CULTURE & SENSES ESSAY 2: UNDERSTANDING FILIPINO

VISUAL STYLE
January 10, 2014
The goal of this essay is to highlight two aspects of the Filipino
visual style by doing a comparison of selected artworks in the
Ateneo Art Gallery.
There are two (2) aspects to the Filipino visual style.
A) A fondness for rich ornamentation using curving forms
B) A liking for translucency/ semi-transparency,
We did not take Aspect A in class for lack of time. However, it is
easy to understand and is the aspect of the Filipino that is most
obvious and is often discussed. We took up Aspect B which is not as
known. Please analyze both aspects.
Here are two (2) sets of art works in the Ateneo Art Gallery, the best
collection in the Philippines of modern Filipino art since the 1950s.
Choose just one (1) art work in each set for a total of two (2).
Set A: Rich Ornamentation. Choose just one (1) artwork:
Either Vicente Manansala Dambana.
Or Hernando Ocampo - Either 53-Q: Sarimanok or 53-G:
Beefsteak or Suman at Mangga.
Or Tence Ruiz - Erning Erdrayb: Lulubog, Lilitaw.
Note: the last is a cabinet-like assemblage at the entry to the
permanent collection of the Ateneo Art Gallery.
Set B: Translucency. Choose just one (1) artwork:
Either Romulo Olazo - Permutation Series.
Or Arturo Luz Carnival (any of the three variations).
Or Fernando Zobel Saeta (any of the three variations). (A saeta
is a song that is spontaneously thrown to the Blessed Virgin as she
passes by in procession in Southern Spain. But it is used here only
as a convenient title).
Or Roberto Chabet White Table.
Choose one artwork from Set A and another from Set B. Analyze
how the first maximizes richness of Ornamentation and how the
second highlights translucency. Use any four (4) items from this list:
1) Elements: Line, color, shape, texture, volume, mass
2) Composition: Unity, contrast, rhythm, balance.
Get a partner, write and type an essay of at least 1 1/2 pages
double-spaced, Arial Font 11. Submit on Jan 28 during classtime.