by lightness
and elegance, focusing on the use of
natural forms, asymmetrical design,
and subtle colors. Painters like Antoine
Watteau and Francois Boucher used
lighthearted treatments, rich
brushwork, and fresh colors.
 NEOCLASSICISM
(1750 - 1850)
The Neoclassical period obtained the
elements of classical antiquity where
artists tried to recreate the great
works of ancient art taken from
archaeological ruins of ancient
civilizations in Athens and Naples.
Neoclassical artists include Italian
sculptor Antonio Canova who used the
classical elements in his marble
sculptures but shunned the cold
artificiality found in its early creations.
 ROMANTICISM
(1780 - 1850)
From painting to music to literature,
Romantic artists reject order,
harmony, and rationality, which were
embraced in both Classical Art and
Neoclassicism. The individual and
imagination are emphasized with an
appreciation for nature that brought
artists out of dark interiors and
enabled them to paint outside.
Artwork showed passion, emotion, and
sensation over intellect and reason.
 REALISM
(1848 - 1900)
Believed to the first modern art
movement, this period was a result of
the anti-Romantic movement in
Germany, the rise of journalism, and
the advent of photography, which in
turn encouraged new interest in
capturing activities of everyday life in
a more precise manner. Hence,
artwork featured detailed, lifelike
depictions of the subject matter.
 IMPRESSIONISM
(1865 - 1885)
Impressionist painters focused on
encapsulating the impression of an
exact moment. They used short, quick
brushstrokes and an unfinished
sketch-like feel in their artwork with
modern life as their subject.
Impressionists prefer painting
situations like dance halls and sailboat
regattas rather than historical and
mythological events.
 EXPRESSIONISM
(1905 – 1920)
Due to the growing conflict in world
views and loss of spirituality, this
period sought to display anxieties and
raw emotions through the artists’
works that show distortion of form
and strong colors.
CONTEMPORARY ART
(1970s – present)
This period is marked by the
exploration of Postmodernism,
Feminist Art, Neo-Expressionism,
Street Art, Appropriation Art, Digital
Art and other small movements. Jeff
Koons is the leading contributor of this
period whose famous work is Michael
Jackson and Bubbles in 1988.
CONTEMPORARY ART
(1970s – present)
CONTEMPORARY ART (1970S – PRESENT)
Neo-Expressionism opened the
First, contemporary art is inspired by opportunity to revive the original
Postmodernism, where artworks aspects of Abstract Expressionism to
reflect skepticism or doubt, irony, and create highly textual, expressive and
philosophical critiques, in response to large works.
modernism.
Graffiti-like art on surfaces in public
places such as sidewalks, buildings, and
Of course, there was the attempt to
overpasses also shaped contemporary
transform stereotypes and break the
art. Also known as Street art,
typical male-dominated art history,
contemporary artwork also tries to
which prompted Feminist Art.
convey a message related to political
ideas, social commentary or
confrontation (Nery & Cruz, 2018).
CONTEMPORARY ART (1970S – PRESENT)

Appropriation Art has an effect on contemporary art as well. This movement

focused on the use of images in art with little transformation from their original
form.

The advent of the camera led to the infusion of art and technology (like
computers, audio and visual software, sound, and pixels) and paved the way for
Digital Art, also a great influencer of contemporary art.
Now that you have learned the different art
movements throughout the history of Western art
that led to contemporary art, it is important to
realize that each period has a distinct and diverse
style, technique, and medium across the globe
which is why we see a lot of unique painting,
sculpture, architectural achievements, and other
defining works of art.
Though the term contemporary art is a bit
subjective, it refers to the recent and current
practice of art ranging from the 1970s up to the
present. It is also defined as art created by those
living today since the term “contemporary” means
existing or occurring at present.
In vernacular English, “contemporary” is
synonymous to “modern” but contemporary art is
different from modern art. Any art produced by
artists in this day and age is contemporary art –
which is why it is called the art of today.

Sometimes, it is called the art of the 21st century.

 WHY DO
ARTISTS
CREATE ART?
There are many reasons why people make art –
probably as many as people making art. As mentioned
in the earlier part of this lesson, art has been primarily
used as a tool for communication. However,
throughout history, art has come to serve other
purposes. Let us learn some of the few reasons why
people create art.
 FOR WORSHIP
As seen in many religious structures like churches,
pyramids, temples (such as the nearly barren Rock
Garden at Ryoan-ji temple near Kyoto, Japan), and so on,
art functions to enhance religious contemplation.
Religious institutions incorporate artists’ creative skills
into their sacred rituals such as the singing of worship
songs. The stained glass windows and sculptures that you
see in churches are designed to communicate biblical
teachings. Christian iconography and Christian-themed
artworks are also evidence that art is used to glorify
one’s deity.
To Evoke Emotions
and Feelings

Using the elements and principles of art (be it visual,

audio or performing arts), the artists (through their
creative skills) convey feelings such as anger or
happiness in their artwork, which become the message of
the artwork to show the desired emotion or experience.
To Reinforce Cultural
Ties and Traditions

People of different cultures express their identity through

their artwork. The place they live, their way of life, their
beliefs, and traditions are also seen among their works of
art. Through art, different cultures of different times
communicate with each other via images, sounds, and
stories – making art a vehicle for social change as it
influences society by translating experiences across time
and space.
 For Adornment

Various art has been used to beautify not just the human
body but the surroundings as well. A sense of face-lift is
given to one’s body through fashion, jewelry, and tattoos
just as flower arrangement and decorative art pieces do
to give a make-over to the environment. Note that
adornment does not only reflect culture, but also the
trends within a culture.
 To Tell Stories

Just as authors or songwriters use words to tell stories;

and dancers use actions and steps to depict a tale; artists
use paint or charcoal to describe scenes, characters,
actions, or conversations. Notice, too, that when you
listen to your favorite music, you can relate to the story
that it tries to portray or imagine looking at a photo and
understanding its narrative without having to read a text
about it.
To Capture Historical
Events and People

Before cameras were born, artists used painting or

sculpture to capture portraits of important people or
important events. Aside from these, artists of today take
photographs, or create drawings or sketches, or even
come up with entertaining video clips to pay tribute or to
express their feelings and opinions about an important
person or event. Have you seen editorial cartoons about
our government?
 For Recognition
Gaining fame and fortune has also become a reason for
artists to create art. TV and movie stars, musicians, and
several visual artists have used art as their bread and
butter due to the potential for huge earnings. Some
artists have earned financial success and have become
critically acclaimed because of their talent and
reputation. Unfortunately, not all artists are as fortunate
– many still struggle to make ends meet as their income
depends on who patronizes their art.
 To Bring Attention
to Ordinary Objects

Some artists choose to focus on ordinary objects and

give us another view of what the object could be and
what art is. As a modern trend in art, we see all kinds of
everyday objects turned into art making ordinary objects
unique as they become the focus of the artwork.
Indeed, art comes in various forms such as literary art
(like poetry, short stories, novels, essays, and plays)
and applied art (which includes fashion design,
interior design, graphic design, and many more). But
the most common among these forms are VISUAL AND
PERFORMING ARTS.
 VISUAL ARTS
Artworks that are primarily visual in nature are
considered as visual arts. In other words, these are art
forms that are perceived and appreciated using our sense
of sight. Among these include fine arts, decorative arts,
and contemporary art forms. Let us learn in brief about
each form on the next page.
FINE ARTS
When we think of artworks, we readily associate fine arts with
art. Initially, fine arts are artworks that are developed for
aesthetics or beauty. These art forms are primarily created
for their appearance and ability to stimulate the intellect
rather than their functional value. However, as time passed,
the term “fine art” extended its definition as it embraced new
artworks that emerged from new technology and artistic
inventions.
Truly, the definition of fine art changes with time but most artworks
under it encompass the following examples:
a. Drawing d. Printmaking g. Architecture
b. Painting e. Graphic Art
c. Sculpture f. Calligraphy
DECORATIVE ARTS
These art forms are created because of its aesthetic design
and practical use. Unlike fine arts whose function is to be
looked at, decorative arts are utilitarian in nature - they are
both beautiful and functional. Makers of these artworks
starting from the Renaissance period up to the 20th century
were not considered as artists

Examples of decorative arts include Textile Art, Book Illustration,

Pottery, Glassware, Embroidery, Tapestry, Jewelry, Floral
Arrangements, Interior Design, Furniture and accessory
furnishings, Metal Craft, Fashion Design, Earthenware
CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS

Considered as a special type of art that cannot be easily

categorized as fine arts or decorative arts because of the
newly conceived art styles and techniques that did not exist in
the first two art forms, which were discussed earlier. New and
unusual, these art forms include recent art styles and
techniques that appear to be difficult to distinguish as it
usually lacks a single objective or point of view.
Examples of contemporary art forms partly include:

a. Assemblage d. Performance Art g. Conceptual Art

b. Collage e. Digital Art
c. Installation f. Land Art
PERFORMING ARTS
This is an art form in which artists make use of their
voices, body movements, or non-living objects to express
one’s emotions and feelings. Performing arts are meant
to be performed in front of a live audience to provide
entertainment in theatres or opera houses, open-air
stages, on stages in tents such as circuses, and on the
street. Artists who participate in this form of art in front
of an audience are called performers. They are usually
more known as actors, circus artists, comedians, dancers,
magicians, musicians, and singers.
THEATER ARTS
Also known as play, this branch of
performing arts involves the integration
and combination of the visual and
performing arts. Theater Arts involves
performers who act out stories that are
based on reality or imagination using a
combination of speech, gesture, music,
dance and visual arts as props to convey
the story in front of an audience.
Common examples include:
a. Mime d. Opera
b. Puppetry e. Musical Theater
c. Tragedy f. Traditional Theater
DANCE
Dance is defined as a regulated or deliberated
order of body movements. This form of performing
arts typically refers to human movements that
have aesthetic value and are often performed with
music accompaniment. Dance comes in various
forms and styles and the art of making dances is
called choreography while the person who
practices this art is a choreographer.

Among the many styles of dance are:

Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Modern Dance,
Ballroom Dance, Folk Dance, Traditional Dance Belly
Dance, Improvisational Dance, Break Dance and
Hip-hop Dance.
MUSIC
Being a universal form of art, music is defined as
the manipulation of sound and silence. This form of
art combines different elements such as pitch,
rhythm, dynamics, timbre, and texture to create
sound, which happens to be the material of music.
It is performed using musical sounds from various
musical instruments, or using the human voice with
style or technique, or a combination of both.
Further, a music can be improvised or planned, and
can occur in recorded formats or even performed
live.
 GENRES OF MUSIC

Art POPULAR Traditional

music music Music
– is the umbrella term used – generally refers to music – are musical forms that are
to refer to music that stems that is accessible and community and culturally
from Western Classical commercially available to based. It is diverse with one
Music. It is usually presented the public. It is played or community or group often
and preserved through disseminated through having a different form from
another. It is learned and
written musical notations different mass media outlets
preserved by passing it to one
that were developed in such as radios, television,
generation to another through
Europe. and the Internet. oral communication and actual
performance.