Silverlens participates in Art Basel’s Online Viewing Room
SILVERLENS is participating in Art Basel’s first curator-led “Online Viewing Room: Portals.” Leading this edition are curators Christina Li, Magali Arriola, and Larry Osseih-Mensah. Opening from June 16 through 19, “OVR: Portals” will spotlight artistic practices that tackle the parameters that have shaped our contemporary condition, both through current and historical lenses. For this occasion, the gallery will be presenting selected works by YEE I-Lann, from her exhibition, “Borneo Heart.” This interdisciplinary show took place in the Sabahan artist’s home region, and was only very recently concluded. The exhibit will be on view at the Silverlen’s website from June 16-19.
Online discussion on the state and future of theater
SEVERAL La Salle theater guilds, their professors, mentors and students will discuss the current state of theater and its possible future in an online discussion entitled “Playing the Pandemic.” The forum will delve into the trials and triumphs of online theater and its nature despite the lack of traditional elements such as live performances with live audiences. It will also touch on the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a driving force for the possible redefinition of the art form. It emphasizes the role and contribution of the arts in alleviating the emotional crises brought upon by the pandemic. Hosted by the Arts and Culture Cluster of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, the event is curated and moderated by instructor, consultant and former Associate Dean for Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster Dr. Sunita Mukhi, the Artistic Director of DeviDiva Productions. “Playing the Pandemic” will be held on June 17, 3-5 p.m. It is free and open to the public and will be held via Zoom with a livestream on the official Facebook page of Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster (https://www.facebook.com/benildearts). Interested participants may register at https://forms.gle/Eap9y4D6EYucUtmB8.
Ayala Museum holds virtual field trip for kids
COMMEMORATE Jose Rizal’s birthday on June 19 with Ayala Museum’s RIZAL@160 Virtual Field Trip via Zoom for children ages nine to 12 years old. Join Ayala Museum and celebrate Jose Rizal’s 160th birth anniversary by going on an adventure around the world. Follow his footsteps and visit places from his childhood and the countries he travelled. Finally, learn about his life and legacy that we celebrate to this day. Part 1: Rizal’s Childhood and Early Education (June 19, 10 to 11:30 a.m.) and Part 2: Rizal’s Travels and Legacy (June 19, 4 to 5:30 p.m.). Tickets are priced at P1,300 for a Season Pass (for two tours); P750 for regular, and P600 for AGC employees, Ayala Museum members and ARC cardholders). To register, visit bit.ly/Rizal160VirtualFieldTrips. For more information and instructions, visit www.ayalamuseum.org/events or e-mail education@ayalamuseum.org.
Instituto Cervantes pays 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 are shown through the Instituto Cervantes channel on the Vimeo platform (vimeo.com/institutocervantes) and are freely accessible for 48 hours from their start date and time. The film cycle continues on June 19 and 20 with the third movie, the comedy Plácido (1961), a sarcastic Christmas story about a motorbike driver hired in a sordid advertising promotion campaign called “Let a Poor Man Sit at Your Table.” The movie will be accessible through this link: https://vimeo.com/548754638.
Ortigas Foundation releases new edition of church architecture book
IN RECOGNITION of historian Benito J. Legarda, Jr.’s major contribution to the history of Hispanic Church architecture in the Philippines, the Ortigas Foundation has published a memorial edition of his essay on early churches Hispanic Philippine Churches: An Architectural Study. The book includes photographs by Betty Lalana and Lino Arboleda. To order, e-mail ortigasfoundation@ortigas.cm.ph. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Ortigas.Foundation.
Dance training webinar to discuss benefits, importance
ARTISTIC director, choreographer and coach Mycs Villoso will discuss the impact of dance training and its positive benefits beyond being a performance art in a free public webinar. Ms. Villoso will elaborate on scientific and academic theories, backed up by real-life testimonies of coaches, trainees and students, which assists trainers to effectively mentor dance majors. Interviews will likewise showcase the values earned from this discipline, such as mindfulness, initiative and culture-sensitivity. Director of the 2016 and 2017 Hip-Hop Dance Convention and co-producer of the 2019 and 2020 Street Styles Summit, she is instructor at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Dance Program. Hosted by the Arts and Culture Cluster of DLS-CSB, the webinar will be moderated by Nina Anonas, professor and Chairperson of the Benilde Dance Program. The webinar will be conducted via Zoom on June 19, 3 p.m. Interested participants may register through https://bit.ly/3poBvOf.
Showcase of experimental short films
TEN students from Mapúa University’s Digital Film and Multimedia Arts programs have collaborated with 10 creators from the Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCAD U) for the Narratives Through Global Space 2021, a showcase of experimental films to be held on June 21 to 25 through OCAD U’s screening events at www.ocadu.ca/live. Twenty emerging artists from nine countries — the Philippines, Canada, Portugal, Mexico, Iran, India, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea — produced materials that give a refreshing take on art due to their diverse and varying cultures and perspectives. It brings together filmmakers, visual artists, digital artists, animators, photographers, writers, and musicians with different experiences to respond to issues of gender, sexuality, religion, language, and identity, among others. The screening events by OCAD U will include a behind-the-scenes process and panel talks from the creators, mentors, and university faculty. The films will also be featured in the Reel Asian International Film Festival in July.
British Council launches weaving project
THE BRITISH Council announces the launch of Weaving Futures — Cultural Exchanges and Design Collaboration, an action research project led by the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Enrique Zobel Foundation and Philippine Women’s University. Through a series of consultations, Weaving Futures will map the communities’ distinct cultural heritage, relationship with nature, indigenous knowledge, and vision for the future. The result will be a new design process to help broaden perspectives on artisanship and design, as well as renew and refresh weaving practices. This initiative will also open up opportunities for working collaboratively across communities with designers, artisans and makers in the UK and the Philippines. The research project will engage four weaving communities in the Philippines: the Kiyangan Weavers Association in Kiyangan, Ifugao; the Kulibanbang Weavers Association of Bontoc women now residing in La Trinidad, Benguet; the Serukadang Menuvu Tribal Organization of Bukidnon; and the Sunrise Weaving Association of Ibaan, Batangas. Weaving Futures responds to findings of a British Council study, Crafting Futures — sustaining handloom weaving in the Philippines. The report described craft as a “sunset industry” despite its contributions to women empowerment, cultural expression and sustainable development. The British Council’s Pilar Aramayo-Prudencio and the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, Dr Khaled Azzam, among others, will grace the digital launch event on June 16. For inquiries, contact arts@britishcouncil.org.ph.
4 shows at West Gallery
THERE are four exhibits currently running at the West Gallery until June 26. These are Dex Fernandez’s “Synchrodelic Hybrid Fractals Screenshots” featuring works which use photographic medium, pigments, and threads; Gino Bueza’s “Mt. Synonym”; Veronica Peralejo’s “new holes,” in which she plays with the nature of translucent materials and its different levels of opacity; and, Indya Gokita’ “This Is How We Walk On The Moon.” Visitors are welcome by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 3411-0336.
Jürg Casserini has new show at Artologist Gallery
FROM June 12-30, mixed media artist Jürg Casserini presents his “Bangka” art assemblage and driftwood art pieces at The Artologist Gallery at the Art Plaza Level 4, Main Wing, EDSA Shangri-la Plaza. The Swiss-born artist has been collecting bits and pieces of wooden boats that wash ashore in Bohol. What others might see as trash or even kindling for fire, Mr. Casserini sees as elements for his found objects collages. Mr. Casserini, a former diplomat and his wife have fallen in love with the Philippines and have decided to make the country their retirement haven. They spend time between their place in the business district and their leisure apartment in Bohol. The exhibit features 20 Bangka collages and seven driftwood pieces. The Artologist Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Health protocols are strictly observed. For more information, call 8696-3244, 0945-5112568; e-mail artgallery@artologist.net; visit www.facebook.com/artologist or www.instagram.com/the_artologist or log on to www.theartologist.net.
BP releases dance video for Independence Day
BALLET Philippines (BP) celebrates the country’s 123rd Independence Day by taking part in Len Cabili’s campaign, “Dama ko Lahi ko,” which celebrates being Filipino by experiencing culture through each of the five senses, promoting Philippine culture as a collective soft power. BP’s contribution is a dance called “Dama Ko, Lahi Ko,” choreographed by Joseph Phillips, featuring music by Boy Yuchengco, “Imna Na” by the Pinikpikan band. The video can be seen on BP’s website, ballet.ph.
