SHS

Contemporary
Philippine Arts
from the Regions
Module 6:
Approaches in Researching
Contemporary Art Techniques
and Practices

1
 Lesson Approaches in Researching

1 Contemporary Art
Techniques and Practices
More often than not, contemporary artists rely on planning every step of their way to
achieve desirable outputs. Concerned with the result of their efforts, they always try
to connect their stories and experiences to the viewers and observers in all possible
means. They also explore great deals from art supplies and distributors to satisfy
their creativity. In the same way, there are those who are willing to learn new art
processes, techniques, practices, and styles just to establish their own self-
identification in the world of art.

For an artist to give blow of his/her craft, he/she must know how to develop and
select potential approaches in ensuring technique appropriateness in his/her state
of the art. This aspect is vital in the course of creating systematic and concise plans
in developing socially engaged but indigenous-friendly art expressions. Significantly,
this module will help you generate effective approaches in selecting potential
techniques for targeted artworks. Student like you will acquire deeper understanding
and appreciation of many different approaches that can be employed in any chosen
art activity. In the same way, this lesson will aid you, in the long run, to be
independent in refining your artistic work.

What’s In

Direction: In your previous module, you have learned how to promote

contemporary arts from the regions. Now, your task is to state ways on
how you encourage other artists to use the following medium in creating
their artworks. (Critical Thinking and Creativity)
How are you going to
promote the material
used in this artwork?
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________

Honey Bea Satumbaga. 2019. Bayong painting. CPAR

RSSTHS. Photo by Ma. Aurora T. Colorado, January 31, 2019.

2
 What is It
The sense of “artistic knowing” is the heart of integrative art-based processes. In
order to gain understanding on an artist’s work, one must be knowledgeable on how
does his/her outputs reveal meaning, unravel message, and establish
communication. As such, art-based researches are utilized to examine experiences
that are essential in developing understanding on certain art-related phenomena.
However, this matter is only an obvious concern for those researchers who use art
as means of scientific enquiry. And, not to give light on the act of researching about
art technique approaches, and processes. Simply put, our focus in this module will
be on the “HOWs” of investigating about contemporary art techniques and
performance practices.

Typical Approaches in Accomplishing Art Tasks

1. Brainstorming
In order to generate ideas on what to do and how to accomplish an
artwork, one must know how to brainstorm. This step is effective in looking
for central ideas that will most likely boost interest in the matter at hand. It
will also provide direction for art making since this will kindle flexible thinking.
2. Researching about the task given
Research fuels exploration. The more you explore, the more ideas you
will gather. This is best for an artist to clarify what he/she really wants to
accomplish. Thus, it simplifies choices and helps achieve proper
understanding about the given task.
3. Deciding on what idea to materialize
After gathering all inputs from brainstorming and researching, one
must have arrived to his/her final choice. On this step, the artist must have
acquired enough background or information about his/her target output.
4. Creating a plan of action
According to Benjamin Franklin, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
This solidifies one’s stand on planning for any task in contemporary arts. One
way to reach success and achieve your goal is to create a solid plan of action.
Likewise, a clear criteria and technique will empower one’s determination to
accomplish the task.
5. Making the task
Finally, this step is the “doing” part. The artist can now materialize the
plan that he/she has created. From the final idea to the final plan, he/she
must strictly follow what he/she has set to do. Appropriate techniques,
materials, styles, and other art elements must be applied as part of the art
making process.
3
Approaches in Researching for Techniques and Performance Practices
1. Cooperative Learning Approach
Two heads are better than one. This idiomatic expression states that when two
or more people share their ideas and work together, they are more likely to
accomplish a specific task. In arts, one needs another in order to make things
easily done. More so, others will serve as an improvement lens because they
may examine or scrutinize the work of an artist. They may also validate gathered
researches on techniques based on observation and experience. Those who have
mastered arts may share tips as well as guide neophyte artists in improving
their craft and eventually finding their own distinctive technique. Generally,
cooperative learning approach can increase not only an artist’s skill but also
his/her collaborative function with others.

2. Focused Exploration
This approach instructs artists to take advantage of what is present in front
of their very eyes. It means that they explore the use of any medium available
in their area based on their choice. At the same time, equip these local
materials with suited technique or art practice. However, the artist must bear
in mind that under this approach, he/she will only give focus on the
exploration of a specific available material that he/she has not tried to use in
any of his/her previous art crafts. Like for instance, the only abundant
material in your area is bamboo. As an artist, you are challenged to explore
the use of this material as your new medium in art making. Doing so will
increase your imaginative skill as well as resourcefulness.
3. Discussion
The more you talk to people, the more relevant information you will gather.
Young artists should lend an opening ear to people who have been in the field
of arts for a long time. This entails open but healthy communication between
and among artists regardless of their position, experience and mastery. As a
cooperative strategy in researching for techniques and practices, you can start
it at home by simply asking your parents, family members and relatives who
are living with you about their idea or opinion regarding your art-related
queries. Spare ample time with them to talk about your task in contemporary
arts. Their stories might be a good content. Remember, no one learns in
isolation so, better communicate with people in order for you to grow more as
an artist.
4. Free Exploration
This approach is tantamount to ‘learning/researching on your own’. More
than experimentation, an artist like you possesses the full capacity to search
on your own without any reservation. No one limits you to look for best artistic
style and technique that can be acquired in improving your craft. Look around
you and take advantage of anything that would be of greater value when
refined by your creative hands. Also, bear in mind that arts can be
spontaneous. If you allow your curiosity to flow naturally, then everything will
follow and expect to discover more than what you aim for.

4
 5. Experimentation
This is actually the core of contemporary arts. As an artist, you are not only
limited to using the same technique or practice that you use before. Certainly,
there is another door for discovering something new, unique, genuine, and
distinctive. In researching for additional techniques in arts, one must not be
afraid to go outside the box; one must learn to feed his/her interest in a way
that motivates one’s artistic yearning. Through experimentation, an artist’s
decision-making skill is improving as well as his/her organizational skill.
6. Media Analysis
In the advent of modernization and industrialization, technology has greatly
influenced innovation and development in the field of artistic expressionism.
Consequently, various incorporations have been made in numerous
contemporary art techniques and practices. Collaborative approaches to art
making have been adapted by many in their initiative to establish their own
style. Media analysis, on the other hand, is critical in examining technology-
based art pieces. For a young artist like you, one way of searching for more
techniques is by investigating if not scrutinizing purpose, value, mood, and
socio-political implication of media arts. Through this, you will be able to come
up with your filtered stand and eventually construct or enhance your own
style of expressing ideas in multiple medium.

Advantages of Researching New Techniques and Practices

1. It can push artists to aim for better versions of their works and grab the
opportunity to expand artistic horizons.
2. It is a helpful way to immerse oneself in the culture of others and thereby
allowing own creativity to design culture-based means of artistic expression.
3. It gives an artist the chance to look for another window that lets him/her
see what’s inside other artist’s mind.
4. An artist can express his/her own choice combined with other ideas
generated from researches.
5. Best practices of artists are shared to both professional and aspiring ones.
6. It is a powerful thought-provoking strategy because the mind is exposed to
new and extensive information.
7. It can be a kick-start for an artist’s inspiration and ignite a spark to get the
passion even more alive.
8. It enables the artist to plan for a multi-faceted, captivating, and detailed final
output.
9. It exposes one to new discoveries and perspectives.
10. It encourages the artist to spot unusual angles and try modern art
techniques.
11. It teaches new style and additional comfort of one’s artistic specialization.
12. It adds pro art techniques with a mix of traditional and contemporary
insights

5
 What I Have Learned

Direction: Trace your left/right hand on a piece of paper. On each of

the finger, write a new concept that you have acquired from the lesson. Afterwards,
shade your work with your favorite color/s.

http://clipart-library.com/clipart/hand-cliparts_13.htm

Key Concepts:

• Artistic knowing urges contemporary artists to improve their craft through

basic researching.
• He/She who does researching before doing will always get the chance to
discover new techniques in art making.

What I Can Do

Direction: Choose only one jewelry.

You are one of the famous jewelers in the Philippines and your advocacy centers on
promoting Filipino culture and heritage through locally made jewelry products. Now,
your task is to create a design inspired by the current societal condition of the
Filipino people. Remember to use indigenous materials or recyclable resources in
creating your final output. See the samples below and choose one that is applicable
to you. You may seek the idea of your family regarding this task.

6
 A. Earrings (for girls)

Name of the Jewelry: _______________________

Concept/Inspiration:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Approach Used in Researching Appropriate
Technique: ________________________________
____________________________________________
Step-by-step Procedure in Accomplishing the
Task:
1. 2.
3. 4.
5.
ABM 1204B Batch 2020. Jewelry making. CPAR class.
RSSTHS. Photo by M.A. T. Colorado . February 12, 2020

B. Bracelets (for boys)

Name of the Jewelry: _______________________

Concept/Inspiration:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Approach Used in Researching Appropriate
Technique: ________________________________
____________________________________________
Step-by-step Procedure in Accomplishing the
Task:
1. 2.
3. 4.
5.

ABM 1204B Batch 2020. Jewelry making. CPAR class. RSSTHS.

Photo by M.A. T. Colorado. February 12, 2020

7
 Assessment

Direction: Analyze the statements below and encircle the letter

that best complete the sentence.

1. The first approach in accomplishing art tasks is ___________.

a. abstracting c. experimenting
b. brainstorming d. evaluating
2. The more you explore, the more ______ you will gather.
a. activities c. learnings
b. ideas d. perspectives
3. An artist must have enough information about his/her target _______.
a. invention c. output
b. product d. result
4. Making the task is considered the “_______” part of art making.
a. assessing c. doing
b. developing d. evaluating
5. This approach in researching for art techniques increases one’s _______
function with others.
a. collaborative c. joint
b. connective d. shared
6. __________ entails open and healthy communication between and among
artists.
a. Collection c. Dialogue
b. Collaboration d. Discussion
7. Curiosity paves the way to a new ________.
a. discovery c. probe
b. exploration d. study
8. An artist’s decision-making skill is improved through ___________.
a. experimentation c. research
b. investigation d. testing
9. _______________ is a critical examination of technology-based artworks.
a. Media Analysis c. Media Enquiry
b. Media Breakdown d. Media Scrutiny
10. In researching new techniques and practices, ________ is a required human
value.
a. consideration c. patience
b. determination d. temperance

8
 Additional Activities

FOR PMDL, create a Trick Art in a piece of bond paper. Choose the
subject matter that you like best. Record steps in doing the artwork
by following the template below. Afterwards, pass your work to your subject
teacher.

Title of Artwork: __________________________

Artist: ____________________________________
Medium/Material: ________________________
Technique: _______________________________
Procedure: (Give details for each step)
a. Brainstorming
b. Researching about the task
c. Deciding what to materialize
d. Creating the artwork
Implication: ______________________________

Honey Bea Satumbaga. 2018. Trick Art. CPAR Class.

Photo by M.A. T. Colorado. July 15, 2018.

Answer Key