Contemporary Lesson 1

Title
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SIT DOLOR AMET
• Appreciate the history of art in the Philippines,
• Distinguish contemporary period from the
other art period,
• Define contemporary arts,
• Familiarize with the significant development
in the Philippine art
This lesson will briefly discuss the
history of art in the Philippines
leading to the development of
contemporary art. Moreover, this
will define contemporary arts and
will distinguish its difference from
other arts perspective.
Lesson 1: Art in the
Philippines
Historical Background
The development of Philippine Art comes in three

major traditions.
• Ethnic Tradition
• Spanish Colonial Tradition
• 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. For instance, the dances
in the country during the pre-colonial times vary
depending on the area where our ancestors thrive.
Ethnic Tradition
In the highlands, dance steps were imitations of the

movements of certain animals like birds while the
choreography of the Filipinos near the sea were
mimics of the movement of the fishes.
Itik-itik is a popular traditional Filipino dance. In this particular style, the dancers use their bodies to mimic the
movements of a duck. The basic steps involve both partners moving in opposite directions with the right leg
forward followed by an up kick and then another step backwards.
While doing this dance, you need to follow the lead of your partner. If they lift or lower their leg when you’re
supposed to move yours, you can try to copy their actions instead. Keep practicing until you can really master this
beautiful dance.
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
About architecture, the early Filipinos used local

materials such as, anahaw, bamboo, cogon, cane,
rattan, and other light materials in constructing
structures since these were the materials accessible in
the area.
Spanish Colonial Tradition
Then, came the Spaniards who tend to replace the

Philippine indigenous arts with Western art forms.
Religion and secularization greatly influenced the art
in the Philippines under the Spanish Regime.
The friars were the ones supervising the practice of

arts in the Philippines with their agenda of
propagating Christianity and maintaining the power
of the colonizers. In the field of literature, the literary
works could be classified into religious and secular
poetry.
In the area of theater arts, secular and religious plays

like the “komedya” became popular.
In choreography, religious dances commonly

performed to venerate patrons and saints
proliferated. There were also secular dances
performed in social functions like 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.
In visual arts, Spaniards introduced painting and

sculpture which mostly depicted religious subject
matters.
In architecture, stones and bricks were

predominantly used in constructing buildings like
churches, houses, government offices. Western
Spanish influence was evident in the exterior, and
interior of the buildings were embellished with wood
carvings or metal works with intricate decorative
designs.
However, despite the strong influence of the
Spaniards, the arts in the country did not result in
pure Western art but a mix of Western and
indigenous art. Filipino artists still put Filipino
touches on their art pieces. After more than 300 years
of Spanish colonization, the Americans took over the
country which led to declaration of the independence
on June 12, 1898. The American brought about many
changes in the politics, economy, education and
However, despite the strong influence of the
Spaniards, the arts in the country did not result in
pure Western art but a mix of Western and
indigenous art. Filipino artists still put Filipino
touches on their art pieces. After more than 300 years
of Spanish colonization, the Americans took over the
country which led to declaration of the independence
on June 12, 1898.
American Colonial and Contemporary Tradition
The American brought about many changes in the
politics, economy, education and culture of the
Philippines. In the area of education, there are
Filipinos who went abroad to study, some studied
under the American educators, some learned through
observation and personal experiences. Those who
went abroad to study came back to the country
carrying the concept of 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 emergence of new
technology affected the way of art making in the
period.
Due to technological innovations, experimental
approaches in developing art rose above traditional
art practices and methodologies. New forms of
expression came which were avantgarde in nature.
Modern art continuously develops even after Word
War II, which led to the contemporary way of making
art today.
Contemporary Arts refers to the recent and current
practice of art ranging from the 1970s up the present.
It mirrors the society and culture of the present times.
It uses combination of different methods, materials
and ideas that transcend the traditional way of art
making. All the Philippine art forms had different as
the American way of life became a part of the
Filipinos.

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Title

The development of Philippine Art comes in three

Before, colonization, the Philippines already has its

In the highlands, dance steps were imitations of the

In terms of visual arts, pottery, weaving, wood

About architecture, the early Filipinos used local

Then, came the Spaniards who tend to replace the

The friars were the ones supervising the practice of

In the area of theater arts, secular and religious plays

In choreography, religious dances commonly

In music, the Spaniards introduced the piano and

In visual arts, Spaniards introduced painting and

In architecture, stones and bricks were

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