Design Thesis Research || Preliminary Research Summation #2
Adian, D. G., & Arivia, G. (2009). Relations Between Religions and Cultures in Southeast Asia. CRVP.
Notes: This resource speaks to areas in which colonialism and imperialism has left a lasting impact on Filipino society. Catholicism is now the most commonly practiced religion in the Philippines despite not being native to the country, while the original mythology and religion of the indigenous Filipino tribes is largely and ignored and avoided. This article does not cast any judgement on the ethic of religious conversion and missionaries, but rather speaks to the circumstances that allowed for Catholicism to take hold within the country and continue to dominate the country’s religious practices. Understanding the ways in which modern day Filipino culture was developed allows for a better understanding of the areas in which indigenous culture can be retrieved and reforged.
Keywords: Colonialism, Religion, Religious Conversion, Cultural Genocide, Indigenous Culture
Summary: In this essay, Adian and Arivia detail the ways in which the adoption of Catholicism in the Philippines provided the foundation for the escalating Hispanization and Americanization of the country’s culture as it developed. Additionally, the authors discuss the ways in which the indigenous religious practices of the Philippines were compatible to Catholic practices.
Aguila, A. P. N. (n.d.). Social Media and the Renegotiation of Filipino Diasporic Identities. 356.
Notes: This article gives insight into the ways in which the filipino diasporic identity is forged and declared via the usage of social networking systems (SNS), allowing for the better understanding of the ways in which the declaration and definition of a filipino identity is malleable within contemporary society and the development of new technologies. The discussion of the role of technology and the declaration of identities and adoption of stereotypes within communications between diasporic filipino groups speaks to the ways in which the filipino cultural identity is not rooted solely from their ethnic background, but additionally from the circumstances that keep them away or close to their home country.
Keywords: Social Media, Technology, Cultural Identity, Diasporic Filipinos, Culture Studies
Summary: Aguila discusses the role SNS has played in the establishment of contemporary Filipino identities, analyzing the ways in which diasporic Filipinos embrace, eschew and declare cultural statuses and stereotypes in their communications with mainland filipino family members and friends. Aguila’s research is an effort to understand how diasporic Filipinos negotiate their identities in their communications and connections with homeland Filipinos through Social Media.
Constantino, R. (2008). The mis-education of the Filipino. Journal of Contemporary Asia. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472337085390031
Notes: This resource speaks to the failures of the Philippines in creating a nationalist education system, or an education system that informs its citizens of the problems the country faces and the means by which to solve them. This source gives insight into the ways capitalism, class stratification and the economic interests of the country’s elite have prevented the adoption of a critical education system that allows for the citizens of the Philippines to understand the problems facing their country, criticize their government and the US government for their oppressive tendencies and damage to the nation’s culture and infrastructure, and the understanding of the countries cultural history and indigenous culture. This article speaks to the reason for a mis-education of Filipino cultural history.
Keywords: Colonialism, Imperialism, Education, Nationalism, Cultural History, International Relations
Summary: This article details the ways in which the stratified social system of the Philippines and capitalistic interests of its ruling Elites have provided for the “mid-education” of the country’s citizens regarding their understanding of political issues and cultural history, allowing for the erasure of indegenous culture and the lack of ability to criticize oppressive political regimes.
David, E. J. R. (2013). Brown Skin, White Minds: Filipino / American Postcolonial Psychology. IAP.
Notes: This article speaks to the psychological impact of westernization and Americanization on both homeland Filipinos and diasporic Filipinos. David’s discussion of the Philippines adoption of western beauty standards speaks to the damages colonization and imperial influences have had on the psychological development and the physical bodies of Filipinos, so much so that these ideologies and standards have been internalized so as to be understood as “native” to our cultures. The adoption of western beauty standards and ways of perceiving art and culture speak to the neglect and erasure of indigenous culture and people in the Philippines, providing for the internalized colorism and self-hatred of Filipinos and the resulting deterioration of the indigenous Filipino culture.
Keywords: Colonialism, Imperialism, Americanization, Beauty Standards, Psychology, Westernization
Summary: David speaks to the Psychological damages Americanization and Westernization have inflicted upon both diasporic Filipinos and homeland Filipinos, altering the ways in which they see themselves and in which they are able to perceive other Filipinos. David discussed the impact of Americanization on the nation’s adopted beauty standards, bringing light to the ways in which indigenous culture and people are as a result of westernization, neglected and erased.
Inocian, R. B., Cuestas, N. J. P., Carin, J. K. L., & Canoy, J. D. E. (2019). Unveiling the indigenous art and craft of bakat and its economic significations. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 9(4), 445–467. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-09-2018-0064
Notes: This resource gives insights into what traditional practices are still preserved and to what extent, in addition to the cultural importance and significance of these traditional artistic practices had in indigenous Filipino cultures. Inocian’s findings spoke the sustainability of Bakat as an artistic practice, providing justification for its adoption on a wider scale, and a basis for its usage in contemporary textile manufacturing despite the tendencies to adopt western practices.
Keywords: Art, Indigenous Art, Weaving, Textiles, Traditional Art, Culture, Education, Sustainability, Rural Art
Summary: Inocian and Cuestas explore the significance of the indigenous Filipino weaving practice of Bakat to Filipino culture and its sustainable qualities as a means of manufacturing, providing justification for the revival of the artistic practice and its adoption as a popular means of manufacturing.
Loza, C. B., Guzman, A. B. D., & Jose, R. T. (2008). Insights into the Integration of Traditional Filipino Arts in Art and Design Education: Voices from the Academe. International Journal of Art & Design Education, 27(2), 124–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-8070.2008.00568.x
Notes: This resource gives insight into the application of indigenous artistic practices in contemporary design problems and the feasibility of its application. Loza, Guzman and Jose provide a foundational understanding for the current landscape of Filipino Art and Design Education, speaking to its Western Foundations and teaching of Western Art practices. This speaks to a lack of traditional Filipino influence on the country’s art and design and a clear void in the establishment of a unique Filipino Design style.
Keywords: Art, Indigenous Art, Traditional Art, Art Practices, Education, Design, Westernization
Summary: An qualitative study of the feasibility of applying traditional Filipino art practices in Filipino Art and Design education in replacement of Western foundational practices that are currently being taught in Filipino institutions.
Mateo, F. (2016). Challenging Filipino Colonial Mentality with Philippine Art. Master’s Theses. https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/196
Notes: Mateo’s discussion of Colonial Mentality speaks to a collective problem in Filipino citizens in their roles in maintaining Western superiority within the Philippines and the erasure and marginalization of indigenous people and cultures. This speaks to a lack of cultural pride in the Philippines and a tendency to prefer western culture and influence. Additionally, Mateo speaks to current efforts to remedy this colonial mentality through the revival of traditional and indigenous artistic practices and culture so as to reforge the Filipino identity and encourage pride in Filipino culture. This speaks to the significance of indigenous art and the role its revival could play in the preservation of traditional Filipino culture and history.
Keywords: Art, Indigenous Art, Traditional Art, Culture, Art Appreciation, Colonial Mentality, Colonialism
Summary: A study of contemporary revivals of traditional art in the Philippines in an effort to combat the development of a colonial mentality that encourages the preference for Western culture over Filipino culture, resulting in the erasure of traditional Filipino culture and history.
Ogura, N., Yap, D. L. T., & Tanoue, K. (2002). Modern Architecture in the Philippines and the Quest for Filipino Style. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 1(2), 2_233-238. https://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.1.2_233
Notes: Ogura’s investigation of the development of a Filipino “style” in modern architecture provides insight into the Philippine’s current position in regards to their development of an unique cultural design practice, while also exposing the ways in which it is still very much tied to Western Design styles and practices. Ogura’s discussion of the development of this movement to establish a “Filipino Style” allows me to understand the trajectory of Filipino design and its current status so as to understand what progress has been made and in what areas it can be further developed.
Keywords: Art, Traditional Art, Culture, Architecture, Design
Summary: A study of the development of a “filipino style” in modern Filipino architectural design in response to efforts to break away from the influence of the United States. Ogura studies the work of several renowned architects and their work, discussing the ways in which the Filipino style has manifested through the country’s adaption to it climate conditions, while also maintaining many western influences.
Sánchez Gómez, L. Á., & Sánchez Gómez, L. Á. (2002). Indigenous art at the Philippine Exposition of 1887: Arguments for an ideological and racial battle in a colonial context. Journal of the History of Collections, 14, 2, 283–294.
Notes: A historical framing of the damages inflicted by Spanish Colonization in the Philippines. Sanchez speaks to the ways in which Filipino art was scrutinized and consumed by the colonial Spanish gaze, specifically in the Philippine Exposition of 1877, detailing the ways in which Spanish cultural influence, specifically through that of the clergy, “stunted” the artistic development and progress of the Filipino people. Speaks to the ways in which colonialism and its influence have impacted the trajectory of Filipino traditional art, while also speaking to the way in which colonialism set a precedent for the judgement and perception of Filipino art from a Colonizer’s gaze.
Keywords: Art, Indigenous Art, Traditional Art, Art in History, Colonialization, Religion, Hispanization
Summary: A study of the varying interpretation of Filipino art by their Spanish Colonizers as a representation of the Philippine inferiority and lack of artistic capability in contrast to the view of their work as being stunted by Spanish influence and efforts suppress their artistic and intellectual development.
Strobel, L. M. (2019). “Born-Again Filipino”: Filipino American Identity and Asian Panethnicity. Amerasia Journal. https://doi.org/10.17953/amer.22.2.v7841w4h7881hk04
Notes: Strobel’s investigation into the development of a panethnic consciousness by Filipino American’s provides insight into the diversity of the “Filipino cultural identity” and the circumstances that forge the development of one’s cultural identity. Strobels study speaks to the factors that mold the identity of Filipino American’s exploring the ways in which they relate to and understand the country of their home culture.
Keywords: Cultural Identity, Filipino Americans, Immigration, Diaspora
Summary: An attempt at diversifying the understanding of the Filipino American identity post 1965, when Filipino began to migrate to America in larger numbers.
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS
General Topic Area: Colonialism
Refine General Topic Area: Cultural Genocide and Cultural Preservation
Topic Area Description: This topic area focuses on the eradication of indigenous cultures by colonizing forces and the repercussions of such damages in present day, post-colonial societies, in addition to the means by which communities preserve their lost culture if at all.
Topic Area Problem: The removal of traditional and indigenous artistic practices from modern day design in the Philippines.
Synthesizing the Topic Area and Problem: Due to a long history of colonization and violent cultural genocide in the Philippines, modern day Filipino design practices tend to reflect the methods of its western oppressors rather than taking influence from their indigenous and native cultures, contributing to the deterioration of cultural preservation within the country’s culture.
Possible Design Solution: I believe the creation of a clothing brand that makes use of traditional filipino artistic practices and culture could cultivate pride in the native filipno culture while also bringing attention to and educating people on the country’s pre-colonized history and culture.