Artwork can come in many forms. It can be seen, heard, acted out, or even performed. It is the result of a person or group’s creative abilities, technical skills, or creative talents.
The artist's task is to offer you pieces that they believe represent something meaningful.
The range of possible interpretations for artwork has grown over time. Despite their diversity, believe it or not, there is a common thread that connects meaning and art.
Art has the mechanism to convey experiences, challenge the views of its audience, and introduce values.
We may not understand abstract art at first, for example, but we can learn more about how to appreciate the emotions and views of the artists if we put in a little time and effort.
As the country celebrates National Arts Month this February, the PIA-NCR has prepared these simple tips to help you expand your parameters and understand how to appreciate art and its many forms:
1. You can expand your knowledge about the artist and other artworks.
2. You can visit a museum.
When visiting museums in the ‘new normal’ make sure that you check their website or Facebook page to know if they are allowing walk-ins because museums now limit the number of visitors. During your visit, on the other hand, make sure to wear your mask and observe social distancing at all times.
3. You can ask the opinion of others, ask them how they feel after seeing or experiencing the art. Later, you can ask yourself the same question whether you appreciate art or not.
4. Finally, you can accept the art for what it is.
Speaking of the 31st National Art's Month spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the month-long celebration goes digital for the second straight year.
The celebration has the theme “Sining ng Pag-asa” (Art of Hope).
“During these challenging times, the artistic team together with its NAM (National Arts Month) Secretariat is challenged to mount activities that, while online, can still be engaging and relevant, for the public to value and appreciate the importance of arts in our lives,” NCCA Deputy Executive director Marichu G. Tellano said during the online press launch last January 26.
“We are confident that what our artistic community has prepared are responsive and relevant to the current situation of our country,” she added.
The celebration is mainly composed of the flagship projects of the seven national committees NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts — Architecture and Allied Arts, Cinema, Dramatic Arts, Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Music, and Dance. A calendar of activities will be released on the NCCA Facebook page.
“The National Arts Month is an essential platform to cultivate appreciation for the arts and bring out a deep sense of respect for our cultures and traditions,” NCCA Chairperson Arsenio “Nick” J. Lizaso said.
The National Arts Month opening ceremony was held last February 4, streamed via the NCCA Facebook page, and showcasing performances, virtual exhibits, poem and story reading, and film excerpts, among others from the seven art forms.
There are webinars, film screenings, and performances that will cater to everyone.
The Architecture and Allied Arts committee will offer “Saan KaLulugar: Creativity as the Catalyst for Recovery,” four webinars on the transformation of public and private spaces in the “new normal.” The webinar series will be hosted via Zoom and livestreamed via Facebook from Feb. 11 to March 4. The schedule of sessions will be announced via https://www.facebook.com/NCAAAexecon.
Webinars, roundtable discussions among regional film makers, and film screenings of the best regional films produced in 2021 are on offer in the National Committee on Cinema’s “Cinema Rehiyon: Cinema Society in World Change.” These will be conducted from February 16 to 28. The films will be available for viewing from February 16 to March 31 at the Cinema Rehiyon official Vimeo page. For webinars and film screening schedules, visit https://www.facebook.com/cinemarehiyonofficial.
The 16th Tanghal National University & Community Based Theater Festival will run from February 14 to 26. A project of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts, it features 30-minute school/university-based and collaborative performances from all over the country. For performance schedules, visit https://www.facebook.com/NCCACDA.
Meanwhile, the National Committee on Literary Arts will conduct “Himaya: Panitikan ng Pagbabanyuhay,” a two-day conference on March 25 and 26. The events will be streamed on www.facebook.com/NCCANCLA. The Literary Arts committee is also hosting the Gawad Bienvenido Lumbera 2022 NCLA National Literary Contest for short story, poetry, and essay writing. The works can be written in Filipino, Ilocano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Bahasa Sug, and Meranaw. More information is available at, and entries can be sent to, https://bit.ly/GBL22.
“Bagong Biswal 2022,” a five-part project by the National Committee on Visual Arts, includes exhibition walk throughs, an outdoor exhibition, and a webinar series, among others. For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/NCCA-National-Committee-on-Visual-Arts-107693327543362.
Musikapuluan: Gems of Contemporary Music in the Different Genres is the project of the National Committee on Music. The concert series feature various type of music written in the last five to 10 years including choral works/ a cappella groups, pop-ethnic/protest songs, classical music, traditional ensemble (rondalla, kulintang ensemble), vocal classical music (kundiman, art songs), Philippine music theater, and large instrumental ensembles (orchestra, pop orchestra, symphonic band, and pop music).
The National Committee on Dance and the NAM’s longest running program, Sayaw Pinoy, goes virtual with “Dance of Hope.” It provides a venue for established and upcoming dance groups from all over the country to interact and exchange choreographic ideas, and to discover more groups from the regions and provide them with opportunities to showcase their works. Sayaw Pinoy hopes to engage about 80 groups and hold shows on Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 and March 5.
Meanwhile, details for this year’s Ani ng Dangal awards, which recognizes artists, cultural workers, and works that have earned international awards and accolades during the past year, will be posted soon.
For more details, visit the NCCA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NCCAOfficial) or its web page (www.ncca.gov.ph).
Art is a celebration of humanity when it is created, experienced, and even discussed. It’s a joyous celebration of creation. And most importantly it celebrates human emotions. (PIA-NCR)
