How Have Contemporary Realities Affect and Continue to Affect Traditional Arts and Their Societies?

One distinct characteristic of traditional arts of the Filipino is that it is communal. Traditional arts represented different views of the member of community and their cultural and social beliefs. Some examples were the rice god bulol of the Ifugaos and the t’nalak of the T’bolis. Contemporary realities have affected our traditional arts through time. When American colonizers brought secular art, commercialism became the central focus of art. Traditional arts were still preserved in some areas especially in the rural areas but secular art was patronized in urban areas because this is where advertisements and commercial arts expanded. Traditional art was affected by the emergence of commercial art even if it was the rural societies who nurtured it. The repetitive and rhythmic weaving designs were used for commercialization and tourism. The carving designs of our traditional ancestors were also used to attract tourists. These art forms have a specific (spiritual) purpose for a tribal group or community but as the contemporary realities emerged, the essence of these art forms vanished. Modernism brought new art styles in the country during the 19th century. Even though new art forms were introduced by Filipino artists who mostly studied in Europe, traditional arts didn’t really disappear but it was also strongly influenced by modern art. As time went by, people explored more to adapt to their surroundings. Digital technology (computers and other gadgets) became a big factor to development of art. People patronized digital art than indigenous art. Indigenous art were also easily manipulated using digital technology. Tourism used indigenous arts to attract foreigners to visit our country. Traditional arts didn’t really end up rather it integrated with other form of