History of Asian Art

Asian art is diverse and rich, spanning thousands of years and dozens of countries. It is
known for its ritual bronzes, beautiful ceramics, jades, textiles, poetic painted
landscapes, garden design, elaborate goldwork, extraordinary temples, shrines,
pagodas and stupas, woodblock prints, shadow puppets and the highest art form in
East Asian art—calligraphy. Enduring Asian treasures include works such as Fan Kuan’s
Travellers among Mountains and Streams, Katsushika Hokusai’s Fugaku sanjurokkei
(‘Thirty-six views of Mt Fuji’) series, and Basawan’s Akbar Restraining the Enraged
Elephant Hawa’i. Today the impact of Asia on contemporary art is immense. Since the
1990s, Asian contemporary art has grown exponentially due to a mushrooming of
regional biennials and triennials, new contemporary art museums, and the international
recognition of artists such as Chinese-born Cai Guo-Qiang, Japanese-born Miwa
Yanagi, Korean artist Suh DoHo, and the Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija.

History of Western Art

Art historians describe the history of Western art in terms of successive periods and or
movements, including Classical, Medieval, Byzantine, Romanesque, Renaissance,
Baroquem Rococo, Neolassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Modernism
and Postmodernism.

HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS IN THE

PHILIPPINES
We have learned in Unit 1 that Contemporary Art is the art of today. Any art piece that is
created in the present day is contemporary. We have also learned that Art through the
ages has evolved from one period to another. Let us have a quick recap of how
contemporary art was developed:
From the previous lesson, we have learned that the Philippines has a variety of many
other art forms. Influenced by almost all spheres of the globe, Philippine art forms are
products of not only the different influences from the different time periods in the history
of art, but also of the social and cultural realities in the history of the Philippines.
While others believed that contemporary art emerged in the country as a reaction to the
age of repression and censorship of artistic expressions during the period of Martial
Law, where art works portray people’s opposition to the regime, expose the real
condition of the Philippines, and convey the Filipino people’s aspirations for change,
others regarded the wake of EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 as the start of the
Philippine contemporary period.
To better understand how Contemporary Arts in the Philippines began, let us trace how
art evolved beginning from the Pre-Colonial Period.
PRE-COLONIAL ART PERIOD
This period includes the following periods: 1) Age of Horticulture/ Neolithic Period (6185
to 4,400 BC); 2) Metal Age (3190 to 190 BC); and 3) Iron Age (200 BC to 1000 BC).
During the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic) in the 16000-8000 BC, the proof of earliest man’s
presence was recovered from the Espinosa Ranch Site in Cagayan Province - two flake
tools dated about 9 million years old. These are said to be the oldest man-made object
associated with the fossils of a proboscidean, a prehistoric elephant. Other flake tools
are recovered in Tabon Caves, Palawan and some stone tools in Bolobok Cave, Sanga-
Sanga in Tawi-Tawi.
Another notable art pieces during the Neolithic Age were the shell bracelets and
pendants (Neolithic) found in Cagayan, Palawan, and Sorsogon in 4854 BC. Shells
were fashioned into tools, as well as ornaments. The oldest known ornaments made
from cone shells were found in the early 1960’s in the grave of an adult male in Duyong
Cave in Palawan. A shell disk with a hole in the center was found next to his right ear
and a disk with a hole by the edge was found on his chest. The shell ornaments were
dated 4854 B.C.
IMPORTANT ART WORKS during the Pre-Colonial Period:
 Lingling-o (2000 BC – 1000 AD) Duyong Cave, Palawan
is a kind of ear pendant fashioned from green nephrite
(jade) is the characteristic trait of the Early Metal Age. One
of the finest jade ornaments found to date is the double-
headed pendant recovered from Duyong Cave, Palawan.
It is an example of the superb craftsmanship of ancient
carving in jade.
 Manunggul Jar – A burial jar
excavated from a Neolithic burial site in Manunggul cave of
Tabon Caves at Lipuun Point at Palawan dating from 890–710
B.C.
 Maitum Jar (Metal Age: 190 BC to 500 AD) - In 1991, the
National Museum archaeological team discovered
anthropomorphic secondary burial jars in Ayub Cave, Barangay
Pinol, Maitum, Sarangani Province, Mindanao, Philippines.
Other Forms of Artworks during the Pre-Colonial Period:
1. Carving
 Bulul of Cordillera is a granary God that plays an important role in rituals
 Hagabi of Ifugao is a wooden bench
 Santos or Sculptures of Saints are famous in Laguna and Pampanga
 Okir of the Tausug, Samal and Badjao is the mythical Sarimanok, also known as the
Naga or Serpent.
2. Weaving
a. Textile Weaving
 Pis Siyabit of the Tausug of Sulu is a woven headpiece
 Malong is from the Maranaos of Lanao Del Sur
b. Mat and Basket Weaving
 Tepo Mat of the Sama of Tawi-Tawi is a double-layered mat made from Pandan leaves
 Ovaloid Basket of the Itbayat of Batanes is a head sling made of nito or bamboo used
to carry the harvests
 Bubo of the Ilocos Region is a sturdy bamboo strips used to trap the fish 3.
Ornamentation serves as representations of various ethnolinguistic groups
 Wearing of gold jewelry is common among the upper class Tagalogs
 Tattooing is common among the Visayans, which is believed to be a protection from
evil spirits. It also signifies bravery and maturity.
The Pre-Colonial Traditional Art is characterized by art pieces that depict the early
people’s daily activities that are integral to their lives like fishing, farming, etc. Other art
works have religious symbols that are used for ritual purposes and are either influenced
by the local religion (animistic) or Islamic-based; some art works, on the other hand,
have specific decorative art pattern that symbolizes the community. History says there
was also an exchange of art aesthetics and art processes with the Chinese and other
Asian countries who frequents as traders with our indigenous groups.
Baybayin is the most famous pre-colonial art form in the country. It is a Tagalog ancient
script also known in Visayan as badlit, derived from Brahmic scripts of India and first
recorded in the 16th century. People continued to use it during the Spanish colonization
of the Philippines up until the late 19th century. Other pre-colonial art are pottery,
weaving, tattoo, jewelry, carving, and metal crafts.
ISLAMIC ERA
From the 13th Century up to the present, the Islam have
had influenced the Philippine art even before the Spaniards
came to colonize the country. With their geometric designs
and patterns, Islam believers learned to select their focus.
Among the Southern people of the Philippines, the Filipino
Muslims recognized that they belong to an Ummah or a
community of believers. They have faith in the doctrine of or
unity of God. One can even find the notion of the Tawhid in
the interiors of their mosques, which are covered with elaborate patterns in the form of
reliefs, which leads the believers to turn away from human forms and nature and turn
themselves toward the contemplation of the divine. In short, believers must learn to
draw their attention away from the concrete object to focus more on the Divine Being.
Significant Artworks during the Islamic Era:
1. Sultanate of Sulu was established by Sayyid Abbubakar
2. Qura or the Holy Text was introduced
3. Religious Schools called Madrasah were built
4. Islam became the religion and the way of life of the people of Mindanao (Tausug,
Maranao, Maguindanao, Yakan, Samat, Badjao)
SPANISH COLONIAL ART PERIOD
During this period, art became a handmaiden of religion, serving to propagate the
Catholic Faith in support of the colonial order as well. Formal Painting, Sculpture and
Architecture inspired by the Byzantine, Gothic, Baroque and Rococo art styles were
introduced in this period. Religious-based artworks, though Catholic in nature, still bore
the Philippine themed décor with Spanish influence.
SPANISH ART AESTHETICS AS ADOPTED BY FILIPINO ARTISTS
 Byzantine Art are artistic products of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, as well
as the nations and states that inherited culturally from the empire. These are more
Christian-based art.
 The Baroque is often thought of as a period of artistic style that used exaggerated
motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and
grandeur in sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, dance, theater, and music.
 Rococo Art, originating from the early 18th century Paris, is characterized by
whimsical, curvy lines and elaborately decorative style of art, whose name derives from
the French word 'rocaille' meaning, rock-work after the forms of sea shells.
 Gothic Art is the style of art produced in Northern Europe from the middle ages up until
the beginning of the Renaissance. Typically rooted in religious devotion, it is especially
known for the distinctive arched design of its churches, its stained glass, and its
illuminated manuscripts.
IMPORTANT HAPPENINGS RELATED TO ART DURING THE SPANISH ERA
 Chinese artisans were engaged in making icons or saints made of wood or ivory
 Colonial churches were buillt
 Western musical instruments were introduced like the pipe organ, violin, guitar and
piano
 Catholic liturgical music was introduced in 1742
 Choral music among boys were introduced
 Musical form based on Catholic faith emerged through the Pasyon.
 Secular music, the awit and the korido were formed.
 Kundiman became popular as an expression of unrequited love for a beautiful woman.
 Baybayin script carved into bamboo poles was created by Mangyans.
 Zarzuela, an opera that features singing and dancing with prosed dialogue was
introduced .
 Komedya was also introduced.
 Folk dances such as the carinosa, pandanggo, polka, dansa and rigodon, habanera,
and tango were introduced.
 Visual Arts and paintings about Catholic devotion like the heaven, earth and hell
became popular.
UPRISING OF THE PHILIPPINE ARTISTS
In the formation of the elite Filipino class, the Ilustrados, paved the way for the rich
locals to study abroad to acquire a more “academic” and “western” approach of
learning. As a result, the Filipino Classicism was formed as influenced by the Neo-
Classicism, Romanticism and even a hint of Impressionism. Among the Filipino Artists
that emerged during this period are:
1. Damian Domingo Recognized as the first Filipino to paint his face, Damian Domingo
created the first SelfPortrait in the Philippines. He is the founder of the Academia de
Dibujo y Pintura, the first school of drawing in the Philippines (1821). He is also one of
the known artist of the decorative art illustrations tipos del pais watercolor paintings that
depict local costumes, which later on became an album of different native costumes.
2. Juan Luna is the first of the two Internationally renowned artist in the country. He was
a Filipino painter, sculptore and a political activist of the Philippine Revolution during the
late 19th century. His Spoliarium won the gold medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition of
Fine Arts.
3 Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo is one of the greatest Filipino painters along with fellow
painter Juan Luna in the 19th century. His work has a touch of Romanticism and
aesthetics of the Neoclassicism.
TWO FILIPINO ART STYLES DEVELOPED DURING THE SPANISH PERIOD
1. MINIATURISMO art style pays attention to the embroidery and texture of the
costume.
2. LETRAS y FIGURAS art style fuses letters with figures in every day activity amidst a
common background. This is usually used in painting a patron’s full name.
AMERICAN COLONIAL ART PERIOD
The Americans brought in Education and Value Formation, with both following the
“American way of life” (Alice Guillermo, Sining Biswal, 1994, p. 4) to the Philppines. In
the American regime, art illustration, advertising and commercial design gained
popularity and were incorporated in Fine Arts. Painting themes still largely favored
Genre Paintings, Landscapes and Still Life while Portraits are reserved for high ranking
officials with a more academic approach to make the subject more formal.
POPULAR ART STYLE DURING THE PHILIPPINE COLONIAL AMERICAN PERIOD
 ART NOUVEAU is a style of decorative art, architecture, and design prominent in
Western Europe and the US from about 1890 until World War I and was characterized
by intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms.. Also called style
moderne, movement in the decorative arts and architecture that originated in the 1920s
and developed into a major style in Western Europe and the United States during the
1930s, was characterized by simple, clean shapes, often with a “streamlined” look.
Ornaments are geometric or stylized from representational forms and unusually varied,
that often made use of expensive materials.
Among the notable artists of this period are:
1. Fabian Dela Rosa He is the brightest name in Philippine painting after Juan Luna and
certainly the leading Master of Genre in the first quarter of the century. His nephews are
artists, Pablo and Fernando Amorsolo.
2. Fernando Amorsolo He is a portraitist and a painter of rural landscapes. He is best
known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light. His art styles are influenced
by Impressionism, Luminism, Realism with subjects inspired by Philippine genre and
history, nudes, and society portraits. Fernando Amorsolo is the first awardee of National
Artist Award in 1972
3. Guillermo Tolentino Guillermo Tolentino is the recipient of the National Artist Award for
Sculpture in 1973. He is considered as the "Father of Philippine Arts" because of his
great works like the famous "Bonifacio Monument" symbolizing Filipinos’ cry for freedom
and "The Oblation" in the University of the Philippines, signifying academic freedom.
It is also important to note that during this period, the Triumvirate of Philippine Modern
Art emerged, which paved the way to the Philippine Pre-Modern Art. They are Victorio
Edades, Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Galo B. Ocampos. The latter introduced the
Modern Art styles in such as pop art, maximalism, minimalism, abstraction,
expressionism, constructivism, magic realism, and environmental art before the World
War II.

POST COLONIAL ART PERIOD

PHILIPPINE MODERN ART (1946 – 1970)
The study of determining what is Philippine Contemporary Art Period is still being
determined at this time since the word has been used loosely used even during the
American Colonial Period. However, some Philippine art historians/critics have always
been a follower of the Western Art Style and its trends. Hence, it was suggested that
this was actually the point where Philippine Modern Art Period started but went only full
swing only after the war. This is set by the creation of the Art Association of the
Philippines (AAP), which has a strong leaning with the Modernist than the
Conservatives (the traditional art also termed as the Amorsolo School). Writers and
artists of the Modern Era in the Philippine Art started posing questions of national
identity as the main theme of various art forms during this period.
PHILIPPINE POST MODERN ART (1970 – 1980s)
The support of the Philippine Government for the arts via the creation of the Cultural
Center of the Philippines during 1969, gave a venue for all artists to experiment and
explore different medium of art, including content, subject matter, form, techniques and
themese that were at that time considered as “new” - these explorations were tied
closely to the Post Modern Art Period of the West with Pop Art, Installation Art,
Performance Art, dominating the scene. In contrast, social realism became a heavy
theme by most Filipino Artists as a social commentary of the problem brewing in the
Philippine political and social landscape. Modern artists did not aim to copy and idealize
reality. Instead, they changed the colors, flatten the picture and depicted what ought to
be ugly and unpleasant rather than the beautiful and pastoral. Abstraction that consists
of simplified forms became popular as well during this period.
SOME OF THE MODERN ARTISTS AND THEIR ARTWORKS
1. Neo-Realists
 Manansala’s paintings of The Beggars, and Tuba Drinkers
 Legaspi’s Gadgets II, and Bad Girls
 Ocampo’s The Contrast, and Genesis
2. Abstract Artists
 Luz’s Street Musicians
 Saguil’s Cargadores
MODERN ARCHITECTURE STRUCTURE
1. Church of Holy Sacrifice
2. Church of the Risen Lord
3. Chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker
CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
The Philippine Contemporary Art, from 1980s to present, was on the onset of the
sudden rise of personal computers and new technology, which created a new art
medium for the arts and human expression. But there were also countless revivals of
old styles being done. This started a new direction for the arts thus, setting the name,
momentarily, to the Philippine Contemporary Period. Characterized by the artist’s intent
to portray a subject as it exists in the world, the Modern Art Aesthetics during this period
were accoridng to the artist’s unique perspective and are typified by a rejection of
accepted or traditional styles and values.
On the other hand, the Post-Modern Art Aesthetics is a body of art movements that
sought to contradict some aspects of modernism or some aspects that emerged or
developed in its aftermath. In general, movements such as intermedia, installation art,
conceptual art and multimedia, particularly involving video are described as
postmodern.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
 Contemporary art is the work of artists who are living in the 21st century.
 Contemporary art is collaborative and interactive
 Contemporary art mirrors contemporary culture and society, offering the general
audiences a rich resource for current ideas and allowing them to rethink the familiar.
 The work of contemporary artists is a dynamic combination of materials, methods,
concepts, and subjects that challenges traditional boundaries and defies easy definition.
In fact, contemporary art can be seen as something that breaks the norms and rules as
the works of art are “radical” and “interdisciplinary”.
 Appropriation is an example of Contemporary Art where the process of creating art
involves the use of a pre-existing image or something that is from another context, and
then combining it with new ones.
 Diverse and eclectic, contemporary art is distinguished by the very lack of a uniform
organizing principle, ideology, or - ism.
 In a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world,
contemporary artists give voice to the varied and changing cultural landscape of identity,
values, and beliefs. It even professes an awareness of local heritage that can be
passsed on from one generation to the next.
 Contemporary audiences play an active role in the process of constructing meaning
about works of art. Some artists often say that the viewer contributes to or even
completes the artwork by contributing his or her personal reflections.
It is important to note that during the rise of Contemporary Art in the Philippines, many
cultural projects ensued despite the growing issues on poverty and social conditions
under the leadership of Former Presdient Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda
Marcos in 1965. It was also during this time when Martial Law was declared on
September 21, 1972. Marcos then built the New Society or Bagong Lipunan as a rebirth
to the lost civilization through modernization. This was aimed to combine different art
forms such as architecture, engineering, fine arts, health, interior design, tourism, and
urban planning, among others, through an art and culture program.
Now that you have learned about the history of Contemporary Art in the Philippines and
its characteristics, let us now discuss its functions.
1. Contemporary Art for Pleasure - art provides a venue for escape from everyday
concerns. Whether contemporary art is created to be appreciated or simply for
decoration, the idea of creating it provides satisfaction for those yearning for
pleasurable experiences.
2. Contemporary Art as Profession - whether art made is for utilitarian purpose or is
created for a particular use but is appreciated by its aesthetic value, artists earn a living
through their work of art. Creative ideas are never free—these ideas possess value and
are deemed more valuable when they are transformed into a tangible art work, more so,
if they are commercialized and contains content that upholds one’s culture.
3. Contemporary Art as Commentary - art is used as a form of communication between
the artist and the audience. It is used to answer our need for information through the
subject used by the artist.
4. Contemporary Art in Spirituality - art is created as an expression of one’s faith and
spiritual beliefs in the Supreme Being.
5. Contemporary Art as Remembrance - art serves as a tribute to someone who has
gone before us or as commemoration of something like an event that has shaped our
history. Art is created so we can keep a memory of something or someone.
6. Contemporary Art as Self-Expression - art is used to convey the artist’s ideas,
emotions, character or world-view.

CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICES

Similar to the other art forms, contemporary art also involves the use of the traditional
elements used in painting, drawing, and design such as line, shape, color, value, space,
texture, and typography, and principles namely balance, contrast, emphasis, movement,
pattern, repetition, proportion, rhythm, scale, variety, and unity. However, it is more
apparent that contemporary art combine skills-based instruction ranging from drawing to
new technology, with studio-based methods of conceptual exploration and artistic
research.
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation is when an artist creates a new work of art by taking pre-existing images
from other sources and modifies and/or incorporates those images with new ones. To
appropriate is to borrow. As the name implies, existing artworks are appropriated to
produce another artwork using prints, images, and icons. It is like reviving interests to
the already previailing forms of art, allowing the audience to renegotiate the meaning of
the initial artwork in the more current one. Borrowed Images and elements of culture
often involve famous and recognizable works of art, well-known literature and easily
accessible images from the media. Below is an example of appropriation by Pablo
Picasso, an art borrowed from Diego Velasquez’s Las Meninas.

Among the common sources of stolen images are artworks from the distant or recent
past, historical records, media (film and television), or popular culture (advertisements
or products). Some sources are sometimes unknown, and may be politically charged,
symbolic, ambiguous, o rmay pust the limits of the imagery considered to be acceptable
art. Borrowed imagery, on the other hand, can be photographically or carefully imitated,
reproduced by mechanical infers such as an overhead projector, or by repainting it,
changing its scale or design to make unused meaning. Some artists layer them with
other pictures, break them into parts, or
contextualize them.
PERFORMANCE ART
Performance Art is a modern craftsmanship
which regularly increases drama, often acting
and development to extremes of expression
and continuity that are not allowed within the
theater. Words are rarely noticeable, while
musc and commotions of different kinds are
common. It can combine music, dance, poetry, theater, visual art and video and is
usually being held in conventional centers in front of a live audience - although it can
also take place almost anywhere. Performance Art usually interprets different human
activities ranging from simple ordinary chores, routines, and rituals, to larger-scale
sitespecific environments an dpublic projects, multimedia productions, and
autobiographical cabaret-style solo work depicting socially relevant themes such as
poverty, commercialism, and war. Below are some examples that characterize
performance art.
Notice that some are
spontaneous and one-off, or
rehearsed and series-based.
Many contemporary artsists deal
with space by concentrative on
real space such as the
dimensions of a house, the
spaces that we travel through in
the city or in the natural world, the
boudnless spaces of the sky or
the virtual space of the Internet.
Some work with fine art or
industrial material like wood,
stone, steel or plastic. Electrical lighting, film, video, or digital media can also transform,
document, or create space. In short, performance evolved to emphasize spontaneous
elements of chance.
SPACE
Space refers to the distances or areas surrounding, within, and within the components
of an item. As you may have learned from the traditional elements and principles of art,
space can either be positive or negative, open or closed, shallow or deep, and two– or
three-dimensional. Most often than not, space is not clearly showin in a piece but an
illusion. Space is found in almost every piece of art - photographers capture space,
sculptors depend on space and shape, architects create space. Being the very central
aspect of every visual arts, space provides a guide to the audience for the presentation
of an artwork. Try drawing a larger object than another to make it appear that it is closer
to the viewer. Further, an environmental art can be installed in a way that leads the
viewer through space. Take a look at the following figure.
Positive Space refers to the
subject of the piece itself. This is
depicted as the flower vase on the
left of the example photo. On the
other hand, Negative Space refers
to the empty spaces the artist has
created around, between and within the subjects. In three-dimensional art, the negative
spaces are typically the open or relatively empty parts of the piece. As you can see from
the metal sculpture below, the object may have a hole in the middle, which is
considered as the negative space.
Other examples of Space are flash mobs and art installations in malls and parks.

HYBRIDITY
Hybridity is the use of unusual materials to produce an
artowrk. Contemporary artists, for example, may use coffee
for painting or miniature sculptures using crayons. Many

artisits combine still

images, moving image,
sound, digital media, and
found objects to create new hybrid art forms that are beyond the traditional art forms
that we usually encounter. Hybridity, at the most basic level, implies the mixing of two or
more elements to create a third. Basically, artists blend new or unconventional materials
such as recycled or industrial materials with traditional medium to show that the
incorporation of these materials plays an important role in the meaning of the artwork.
Remember, artists of today are more comfortable to use whatever seems best to fully
investigate and express their ideas and concepts. Time and again, the artist uses
different media and techniques to express new things in their work. To help you
appreciate a hybrid form of art, you need to identify what media and materials were
used, and consider the artist’s reason/s why he or she chose to use them.
TECHNOLOGY ART
In this day and age, we have practically co-
existed with technological advancements.
Commonly known in contemporary practice
as an art that involves the use of technology
in the creation and dissemination of artworks,
Technology Art is the use of mass production
and the manipulation of the virtual world, its
tools and programs. Also known as New
Media, Technology Art involves the
application of computer technology as an
essential part of the creative process and
production. Other terms that are associated with this contemporary art are: computer
production, video art, computer-based installations, and most recently Internet and Post
Internet Art.
In other words, the exploration of the virtual reality has
become recognized as artistic practices in the contemporary
time, with artists producing commercial pieces and elaborate
and conceptual works tha tmake use of computer programs
such as 3D modelling, Illustrator or Photoshop. Notice how
the phenomenon of videos changed from MTV to Youtube
during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Recording performances
quickly changed to video posting, video sharing and
livestreaming, which are perfect examples of technology art
these days. Indeed, these contemporary art practices tell us
that one can become an artist and express his/her feelings and ideas aesthetically even
without having formal training about art. Such practices allow any individual to be an
artist in their own creative ways.