Introduction to Contemporary Arts

• Art is one of the oldest and most important means of expression developed by man.
• Art involves the personal experiences of an individual accompanied by some intensity of emotion.
• The term "art" comes from the Latin word ars, which means to-do or man-made
• Contemporary art refers to the art that is created in the present, the most recent form of art.
• Contemporary art in the Philippines is based on the life and the times of the Filipino people as it depicts the way of life. So, it is a reflection of the country's identity and it is a great way to promote its culture.
• The nature of art is it allows the expression of individuality through a set of skills. It is a mean of communicating and covering insights and emotions.
• The classifications of art are performing arts, visual arts, literature and sculptural.
• Performing arts refer to using the body as a medium, moving from one place to another.
• Visual arts usually exist in a two-dimensional form and stay in one place. It is something we can see.
• Literature talks about our language that affects our imagination and makes us think.
• Sculptural is a three-dimensional art that we can see. It stays in one place.
• Pre-13th century was the start of ethnic arts which were integral to life.
• 13th Century was the start of islamic art, practicing geometric designs.
• The Spanish era was around 1521 - 1898 when the Spaniards used art for religious propaganda. Art was used for faith and catechism
• American era occurred around 1898 - 1940, where secular forms of art were born.
• 1941 - 1945 was the Japanese era when orientalizing was the norm. This was also the time the Filipinos lost their freedom of speech and expression, ceasing art for a moment.
• 1946 - 1969 was the modern era after World War 2 where topics of national identify began to appear.
• 1970's and above is the present where contemporary art is currently being practiced.
• Form includes shapes and perceived volume
• Line marks the distance between two points
• Color is produced when light strike an image and creates the mood.
• Space is an area which is occupied by an object (either positive or negative).
• Texture denotes the smoothness, ruggedness of the image
• Shape can be geometric, natural, irregular, rectangle, oval, or octagon.
• Spaniards have influenced: dress, language, cuisine, culture, formal education, religion, arts.
• Harmony


  The wholeness of the design, the pleasing arrangement of parts, and the agreement between parts of a composition, resulting in a united whole
• Variety


  The assortment or diversity of a work of art
• Rhythm


  • The regular, repeated pattern in the elements of art
  • A flow, or feeling of movement, achieved by the distribution of visual units in time
• Proportion


  The relationship elements in a work of art should have with one another
• Balance


  • The even distribution of weight
  • The principle that deals with equality
• Movement


  A fundamental principle in choreography and the theatre arts
• Principles of Design

  • Harmony
  • Variety
  • Rhythm
  • Proportion
  • Balance
  • Movement
• Importance of Art

  1. Driven our existence
  2. Satisfies the need for personal expression
  3. Develop our skills to express ourselves
  4. Challenges us to see things differently
  5. Unleash our hidden desires and passions
  6. It can change our ways of life
  7. To see the truth that we might understand before
  8. It gives pleasure, satisfaction, and gratification
• Functions of Art

  1. To express beauty
  2. It gives man a moment of relaxation and spiritual happiness
  3. It serves as a channel of man's passion
  4. Overcomes the feelings of restlessness and loneliness