Two exhibits at MO_Space
THE GALLERY will open two exhibits on Jan. 11 (they will run until Feb. 4) — Kristoffer Ardeña’s Geopoemas: Bacolod at the Main Gallery, and Czar Kristoff’s A Series of Suspended Readings No. 2 at Gallery 2. In his exhibit, Ardeña presents the painting entitled Ghost Painting/Cracked Category: Bacolod where the artist tackles the tradition of the landscape genre. The artist cut up a tarpaulin printed with Google street maps of Bacolod in Negros, where the artist is currently based, into almost 200 pieces. These were painted and hung from the ceiling of the gallery space using deconstructed basahan retaso rugs. This immersive and performative painting invites the public to then crack and reveal texts, images, iconography, and names of streets. Meanwhile, at Gallery 2, Kristoff, in his 5th solo exhibit, revisits his publications from 2015–2019 to both seal and reveal a chapter of inquiry on refuge and violence. The gallery, located at MOs Design on Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Silverlens hosts symposium
IN CONJUNCTION with its exhibitions Equation of State and ZIGAZIG ah!, Silverlens is hosting a symposium — “Local Matters: Martha Atienza and Yee I-Lann on Communities, the Environment, and Art” — where Dutch-Filipino artist Martha Atienza and Sabahan artist Yee I-Lann will discuss their art within a broader context. Joining them are community organizer Haley Atienza, artist Roberth Fuentes, compressor diver Mario Forrosuelo, weaver Kak Roziah, and community organizer Omarjan Ibrahim Jahuran. It will be held on Jan. 11, 1-4 p.m., at Silverlens, 2263 Don Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. Admission is free. Atienza learned more about ecosystems and gained a richer understanding of the sea from her conversations with members of Bantayan Island’s community. Through different collaborations using island technology, Atienza produced installations and videos that present and question matters around the environment and socio-economic development. Similarly, Yee I-Lann teamed up with weavers from Keningau in the Borneo interior and Pulau Omadal, Semporna, in the Sulu Sea to create woven mats for ZIGAZIG ah!. Yee and the communities she worked with explore traditional crafts and aesthetics to tease out contemporary readings that also raise issues regarding community, empowerment, and alternative sustainable livelihoods. Given their inclusive approaches, the artists and their collaborators encourage audiences to consider the role of art and culture in socio-economic development and the power of artistic collaborations. Limited slots are available. RSVP at localmatters.rsvpify.com to secure a seat.
Ballet Manila returns with Sleeping Beauty
IT HAS been more than two months since the Aliw Theater and Star Theater — Ballet Manila’s home base — burned down in the fire that also destroyed Star City at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex, and the dance company is rising from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix, all set to captivate its audience with the world premiere of Sleeping Beauty. The third show in its 24th performance season “On Pointe,” Sleeping Beauty is Artistic Director Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s homage to this ballet classic and fairy tale. Against the background of the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Macuja Elizalde adapted bits and pieces from the original staging by Marius Petipa and Konstantin Sergeyev while creating new portions. It will be staged on Jan. 18, 6 p.m., and Jan. 19, 3 p.m., at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. The show’s cast is led by principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames who will take on the role of Aurora, while her fellow principal dancer Romeo Peralta will be her love interest, Prince Phillip. Also in the cast are Mark Sumaylo, Rissa May Camaclang, Joan Sia, Gerardo Francisco, Rafael Perez, Alvin Dictado, Shaira Comeros, and Emma Harris. Tickets to Sleeping Beauty are available at Ticketworld (8891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph).
Art and antiques at Leòn Gallery online auction
THE LEÒN EXCHANGE Online Auction Edition XIV auction under the Leonexchange platform will be held on Jan. 18 and 19 starting at 11 a.m. All bidding will be purely online at www.leonexchange.com. The highlight of the auction is Hernando R. Ocampo’s Skyward boceto (1953), a dynamic study of the lush and alien terrain found its final version — a major work in oil on canvas in 1959 as an official entry to the 12th exhibition of the Art Association of the Philippines. Sharing center stage is a Mauro “Malang” Santos’ Still Life, which is unique as it deviates from his usual stained-glass window bouquet of sharply geometrical forms and genre scenes. There are also a pair of Onib Olmedo’s depictions of the denizens of the underbelly of Filipino culture. Also on auction is Prudencio Lamarroza’s Takipsilim, a fairytale landscape of a Philippine eucalyptus tree, with a sea of spotted Easter eggs. There are also “functional sculptures” by Benji Reyes; and, Under the Viridian Sky by Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan. Also up for sale are crystal and silverware, chinoiserie, Filipino period furniture, fine bone China, coffee table books, and rare photographs. The items will be on view to the public starting Jan. 13, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with preview cocktails on Jan. 15, 4 p.m., at Leòn Gallery in Warehouse 14 La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati. To participate in the auction, visit www.leonexchange.com and registering as a buyer.
Gelvezon-Tequi retrospective at the CCP
A MAJOR retrospective exhibition by Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi entitled Allegories and Realities, Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi: In Retrospect will open on Feb. 22, 4 p.m., at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The exhibition, which runs until May 24, is presented as part of the CCP’s ongoing 50th-anniversary program. Gelvezon-Tequi earned two degrees in Fine Arts and English from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Influenced by literature, art history and visual arts, her works emanate her deep understanding of these disciplines. Her series of prints from the 1980s are juxtapositions of sacred images vis-à-vis the mundane. Her works are also grounded on the real and personal — family life and losses, greed and corruption, the turbulent political climate, or simply a row of trees, a lush garden or a still life. She has been highly acclaimed for her use of allegory to express her take on social issues. This retrospective show is composed of prints and paintings made by Gelvezon-Tequi from the 1970s to the present. It explores the thematic contexts as well as modes of art practice Gelvezon-Tequi has pursued for more than five decades. Aside from the artist’s collection, other featured artworks will be borrowed from private and institutional collections.
