Philippine E-Journals

GISING SINING: HOW FASCISM, FOOLISHNESS, AND FORESIGHT OF LEADERSHIPS AFFECT THE FILIPINO POLITICAL ART LANDSCAPE

Ruka Azuma | Melissa Perez | Jedi Directo

Discipline: creative arts and design (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Art is not only a way for personal expression but also a movement. Political art has been playing an important role in raising awareness and fighting injustices. However, in the Philippines, fascism and authoritarian regimes are rampant, and freedom of expression is being censored. Political art is being misinterpreted to the point where artists’ lives are at stake. Another factor that plays an important role is the Filipino people’s interpretation, opinions, and beliefs. With an uninformed public, censorship, manipulation, and deception among Filipinos will continue to grow, which will also limit Filipino artists’ freedom of expression. The study discussed how Filipino political art was shaped during monumental periods and how it is constantly evolving; analyzing the landscape. The short documentary explores how political artists are becoming the catalysts of sociopolitical conversations while analyzing the opinions and beliefs of the Filipino people and how these factors influence their stance. The film revolves around presenting information about the topic through a hybrid of interviews, social experiments, and animation. The audience – Filipino youth and adults, will be able to obtain knowledge on the sociopolitical landscape and political art. The film aims to promote awareness in order to have a conversational and informed audience. The study and film were effective in presenting and raising awareness about the issue. The film shall further benefit the general public by showing how political art can directly influence the socio-political landscape of the country while the current issues and opinions influence the prior.