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[ahrtis-try]

One of the most taken-for-granted things in my opinion are cultural art agencies. People don’t realise the importance of these agencies not only to artists but to our culture and society. As art is a reflection of humanity, of who we were, who we are, and we we’re going to be, these cultural art agencies help preserve the art our artists make and help our culture... well... not disappear of the face of the Earth.

Each existing cultural art agency is important and essential all in their own ways and as citizens of the Philippines, as Filipinos, it should be part of our agenda to take care and preserve these agencies. It should be our priority to keep these agencies up and running for the next generation and the generations to come after them.

If given the chance, I would create an art agency that supports contemporary digital and traditional Filipino artists because most of the agencies as I see them focus on art from the past. I think that these artists and their art should get as much support and protection as the art and artists from the past.

[ahrtis-try]

Appropriation — this term is probably common to most millennials already, especially to those who identify as feminists; although for some... not so much. What exactly is appropriation? It is the action of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission (Google). There has been much debate over the years, especially in this year and the previous one, on what appropriation really is and whether it’s good or bad. 

Is appropriation appropriate?

Appropriation, in my opinion, is just as good and bad as fire — it just is. It goodness or badness of it depends on how you use it. Let’s take, for example, art appropriation; my interpretation of this is that it’s totally and completely fine, that is, as long as the original artwork’s copyrights are owned by society and no longer the artist itself (a.k.a artist = dead for the longest time; if the artist was still alive, I think that would be plagiarism). But if we talk about cultural appropriation, it is most definitely not okay because even if it’s Halloween or whatever the occasion may be, someone’s culture should never be used as a costume.

Is pre-existing artwork used in appropriation defaced/devalued?

I guess to an extent, it is. But I think it’s really up to the artist appropriating the artwork; if their intention is just to appropriate in the context of art then the artwork isn’t being defaced, but if their intention is to disrespect the artwork, it’s then that the artwork is defaced or devalued.

[ahrtis-try]

Art is probably my favourite form of self-expression. Even as I kid, I’ve already had an inclination for the arts be it visual arts, music, dance, film, you name it. Up to this day, it amuses me that a person can do so much, can express themselves so much through art. Thanks to the new senior high school system, we now have a subject called Contemporary Arts and I honestly hope my love for arts reflects my grades. Knowing myself, I won’t aim for an A or a specific grade; in this subject, what I’m aiming for is for me to learn and gain a deeper love and understanding for the arts. I think my my passion for the arts will help me achieve my goal.