ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Module 4
Indigenous Creative Crafts
At the end of this course students are expected to develop some good habits and
personal qualities for good craftsmanship, like perseverance, patience, self-awareness,
and resourcefulness.
Craft Making
For actual craft making, this segment o creates an opportunity for the students to
engage in actual craft making—for instance, Ilocano pottery. An actual pottery sample
may first be examined in class in terms of texture, material, and even use. Students
would then try their hand at actual pottery making. They learn the steps and discover
the skills to produce a clay vessel. In the course of the activity, they can: Discover the
techniques—for instance, the right pressure to apply, the moderation needed to handle
wet clay, and other technical details. Identify the tools used to create designs and
fashion the clay into their desired form. They may realize, for instance, that a kitchen
ladle could be a good paddling tool, or that a fork could be used to impress designs on
the clay’s surface. This way, students learn the traditional way of making Ilocano
pottery, which they may see from an invited artisan or even from a video documentary.
Also, innovation and improvisation are introduced and even encouraged. Explore
potentialities of the material and tools and gain insight into what makes one molding
material better than another. For instance, students can grasp how different types of
commercial clay behave compared to clay soil. In the area of visual problem solving, the
students can discover how to resolve tensions between opportunities - the means
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available - and the restraints encountered, say, in clay molding. What does one do
when he or she discovers a weak layer of clay at the bottom of the vessel? Certain
issues would press for solutions, too. Where is the best place to conduct an open firing,
for instance? What time of the day? What precautions should be observed? What kind
of skills would be needed to mold a newspaper, which has been soaked in water for
days and mashed? Could this be combined with other molding materials like clay soil or
commercial clay? How would one resolve its internal supports? In the case of paper
cutting, how does one remedy a situation where the paper is accidentally wet? Could a
cut-out still be executed on it? Issues of work space will also demand attention. How
should the work space be arranged? Is sitting better than squatting as one shapes the
clay? How do work habits affect the production of a craft? Is having a snack while
working compatible with pottery making or with other craftmaking activities, for that
matter? Other issues of interest are themes, subject matter, and the function of a craft.
Again in clay molding, what does one need the clay pot for, and how will its use
determine its size, shape, and design? Will it be painted over or glazed? Lastly,
students can also read about artisans and appreciate their philosophy, as well as their
social contributions, not least of which is to keep some traditions alive. However, a lot of
work in this aspect has yet to be done since traditional artisans are not famous and
celebrated. All the same, in looking at the artisans themselves, students can appreciate
various influences and contributions to an artisan’s work: training, experience, and
cultural and social backgrounds Art Criticism Art criticism has to do with “describing,
interpreting, evaluating, and theorizing about works of art with the end of increasing
understanding and appreciation of art and its role in society...”. Here, the roles of
“language, thoughtful writing and talk about art” come to the fore
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T’nalak Weaving by the T’boli, Lake Sebu Batik
Cloth weaving
One of the most precious living traditions that are still kept until today is weaving.
Originating in the precolonial times, the art of weaving of the Cordillera tribal groups in
the North is still existing despite the threat of the more practical mass production of
cloth. The natives use backstrap loom to produce blankets and articles of [Link]ña
cloth is also produced in looms throughout the province of Antique. It is a delicate and
exquisite handwoven cloth that is made from the fibers which you can get in the leaves
of pineapple plants. It is popularly used in Barong Tagalog, our traditional clothes.
Having its organic and airy textile, it is becoming more popular now around the
[Link] fiber come from the abaca plant that is endemic and grown in the country.
It is woven chiefly to make sinamay fabric. Abaca is popular in making a rope, specialty
papers like vacuum bags, currency, and tea bags. There are also handcrafts like bags,
furniture, carpets and clothing made of abaca.
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Basket weaving
Baskets are mainly used by the Cordilleras for their occupation. They use them as a
storage for their food when they need to go to mountain terraces to cultivate their lands.
A basket is needed for carrying grains, hunting animals, and fishing in the streams.
Baskets made of bamboo become their fish traps; the shape and size of baskets are
according to the kind of fish they want to catch.
Water Lily Basket Weaving, Las Pinas Ata Talaingod Liyang
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Jewelry making
Since the early 16th century, jewelry making in the country has been in existence. It
is believed that the skill of our early Flipino in making jewelry are adopted from their
Asian neighbors like the Chinese. Jewelry-making is a source of livelihood for the family
and it is traditionally a home-based industry. The government give their support and
attention in this industry. By this support, the country became the top producer of gold.
These are the two major product categories that the fine jewelry industry in the
Philippines are engaged for production. The first one is the precious metal jewelry,
which are made of gold and silver. It can be in the form of rings, earrings, bracelets,
brooches, pendants, necklaces, tie pins, and cuff links (with or without gemstones).
Decorative items like spoons and forks, and office items such as pen and pen holders
are also included in this category. Another production in the jewelry industry are the
pearls, precious stones, and semi-precious stones. These are unworked or worked
pearls. Colored gemstones like emerald, rubies, and sapphires are also in this group.
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Poterry Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Pottery
Pots in the Philippines have different sizes, shapes, and designs. Their designs are
usually geometric with stylized nature motifs. Pottery became more functional as the
time pass by. An example of this is palayok, which is used for cooking. Banga and
tapayan are used for storing liquids. There is also the clay-made stove or "kalan". The
making of burnay pottery in Ilocos Sur is still a lively tradition that continues up to the
present.
Pottery in Aklan Guimaras Island
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Manlililok Paete, Laguna
Woodcarving
Philippine sculpture is the most familiar art form among Filipinos. The most popular
woodcarving in the Philippines are carvings of the anitos (nature gods), santos (saints),
and statues of Christ and the Blessed Mother. Philippine sculpture have undergone
changes in terms of shape, size, and the medium used.
Woodcrafts of Banaue
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Pintado Whang-Od Mambabatok, Kalinga
Tattoos
Filipino tattoos have a rich history, dating back to before the Philippine Islands were
colonized by Spaniards. When Spanish ships first arrived there, they were greeted by
the heavily-tattooed Visayas tribe and they called the islands "La Isla De Los Pintados"
which meant "The Island of the Painted Ones". In the Philippines, tattoos were seen as
a source of accomplishment and rank. Men bore ink on their chests and heads as signs
of their strength as warriors. Women wore detailed lines on their arms and wrists
(Visays and Mindanao tribes) or full chest and arm tattoos (Luzon mountain tribes) and
they were seen as marks of beauty. Most tattoos were earned through the passage of
rites ceremonies, or for accomplishing tasks. The styles varied depending on the region
and tribe that the people came from.
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San Fernando, Pampanga Parol Making
Derived from the Spanish word farol, which means "lantern" or "light," it seems only
apt for the parol to have evolved into what it is now. When electricity came to
Pampanga, light bulbs replaced the candles that illuminated the parol. Soon after,
dancing lights were introduced—at first manually operated with various switches, until
the invention of the “rotor,” a mechanism that allowed for the lights to play out as
intended by the maker. Today’s Christmas lanterns feature bold patterns and tantalizing
light displays, made with all sorts of materials from shells to plastic, and even to
fiberglass.
Ligliligan Parul, San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival, Pampanga
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References:
[Link]
[Link]
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Student Activity
Make rolled paper 'wicker' baskets
[Link]
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
1. You need to cut long strips of newspaper to about 10cm wide. Fold the newspaper horizontally in
half and then half again, and use a sharp knife to cut into sections. I used a pine skewer for rolling
the tubes, but you can also use a thin knitting needle or 3mm dowel. Place the dowel on a corner of
the newspaper at an acute angle. This will give you a long tube.
2. Tuck under the corner edge and then roll with your fingers. There are various methods of rolling
the paper tubes, and after a couple of paper tubes you will work out which one works best for you. I
start off rolling with my fingers and then carefully lift the tube, holding the end of the skewer in my
right hand and rolling the paper around with my left.
3. When you reach the end, smear on a small amount of glue to secure in place. I have found the
best glue to be No More Nails. It's not runny, hold the paper firmly and dries quickly.
4. You will notice once you have made a few tubes that one end is ever so slightly narrower than the
other. Don't worry about this and you will find out why below.
CONTINUES BELOW
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
1. For the base of the basket cut two rectangular pieces of cardboard. These can be any size
depending on how small or large you want the basket to be.
2. On side, place two rows of double-sided tape around the edges.\
3. Press down and secure the paper tubes in position. There are 13 tubes on the long side and 7
tubes on the short side.
4. Use double-sided tape to cover the top of the remaining piece of cardboard. Apply No More Nails
to the back and press this down over the cardboard with tubes. Place a heavy book on top and leave
to dry for an hour.
GOOD TO KNOW
You can also use masonite for the base of your basket, or continue to learn how to weave a
base for baskets, as I will be doing.
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ABOVE: Here is the base for a square or rectangular basket. You can cover the top layer of
cardboard in any fabric you choose. I went for a black weave but next time I will try a burlap.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
1. To start weaving, join two tubes together as shown in the images just below. Bend in half and
thread around the first upright. This is where it gets tricky in the explanation, but I have included a
video at the bottom of this page that may help. The process is one tube in front - one tube behind
and twist around every single upright. Give this a try and you will understand what I mean.
2. As you weave and twist, make sure to pull the uprights up and keep the tubes nice and tight.
3. If you need to take a break, use a bulldog clip or peg to hold everything in place.
4. At the corners do an extra twist before you go round the corner and repeat the weave twist.
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How to make long tubes
As you reach the end of a tube, take a new tube and insert the narrower end into the end of the tube
you are using. Give it a twist so that it fits nice and snug inside.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
1. As you weave and twist each row it's easy to extend the length of the paper tubes as you work.
2. Continue to add rows until you reach the desired height. I added a total of 7 rows.
3. This being my first attempt at any kind of weaving, I wasn't sure how to finish off the top row and
ended up just cutting off the strips. Only afterwards (10 minutes later) I discovered that you are
supposed to bend them over and push them down through the weave on the inside!
4. To finish off I sprayed on two coats of Rust-Oleum polyurethane spray. This provides protection
for the newspaper and also stiffens it up nicely. You can use Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint to add any
colour to your newspaper baskets.
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ABOVE: my completed newspaper weave basket. Not perfect, but not bad for a first attempt.
My very first basket took about 4 hours, which included rolling all the paper tubes. It wasn't difficult
and I thoroughly enjoyed making it. Now I need to brush up on the various ways to finish off the top
and weave different designs.
Be inspired by some of the beautiful paper weave baskets created by [Link].
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