Home Arts & Leisure Arts & Culture (06/09/21)

Arts & Culture (06/09/21)

Visit Art Fair Philippines 2021 website until June 15

ART Fair Philippines 2021, which went online for the first time this year, welcomed 44 exhibitors, over 276,000 website views, and over 40,000 visits. The art fair’s website (www.artfairphilippines.com) is still accessible until June 15. View the artwork and videos on the gallery pages, explore the photography galleries and exhibits, co-presented by Julius Baer, and watch digital artwork commissioned for the fair through the digital platform Daata. Learn more about non-fungible tokens inWelcome to the Metaverse,” the NFT 101 Showcase which takes visitors through crypto basics, to understanding how to use a web3 wallet, to buying an NFT (non-fungible tokens), to meeting artists and gallerists that are embedded within the crypto art world. ArtFairPH/Talks, ArtFairPH/Tours, and ArtFairPH/Open Studios are still accessible for viewing.

BenCab museum hosts ‘Peace Time’ exhibit

THE BENCAB Museum will host the exhibit “Peace Time in the Country: 1930-1941,” a magazine covers exhibit from the Ortigas Foundation Library. The exhibit opens on June 12, 4 p.m., on view until Aug. 1. The illustration covers for Philippine Magazine for the period 1929-1941 reflect phases in the country’s artistic movement and historical passage. Three contributing artists and their cover works are examples: Fabian de La Rosa, the older and more seasoned, captured a dignified Filipino sensibility, asserting an identity at the end of one colonial period and into the next; Fernando Amorsolo, a generation younger, added depth to his mentor De la Rosa’s staid subjects, capturing, with exactness, the colors and atmosphere of the countryside; and, Diosdado Lorenzo, who was in his early twenties when the first of his wash drawings became magazine covers, departed from the formal artistry of the two artists and were regarded as modernist. There were several more works by Filipinos as well as by Europeans and Americans who painted local genre and added to the magazine’s allure. The magazine cover exhibit will be on view simultaneously with two solo exhibitions which are ongoing at the museum’s Gallery Indigo:An Ode to Beauty” by Bullet Dematera and “Manila Ukiyo-E: We are All Time Machines” by Marius Black. Both open on June 12 and run until Aug. 1. Mr. Dematera’s artworks are a mix of realism to hyperrealism elements intermingled with pop art that create a hint of surrealism. Meanwhile, “Manila Ukiyo-E” is inspired by the 17th century Japanese art form Ukiyo-E, also known as art from the floating world, which depicts the daily lives of the people of Japan. This is Mr. Black’s fourth “Manila Ukiyo-E” show. This one tackles not only dreams but also the past, the present and the future, using paintings, photographs and poetry. For inquiries, send an e-mail to bencabartfoundation@gmail.com.

Instituto Cervantes tribute to filmmaker Berlanga

TO CELEBRATE the birth centenary of Spanish filmmaker Luis García Berlanga (1921-2010) this June, Instituto Cervantes is presenting the online film series Berlanga Turns 100. The films will be shown through the Instituto Cervantes channel on the Vimeo platform (vimeo.com/institutocervantes) and will be freely accessible for 48 hours from their start date and time. The film cycle continues on June 12 with the comedy Calabuch (1956), which tells the story of a scientist who goes to a small town after fleeing the senselessness of the escalating atomic policies of the great powers. Calabuch will be available for free on June 12 and 13 at: https://vimeo.com/548754830.

Mo_Space shows Joebau

MO_Space will open an exhibit of paintings by Joebau called “Throw Hide & Twist” on June 12, 10 a.m., on view through July 11. The gallery is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For any inquiries, call 8856-7915, 0917-572-7970.

Gateway Gallery presents webinar on ‘Images of Freedom’

IN CELEBRATION of the 123rd anniversary of the country’s independence, the Gateway Gallery will tackle “Images of Freedom: Ultimate Creative Expressions of the Filipino” as its latest KulturaSerye webinar on June 19, 2 p.m. This free Facebook webinar will be hosted by contemporary artist Riel Jaramillo Hilario. He will discuss his list of artworks that manifest Filipinos’ high regard for freedom, dignity, and human rights. The select artworks will be discussed in their historical context and their significance to the Filipino people. Mr. Hilario is a multifaceted artist and independent curator based in Lucban, Quezon. He is a recipient of the Cultural Center of the Philippines 13 Artists Award and winner of the Ateneo Art Awards, the Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards, and the Don Papa Art Competition. He has written numerous monographs on Philippine art history, and has published articles in art journals both here and abroad. To watch this latest KulturaSerye webinar, viewers should “like” or “follow” the official Gateway Gallery Facebook Page and click “yes” to alert notifications for the Facebook Live. An electronic certificate will be given to attendees upon submission of the online feedback form. Pre-registration is not required for the KulturaSerye webinar. To know more about KulturaSerye, contact the Gateway Gallery at 8588-4000 local 8300, gatewaygallery@aranetagroup.com, or view its social media pages: Facebook (GatewayGalleryPh), Instagram (gateway.gallery), Twitter (gateway_gallery), and YouTube (Gateway Gallery).

Three shows at Silverlens

SILVERLENS opened three shows in May which can still be seen this month and next. Leslie de Chavez’s “A Lonely Picket in the Balcony” (until June 19) is an exhibition featuring paintings, sculptures, and installations that take an unflinching look at the social and political situation in the Philippines. These works investigate the struggles and inequalities faced by the marginalized — victims of systemic injustice, brought about by political indulgences. Kitty Taniguchi’sFlower Moon” (until June 17) features the artist’s sketches and paintings. Ms. Taniguchi translates her inner life to whimsical figures and landscapes in striking colors. Based in Dumaguete, she is a widely exhibited artist, gallerist and poet both locally and overseas who manages her own art space. Jake Verzosa’s “The Last Tattooed Women of Kalinga” (until July 24) is one of the photographer’s most well-known series. These emotive images document a dying practice carved onto the bodies of elderly women. The series has been exhibited all over Asia, Europe, and North America in the last few years. Silverlens’ Online Viewing Room features the iconic photographs as well as behind-the-scenes images taken by the photographer. To view the exhibits, go to www.silverlensgalleries.com.

Salcedo Auctions’ Finer Pursuits sale

THE IDEA of juxtaposing the “old” with the “new” is the focus of Salcedo Auctions’ upcoming sale, Finer Pursuits, on June 26. It will feature a selection of 200 lots across various categories such as significant modern and contemporary Philippine art, museum-grade tribal and ethnographic art, and rare furniture, ecclesiastical objects and other valuable collectibles. Finer Pursuits will also feature a selection of rare, limited edition designer furniture pieces by Salcedo Auctions’ Modern & Contemporary Design Partner, CWC Interiors. The selection features design favorites such as the Eames La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames, a Noguchi coffee table from the Herman Miller Collection, and a 75th Anniversary Limited Edition Eames LCW chair. View the online catalogue for Finer Pursuits at salcedoauctions.com. For inquiries, call 0917825-7449) or send an e-mail to info@salcedoauctions.com.

Webinar tackles the shape of cities after WWII

THE AYALA Foundation, Inc. — Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) and US Embassy in the Philippines present “Shaping City Sense,” a free webinar which is part of “Liberation: War & Hope,” a series of events in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of  (World War 2) WWII.  The webinar will be held on June 26, 10 a.m.  to noon (Manila time) online via Zoom and Facebook Live. In this free webinar, three historians reflect on the changing urban forms of three cities: Makati, Iloilo, and Zamboanga. Paulo Alcazaren, Meloy Mabunay, and Noelle Rodriguez connect those changes to Philippine democracy’s evolution before and after World War II. The webinar examines how the shaping of citizens occurs alongside cultivating their city sense. Showing this link are the expansions, improvements, and uses of streets, plazas, and other public spaces. Alcazaren, Mabunay, and Rodriguez use primary sources to recall the histories unique to the cities respectively in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. They feature maps, letters, travelogues, postcards, and photos from their personal archives and FHL’s Roderick Hall Collection. Register here for Zoom access: bit.ly/ShapingCitySense. The event will also be streamed live on the Filipinas Heritage Library Facebook page. Viewers will receive a Certificate of Participation after answering the feedback form.

Art workshops for kids and teens

THE ANNUAL STAR Community Art Workshops is a series of free online trainings on the performing arts for aspiring kids and teen artists of local barangays around De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The classes will be facilitated by internationally lauded student-artist groups, to include the Coro San Benildo, Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company and Dulaang Filipino of the Culture and Arts Unit. The Karilyo Shadowplay Collective, Production Operations Team and Cultural Promotions Team will likewise share their expertise. Aspiring performers may learn the basics of acting and theater through May Kuwento Ako, a storytelling workshop. Home Crafting guides those interested in upcycling household items into decorative yet functional pieces, while Pintahanan (Pinta + tahanan) holds a series of activities that encourage kids to have a creative outlet at the safety of their homes. The Build-a-Brand webinar is meant for budding entrepreneurs. In Creative Movement for Kids, hopeful young ballerinas may explore the proper form, coordination, movement and balance. Dancers who are into a more vibrant choreography may join the Hip Hop classes, while those who wish to try basic contemporary and improvisation techniques may opt for with Movement Exploration. There will be basic Guitar sessions and Voice Lessons for those who wish to learn the elements of chorale and theater singing. The sessions will run for approximately one hour per session and can accommodate 15 to 25 participants in a first-come first-serve basis. STAR Community Art Workshops are free and are scheduled on Saturdays, June 19 and 26 and July 3, 10 and 17. It will be conducted via Zoom. Those who wish to contribute to sustain the project and interested participants may access details at https://benildecultureandarts.com/.

Individual applications to rondalla workshop sought

THE SIXTH National Rondalla Workshop is now opening its doors to individual rondalla conductors and instrumentalists, the Artist Training Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) announced. While the workshop has been open only to group applications, it is now accepting individual applicants in response to popular demand. The workshop will be held on July 27-31 via Zoom. The workshop aims to reach the young musicians’ full potential as rondalla performers, especially with this online set-up. It will be led by Prof. Elaine Juliet Espejo of the Celso Espejo Rondalla and the UP Rondalla, and faculty member of the UP College of Music.  Workshop modules include sectional rehearsals per rondalla instrument, note reading sessions, and individual rondalla ensemble cliniquing sessions. The workshop will culminate in an online recorded performance that will be streamed via the CCP Facebook Page on Aug. 21. The workshop fee is P2,000 per participant slot (inclusive of online materials and newly arranged rondalla pieces). Limited slots are available.Applicants must send a duly accomplished application form which can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/CCPRondalla2021Individual, and an audio/ video recording of a recent performance of at least two pieces by the individual. Applications must be sent via e-mail to artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Deadline for submission of applications is July 9. Upon notice of acceptance, individual participants must pay the full amount (no reservation fee) on or before July 20. For more information, contact the CCP Artist Training Division by e-mail at artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph.

PRIDE month celebrated with artworks, discussions, comic

BENILDE celebrates Benilde Pride 2021 Sari-Saring Sarili: Pagmamasid, Pagmamahal, at Pagdiriwang ng Kanya-kanyang Katangian which includes storytelling, a video podcast, a webinar, and online art exhibitions. “Ilahad” is a virtual exhibit of sketches, mixed media and digital artworks, showcases the talent of promising LGBTQIA+ creatives. A six-part comic series entitled Kinaiya, named after the Filipino word for character or the good attributes and complexities that make a person’s identity, shares personal heartwarming stories of the diverse members of the LGBTQIA+ community. A video podcast entitled Kape Tayo! provides insightful conversations and friendly debates on the struggles of the LGBTQIA+ amid the ongoing pandemic. Those who wish to learn more about gay lingo may attend the webinar “Bekines,” an informative guide to the ins and outs of the sub-language. It likewise covers the historical context of the language from the so-called Sward speak in the 1970s to the latest Filipino gay slang. The event is hosted by BHive of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the first accredited LGBTQIA+ student-organization in the De La Salle Philippines. The artworks, discussions and comics are all available on view on the official Facebook account of the organization at https://www.facebook.com/BenildeHive/.

Penguin Random House SEA releases account of surviving medical trauma

AFTER suffering strokes, general practitioner Dr. Idayu Maarof underwent major surgery to remove a heart valve tumour believed to have caused the strokes. Unfortunately, what seemed to be the end of a journey was only the beginning of an even more arduous one that included a medically induced coma, and two brain surgeries. The book Dr. Maarof wrote with Mohd Firdaus Raih, A Consequence of Sequence: The Aftermath of a life seized by two tumors, contextually concludes how a sequence of events and decisions led to a particular consequence. This is not an account about being ill. This is story of acceptance, gratitude, and the struggle for a life worth living.