Contemporary Art

Contemporary art is the art that springs out of the present-day events and passions of the society. It is
the newest form of art, amusing people from the middle to the late 20th century up to this very minute.

Authorities in the arts place the emergence of contemporary art sometime during the start of
postmodernism in the West, around the late 1970s. This was the time when artists reacted to the
previous art period called modernism, whose idea of using a pure, simplified, and a streamlined form
and style was fundamental in creating something new at that time. This gave birth to the idea that "less
is more."

Contemporary art is produced by the 21st century artists living in the postmodern age. It functions in a
global society that is culturally diverse and technology-oriented. For one thing, it provides instances for
people to reflect and respond to contemporary social concerns and issues pertinent to themselves and
to the world. For another thing, it is a combination of mixed styles, materials, techniques, and concepts
that challenges tradition. It has gone into the mainstream and into the communities. It has become a
collaborative process and the audience plays an active role in reacting and constructing meaning about
the work of art.

It is good to study contemporary arts because you are surrounded by art in our everyday life, in mass
media, and even in social media. However, it is not enough to see or hear them. You have to understand
what they mean and how they affect your life. You have to ask yourself if everything that you see and
hear is good for you. Therefore, you have to learn to sift through the diverse sights and sounds to find
out their worth. You have to discriminate between good and bad art, for what is truly beautiful is in
knowing the arts.

Contemporary art is essential to you not only because it belongs to your time, but it also serves as a
form of expression of the people's present feelings and longings.

Contemporary works of art are the means through which the artists of today communicate their
sentiments.

Contemporary Art vs. Modern Art

This divergence of the modern art from the norms of its former periods is similar to the unorthodox
movement of contemporary art. In fact, the two periods are similar in so many ways that people
oftentimes have mistakenly interchanged them. This is understandable; after all, the definition of the
words "contemporary" and "modern" is even the same. In this regard, what makes modern art and
contemporary art different from each other?

Perhaps the main distinction between modern art and contemporary art is the time period in which they
have existed. Modern art emerged in the late 1800s and continued to grow for more or less a century. It
slowly waned in the middle to late 20th century when postmodernism came to light. Postmodernism
then gave birth to what we know now as contemporary art. This art exists up to this day, and no one
knows when a new period will arrive to veil contemporary art in its shadow.

Modern art developed as styles and techniques, whereas contemporary means "with the times" (con
tempo). Thus, contemporary art refers to the art of the present time.

This divergence of the modern art from the norms of its former periods is similar to the unorthodox
movement of contemporary art. In fact, the two periods are similar in so many ways that people
oftentimes have mistakenly interchanged them. This is understandable; after all, the definition of the
words "contemporary" and "modern" is even the same. In this regard, what makes modern art and
contemporary art different from each other?

Perhaps the main distinction between modern art and contemporary art is the time period in which they
have existed. Modern art emerged in the late 1800s and continued to grow for more or less a century. It
slowly waned in the middle to late 20th century when postmodernism came to light. Postmodernism
then gave birth to what we know now as contemporary art. This art exists up to this day, and no one
knows when a new period will arrive to veil contemporary art in its shadow.
Modern art developed as styles and techniques, whereas contemporary means "with the times" (con
tempo). Thus, contemporary art refers to the art of the present time.

Another example is a unique presentation of three great Filipino artists coming from three distinct
disciplines-dance, music, and song - performing under one roof at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
(CCP) in Manila. They are Lisa Macuja Elizalde, prima ballerina; Cecil Licad, international classical pianist,
and Lea Salonga, international singer and musical actress. They combined their talents to produce rare
performance. The program was called the Legends and the Classics.

There are many manifestations of integrative art in our society nowadays. You just have to have a keen
eye to recognize what in our world are samples of integrative art and what are not.

Can you cite other examples of integrative art?

Related Activity 1.1.

Imagine that you are riding a time machine that brings you back to the past ten years ago.

Philippine Contemporary Arts Expressions and Experientations

possible.

1.3

The Subject of Art

To create your own contemporary piece, you must fully understand what makes an
artwork a true work of art. You must first explore the subject of art.

Every work of art has a subject. A song may contain lyrics of devotion directed to a certain person. A
novel may talk about the results of war. A painting may show a scene in nature. Every work of

art-regardless of the period in which it belongs has a subject, the very core of its

conception.

Generally speaking, a subject or topic is any person, animal, thing, or issue that is described or
represented in a work. It usually generates the question, What is it? because people expect to see or
hear subjects that they can recognize or are familiar to them. Subject is different from theme or content
(substance); theme is the recurring idea or element in a work of art. The theme refers to the ideas,
thoughts, and feelings of the artist.

Everything under the sun is considered a in the arts from the simplest idea (e.g.. happiness) or an object
(e.g., a wine bottle) to the most complicated ones, like philosophical thoughts or dreamscapes. In visual
design, artworks with subjects that are recognizable are called realistic, representational, or objective
art. Those that are not recognizable are nonrepresentational or nonobjective art.

In visual design, there are different ways or styles of depicting a subject. Get to know these styles
through the works of art of various Filipino contemporary artists.

Realism

The first style is realism in which the subject is done the way it actually looks. An example of this is the
painting of Araceli Dans below.

Bridal White by Araceli Dans. 2014. Watercolor on paper Photo courtesy of the artist
Distortion

The second is distortion wherein the artist uses his or her imagination and alters the subject according
to his or her desire. A stylized work is a form of distortion like Norma Belleza's painting.

Abstraction

The third is abstraction wherein the artist breaks apart a subject and rearranges it in a different manner.

In Science, it is the process of analysis and synthesis. Pablo Picasso innovated this

style in the early 1900s. The paintings of the National Artist Vicente Manansala belong to this category.

Non objectivism

The fourth style is nonobjectivism wherein there is totally no subject at all - just an interplay of pure
elements like line, shape, or color, and so on.

A good example of non-objectivism is the painting by Roberto Chabet on the next page.

Untitled No. 2 by Roberto Chabet. 1980. Acrylic on paper

With regard to subject or theme, the Filipino contemporary artists are now conscious of their indigenous
roots. Granting that the Philippines has been colonized for over 400 years and impacted by Spanish and
American cultures, the contemporary Filipino artists are veering away from these influences. However,
they accept the fact that these are part of the Philippines' historical identity. They are embedded in the
country's culture, Moreover, these artists are conscious that they are no longer subject ova to western
ideas, concepts, and forms.
As discussed earlier, themes that are prevalent in the contemporary art scene in the aten regions are
responses to social, economic, and political issues, ethnic and indigenous concerns, and current events.
Other subject matters also considered are Philippine folklore, mythology, and philosophical thoughts.
Some subjects in the visual arts that continue to be favored are still life, landscapes, genre scenes,
portraits, and Philippine fiestas and landmarks. Additional subjects are those concerning superstitions
and the supernatural. All these are the subjects that have helped developed the Filipino's sense of
national identity.

Aside from these, avant-garde styles are used by daring and innovative artists in all the art forms.

Untitled No. 2 by Roberto Chabet. 1980. Acrylic on paper

With regard to subject or theme, the Filipino contemporary artists are now conscious of their indigenous
roots. Granting that the Philippines has been colonized for over 400 years and impacted by Spanish and
American cultures, the contemporary Filipino artists are veering away from these influences. However,
they accept the fact that these are part of the Philippines' historical identity. They are embedded in the
country's culture, Moreover, these artists are conscious that they are no longer subject ova to western
ideas, concepts, and forms.

As discussed earlier, themes that are prevalent in the contemporary art scene in the aten regions are
responses to social, economic, and political issues, ethnic and indigenous concerns, and current events.
Other subject matters also considered are Philippine folklore, mythology, and philosophical thoughts.
Some subjects in the visual arts that continue to be favored are still life, landscapes, genre scenes,
portraits, and Philippine fiestas and landmarks. Additional subjects are those concerning superstitions
and the supernatural. All these are the subjects that have helped developed the Filipino's sense of
national identity.

Aside from these, avant-garde styles are used by daring and innovative artists in all the art forms.
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line described differently. In theater, may to the script actor. In dance, is the series of steps that a
dancer makes.

3. Shape and Form

When the ends of a line meet, they form a shape. Shape can also as figure separate from its surrounding
area or background. It can either be geometric (angular) or organic (curvy).

Form is slightly similar to shape. It is an enclosed line, a figure separate from its background. But,
remember that shape is two-dimensional, while form is three-dimensional. For instance, the square is an
example of shape; the cube is a form. The circle is a shape, the sphere is a form.

4. Color

Probably the most striking art element that catches the eye is color. It a sensation created by visible
wavelengths of light caught in prism. It is mixture of organic or synthetic substances called pigments,
used as paint or dye.

Color creates a mood or tone, such as red for passion, anger, or love; blue
for peace, nobility, or sadness; and yellow for gaiety, innocence, or jealousy.

Color also varies from dull to bright, depending on its intensity, like music,

where intensity can also refer to the loudness or softness of sound.

Color can also have different meanings, depending on one's culture.

5. Value

In visual arts, value the degree of lightness and darkness of color.

In music, it called pitch, which is the highness lowness of tone. of sound.

Like color, value suggests an atmosphere mood, also found other forms suggests strong emotional
response, especially

Texture is the surface of an artwork. A texture can actual tactile, meaning, can really felt by or can
simulated illusory, which

Contemporary

In music or writing, texture is the quality or style of a composition. The sounds from different musical
instruments allow one to hear texture in sound.
These elements are the basic tools of expression in any art form. They can be found in nature and in a
man-made environment. Artists use, arrange, and manipulate them to express feelings or mood and to
convey their message to the viewers, listeners, or readers.

1.5 Principles of Design

Design is the overall structure of an art form. It is a plan for order. It is the means by which artists
indicate and demonstrate the ideas and feelings they wish to convey.

The principles of design are also called the organization of the elements. They help people make sense
of the environment, at the same time, make it aesthetically pleasing and interesting.

Because contemporary art has moved away from the classical styles, it is sometimes hard to critic a
contemporary work of art. Therefore, it is important to know the principles of design to be able to
evaluate its art value. A good contemporary work of art follows most, if not all, of these principles. They
are tools for organizing the elements of art to produce a unified and harmonious design, composition, or
performance.

Here are some principles of design found in the arts.

Harmony

This refers to the wholeness of the design, the pleasing arrangement of parts, and the agreement
between parts of a composition, resulting in a united whole.

It is easy to spot unity in visual arts. If each of the elements in a visual work of art plays a vital role in the
artwork, then harmony is present.

In music, harmony is the combination of musical notes simultaneously played to produce music. No
musical work has only a single note. It needs harmony to be considered music.
In writing, the theme or the topic is the uniting factor. It binds all the parts and elements of the story,
making it worth reading. A piece of work that has no harmony is confusing to read.

Harmony, or unity, can also be related to world affairs. The main goal of

United Nations (UN), an intergovernmental organization, is to create harmony

among peoples of all nations. Its slogan is "unity in diversity."

Variety

Variety pertains to the assortment or diversity of a work of art.

We can see variety in all of our surroundings. Take flowers as example. Flowers come in different colors,
shapes, and scent because every flower varies from one another.

Variations are produced so that monotony and uniformity in the environment are prevented.

Rhythm

Slightly contrary to variety is the rhythm or bear. It is the regular, repeated pattern in the elements of
art. It is a flow, or feeling of movement, achieved by the distribution of visual units or sound units in
time. The beat can be regular or irregular, simple or complex.

Rhythm, or beat, is natural in the universe. It exists in the human heartbeat, in the cycle of night and
day, in the waxing and the waning of the moon, and so on.
Proportion

Elements in a work of art should have a relationship with one another. This relationship is called
proportion. A well-proportioned shape is pleasing to the eye.

In stage setting, backdrop performers outshining them so that they do steal the audience's attention.

Balance

deals equality. In there two types balance: - formal informal balance.

that identical to other. An example wings of butterfly balance image. Another example is radial design,
similar what you done Related Activity 1.6.

On the other hand, informal balance, or asymmetrical balance, refers two Japanese of flower
arrangement, a good design asymmetrical balance.

people need stronger manifestations of balance in

Movement

This a fundamental choreography and the theater onstage.

tide, of the planets around the sun, and so on.

Emphasis and Subordination

Emphasis is the principle that gives importance or dominance to a unit or an area. This is opposite to
subordination, which gives less importance to a unit or area.

There are many ways to represent these principles. In a classroom setting, the teacher often stands and
faces the class while the students sit at their desks neatly seated in rows and columns.

In the performing arts, actors and dancers are often placed at the front center stage while the
supporting cast stay on the sides or in the background..

In visual design, an element may stand out by itself or attract attention because of its size, position, or
usage of elements.

These organizational principles form the design structure of the art forms. The artists use elements
appropriate to the theme or subject. They follow certain principles to achieve an aesthetically pleasing
effect.

These are only guidelines and the artists are not bound strictly to follow them. In the end, however, the
elements and principles will appear naturally in their works.

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Other materials like strings, frets, and knobs produce music,

paper.

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& perination?

Form, Content, and Context

1.6

When we look at a work of art, we have to consider three key elements in order to understand it. These
three are form, content, and context.

Form

The first key element that a spectator should consider in an artwork is its form.

Form is the surface feature of an artwork. It does not have anything to do with the art's in-depth
meaning. As the saying goes "What you see is what you get;" form is just what it is nothing else.

The arts take up specific forms. In visual arts, forms can either be two dimensional such as drawings and
paintings; or three-dimensional similar to sculpture, architecture, and the like. In music, form pertains to
the structure of a musical composition. Some musical forms are the serenade, opera, rhapsody, and
others. Form also exists in literature, ranging from prose, drama, to poetry. Theater, on the other hand,
has four basic forms: tragedy, comedy, drama, and melodrama.

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Content

The next key element to study in observing an artwork is its content. It is what the artwork is about.

Content contains the subject matter that carries the message of the work. If

form is the embodiment of the work, then content is its substance.

Content is evident in visual, literary, and theater arts. However, in music, it is not as distinct because
music is the most abstract of the arts.

In music, content refers to the principal and recognizable melody of the

composition something that is stated, developed, and repeated in the

-
duration of the piece.

Context

Putting something in context means clarifying a word or a subject by describing the relevant
circumstances surrounding it. Context in the arts refers to the varied situations in which the works have
been produced or interpreted. There are two kinds of context in the arts: primary and secondary.

Primary context is the personal type, for it concerns the sentiments of the artist his beliefs, values,
interests, attitudes, and emotions.

On the other hand, secondary context refers to the place and period in which the artist has made his
work: the social, political, and economic environment he is in; his and his society's religious and
philosophical convictions; the climate and geography of the area in which the work is made; and his
purpose in creating the artwork. These are the various circumstances in which works of art are produced
and/or interpreted.