lauricesfieldtrip

[lauricesfieldtrip]

What I Discovered

Well, objective knowledge aside, I found a love for museums that I never really thought I'd have. I wasn't particularly interested before, I didn't really "get" it. But as I wondered through each room, it became clear to me that museums are not merely places to learn facts as I grew to believe; they are wellsprings of inspiration that showcases the different parts of human life and beyond.

The emotional impact of the art, the artists, the stories, and the meanings resonated with me most. It reminds me of how I call cinemas and libraries my second home, as I feel a deep connection with films and books. After this visit, I now declare museums to be part of the list. It occurred to me that I overlooked paintings and sculptures more than I realized. I will definitely be exploring more in the future.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

My Favorite Part

My favorite part of the museum visit was seeing historical events and figures come to life in the artworks. Each piece served as a vivid reminder of moments and individuals that shaped the narrative of our culture. This experience deepened my appreciation for art in all its forms; it hit me just how much literature means to me as I looked through the paintings and sculptures.

The experience made me realize how beautiful life is with books, and I was so overwhelmed by emotion that I just HAD to tweet about it (haha!). If you don't believe me:

As a woman in STEM, I find myself very pressured by the expectations in the field that I have chosen. The sciences and mathematics will always be an important part of myself; however, I will eternally be grateful for subjects such as art and history that makes me delve into different aspects of humanity. I didn't expect to be impacted by this museum as much as it did, but I'm glad it happened.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

My Overall Impression

I went to this museum in heels. Heels! There were three floors, and every floor had numerous rooms with a diverse range of artworks on display. Was it worth the pain of walking in those heels? Absolutely. Every step gave me a sight to behold.

What truly captivated me was the variety of artists represented and the unique stories their works tell. From contemporary pieces to classic masterpieces, each artwork conveyed its own meaning and emotional depth. It was fascinating to see how different techniques and styles were employed across various eras, and it let me appreciate the evolution of art in the Philippines. It was as if I could feel the pulse of each period. Many works also made me think—and I love thinking.

Truthfully, I made the choice to go alone as a way to clear my head. I have been overwhelmed by school and my personal life that I wanted some time just to myself. This project was not mere homework but also the break that I needed. I used to go here a lot with my friends only to take photos and call it a day. However, this day was particularly special.

Perhaps it was because of the emotional sentiment of it, but this museum undoubtedly left a mark on me.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

Sketch

Superstition by Cesar T. Legaspi - 1982

Honestly, I loved this painting so much that I was already decided it was the one I'll sketch as soon as I laid my eyes on it. It made me think, "I hope I could paint something like this once I learn to do art."

[lauricesfieldtrip]

Find an artwork with a person you would want to have lunch with.

Portrait of Andres Bonifacio by Zosimo F. Dimaano - Circa 1935

Lunch with him definitely would be an interesting conversation. I would love to talk to many historical figures in the Philippines, especially because they only live on in books.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

A painting that you would like to be in.

El Desierto by Felix Hidalgo - Undated

Words can't describe how in love I am with this painting. The portrayal of solitude in the peaceful scene of nature is something that truly makes me crave the experience. I love it, I love it, I love it. Perhaps it is the overwhelming stress and pressure of college along with other things going on in my life, but I am obsessed merely by the thought of being in this painting.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

A figure with the craziest expression.

Serenata [Serenade] by Ramon Estella - 1949

It is interesting how this piece only has a relatively small number of lines and shapes. It is simple, but you can notice the human expressions despite the lack of form. I found it to be unique and definitely different, which I think qualifies to be in the category.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork that has a lot of interesting texture.

Organic Life by Alfredo Roces - 1969

It's quite apparent that this piece has a lot of textures just from seeing it. It's almost like you can feel the random strokes and lines in the work as your eyes wander around it.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork that has food in it.

Magkano Ho ang Isang Niyog? by Federico Estrada - 1977

Ahhh, I do love when artworks capture the everyday life, especially when it highlights a certain culture. This reminds me of when my mother would bring me to the palengke as a child, and I would get excited to do all these "grown-up tasks."

[lauricesfieldtrip]

Find an artwork that is ridiculous.

Painting No. 21 (Paris) by Rock Drilon - 1982

Honestly, I have no clue what this is. It just reminds me of Biology class, which I don't find very pleasant. I love it though. It has a mix of colors and shapes that have me asking, "What?"

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork with something mysterious in it.

Mother and Child by Cesar T. Legaspi - 1952

Once again, there's a composition of shapes to form the figures, which does capture the form of the subjects without resorting to hyper-realism. The dark colors and the expressions on the mother and child being notably neutral—what people commonly refer to as a "poker face"—gives it a mysterious air. It made me ponder the emotions and story behind the art.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork that is monochromatic.

Layered Life 3 by Lenore Lim - 2015

This artwork seems to utilize charcoal to explore the depths of black and white. With shading, there are various forms and textures despite the monochromatic aspect of it. My thoughts? This is honestly one of the techniques that I would love to learn in art, although the idea of it being more complicated than it looks (because it usually is) scares me quite a bit.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

The strangest artwork.

Superstition by Cesar T. Legaspi - 1982

I remember in class being shown an artwork where the pattern slowly blends the characters to the background through pattern, and that memory came to mind when I came across this work. It's a strange artwork in the way it evokes a sense of confusion, uncertainty, and doubt; it matches its title well.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork with animals in it.

Alimentando a las gallinas by Simon Flores - 1896

Literally translating to "Feeding the chickens," this piece is simple but has a feeling of warmth, with a woman crouched down, gently feeding chickens, while a little girl holds onto her back. Seeing this just made me feel a sense of serenity, being shown a scene that I never truly see in the city.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork that has lots of color (very vibrant).

Altar de San Francisco by Manual Baldemor - 1989

This is pretty straightforward; it has a burst of colors and different shades of it that really draws you to different parts of the artwork. Despite the range of hues, they all go well together, which makes it a very dynamic composition.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An example of perspective in an artwork.

Travail Immigree, Kalutasan? by Edgar Talusan Fernandez - 1981

"Perspective" in this artwork definitely can mean different things. On a technical level, the artist definitely did well to guide the viewer's eye and show perspective. However, the word also has a deeper meaning when you see the significant issue it addresses in the struggles of immigrants. There is a combination of artistic technique and socio-political commentary that embodies the term perspective in this piece, which is why I chose it specifically.

[lauricesfieldtrip]

An artwork that has lots of lines or shapes.

Man and Rooster by Vicente S. Manansala - 1950

There's an interesting technique here in which a variety of shapes were used to construct the figures of both the man and the rooster. I believe it's called a composition, which I've tried to do before (turns out I did not have the patience for it). Manansala's ability to arrange the elements of lines, shapes, and colors in a way that was able to show the subjects is absolutely brilliant to me.