Lesson Plan: The Art of a New Story - Incorporation in Contemporary Philippine Art

Materials Needed:

• A device with internet access (laptop, tablet, or smartphone)
• Digital tool for creating a mood board or concept sketch (e.g., Canva, Pinterest, Google Slides, or even MS Word/Pages) OR physical art supplies (paper, pencils, markers, collage materials)
• Headphones (optional, for watching artist videos)
• Your curiosity and creativity!

Lesson Overview (1 Hour)

Today, we're moving beyond just identifying contemporary art. We will explore how modern Filipino artists act as cultural storytellers by incorporating traditional materials, techniques, and ideas into their work. Then, you'll step into the artist's shoes and design a concept for your own piece of incorporated art.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this one-hour lesson, you will be able to:

1. Analyze how contemporary Filipino artists incorporate traditional elements (materials, themes, or techniques) into their work.
2. Identify a traditional Philippine cultural element that resonates with you personally.
3. Create a concept proposal (sketch, mood board, or written plan) for a new contemporary artwork that creatively incorporates that traditional element.

Lesson Activities & Procedure

Part 1: The Spark - What is "Incorporation"? (10 minutes)

• (5 mins) Opening Discussion: Let's start with a question. Think about the music you listen to. Have you ever heard a new song that samples an old, classic song? That's a form of incorporation! In art, it's about blending the old with the new to create something fresh and meaningful. We'll look at this artwork by Leeroy New called "Bakunawa's Ascent." (Teacher shares screen or provides a link to an image of the artwork). What do you see? It's made of plastic bottles and other recycled materials, but it's shaped like the Bakunawa, a serpent-like dragon from Philippine mythology. Leeroy New incorporated an ancient myth into a modern sculpture that also talks about environmentalism.
• (5 mins) Defining Our Goal: Today, our goal isn't to memorize names and dates. It's to understand the "why" and "how" behind this artistic technique. Why do artists look to the past? How do they make it relevant for today?

Part 2: Virtual Gallery Walk - Exploring the Masters (20 minutes)

• (5 mins) Introduction to the Task: I'm going to give you links to the work of three incredible contemporary Filipino artists. Your mission is to be an art detective. Spend about 5 minutes on each artist. For each one, try to answer these two questions:
  1. WHAT traditional element (a material, a story, a pattern, a technique) are they using?
  2. HOW are they making it contemporary or modern?
• (15 mins) Independent Exploration: Explore the works of the following artists. Jot down some quick notes on what you find.
  • Artist 1: Ronald Ventura - Known for layering graffiti and pop culture imagery over classical figures and scenes from Filipino history. (Provide link to his portfolio or a gallery feature).
  • Artist 2: Agnes Arellano - Creates surreal sculptures inspired by goddesses and figures from Philippine mythology and folklore. (Provide link to her works).
  • Artist 3: Kidlat Tahimik - A National Artist known for his films and large-scale installations that use indigenous materials (like bamboo and woven items) to critique colonialism and modern technology. (Provide link to images of his installations).

Part 3: Artist's Workshop - Your Concept Creation (20 minutes)

• (5 mins) Brainstorming Your Story: Now it's your turn! Let's brainstorm a traditional Filipino element that means something to you. It doesn't have to be a grand myth. It can be personal and local.
  • Is there a local material from your region (a specific wood, shell, or fiber)?
  • A pattern you've seen in your grandmother's clothes (like inabel or batik)?
  • A local folktale or a family recipe?
  • A historical event from your town?
  • A traditional game you played as a child (like sipa or piko)?
  Choose one element that sparks your interest. Let's quickly discuss your choice and why you picked it.
• (15 mins) Creating Your Concept: Using your chosen tool (Canva, paper, etc.), create a concept board or sketch for your own contemporary artwork. This is a plan, not a final masterpiece! It should include:
  1. Title of Your Piece: Give it a working title.
  2. The Traditional Element: Clearly state the element you are incorporating.
  3. Your Contemporary Twist: How will you make it modern? Will you use modern materials? Will you comment on a modern issue (like social media, mental health, or climate change)?
  4. Visuals: Find images, draw sketches, pick colors, or write descriptive words that capture the feeling and look of your proposed artwork.

Part 4: Artist's Talk - Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

• (7 mins) Present Your Concept: Share your screen or hold up your sketch. Walk me through your idea. Explain your concept board. Tell me the story behind your proposed artwork. Why did you make these choices? What message do you want to send?
• (3 mins) Wrap-up & Feedback: This is our assessment for the day. Your ability to think creatively and articulate the connection between the traditional and the contemporary shows you've met our objectives. We'll discuss what was exciting about this process and what was challenging. This type of thinking is at the heart of what makes contemporary art in the Philippines so powerful and unique.

Differentiation & Support

Since this is a one-on-one session, we can adjust the pace as needed. If you feel stuck during brainstorming, we can work together to find a cultural element that connects with your personal interests (e.g., gaming, fashion, food). If you are a more advanced visual artist, feel free to create a more detailed sketch. If you prefer writing, you can focus on a detailed written description of your concept. The choice of medium and subject is yours, allowing you to work from your strengths.