Gamboa, Lawrence M.

BSMA 1-9
Critique Paper: The Treachery of Images

The video created by Nerdwriter1 is about the painting of Rene Magritte’s The
Treachery of Image. He discussed in the video this complex painting created to trick
one’s mind and to challenge them to think what is the meaning behind the painting. But
before we discuss the painting, we should know who painted it in the first place.

Rene Magritte’s is a Belgian surrealist artist. He became well known for his witty
and mind boggling artworks. He don’t want to classify himself as a painter rather as a
thinker who wants to challenge your perception of reality. That things may not be what
is seems. That are senses can deceive us, mislead us.

With the painting, The Treachery of Image, we can see an image of a pipe and
beneath it is a sentence translating to “this is not a pipe”. In the video, Nerdwriter said
that at first glance, we can formulate that Magritte may say that it’s not an actual pipe,
but a representation of a pipe. But with these painting comes ideas that can change
one’s perception.

Language plays a critical role in understanding what Magritte may say in his
artwork. As nerdwriter said, “for many hundreds of years, human beings have supposed
that language and reality had an organic relationship”. But came linguist Ferdinand de
Saussure who contradicted these ideas. That language is just random and we don’t
really know things. But came with these understanding is the abstract expressionism
where in paintings has no resemblance of reality but still conveying ideas to the viewers.
But with Magritte’s The Treachery of Images, he confuses people with fake
resemblance.

As for the The Treachery of Images, we can now infer that language can really
deceive our senses. In the beginning, we assumed that the sentence is pointing directly
above the image when there is no saying that it is the case. Nerdwriter said that why
should we connect them? It is language that tells us to connect the symbols and the
graphical representation. And this connection is happening in our everyday lives. It
helps us to say what we think is real and that we are confident that it is real because of
the assumptions that we make.

The Treachery of Images is a masterpiece in its own genre. With a simple

contradiction, many minds have been confused (including mine). Ideas are formulated
and expressed with the painting. And give us a new meaning of what is really reality.
Reference:
[Nerdwriter]. (2015, September 2). What Is The Treachery of Images [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atHQpANmHCE

Gamboa, Lawrence M.
BSMA 1-9
Dayaw:”Inukit,Hinulma,Nilikha”
 Dayaw is a educational documentary on the Philippine Indigenous Culture. In this
episode, Senator Loren Legarda discussed the different art forms created by the
different tribes across the Philippines. She discussed the artwork’s heritage and
purpose to the people of that specific tribe. Here are some the different artworks and
their origins and purpose

Bulul
Bulul is a sculpture from the ifugao province. The Ifugaos are known for their
strict observance of rituals because they value them. This is their form of religion as
they worship nature for a good life. As a worship to the rice gods, they carved a
sculpture out of narra representing the god. When harvest time is near, they perform
Lukya,a ritual of sacrificing an animal and the blood will be put in the first sheaves of
rice. Then came the Bulul, as they believe that this sculpture will protect the crops from
harm and ensure a good harvest.

Okir
As said by Senator Loren Legarda, Okir is a visual language of the Maranaos. It
is composed of geometric patterns and free flowing designs. The patterns ideas came
from the Naga, the great serpent dragon of Southeast Asian folklore. And it was
improved and later on will have floral patterns and other designs that made the okir
today. Okir is used by the maranao to decorate everything. It can be seen in the
household items and boats used for fishing. It can be seen in different mediums such as
wood brass and textile.

Torogan
The traditional home of the Maranaos of the datus in the community. It does not
only serves as a home but also a gathering place for the people of his community. It is
designed with okir, where its has panolo to symbolize royalty. Torogan usually were
occupied by noble families that separate them from the ordinary people. Is is
strategically placed in the center of the community because it serves a place where they
discussed political, social ,economic and religious affairs of the Maranaos.

Sarimanok
Is a legendary bird of the maranao people. Sari meaning garments and Manok is
chicken. It is believed in the legends that muhammad had seen this these bird the if first
of the seven heavens and almost touched the second one due to its large size. This bird
is also a important because of the believe that judgement day if the bird stopped to
crow. It is now designed with okir and believed to bring good fortune.

Lantaka
Is a bronze swivel gun of the Maranaos. It can be seen throughout Southeast
Asian countries because they are near each other and can share their culture to each
other. It is usually mounted to merchant’s boats and warships. It was created in the with
the intricate craftsmanship of the people. It’s purpose is to defend and be used to attack
an enemy even if you are far away. It is a big upgrade from swords.

Reference:
[DepED Philippines]. (2016, January 6). Dayaw Episode 3:”Inukit,Hinulma,Nilikha”
[Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OPfH8RAbjQ&t=852s