LESSON* 1

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Content Standard
The learner shows understanding of the materials and techniques
Performance Standard
The learner discriminates among various materials and techniques
Learning Competencies
Relates the significance of art forms from the regions
Specific Learning Outcomes
Define what art is;
Differentiate the different types of visual arts;
Appreciate the importance of art; and
Give examples of visual arts that are found in their community.

Warmer

Directions: Get a one whole sheet of paper or a long coupon bond and answer the
following questions. Don’t forget to write the questions first before your answer.

 What is art?
 Why do people create art?
 Is there such a thing as
Filipino art?
 What makes good art?
 What is contemporary art?
Introduction

Have you ever wondered what art is? Is it only about paintings and sculptures
found in museums? How about the jingles we hear in commercials or those decorations
on our food; is that considered art?

Art is a tool for communication. Whether it is a painting or a performance as long

as it is a venue for one to convey or express a thought, emotions, or aspirations; it is
considered art. Every artwork reflects the artist and his/her society. Art offers us the
chance to learn and understand artists and the regions where they belong through their
works.

Why do people create art? Did you ever stop and reflect why people make songs,
perform dances, or draw? Art, unlike food and shelter, is not necessary for humans to
live. But what makes us or drives us to create and perform? Why is art so special to us
humans?

Art is one of the earliest and most basic forms of communication. This is seen in
the prehistoric visual artworks like the cave drawings and other early artifacts. This is
also evident in our folk songs and rituals. The visual and performing arts are ways for
people to express themselves and share their individual insights to others. Through
these arts, they catch other people’s attention, imagination, and admiration.

Instruction/Discussions

Art, as mentioned, is the tangible output of creative expression. It is a product of

human creativity and skill to express oneself. It is represented through its different
forms and disciplines such as literature, culinary arts, media arts, visual arts, and the
performing arts. This lesson will be concentrating on the various contemporary visual
and performing arts.

Visual Arts

Visual arts is a term used to describe a wide array of artistic disciplines that are
appreciated primarily through sight. Visual arts include the different art forms and
disciplines such as fine arts, decorative arts, and contemporary arts.

1. Fine Arts

Fine arts are the artworks we readily associate with art. The term “fine arts” was
the first used to describe the art forms created primarily for its appearance rather than
its practical use. As time passed, this term was used to include artworks that came
about from emerging technology and artistic innovations.
The following are the most common examples of Fine arts:
 Drawing
 Painting
 Sculpture
 Print
 Graphic art
 Calligraphy
 Architecture

Immortalizing Kabang by Rameer Tawasil

2. Decorative Arts

Decorative arts, also known as decorative crafts, are artworks that are both
aesthetically pleasing and functional. While the fine arts are primarily concerned with
beauty and aesthetics, the decorative arts were not only beautiful but are useful as
well. From the Renaissance up until the twentieth century, many artists in the West
consider the decorative arts as a lower version of art; makers of these artworks were
not considered as artists but rather as craftsmen. This attitude has gradually changed,
though there are still some who believe in the outdated distinction. There are a
multitude of examples of decorative arts, most common of which are:

 Textile art
 Glassware
 Jewelry
 Furniture
 Earthenware
 Metal craft
 Interior design

3. Contemporary Art Forms

There are new and unusual art forms that

could not be easily categorized between the fine arts
and decorative arts, these belong to the branch of
visual arts called contemporary art forms.
Contemporary art forms, include recently conceived
art styles and techniques that are not easily
categorized with the previously mentioned forms
(fine arts and decorative arts).
https://images.app.goo.gl/5FXAxVbb3xEr4ca38
These partially include:

 Assemblage
 Collage
 Installation
 Performance art
 Digital art
 Land art
 Conceptual art

It should be emphasized that there is a difference between contemporary art

forms and contemporary art.

Contemporary Art is defined as all art works that produced in our present
lifetime. These artworks can be expressed using the traditional art forms such as
paintings, sculptures, pottery, etc. or can be produced using new art techniques such as
installation, assemblage, etc.

There are numerous and still-emerging forms of contemporary arts. The list is
continually expanding with new art forms being invented due to the development of
technology.

4. Performing Arts

When artists use their voices and/or their body movements to communicate
artistic expression, this is an example of performing arts. Performing arts come in many
kinds, but all are meant to be enacted in front of a live audience. Performing arts are
often categorized into three types: music, dance, and theater.

1. Music
Music is a universal form of art. It is defined as the manipulation of sound and
silence. It blends the different elements such as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre, and
texture to create sound. It is performed by utilizing different instruments, vocal
techniques, and styles. It can be performed live or recorded and can be prepared in
advance or improvised.

Music comes in a variety of music genres, with each genre having its
subcategory. Here are some of the most common music genres.

 Art music
Art music is the umbrella term used to refer to music that stems from Western
Classical Music. It is usually presented and preserved through written musical
notations that were developed in Europe.
 Popular music
Popular music refers to music that is accessible and commercially available to the
public. It is played or disseminated through different mass media outlets such as
radios, television, and the Internet.

 Traditional music
Traditional music are musical forms that are community and culturally based. It
is diverse with one community or group often having a different form from one
another. It is learned and preserved by passing it to one generation to another
through oral communication and actual performance.

2. Dance

Dance is defined as regulated and deliberated order of body movements. These

movements have aesthetic value and are often performed accompanied with music.
Dance comes in many forms and styles, some of which are as follows:

 Ballet
 Belly dance
 Break dance
 Improvisational dance
 Hip-hop dance
 Modern dance
 Contemporary dance
 Traditional dance

3. Theater

Theater or play is a branch of performing arts that often involves the integration
and combination of the visual and performing arts. It is defined as a fine art where art
where actors or actresses perform experiences, whether real or imagined, in front of a
live audience. The performers make use of gestures, music, song, dance, and visual
arts to help communicate the story in front of an audience.

 Mime
 Puppetry
 Tragedy
 Opera
 Musical theater
 Traditional theater
WHY DO ARTISTS CREATE ART?

As mentioned before, people create art primarily as a tool for communication.

But throughout history, we can see that artists create art for reasons other than
communication.

o Recognition

Some artists create art in hopes of gaining fame and fortune. Some artists use
art as their means of livelihood, as seen with many visual artists, musicians, and
television and movie stars. Although it would be unfair to generalize, many
contemporary television and film stars are motivated to join the entertainment business
due to the potential of huge earnings. Some artists, due to their reputation and talent,
have become not just critically acclaimed but have earned financial success as well as
such as Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos, and the late King of Comedy Dolphy.

In the field of visual arts, Ronald Ventura (1973) made history when his painting
the “Grayground” was sold in an auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for almost 47 million
pesos in 2011.It set a new auction record at the time, beating the record set by fellow
Filipino artists Geraldine Javier a year before.

Sadly, many artists are not as fortunate and many struggle to make ends meet.
Their source of income depends on who patronizes their art.

o Worship

Not all artists create for personal recognition; some do it to glorify their creator.
This is evident in the many religious structures in the ancient world such as the
pyramids, Hindu temples, and the temples of the Greeks and Romans. Songs were also
created for worship as evident in many medieval hymns and in one of the oldest
surviving music found in Syria dated around 1400 BCE, which is believed to be about
the offerings of the goddess Nikkal. Christian iconography is found in the majority of
artworks produced during the Middle Ages up to the Modern period.

One such contemporary artist is the late Joey Velasco (1967-2010). He was well-
known for his rendition of Christian-themed artworks. One of the most celebrated is the
Hapag ng Pag asa (2005) which is his version of the Last Supper with street children
depicted as the apostles.

o Impulse

Some artists create art because they are driven by impulse. It is their passion,
and nothing makes them happier than doing their chosen art. These artists consider art
as life and spend their time doing nothing but such. Such passion can be seen in
National Artist for Music, Levi Celerio (1910-2002). Throughout his distinguished career,
Celerio is credited to have written over 4000 songs. Some of which have become
timeless classics of Filipino music such as the Christmas songs ‘Pasko na Naman’ (1965)
and ‘Ang Pasko ay Sumapit’ (1933). As well as enduring Filipino love songs such as ‘
Kahit Konting Pagtingin’ and ‘Basta’t Mahal Kita’ and the lullaby ‘Sa Ugoy ng Duyan’
(1948).

o Self-expression

Artists, without a doubt, create art for self-expression. They express ideas and
emotions that might not be adequately expressed through words. Each artwork is a
reflection of each individual artists’ personality and experiences, making each
artwork unique.

WHY STUDY ART?

People have their own interpretation of a singular topic. Some may approach the
subject negatively or positively. Although there might be similarities, the end product is
still unique.

Creating art can help you express yourself, enabling you to share your ideas and
emotions with others while studying art teaches you to distinguish and understand the
individual differences we all have that in part make us unique. It makes us more
sensitive to others.
Studying and creating art help develop our decision and problem solving skills.
Studying and creating art help us realize that there are many ways of dealing and
solving obstacle. Such an example of this is when your teacher would ask you to draw
something, perhaps a house. We would realize that each one would have made
different designs from one another. Though there would be similarities, the end product
would still be essentially different and unique. And by realizing this, it helps us realize
that there are more than one correct solution to a problem.
This is an important skill in the real world because it teaches us to look for
creative ways to solve a difficulty. It nurtures imagination and in turn, promotes
originality and innovativeness which are skills valued in almost all businesses today.

ART AND THE FILIPINO

Filipinos are very social people and this is reflected in their art, more especially in
their traditional art. Though the West does have a great sway on contemporary art
especially with the movements and the techniques; in its heart Philippine contemporary
art is an example of integral arts which is essentially communal and unitive in nature.
This means that art is often created and conceived by artists with consideration to the
society and community they live in. Filipino art often gives more importance on how it
affects the artist’s society rather than its impacts on the individual. Filipino Art is often
intended to unite the community and hopes to create cooperative action rather than
individual change.

According to Prof. Felipe M. De Leon Jr., a professor of art studies and as of

writing the current chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA),
Filipino Integral art has the following attributes:

 Art is ingrained with beauty and function. Art is not made for art sake but is
instead made with considerations with other factors such as use beliefs, ethics,
social, spiritual and environmental concerns.
 It is holistic in nature. A balance should be made between all the other
disciplines to achieve the ultimate expression.
 Art is part of our everyday life. It is not considered as a separate activity. Art
exist whenever there is human activity.
 Everybody is an artist, and everybody is given an equal chance to contribute and
participate.
 Freedom in the technique and the use of mediums, which gives flexibility and
opportunity to join in the artistic expression.
 Art makes use of the available resources, it should not be limited by budget
constraints.
 The creative process is given more importance rather than the finished work. It
is because more people are in participation during the process rather than the
finished work.

FILIPINO ART TENDENCIES

Through his studies Prof. De Leon suggests that there are several characteristic
tendencies seen in Philippine Art. He also relates these tendencies with the communal
instinct of the Filipinos. As mentioned Filipinos are social creatures and their art is
influenced by this. Even if an artist has studied and trained abroad, these predisposed
characteristics can still be even felt albeit diluted.

Broadest aspect technique

Filipino artworks often try to show the many sides of an object, depicting how
Filipinos think it looks like rather than how it is actually seen. This is why many artists
often orient objects showing the biggest and the most familiar angle of an object for
greater recognition.

Multiple focal points

Related with the first tendency, many artists use multiple focal points in their
composition in efforts to try to represent the sentiments of the different members of
society. This tendency can be clearly seen in the works of the late cartoonist Larry
Alcala, whose works show multiple scenes and events at one point in time.

Highly expressive

Being born in a very social environment, Filipinos are more emphatic,

spontaneous, and emotional. This tendency holds especially true for the performing
arts, where Filipinos excel. In the visual arts this is carried over through the colorful
artworks.

Polychromatic

Filipinos love color, decorative arts and crafts. This is why costumes and festivals
are bathed in rich, vibrant spectrum and colors.

Maximalism

Filipino art has an inclination to fill up space with forms and ornamentation. This
is said to be rooted in the expressiveness of the Filipinos. A good example of the
Filipinos proclivity to decorate can be seen in the public transport vehicle, the jeepney.
Decorations that range from airbrushed portraits to scenic landscapes fill up the inside
and the exterior of the “dyip”.

Multifunctional

Creating works that has various uses strengthen the sense of community with
people of different fascination and requirements. This is one of the given reasons as to
the popularity of mixed media and installation art with many contemporary Filipino
artists. These installations and mediums are often combined with indigenous materials
and local objects.

Rhythmic Patterns

One of the most recognizable tendencies in Filipino art is the stylized and
measured organization of patterns and forms. It is almost like the physical
manifestation of the Filipino artists’ psyche, individually present and different but in
harmonious movement with the rest of the forms.
Name: ___________________________________ Date: __________
Grade/Section: ______________________ Score: _________

Try this!

In your own words, how do you express art? What is your definition of art?

Enrichment

Activity 1

Directions: Create a brochure that shows at least five (5) of the different fine arts that
are found in your community. Each art form should have a picture and a caption
explaining the artwork.

Activity 2

Directions: On a short bond paper, create a brief report or research on a

contemporary art form. It may be an art form not mentioned in the lesson. The report
should include the art form’s characteristics, history, proponent artist/s, and a picture of
an example artwork of the form.
 Activity 3

Directions: Fill out the concept map below of the importance of studying art. You may
add other reasons not present in the lesson. Provide a sheet of paper if you think the
spaces are not enough for you and copy the illustration.

ART
 LESSON 2

ART IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES

Content Standard
The learner demonstrates understanding of the significant roles of artists from
the regions
Performance Standard
The learner creates avenues to advocate roles of artists from the different
regions
Learning Competencies
Analyzes contemporary art forms based on the elements and principles
Specific Learning Outcomes
Define contemporary art;
Explain the elements and principles of contemporary art;
Enumerate contemporary art forms based on elements and principles; and
Research on various contemporary art forms.

Introduction

The J. Paul Getty Museum defines contemporary art as “art made and produced
by artists living today. Today’s artists work in and respond to a global environment that
is culturally diverse, technologically advancing, and multifaceted.” With this definition,
you can picture the kind of art created by today’s contemporary artists as art that has a
world view and is sensitive to the changing times. Contemporary art today is not
restricted to the individual experience of the artist but is reflective of the world that we
live in. In this kind of art, you might see how events in different countries (e.g., in
Europe or Africa) might have an effect on a Filipino living in Naga or Tagbilaran.

Reflect Upon …
What brings about the changes in art that make it contemporary?
Instruction/Discussions

Because art is produced by people and people are influenced by time,

contemporary art is a continuing practice that has evolved with the following new
elements or principles:

Appropriation

When you see T-shirts with the image of Jose Rizal wearing shades or the walls
of Intramuros in canvas bags, existing artworks are “appropriated” to form another
artwork. The use of these prints, images, and icons to produce another art form is a
feature of contemporary art that combines the past with the present. By appropriation,
the contemporary artist revives interest to existing forms of art.

Appropriation of Mona Lisa  was not limited to

popular culture and hobbyist. Famous artists
like Marcel Duchamp, Any Warhol, and Jasper
Johns, have successfully appropriated
the Mona Lisa  in their work.

Source:
https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/cctp-
802-spring2017/the-reappearance-of-mona-
lisa-appropriation-art-and-dialogic-networks/

Johannes Vermeer’s famous painting Girl

with a Pearl Earring is given a modern take
with the selfie.

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/537969117990820243
/
Performance

Performance of contemporary artists has evolved to “emphasize spontaneous,

unpredictable elements of chance, “according to the Walker Art Center. Performance
artists have tried to interpret various human activities, from ordinary activities such as
chores, routines, and rituals, to socially relevant themes such as poverty,
commercialism, and war.

Fig. 2.1 International Filipino performance

artist Marilyn Arsem playing a dead person at
the Philippines International Performance Art
Fig.Festival.
2.2 Yuan Moro Ocampo
performing The Shadow in Space
Source:
Denmark
http://cuadrofilipino.blogspot.com/2005/09/4t How art transforms a space
Source:
h-philippine-international.html is now an occupation of
http://cuadrofilipino.blogspot.com/ contemporary artists. Have you
2005/09/4th-philippine-
encountered a flash mob or
international.html
sculpture installations in malls and parks?

These are examples of site-specific art forms

wherein the art form is performed and positioned in specific spots, especially in public
places. Here are some examples of site-specific art forms.

Hybridity
 Contemporary artists are now as innovative as ever. In traditional painting, only
a few materials are of conventional use. Contemporary visual artists, on the other hand,
may opt to use coffee for painting or carve miniature sculptures using crayons.
Hybridity in contemporary art is the mixing of unlikely materials to produce an artwork.
Look at the following samples.

Fig. 2.3 Crayons are engraved meticulously

to create sculptures
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl Fig. 2.4 A painting by Karen Eland using
/keNL94Ei6TMMueA19 coffee as medium
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/
JiCjGTggpc5z69fh9

Technology

Technology is a reality in the present-day world, and contemporary artists have

used technology in the creation and dissemination of works of art. When MTV first went
into the airwaves in 1981, video became part of the human interaction. The video
phenomenon was further pushed by the debut of YouTube that allowed everyone with
Internet connection to post and share videos. Contemporary artists have used video
and the Internet as a way of propagating art.

The Internet provides accessibility in experiencing art forms. But there is something
breathtaking about experience them in real life.

Name:___________________________________ Date: ___________

Grade/Section: ______________________ Score: _________

Try this!

1. In your own words, explain contemporary art.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_

2. What are the positive and negative effects of appropriation?

________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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Enrichment
Fill in this table.
Roses Thorns Buds

What advantages What are the negative What roles should the
does the Internet effects of the Internet Internet and
provide contemporary on the arts? technology play in
artists? promoting the arts?