Contemporary art springs from present-day events and passions in society. It functions in a globally diverse and technology-oriented world. Contemporary art is collaborative and involves audience interaction. Studying contemporary art is important because it expresses the feelings and ideals of today's artists and society. While modern art focuses on techniques, contemporary art emphasizes conveying messages relevant to society. The Philippines has a long history of art from ethnic, Islamic, Spanish, American and Japanese influences to modern and contemporary eras. Traditional art was culture-bound and realistic, while contemporary art evolves with the artist's feelings and uses diverse materials without boundaries.